Wall Storage Ideas for Home Organization: 10 Ways to Use the Walls

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In this guide
  1. Before you hang anything
  2. Shelves and corners
  3. Hooks and rails
  4. Boards and doors
  5. Plan it

When the floor is full, the walls are the next place to look. A wall can hold shelves, hooks, rails and boards at eye level, and it costs no floor space at all. These ten ideas suit kitchens, entryways, bedrooms and offices, and several of them work without drilling, which helps if you rent.

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Before you hang anything

Find the studs or choose fixings that suit your wall type. Check the weight limits on everything you buy, and plan the layout on paper or with painter's tape before you make any holes. Keep heavier items low, daily items at hand height, and leave blank wall around each group so the whole thing does not feel crowded.

Shelves and corners

Floating shelves

Shelves hold books, plants and baskets at eye level. A set of three in the same finish suits a bare wall, and hidden brackets give a clean look. Most sets need screws, so check the weight rating and use proper anchors for plasterboard.

Floating shelves with books and plants (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: floating shelves (opens Amazon in a new tab)

A corner shelf

A corner unit uses the dead space where two walls meet and holds decor, books or small baskets. A freestanding tiered stand needs no drilling, which suits renters, but check that it is stable on your floor.

A corner shelf stand with decor (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: corner shelves (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Wall display shelves

Narrow face-out shelves show book covers, which makes them perfect for a child's room or a small reading corner. They are light and quick to mount.

A wall rack displaying children's picture books (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: wall display shelves (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Hooks and rails

Adhesive hooks

Strong adhesive hooks hold bags, coats and keys and peel off cleanly. Follow the weight guide on the pack and press firmly on a clean, dry surface.

Adhesive hooks holding bags and keys on a wall (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: adhesive wall hooks (opens Amazon in a new tab)

A rail with hooks

A kitchen rail with many hooks holds utensils, mugs and towels right where you cook. It frees drawer space and keeps tools within reach. Most need screws, so plan the position before drilling.

A wall rail with hooks holding wooden utensils and mugs in a kitchen (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: wall rails (opens Amazon in a new tab)

A key and mail holder

A holder by the door keeps keys, mail and sunglasses together, with a small shelf for post. It stops the daily hunt for keys and makes a hallway look intentional.

A key holder on a wall with keys and mail (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: wall key holders (opens Amazon in a new tab)

A magnetic knife strip

A strip frees counter space and keeps blades visible and sharp. Wood looks warm in a small kitchen. Mount it high enough to be out of reach of children.

A wooden magnetic strip holding kitchen knives on a wall (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: magnetic knife strips (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Boards and doors

A pegboard

A pegboard with a kit of hooks and bins holds craft supplies, tools or desk items, and you can rearrange it whenever your needs change. It works well in an office, a craft corner or a garage.

A pegboard with hooks holding supplies (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: pegboard organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

An over-the-door organizer

The door is a wall too. An over-the-door organizer holds shoes, cleaning supplies or accessories and needs no tools. Check the door thickness before you buy.

An over-the-door organizer holding shoes on a door (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: over-the-door organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

A hanging jewelry organizer

A hanging organizer keeps necklaces untangled and earrings in sight. It hangs on a wall or door, and it turns a drawer of tangles into a display.

A hanging jewelry organizer showing necklaces and earrings (opens Amazon in a new tab)

See our pick: hanging jewelry organizers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

Plan it

Mock up the layout with paper first, and keep it simple. Leave empty wall space around each group, and the room will feel organized rather than cluttered.