Ways To Maximize Storage in a Small Home

If you run out of space in your home, there are many ways to maximize storage. Here are seven great ways to maximize storage in a small house. 

As a new or longtime homeowner, one of the most difficult things is figuring out where everything will go. Along with deciding on decor and furniture, homeowners must find ways to keep the space clean and storage out of site.

No matter the size of your home, many people have trouble figuring out how to maximize storage. Most homes have multiple closets to store extra items like coats, shoes, holiday decorations, and anything else you want out of site. However, this task becomes even harder if you live in a smaller home. 

You probably know about the basic ways to maximize storage, such as organizers, attics, and under-bed storage, but we have compiled a list of ways to optimize storage even more. 

All homeowners want to take pride in their homes and genuinely love the way it looks. The first step in achieving this is storing everything away that you don't want to see. Follow along with this easy guide on how to maximize storage in a small home. 

Keep reading to learn all about how to maximize storage in a small home. 

1. Entryway Storage

Some homes have a closet in the foyer for coats, keys, shoes, and anything else you want put away when you walk in the door. However, if you live in a smaller home, you may not have a whole closet for storage.

If you have the space, many homeowners build or buy a small bench with hooks and storage underneath. This can be an easy and cheap way to create storage in the front of the home.

Even if you don't have the time or financial resources for a whole bench and storage area, simple hooks by the front door can go a long way. Keep in mind to keep it simple with only your most used jackets and/or shoes to keep the area clear and clean. 

Depending on your family size, you may need more storage space for any kids' coats, dog leashes, and more. Consider what you use the most and assign a spot for those first. Then, you can reevaluate your belongings and decide what needs to go. 

2. Hidden Storage Spaces

While you may lack closets in a small home to hide items, there are tons of affordable couches, ottomans, and tables to find. For example, if you love throw blankets but don't have enough space to store them, consider buying a couch with hidden storage underneath. Not only is this a great way to hide your belongings, but it creates a cleaner space for you to relax. 

In rooms like the bathroom, where products and other items can stack up, a medicine cabinet is a great option. This creates a space for your most used items in any easy-to-reach place and has them all out of sight. 

As we mentioned earlier, under-bed storage is a great place to keep unused items. Depending on your bedding, you most likely won't even be able to see all the items under the bed. 

Similarly, if you are building a home from scratch, you should create storage under stairs. This is one of the best ways to declutter and keep items out of your kid's reach. Even if you just bought your home, you can still create this extra storage on your own or with the help of a professional. According to the National Association of Realtors, installing pullout drawers under the stairs can add about two square feet of storage per drawer. 

3. Vertical Storage

Vertical storage in a small room or home is one of the smartest storage ideas. Whether you opt for behind-the-door storage, small shelf units, or ladder shelves, all will take up much less space than a large cabinet. 

One thing to keep in mind if you opt for vertical storage is to ensure everything is neat. Depending on where the storage is, you may want a clean look. However, this doesn't mean you can't store non-aesthetically pleasing items. Consider adding glass canisters to store items or small baskets for things you want out of sight. 

Many homeowners mount cubes or shelf units directly onto walls to create open storage. Depending on where it is in the home, this may need to be kept tidy. Not only does this add storage, but it can also be used as decoration. You can keep books, family pictures, knickknacks, and more in easy-to-reach spots. 

If you're looking for storage in a particularly small room, small pieces are best. These will provide plenty of space without overcrowding the room. Small pieces like shorter shelf units are good options in bathrooms for extra towels, toiletries, and decor. 

4. Hanging Storage

The kitchen can easily become cluttered with food, cups, bowls, utensils, cookware, and anything else you use often. If you run out of cabinet space, hanging strips are a great and affordable option to create more storage.

Hanging strips can be used for your favorite mugs, knives, spice jars, or anything else you use. Keep in mind that if you opt for this type of storage, you need to keep it clean. If you overcrowd the kitchen with hanging items then it will seem smaller. 

After using the kitchen, make sure to clean up and place everything back where it is supposed to go. Countertops and surfaces should be used strictly as a workspace when cooking. 

5. Combining Spaces

If you work from home or use an office room for hobbies, consider adding a daybed or sofa bed. This creates a great guest bedroom if you have limited space for additional people to stay.

The worst thing is rarely using your guide bedroom, so consider combining it with another room. This can be your office or playroom. When guests do stay, you may have to move some things around or work somewhere else. It is essential to consider how often you have extra guests to decide whether or not this is worth it.  

You can also combine the kitchen and dining room to create a more open space for gatherings. This gives you another room to use for something else. 

6. Closet Optimization

In small homes, you will still have closet space, whether that be in the bedrooms or in the hallways. In order to optimize this space, use slim or space-saving hangers. These can be used for your clothes to keep them in reach and easy to see. 

Second, you can add shelf dividers to store shoes, clothes, jackets, or bags. Anything you want to be put away in an accessible spot can go here. Don't forget about the floor space, either. While you keep your clothes hung up, you can keep shoes and miscellaneous items in baskets on the ground. This keeps them organized but still tidy. 

Remember to put away seasonal items when they are not being used. During the summer months, you probably won't need your big fluffy winter coat in an accessible place. Cycling your clothes around the closet through the seasons will not only save you time getting ready, but it will maximize your storage in small spaces. 

Finally, use the back of your closet door if you need any extra storage. Hooks for purses or shoe organizers can easily fit on the inside of your closet for easy access. 

7. Storage Walls

While we all love accent walls, you can upgrade that into a storage space. Add open or closed shelves, pops of color, wallpaper, and more. 

This is a great option in the living room, where you may want intuitive decor and storage space. You can create a wall with open storage for decor and closed for everything you don't want to be seen. 

To make this fit the room, add colorful bins or a decorative backsplash. There are endless options with a storage wall, and it doesn't have to be a costly process. 

Methodology

We used information and data from several different sources, as well as our own data, to determine everything you need to know about maximizing storage in a small home. Most of the data was sourced from the following sources:

• National Association of Realtors

FAQ: Ways To Maximize Storage in a Small Home

Here are some commonly asked questions about maximizing storage in a small home.

How do I get the most out of my small storage space?

Organizers will be your best friend when you are dealing with limited storage space. These include drawer dividers, closet organizers, and storage bins to keep everything tidy. Additionally, under-bed storage and hangers are great ways to maximize storage in a small space. 

How do you manage a small space house?

The best ways to manage a small space house is to declutter your home, maximize vertical space, organize storage spaces, and make the most of the whole space. If you have limited space in the home already, you need to ensure every part is intuitively used. 

How do I organize my house with too much stuff?

If you have too much stuff in your home, the first step is to collect everything and pick out what you can't live without and use the most. Next, eliminate everything else that is unimportant to you or is unused. Once you have everything you want, then you can organize the space. 

What is the 80/20 rule for decluttering?

This rule is a concept that we use 20% of what we own 80% of the time. Essentially, it means the rest of our stuff is simply clutter. If you really want to maximize space in your home, you may need to make some difficult choices and get rid of extra items around the house. 

Which room should you declutter first?

Most professionals recommend decluttering the bathroom first. Typically, the bathroom has limited storage, and you tend to know what you use and what you don't. Simply decluttering your bathroom will help you take the whole house to the next level. 

Maximizing Storage in a Small Home - The Bottom Line

Living in a smaller home shouldn't stop you from meeting your storage needs. However, it will take some creativity and compromises. As you start these ideas on how to maximize storage, you should also go through your home and get rid of unnecessary items. 

Consider when and how frequently you use certain items. For example, if you have something you use often, store it in a location that is easy to access. In contrast, holiday decorations that are used only once a year can be stored away in less accessible spots until you need them again.

The key is finding storage in places you wouldn't normally think to use. There are also many great multiuse pieces of furniture with hidden compartments, which are perfect if you are downsizing to a smaller home. If all else fails, there are many trustworthy and affordable temporary storage facilities around Raleigh to hold bigger and less used items. 

If you are thinking about relocating, Raleigh, NC, is a great option for a fresh start. As you search through Raleigh's best neighborhoods, feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect location. We know that investing can be overwhelming, but a real estate agent can walk you through the entire process.