Small home storage can change everything.
But first…
Smaller homes are the new trend — with average U.S. home sizes decreasing by 6% since 2016. And the reason is obvious…
Smaller homes are much more affordable and practical, but they also require much more clever storage solutions if they are to work well for you.
The good news?
With the right tricks, you can optimize even the tiniest of spaces and make them work perfectly.
Here’s how to do it…
Storage for Small Homes: Why You Need It
Less space is just hard.
When you have less square footage to work with, you need to be much more choosy with your belongings. Every book, every appliance, every knick-knack needs a place to live.
The fact is that clutter is going to build up fast if you don’t take steps to manage it. The secret is to take advantage of storage hacks everywhere you can. Vertical space, under-bed storage, hidden storage, and multi-functional furniture…
These are just some of the storage ideas out there for you to try. Many people turn to self-storage to supplement their in-home storage needs. This is especially true if you have things you rarely use like seasonal items, holiday decorations, or tools. Storage units in Arizona and similar facilities can give you the extra space you need without requiring you to sell or get rid of those things.
For more immediate storage ideas, let’s dive in…
Ideal Furniture for Saving Space
Tiny home furniture is the big secret.
Furniture that doubles up and does more than one thing is life-changing for people who live in smaller spaces. Hidden storage, built-in organization, and clever designs that make your home feel more spacious…
You can find all of this in modern multi-functional furniture designed for small homes. From beds with drawers underneath to ottomans that are also storage chests, to coffee tables with hidden compartments, these are the sort of pieces that can change your life.
Here are some of the must-have multi-functional furniture items out there:
- Storage beds. Hidden storage underneath beds provide easy access and tons of space without taking up any room.
- Lift top coffee tables. Lift up the top to provide extra storage space underneath for all of your living room clutter.
- Storage ottomans. Double as a seat, a footrest, and hidden storage.
- Expandable dining tables. Collapse down or expand out depending on how many guests you have coming over.
About 1 in 3 Americans now use storage solutions to help organize and declutter their homes. This is a whole new world to most people. But it shows how prevalent the need is for more home storage.
Multi-functional furniture helps here too by making more use of the space you do have.
Vertical Home Storage Ideas to Consider
Wall space is mostly wasted.
Too many people overlook their walls as a real storage option. The reality is that vertical space can be the best of your friends when it comes to home storage hacks.
Shelves are the obvious place to start. But you don’t need to just hang some plain boards and call it a day. Kitchen pegboards, wall-mounted dish drying racks, bathroom floating shelves, tall bookcases that draw the eye upward…
There’s an almost endless supply of vertical storage options to choose from. Storage isn’t limited to shelves alone. Think wall hooks for coats and bags, storage cabinets for frequently used kitchen items, over-the-door organizers.
Wall space is huge. Make sure to take full advantage of it.
Hidden Space Storage Solutions to Keep in Mind
Hidden storage is everywhere.
That’s the problem. Hidden storage is everywhere but it’s not necessarily obvious. Odd corners, spaces under stairs, space under beds, the tops of bed risers…
These are just a few examples of places where you can put hidden storage in your home. Window seats with hidden storage tops are a classic move. But storage can be in the backs of chairs, under stairs, in the tops of kitchen cabinets if you have it, or even just under sofas.
Hidden storage isn’t just furniture either. The space above doorways is perfect for narrow shelves. The backs of doors are good for over-the-door organizers. Hidden storage pockets in the sides of sofas can hold extra blankets or pillows.
Hidden storage is just about any space that’s underused.
Professional Storage Hacks You Can Use
Sometimes you have to call in the pros.
No shame in that at all.
Professional storage services are an easy way to augment your in-home storage and help declutter and organize your space. Professional storage units can be climate-controlled, secure, and surprisingly affordable for what you get. Renters insurance on self-storage is often an option too.
These professional services are a great choice for long-term storage of family heirlooms, seasonal items, hobby equipment, holiday decorations, or other things you just can’t part with but don’t really have space for at home. Short-term storage is also a great way to keep things organized when you’re between homes, renovating, or in the process of downsizing.
Professional storage can be perfect for the following:
- Seasonal items you use once a year but need year-round storage for.
- Heirlooms you can’t bear to part with or don’t have room for at home.
- Hobbies that require equipment and storage space you can’t keep at home.
- If you’re between homes, just downsizing, or moving to a new space.
- Extra boxes when you’re decluttering and need temporary storage for things you’re not ready to part with quite yet.
You shouldn’t have to get rid of things just because you don’t have space for them at home. That’s where professional storage services come in. Professional storage is a major industry for a reason.
Storage Hacks to Transform Your Home
In a small space, storage is key.
It’s not just about having shelves and bins everywhere. Clever storage ideas can change your home, often without you having to spend a dime. Install hooks everywhere you can. Behind the door, in hallways, on walls, on backs of doors.
Hooks are cheap, versatile, and an easy DIY hack. Clear storage containers help too. See what you have without having to dig through boxes. Label everything so you can easily find what you need without searching.
Decluttering is another important storage hack. Less stuff makes storage so much easier. But before you invest in bins and boxes and shelves, first declutter.
Sort through every room of your house. Clear out what you no longer love, need, or use. Donate or sell it. Keep what’s left. Only then should you start investing in storage solutions for what’s left.
If you don’t have the space, declutter and get rid of it. But if you just don’t have the space in your home for everything else…
Try one or more of the hacks above to free up more space in your home without necessarily getting rid of your stuff.
Takeaways on Small Home Storage
Small homes are the way of the future.
There’s no doubt about it. Smaller homes are just so much more affordable and practical. But if you’re not careful, smaller spaces can become cluttered and cramped in a hurry. Organization and storage hacks are crucial to making the most of small homes.
Multi-functional furniture, vertical storage, hidden storage, professional storage services. These are just some of the ways to optimize even the tiniest space and make it work for you. You just need to get creative.
Start with one room and work your way through your home. Implement the hacks that make sense for your lifestyle. The best storage is invisible storage. Storage that you don’t even notice.
With the right storage, even a tiny home can feel roomy, well-organized, and just right.