In this guide
Making a small apartment work does not need a big budget. It needs a few cheap things that use the walls, the doors and the space under the furniture. These twelve ideas are all affordable, easy to set up and friendly to renters, and most take only a few minutes.
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Look up, behind and under
Walk around and notice where the space is going to waste: the back of the door, the empty wall above the furniture, the area under the bed and the corner nobody uses. Those are the places to add storage. Measure before you buy, and favor things that can be removed when you move.
Doors and walls
An over-the-door organizer
It uses the back of the door and needs no drilling. It holds shoes, accessories or cleaning supplies. Check the door thickness and that the door closes.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: over-the-door organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Adhesive hooks
Hooks are the cheapest storage there is. They hold bags, coats, keys and towels and come off the wall cleanly. Follow the weight limit on the pack.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: adhesive wall hooks (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A wall rail with hooks
A rail with hooks and baskets turns a bare wall into storage. It suits a kitchen or entryway. Adhesive versions are renter-friendly.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: wall rails (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Floating shelves
Shelves use wall space and take no floor space. They are good for books, plants and small baskets. Check whether the set needs screws.
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Furniture that works harder
A storage ottoman
An ottoman gives you a seat and a place to hide blankets and games. A folding one saves space when empty. Choose a sturdy lid if people will sit on it.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: storage ottomans (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A slim rolling cart
A narrow cart slides into gaps beside the fridge or washer and holds pantry or bathroom items. It rolls out when you need it. Measure the gap first.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: slim rolling carts (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A corner shelf
Corners are usually dead space. A corner shelf uses them for books, plants and small decor. Choose a stable base with a wide footprint.
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Fabric storage cubes
Cubes keep clutter out of sight and fit most cube shelves. They fold flat when you do not need them.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: fabric storage cubes (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Closets and beds
Under-bed storage
The space under a bed is often wasted. Flat boxes hold off-season clothes and spare bedding. Measure the clearance first.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: under-bed storage (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Vacuum storage bags
Bags shrink bulky bedding and sweaters so they take a third of the space. They suit seasonal items. Do not store down or wool for long periods.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: vacuum storage bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Slim hangers
Switching to slim hangers frees a lot of rail space and costs very little.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: slim velvet hangers (opens Amazon in a new tab)
A tension rod
A rod fits inside a cabinet or window frame and holds cleaning bottles or curtains without any screws. It is cheap and flexible.
(opens Amazon in a new tab)See our pick: tension rods (opens Amazon in a new tab)
Start with one
Pick the spot that bothers you most and fix it first. A small apartment feels bigger when each of these cheap changes makes one corner work better.