Storage space is one of those things we seemingly never have enough of. No matter how spacious our homes are to start with, we soon seem to fill every nook and cranny. Hanging onto that tennis racket even though you haven’t played in ten years? Stick it in the cupboard under the stairs. Holding onto your packing boxes in case you move again? The garage is as good a place as any. Storing your winter wardrobe because your bulky coats are bursting out of your closet? Then you know the drill.
This tendency to shove things in corners becomes a problem if you don’t have a lot of space to start with, but luckily, there are a few clever hacks to maximize storage and make it go further.
Get it off the Ground
When it comes to storing things, nothing looks messier than piling your excess on the floor, but it’s a tactic a lot of us end up resorting to. While heaped books may look tidier if they’re neatly stacked, don’t settle for lackluster solutions. Instead, install shelving to create extra space and make everything look a little more organized.
If apprehensive to install shelves for fear of drilling holes in your walls, choose free-standing solutions or invest in some good filler. Companies like Pattex have lots of options available so that if you reposition or remove your shelves in the future, you can make your walls look as good as new again. The array of products are designed with efficiency in mind, capable of filling any cracks or holes with a single application.
Stand Tall and Store
As well as shelves, look for storage solutions that stand tall. These allow you to keep everything safely stowed away without taking up too much floor space, which makes them really useful. For example, if you have a surplus of books spilling onto the floor, look for a bookcase that’s tall and narrow, like the Billy model from IKEA.
This approach doesn’t just work for books: you can use this kind of storage solution for everything from plants and collectibles to DVDs and video games. This post from Apartment Therapy has some fantastic ideas for you to work with and adapt to your needs.
Multipurpose Magic
If you can, try to also find furniture and fixtures that have inbuilt storage solutions. Say, for example, you’re looking for a new coffee table. Lots of these have lids that lift off to reveal extra storage inside or drawers attached to their underside. Divan beds often have pull-out drawers too, while ottomans offer both seating and a handy storage solution. This way, you’re combining extra storage with items you need and the two together are only taking up a single bit of floor space.
Clean and Clear
Last but not least, it’s the words you’ve been dreading: it might be time for a clear-out. If you’re really struggling for space in a smaller home, ask yourself if you need all of the clutter you’ve accumulated over the years. You could sell your excess on Facebook Marketplace or eBay to raise extra funds and perhaps invest this in some more economically sized furniture. We’ve published several other pieces regarding decluttering and optimizing the setup of furniture within the home on Webku earlier this year.
There you have it: four great tips for maximizing storage space in a smaller home. Put these insights into practice to create a clean and clutter-free space that’s much more pleasant to relax in.