Renting a small apartment means working within walls you cannot change. The good news is that most of the best storage fixes need no drilling at all. They use adhesive, tension, doors and freestanding furniture, and they come with you when you move. These eleven ideas work in a rental and take minutes to set up.
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What to check first
Read your lease for rules about nails and adhesives. Test any adhesive on a small, hidden patch first. Follow weight limits closely, and apply to clean, dry, smooth walls. Where you can, choose freestanding items, because they leave no trace at all when you leave.
Adhesive and tension
Adhesive hooks
Strong adhesive hooks hold coats, bags and keys and peel off cleanly when you follow the instructions. Follow the weight guide on the pack and wait the recommended time before hanging anything.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: adhesive wall hooks (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A wall rail
A rail with hooks suits a kitchen or entryway. Many mount with screws, so check whether yours can use adhesive strips, and read your lease first.
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A tension rod
A rod fits inside a cabinet or a window frame and holds cleaning bottles, curtains or trays without screws. It is cheap and flexible, and moves with you.
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An under-shelf basket
It hooks onto a shelf with no tools and turns the empty air under a shelf into storage.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: under-shelf baskets (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Doors and furniture
An over-the-door organizer
It hangs on the top of the door, so nothing is fixed to the wall. It holds shoes, supplies or pantry items. Check that the door still closes.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: over-the-door organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A storage ottoman
Furniture that hides things works in any rental. An ottoman is a seat and a place to store blankets.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: storage ottomans (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A slim rolling cart
A cart fills an awkward gap and goes with you when you move. Measure the space before you buy.
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A corner shelf
A freestanding corner unit uses wasted space and needs no drilling.
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Fabric cubes
Cubes fit shelves and fold flat when empty, which helps at moving time.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: fabric storage cubes (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Under-bed storage
The bed makes room for boxes of off-season items without any fixing.
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Floating shelves
Some sets mount with adhesive strips, but many need screws, so check before you buy and only choose adhesive-friendly ones if your lease forbids holes.
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Moving out
Remove adhesive slowly and follow the instructions, and your deposit stays safe. Keep the packaging so you can reuse what you bought in the next place.