Maximize Space in Your Small Apartment With These Genius Products
If you live in a small loft, condo or apartment, you know that every bit of square footage counts. When space is an issue, it’s a daily struggle to keep your living quarters neat and organized.
From cube organizers to hidden tables, there are a lot of creative ways to make the most of the space in your tiny home. Here’s a round-up of 30 products that can help you maximize space in your small apartment.
Utility Cart
The 3-Tier Mesh Utility Cart from DESIGNA is going to be your new best friend. With shelves to store bathroom products, cooking utensils or knick-knacks, you can use the cart in almost any room in your house. They even make great additions to bathrooms, eliminating the problem of fitting everything under the sink.
The other nice feature on this utility cart is that you can move it. If you change your mind and want it in a different room, you can just roll it over and set it up. This cart costs between $40 and $50 and comes with some light assembly. Note that the turquoise shown is slightly more teal than blue if you're looking for a specific color.
Storage Ottoman
This Ottoman from Convenience Concepts doubles as a storage solution and an accent piece, making it a genius way to tuck things out of the way in your living space. You can use the ottoman’s storage feature to house extra blankets or bedding, board games, coasters, remotes and more. It also doubles as an extra seat for guests when you need it.
The tray feature is great for turning your ottoman into a coffee table as well. Just note that the tray won't stand up to years of strenuous use. The ottoman is small and portable and comes fully assembled. It costs between $50 and $60 and comes in a variety of colors.
Coffee Mug Rack
Coffee mugs take up a lot of space in your kitchen cabinets. When space is tight, move your mugs to a Metal Hanging Rack like this one from Claimed Corner. Mugs are used every day, so it’s nice to have them within reach yet out of the way. The display also adds a cute touch of character to your kitchen wall, especially if you have colorful mugs.
If coffee isn’t your thing, you can use the rack to hold tea cups or water bottles with handles or clips. This rack is a good size for most mugs, but larger coffee mugs may bang together if they aren’t placed carefully. It comes fully assembled and costs between $55 and $65.
Wall-Mounted Shelves
Rustic Wood Wall-Mounted Shelves are a great way to free up space on your counters or dressers. You can store pictures, artwork, books or decorative items that otherwise would have taken up precious surface space. Use them in your bathroom, kitchen, entryway or bedroom to save room elsewhere.
These wall-mounted shelves can also double as bookshelves, allowing you to store cookbooks on them in your kitchen or notebooks and work materials in your office space. Another great feature is you can install the shelves as high as you need to vertically. They come in a three-pack, and some light assembly is required to put them together and hang them. There are three different finish options, each costing less than $25.
Window Film
Drapes and curtains can take up a lot of space in your tiny home. Instead, try using a Decorative Window Film with a cute design. These films still allow light to filter in, but they give you some privacy when your neighbors are literally right outside your window.
These window films come in four different size options, ranging from $15 to $45, depending on the size you choose. You can also easily cut larger films down to fit custom spaces as needed.
Kitchen Cart
This Rolling Kitchen Cart offers a great way to add an island to your tiny kitchen. The wood top provides a nice cutting board surface and will save your counter space, while a rack, towel bar and storage shelves give you some additional ways to maximize your space. The shelves on the cart are great for storing big, bulky items that would otherwise take up counter space.
You can use the cart to hold your toaster, blender, crockpot, toaster oven or stand-up mixer, and, of course, the top is also great for holding your microwave. The cart is especially helpful for storing items you don’t use every day. Note that the cart is only meant to hold up to 50 pounds. It requires assembly, although no tools are necessary. Set aside about an hour to put it together. The cart costs between $45 and $55, on average.
Small Rolling Cart
The Rolling Storage Organizer by Everyday Home is like having a little ninja helping you save space. This little gem can slide perfectly between a washer and dryer or between kitchen cabinets and the fridge, taking advantage of those lost inches for storage. With shelves and convenient wheels, the cart slides in and out easily and holds a good supply of household essentials.
In your kitchen, you can use the cart to store extra pantry items or cans. In your laundry closet, you can keep dryer sheets, fabric softener and detergent on the shelves. In your bathroom, the shelves are great for toiletries. This cart doesn't come assembled and is available for less than $25. While the cart is durable, it's made of plastic so be careful near heat and when using it for bulky items, as the plastic could warp or crack.
Toaster Oven
The Mueller Austria Toaster Oven is like a toaster and an oven all in one, saving you a lot of time when you just want to reheat something in a hurry without ruining it with microwaves. Instead of heating up your oven — and your entire apartment along with it — just crank up your toaster oven.
This model is a good size for cooking a frozen pizza or toasting bread or bagels. It comes with a removable pan for easy cleaning, but the inside of the oven can still catch a lot of crumbs so be sure to clean it often. This toaster oven typically costs between $45 and $55.
Single Measuring Cup
This handy 4-Cup Plastic Measuring Cup is a game changer. There’s nothing more frustrating than searching through all your drawers for the right measuring spoon or cup and not being able to find it.
This all-in-one cup is large enough to handle all the measurements for most recipes, which means you can give all your small cups the boot and clean out your kitchen drawers. It’s also available in other sizes as well as a two-pack. Each cup is available for less than $6, depending on the size you choose. It’s made of plastic, so it’s not a good choice for measuring boiling liquids.
Magnetic Wall System
This Magnetic Storage Rack Organizer is an easy way to get clutter off your countertops and surfaces. This handy system requires a magnetic surface or wall mounting and some light assembly. You can use the shelves in your office space to hold pens, notepads, sticky notes and important reminders. In an entryway, the shelves are great for storing invitations, house keys and sunglasses.
Use the units in the bathroom for a convenient way to house your hairbrush, make-up brushes, scissors and sprays, saving you a ton of counter space or space under your sink. These organizers are available in two sizes. The small one costs less than $20, while the larger size comes in around $45. The small until only holds about 5 pounds, so be mindful of the weight. Heavy items could cause the magnets to slip.
Lazy Susan
This Two-Tiered Lazy Susan from Sagler offers a solution for freeing up some counter or cabinet space. With two levels, you can double the amount of storage you have with zero effort. In the kitchen, this unit can fit on the counter to house the pantry items or spices you use every day.
The spinning feature allows you to easily turn it to grab what you need without rooting around blindly in your cabinet. While this lazy susan fits in most standard cabinets, measure your shelves to make sure, as it can be hard or even impossible to turn if it's too large for your space. This lazy susan costs less than $18 in most cases and comes in stainless steel.
Cube Organizer
The TomCare 6-Cube Storage Organizer is something every home could use. In a tiny space, the cubes are invaluable. Cube organizers are great places to store all your extra stuff. You can use it in a living room to store extra blankets, board games or books. In a bedroom, the cubes can serve as a dresser for storing pants, sweaters and T-shirts.
This cube organizer is also great in an entryway or hall closet, and you can assign cubes to everyone living in your tiny space. It doesn't come assembled, and it can be a little cumbersome to put together. Give yourself ample time for assembly. This cube organizer is available in black for less than $25 and does not include fabric cube drawers.
Wall-Mounted Table
This Wall-Mounted Table from Tangkula is a great way to add some table space to your home without worrying about adding a bulky dining table. The table affixes to the wall, and you can fold it down when it’s not in use. When you need the table, you just pop it up for an instant serving or dining area.
The table comes in three different colors for less than $25. The suggested assembly time is around 30 minutes. Make sure you find the stud, as drywall alone won't be strong enough to hold the table. Take this into consideration if you need it for something heavy.
Cabinet Risers
Simple Houseware’s Cabinet Risers are a great way to add an extra layer of storage to your kitchen cabinets. It’s like adding another shelf to your cabinets, essentially doubling your storage space. They are great for holding plates, bowls and cups in multiple layers on top of each other.
In your pantry, you can use the risers for dry goods, boxes, spices and cans to help maximize your cabinet space. The risers come in a pack of two and are stackable. They have three finishes, each available for less than $15.
High Rise Bed Frame
The [productid asin="B01M7M9NXX"]Zinus Shalini Upholstered Platform Bed[productid] leaves space underneath it for storage, making it a great place to stash items you don't use every day. A high rise bed frame can house any number of items, from extra bedding to storage bins of shoes. You may be surprised how much can fit under this bed.
This frame is available in twin, full, queen and king size and comes in a dark gray or sage gray color. The bed ranges from $140 to $250, depending on the size, and you can add assembly for less than $65. Without professional assembly, the bed may take a little over an hour to put together yourself. (If you're not particularly handy, spring for the assembly.)
Collapsible Island
The Solid Wood Drop Leaf Folding Table from Nathan James is perfect for your small kitchen. When you need prep space or an extra countertop, this little table easily folds out for more space. When you're baking or cooking a big meal, it can be tough to fit everything you need on the counters, but this handy table solves the problem.
When you're not using it, you can fold it right back up against the wall. The table comes unassembled, so make sure you're comfortable putting it together. This table is available in brown and white or brown and black for less than $165. Chairs are not included.
Over-the-Door Hangers
Deco Brothers Over-the-Door Hanging Rack is an essential product for hanging coats, robes or towels in small rooms. When space is limited, you may not have room for a coat rack or extra towels racks. You can place this hanger over your front door, bedroom door or bathroom door for some much-needed extra hanging space.
In a bathroom, it works great for towels and robes. In a bedroom, you can hang your purses, extra bags or jackets up to free up closet and floor space. Be sure to check the fit on your door right after receiving it. In some cases, your door may not close all the way when it's attached. This rack is available in chrome for less than $15.
Over-the-Door Shoe Racks
There is never enough closet space, is there? This Simple Houseware Over-the-Door Hanging Shoe Organizer solves that problem beautifully. It will hold 12 pairs of shoes, freeing up tons of floor space and shelf space in your closet.
If you don't need the hanger for shoes, you can also use it to store cleaning or hair supplies. The pockets can hold household cleaners, extra tin foil, dryer sheets, soaps, plastic baggies and more. Due to the plastic and fabric construction, this hanger isn’t ideal for heavy items. If the organizer gets too bulky, it can also be hard to close and open your door. This organizer is available in brown or gray for less than $8.
Over-the-Door Miscellaneous Storage
This Simple Houseware Over-the-Door Storage Organizer is a versatile product with a lot of potential for storing any number of things. You can use it in the bathroom to store toilet paper, towels or toiletries, and it works great in the bedroom for storing shoes, wallets, purses, hats, scarves and other accessories.
This organizer makes great use of underutilized space behind your door. Double-check that it will fit over your door before the return window closes. The hooks may be too large for some doors to fully close when it's attached. If you're in an apartment, it could damage the door if it doesn't fit properly. This organizer is available for less than $14.
Wine Rack
Wine bottles can take up a lot of room inside a cabinet or pantry or on your countertops. Think vertically when it comes to storage and mount a Wine Rack Bottle and Glass Holder in your kitchen or dining area. You can fit several bottles on this rack, giving you a lot of counter and cabinet room back to use for other things.
This rack also holds four hanging wine glasses and comes with six cork wine charms. The rack comes fully assembled for less than $15, but be sure to install it on a stud in your wall for the right support. Wine bottles are heavy, and it can be dangerous if this isn't mounted properly.
Underbed Storage Bin
The space under your bed can hold a lot of stuff, but far too often, that "stuff" is disorganized and ends up forgotten. To keep things neat and tidy, try Underbed Storage Bins to solve the problem. These soft fabric bins help you keep everything organized and in place. Instead of just shoving items under your bed, use these neat storage containers to make it easy to use stored items again and again.
These bins come in a two-pack and have a clear opening so you can see what is inside. Two different shapes are available for less than $22 per pack.
Drawer Organizers
The Madesmart Drawer Organizer Set can help you keep your drawers nice and neat. Drawers are like black holes sometimes, which can be a real problem when you're looking for something very specific. No one has time to go through an entire drawer to find a single item. Space is precious in a tiny home so the more organized you are, the better.
These drawer organizers are great for keeping sunglasses, watches and jewelry organized as well as typical school and office supplies. They come in eight-packs or nine-packs, depending on the bin sizes, for less than $15. They are generally too small for items like kids clothes or undergarments, so take a look at the size before making your purchase.
Shower Caddy
If you live in a dorm or have roommates in an apartment, you may not always want to keep your shower gear in a communal shower. This is where the Attmu Mesh Shower Caddy comes in handy. This shower caddy will house everything you need to shower and get ready in a convenient little tote.
It’s easy to carry the caddy back and forth so you won't have to leave your toiletries and shower supplies out in a public shower or shared space. It’s made of mesh and can obviously get wet, but it won't stand up to years of washing. This shower caddy comes in a variety of colors for less than $9.
Hall Tree
This Coat Rack and Shoe Bench from VASAGLE is a nice solution if your small apartment doesn’t have a coat closet or mudroom area — and it probably doesn’t. This hall tree gives you a perfect spot to hang your coats, umbrellas, bags and anything else you might need as you walk in and out the front door.
The shelves under the bench make good shoe storage, and the bench is perfect for slipping on your shoes or lacing up boots as well. This hall tree doesn't come assembled and sells for less than $75. To make it sturdier, you should affix it to your wall. It isn't a heavy piece of furniture and could be unstable if bumped or pushed.
Daybed
If your living space is really small, you may want to consider a Daybed with Drawers to conserve space. This model is a great option if you entertain a lot or host overnight guests. During the day when you don't have a guest staying over, this day bed will just look like a couch. If you have a guest at night, you can rearrange the bedding, and your daybed suddenly doubles as a guest bed.
This option is a nice alternative when you don't have a guest bedroom. You can also store extra bedding underneath in the drawers, which is a huge space saver. This bed doesn't come assembled and doesn't include a mattress. It’s available for less than $275.
Behind the Couch Table
This Sauder North Avenue Console Table makes a great option for adding extra table space to your apartment in a compact form. The space behind the couch is usually never used. Although it can seem narrow and like a waste of space, the zone is perfect for a sofa table that can hold various useful items.
The sleek low profile won't take up a lot of room, and you could even pull it out on occasion for extra eating space. This is a lighter table, so if you need something sturdy, it might not be for you. It’s available in a light or dark oak finish for less than $65.
Bar Cart
The Linon Austin Kitchen Bar Cart is essential for every entertainer who lives in a small space. This bar cart can hold bottles, mixers, ice buckets, glasses and all your barware. With multiple shelves, it provides a ton of extra storage.
One of the best features on the cart is the top can double as a serving or mixing space. Because it's on wheels, the cart is easy to move to different areas as needed. If you have a patio, you can even wheel your bar cart outside for an outdoor party. This cart is available for less than $125 and requires some assembly. Putting it together can be a little tricky, so professional assembly is also an option for around $130 to $135.
Slim Hangers
Closet space is always precious. These sleek and Slim Velvet Clothes Hangers will almost double your closet space. Old plastic and wood hangers take up a lot of unnecessary space on the rod that you didn’t even know you had. The velvet non-slip finish also keeps your clothes from slipping off and landing on the floor.
You will be amazed at how much more you can fit in your closet with these hangers. You might even be able to shop for more clothes! Some consumers noted the black velvet dusts off a bit when these are first opened, so brush or shake them off after you open them. The hangers are available in three different colors for around $40 for a 100-pack.
Over-the-Toilet Storage
Bathrooms in small apartments or condos are usually tiny. This Over-the-Toilet Shelf Unit can store a ton of stuff for you. Stack it with extra toilet paper, towels or cleaning supplies that fit right over your toilet, freeing up a lot of space under your sink and in your close — if there even is a bathroom closet. You can almost double your bathroom storage with this simple purchase.
Take advantage of vertical storage whenever you’re in a tiny space. This organizer comes with three shelves and is available in two different colors for less than $67. It’s not assembled, so make sure you measure your space before purchasing it and assembling it.
Hanging Fruit Basket
Fruit and vegetables can take up precious counter space you can’t spare. A nifty Copper Hanging Fruit Basket solves the problem in a stylish way and frees up space in your pantry, refrigerator or counter. There's nothing worse than finding a dead piece of fruit behind other items on your counter. This wire hanger holds a lot of fruits and vegetables, saving you a lot of space.
You can also store snacks, coffee pods and bread in the baskets. The wire construction helps keep everything fresh as well. If you need to store heavier items, this probably isn’t the best option. Stick with lighter items and don’t overstuff the baskets. This hanger comes in a variety of colors and finishes for less than $25.
