Creative Storage Ideas For Small Spaces

Many people are ditching the white picket fence with the big house and two-car garage for a more simple life. Tiny houses have become the rage, especially among younger generations. And small-space living isn't without its advantages. It is cozy, easy to clean, cost-effective, and surprisingly mobile. With that said, anyone who has adopted the tiny house lifestyle knows that it also comes with its own set of disadvantages, one of them being room for storage. Fortunately, with a little bit of creativity, there are all kinds of storage solutions you can incorporate into a small space to get the most out of it. From floating shelves to ottomans and art storage, countless things in your small space can be turned into additional storage with a little imagination. In the article below, we will talk about a few of them. Table of Contents Clear Your Floor Ottoman Storage Use Vertical Space Under The Bed Storage Staggered Shelving Custom Closets Double-Duty Furniture You Can Create Storage Clear Your Floor Clutter is a problem in many homes, and it is amplified in small spaces. The more clutter you can clear, the cleaner and calmer your home is going to feel. A great way to clear the clutter in your small space is to hang your storage. Instead of having a bunch of cabinets and organizers taking up floor space, install small cube or rectangular shelving units for open storage. And, since they don't have doors that will swing open, you won't need extra space to account for that. While you're at it, get wall mounted lamps as well so they won't take up room on top of your shelves.

Ottoman Storage It's a good idea to invest in an ottoman, or at least revamp an old one. Having an ottoman is a fail-proof way always to have storage for the miscellaneous items that always seem to float around your house. It gives those items without a clear home somewhere to be stored. And, because it is both function and form, it pulls double duty, adding style to your space and increasing comfort, all while keeping clutter out of sight.

Use Vertical Space There is plenty of floor to ceiling surfaces that are never utilized for storage in small spaces. That's too bad because that precious square footage can be put to good use. Narrow items that are quick to clutter are perfect for vertical spaces. Line a wall or a door with a variety of slim wire baskets, to house random items, and keep everything inside in plain sight.

Under The Bed Storage The first place many people utilize when they are running out of storage options is the space under their bed. However, without a system in place, shoving things under the bed can quickly turn into a chaotic mess. Luckily there are plenty of affordable pull-out drawers, customizable containers, and dividers specifically made to store items under your bed. Or, you could get creative and turn old luggage into storage to slide neatly under your bed.

Staggered Shelving Uniform shelving units can eat up a lot of square footage, overpowering a small room and making it feel even smaller. If you need shelving, you should instead look for shelving units that stair-step back the depth of the shelves, getting narrower at the top and opening up the look and feel of the room.

Custom Closets If you live in a small space, you know that the first thing that is sacrificed is closet space. And, you know the struggle that comes along with that. If you're one of the many people who have downgraded to a tiny house but miss their closet every single day, this idea is for you. A makeshift closet can be painted and polished, keeping your clothes organized and adding a focal point to your room. It can also double as a room divider if you live in a studio apartment.

Double-Duty Furniture When you live in a small space, you need pieces that can work in a variety of ways. The ottoman we talked about earlier is an excellent choice to pull double duty. When you're in a small space, it might seem impossible to create things like home offices. However, strategically placed bookshelves offer practical storage and serve as stylish focal points. For the people living in studio apartments, a sofa bed is the ultimate piece of multi-function furniture.

You Can Create Storage Many people want to simplify their lives and for good reasons. That simplification comes in many forms, one of them being to downgrade their house and live in smaller spaces. The first thing that is sacrificed when you give up square footage is storage space, but with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can create storage space out of next to nothing. Using the few ideas above, you can simplify your home without cluttering it.