Ingenious Storage Ideas for Small Space Living
Your storage needs don’t shrink with the size of your home, but these clever ideas for small-scale pads should help you stow it all away
Jo Simmons
13 October 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Storage is a crucial ingredient of any home, big or small, but when the footprint of your place is at the mini end of the scale, it can be hard to fit in all your stuff. Ruthlessly decluttering on a regular basis can help, but so too can these nifty ideas for slotting storage into even the smallest of homes.
Make seating multi-task
Rather than squeeze a conventional sofa or armchair into your small living space, consider having simple benches made with lift-up lids. You can top them with comfy padding and cushions, as shown in this snug room.
Rather than squeeze a conventional sofa or armchair into your small living space, consider having simple benches made with lift-up lids. You can top them with comfy padding and cushions, as shown in this snug room.
Create your own utensil rail
Simply placing sturdy sticks in the support brackets of these shelves creates an additional layer of storage, at no extra cost. Pans, chopping boards and other utensils can now be hung from this beautifully informal and rustic rail.
Discover how to crank up the storage in your first kitchen
Simply placing sturdy sticks in the support brackets of these shelves creates an additional layer of storage, at no extra cost. Pans, chopping boards and other utensils can now be hung from this beautifully informal and rustic rail.
Discover how to crank up the storage in your first kitchen
Embrace awkward angles
Rather than being a problem, the sloping ceiling in this bedroom offers ample opportunities for building in some simple shelving and hanging storage. The bed tucks in neatly under the pitched roof while practical, unfussy storage is worked in around it, in what would otherwise be dead space.
Rather than being a problem, the sloping ceiling in this bedroom offers ample opportunities for building in some simple shelving and hanging storage. The bed tucks in neatly under the pitched roof while practical, unfussy storage is worked in around it, in what would otherwise be dead space.
studiocuvier.se
Go DIY and high
Fixing storage up high is a brilliant way to exploit the under-used vertical space available in any room, no matter how big its footprint. Here, old wooden crates have been fixed high on the wall, above the headspace required by anyone who is sitting on the sofa, to provide useful nooks for display. It’s an inexpensive and attractive way to boost your storage.
Fixing storage up high is a brilliant way to exploit the under-used vertical space available in any room, no matter how big its footprint. Here, old wooden crates have been fixed high on the wall, above the headspace required by anyone who is sitting on the sofa, to provide useful nooks for display. It’s an inexpensive and attractive way to boost your storage.
Kill two birds…
This wall incorporates two ideas in one. Occasional chairs are stored up and out of the way on hooks and, in addition, their seats are used to hold and display books and artwork. Genius!
This wall incorporates two ideas in one. Occasional chairs are stored up and out of the way on hooks and, in addition, their seats are used to hold and display books and artwork. Genius!
Hang it all on the wall
Alternatively, go the more conventional route… A lot of cupboards can eat into the space in a small kitchen and can make the room feel claustrophobic. So exploit vertical space by fitting a system of rails, hooks and shallow racks to store everything from knives to pans and free-up space in your built-in cupboards.
Alternatively, go the more conventional route… A lot of cupboards can eat into the space in a small kitchen and can make the room feel claustrophobic. So exploit vertical space by fitting a system of rails, hooks and shallow racks to store everything from knives to pans and free-up space in your built-in cupboards.
Dip inside
The interior of your smart seating becomes a generous storage space for all manner of items, just like this clever hallway bench with a lift-up lid.
The interior of your smart seating becomes a generous storage space for all manner of items, just like this clever hallway bench with a lift-up lid.
Use every inch
If you are lucky enough to be able to commission bespoke storage for your small space, ensure it squeezes value out of every nook and cranny. This storage in the kitchen of a compact apartment even has a tiny square drawer included in the design. At first glance, you might think it’s too small to be useful, but you’ll be surprised how handy it is.
If you are lucky enough to be able to commission bespoke storage for your small space, ensure it squeezes value out of every nook and cranny. This storage in the kitchen of a compact apartment even has a tiny square drawer included in the design. At first glance, you might think it’s too small to be useful, but you’ll be surprised how handy it is.
Hold on
You don’t need to suspend storage from the ceiling or the back of the door; any useful ledge can be pressed into service. In this bathroom, the wall panelling provides a place from which to hang a series of three wooden crates, creating handy storage for essential bathroom bits.
Learn how to understand bathroom design jargon
You don’t need to suspend storage from the ceiling or the back of the door; any useful ledge can be pressed into service. In this bathroom, the wall panelling provides a place from which to hang a series of three wooden crates, creating handy storage for essential bathroom bits.
Learn how to understand bathroom design jargon
Look down
Make the most of every scrap of floor space, even if it is hiding beneath existing storage. Where most kitchens simply have a kick board to cover the empty slither of space under the cabinets, this one has drawers, which are perfect for storing flat kitchen kit, from baking trays to chopping boards.
Make the most of every scrap of floor space, even if it is hiding beneath existing storage. Where most kitchens simply have a kick board to cover the empty slither of space under the cabinets, this one has drawers, which are perfect for storing flat kitchen kit, from baking trays to chopping boards.
Bag it
The back of a door is prime storage space that is often left unused, but this nursery demonstrates just how useful it can be. Three simple shopping totes have been labelled and suspended from chunky hooks. They can be taken down so that the child can play with the toys and they’re easy to fill and hang up again at the end of the day.
The back of a door is prime storage space that is often left unused, but this nursery demonstrates just how useful it can be. Three simple shopping totes have been labelled and suspended from chunky hooks. They can be taken down so that the child can play with the toys and they’re easy to fill and hang up again at the end of the day.
Break it up
If the only space for hanging storage in a bedroom is right next to the bed, this ingenious design is ideal. Neatly built into this tiny bedroom, it functions as both wardrobe space and bedside units, with cupboards beneath, thanks to the open section a third of the way up.
If the only space for hanging storage in a bedroom is right next to the bed, this ingenious design is ideal. Neatly built into this tiny bedroom, it functions as both wardrobe space and bedside units, with cupboards beneath, thanks to the open section a third of the way up.
Raise your expectations
If your bedroom is small, you can maximise it by elevating your bed to a lofty platform and using the space beneath as storage. Obviously, ceiling height will dictate how high you can comfortably raise your bed, but it’s a brilliant idea for squeezing maximum functionality from a bedroom with a small footprint.
If your bedroom is small, you can maximise it by elevating your bed to a lofty platform and using the space beneath as storage. Obviously, ceiling height will dictate how high you can comfortably raise your bed, but it’s a brilliant idea for squeezing maximum functionality from a bedroom with a small footprint.
Find a smart design
If your budget allows, seek out innovative furniture that takes up minimal room but offers multiple functions, to help you get the most from your small space. This bed, for example, has another mattress beneath which can be pulled out and the bedhead pulls down to reveal a neat desk and storage space. Perfect for a compact child or teen’s room.
TELL US…
Do you have any clever storage tips for tiny spaces? Share them in the Comments below.
If your budget allows, seek out innovative furniture that takes up minimal room but offers multiple functions, to help you get the most from your small space. This bed, for example, has another mattress beneath which can be pulled out and the bedhead pulls down to reveal a neat desk and storage space. Perfect for a compact child or teen’s room.
TELL US…
Do you have any clever storage tips for tiny spaces? Share them in the Comments below.
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I agree with you, June. But "hiding items we don't always have"? Please help this addled brain. Blessings and thanks.
This is great! storage is definitely a MUST in small spaces to allow you to keep your space clutter free! Read more about how you can keep your space clutter free with our blog 'Free Your Space' https://www.mysmallspace.co.uk/design-ideas/free-your-space/