Four Storage Solutions For Small Spaces

     One thing I hear often when going to staging and styling consultations is that the homeowner feels as though they don’t have enough space. They have things spread out on counters and stacked on floors because they can’t seem to find a better place for it. If you are reading this nodding your head in agreement with them, you are not alone! 

     Sometimes there truly isn’t enough space, but more often the space is just not being used as efficiently as it could be. If you suspect that may be the case for your home, here are some tips to improve your space utilization and de-clutter your rooms!

1) Bins 

     Y’all, I love bins! Especially the wicker ones. These can be found at Target or IKEA, fit most of those cube shelves, and look really pretty. I use them in most of my closets for things like shoes, dog supplies, and even in the laundry closet for small appliances I don’t use often (hello space heater). Aside from making the closets appear more organized, it helps you go up in the space. It’s pretty hard to stack shoes on top of one another without a container. They spread out as far as the space will allow. Same goes for space heaters, towels, etc. These small bins will help keep the clutter out of sight while giving you more space to work with in your closets.

Photo: IKEA.com

2) Storage Ottomans

      If you like the look of tufted ottomans, then this is a major storage solution for you! The come as small as eighteen inches wide and as large as four-five feet! These are great for tucking away remotes, blankets, dog toys, books, children’s toys. Basically anything that may end up in your living room (or even bedroom, at the foot of the bed), could be tucked away in here. For even better utilization, put small bins inside to keep remotes and other smaller items from getting lost in those blankets.

Photo: target.com

3) Shelves  

     This is key for those with smaller kitchens and pantries. The name of this game is "going up". IKEA is a great resource for finding various shelf racks. Some can be drilled into the wall, some can be attached to existing wire shelving. Whatever your need may be, I bet they have a shelf for it. If you have an open wall in a kitchen, embrace the open shelf tend! 

    Don't have space in your living room for a bookshelf after your couch is in there? Put shelves above the couch. Stagger books and framed photos/artwork on these shelves to keep the space beautiful and feeling intentional. 

Great use of wall space in a laundry room. Photo: Target.com

4) Wall Racks

     They make these for all sorts of things now. You can hang brooms on the wall of the pantry. Get some for the back of the bathroom closet/linen closet for storing cleaning supplies or beauty products. IKEA has some that you can hang tins from, which can be used for utensil storage or growing herbs/succulents. We've used wall spice racks as a solution to our tiny pantry. 

photo: ikea.com

Hopefully this can get you started on a more organized, less cluttered living space!