The key to keeping things organized in your home is having smart storage solutions in place. Storage shouldn’t just be about hiding things away—it should also help keep your space functional, accessible, and tidy. Here are some of my favorite practical (and stylish) storage solutions that will help you maintain that transformation without reverting to clutter overload.
1. Multipurpose Furniture
This is a game-changer, especially if you’re working with limited space. Furniture that doubles as storage gives you the best of both worlds: a useful piece and hidden space for storing your items. Here are some great examples:
- Storage Ottomans: These are perfect for living rooms or bedrooms. You can store blankets, books, or anything you want out of sight but still within reach.
- Beds with Built-In Drawers: If you’re short on closet space, beds with built-in drawers underneath are ideal for storing out-of-season clothing, linens, or shoes.
- Coffee Tables with Shelving or Hidden Compartments: Keep magazines, remotes, or other small items tucked away but easily accessible in your living space.
By investing in multipurpose furniture, you add functionality without adding clutter.
2. Wall-Mounted Shelving
Wall-mounted shelves are your best friend when it comes to maximizing vertical space. The best part? They can be both functional and decorative. Use them in any room:
- Living Room: Display books, plants, or art pieces while keeping your floor space clear.
- Kitchen: Floating shelves can be perfect for storing glassware, cookbooks, or even spice jars in a stylish way.
- Bathroom: A few simple shelves above the toilet or sink give you extra storage for towels, toiletries, and candles.
- Bedroom: If you’re low on nightstand space, mount a small shelf beside your bed to hold essentials like your phone, alarm clock, or a small lamp.
Wall shelves help you make the most of your walls while keeping surfaces free of clutter.
3. Over-the-Door Organizers
Doors are one of the most underutilized storage areas in a home. With over-the-door organizers, you can maximize space without sacrificing style. Some great ways to use them:
- Closets: Use shoe organizers or pocket organizers behind closet doors to store everything from shoes to scarves, belts, and accessories. You can even store cleaning supplies or snacks in the pantry.
- Bathroom: An over-the-door rack in the bathroom can hold extra towels, toiletries, or bathrobes.
- Bedrooms: If you have a small room, these can replace bulky furniture like dressers or nightstands. Use the pockets to store clothes, books, or small electronics.
These organizers are affordable and work in just about any room, adding instant storage where you need it.
4. Clear Bins and Labeling
When you can’t see what you have, it’s easy for things to get lost, which leads to buying duplicates and unnecessary clutter. That’s why clear bins are so helpful—they give you visibility and a sense of order. Use clear bins in:
- Pantries: Store dry goods, snacks, or condiments in labeled, clear containers so you know exactly what you have at a glance.
- Closets: Use clear bins to organize seasonal clothing or shoes, and label them so you can find what you need without rifling through everything.
- Bathrooms: Keep toiletries, makeup, and even medicine neatly organized in bins. Labeling makes it simple for everyone in the household to know where things go.
Clear bins and labels help you maintain a system of organization without needing to open and sift through everything each time.
5. Baskets, Baskets, and More Baskets
Baskets are lifesavers when it comes to organizing without sacrificing style. They come in every size, shape, and material, making them both functional and decorative. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile. Use them in:
- Living Rooms: Store blankets, throw pillows, or magazines in large, woven baskets. They add a cozy feel and keep things from getting messy.
- Bedrooms: Baskets can hold laundry, extra bedding, or even shoes. Tuck them under your bed or in your closet for easy access.
- Kids’ Rooms: Keep toys in check by using colorful baskets. Teach your kids that each basket has a purpose—one for stuffed animals, another for books, etc.
- Entryways: Place a basket near the front door for shoes, bags, or umbrellas. It’ll help keep clutter from invading the rest of the house as soon as you walk in.
Whether they’re in closets, living rooms, or bathrooms, baskets are one of the easiest storage solutions for organizing loose items.
6. Under-the-Bed Storage
You’d be amazed at how much unused space exists under your bed. It’s a goldmine for storage, especially if you live in a small home or apartment. Here are a few ideas:
- Flat Storage Bins: Store out-of-season clothes, shoes, or extra bedding in shallow, flat bins that slide easily under the bed. Many of them come with wheels, making them easy to access when you need them.
- Storage Bags: If you’re storing something like linens or comforters, vacuum-sealed storage bags are a great way to compress bulky items and slide them under the bed with minimal space.
- Under-Bed Drawers: If your bed doesn’t come with built-in drawers, you can buy separate drawer units designed to fit under most standard beds. These are great for keeping things organized without taking up any additional floor space.
Under-bed storage helps you make the most of space that would otherwise be wasted. Just be sure to keep it organized so it doesn’t become another clutter zone!
7. Pegboards and Hooks
Sometimes the best storage solutions are the simplest. Pegboards and hooks are great for areas where you need things to be both organized and easily accessible, like:
- Kitchens: Mount a pegboard to store pots, pans, and utensils. It’s a fantastic way to free up cabinet space and gives your kitchen an industrial, organized look.
- Home Office: Use a pegboard to organize office supplies, tools, or even crafting materials. Hooks can hold everything from scissors to cables and headphones.
- Garages: Pegboards work great in the garage or workshop, keeping tools visible and accessible. You can add shelves or hooks to customize it to your needs.
- Entryways: Install a series of hooks near the front door for coats, bags, and keys. It’s a simple way to keep your entryway clutter-free while ensuring essentials are always within reach.
Pegboards and hooks offer quick, visual storage options that can be as organized or as freeform as you like.
8. Built-In Shelving
If you have the opportunity to add built-in shelves to your home, go for it! They’re an incredible way to add storage without eating up floor space, and they offer a more permanent and polished look compared to freestanding furniture. Use built-ins for:
- Living Rooms: Display books, art, plants, or family photos on built-in shelving units. This adds character to the room while keeping things organized and off the floor.
- Home Offices: Built-in bookshelves or cabinetry can hold office supplies, books, and documents, giving your workspace a clean, professional look.
- Bathrooms: Built-in shelves are fantastic in small bathrooms. They allow you to store towels, toiletries, and decor without crowding the room with bulky cabinets.
- Closets: For the ultimate closet makeover, built-in shelving can help you maximize every inch of space. Add drawers, hanging rods, and cubbies for a highly organized, custom look.
If you’re doing any home renovations or upgrades, think about how you can incorporate built-in shelving to reduce the need for additional furniture.
9. Lazy Susans
If you’re not using a lazy Susan, you’re missing out on one of the best ways to make awkward spaces functional. These rotating storage wonders are perfect for:
- Kitchen Cabinets: Use them to store spices, condiments, or baking ingredients in the pantry or kitchen cabinets. You’ll never have to dig around for that elusive spice jar again.
- Bathroom Cabinets: Keep skincare products, hair products, or makeup organized and easy to reach by placing them on a lazy Susan under the sink or in a bathroom cabinet.
- Refrigerator: Lazy Susans are great for organizing condiments and jars in the fridge, making sure you can easily access everything without knocking things over.
These are especially useful for tight spaces where reaching the back of a shelf is difficult.
10. Foldable Storage Solutions
When you don’t need storage all the time, foldable solutions can be a lifesaver. Foldable bins, hampers, or crates are perfect for items you use seasonally or temporarily:
- Laundry: Foldable laundry hampers are great for small spaces because you can collapse them when not in use.
- Storage Crates: Use these for seasonal decorations, sports equipment, or other items you don’t need year-round. When empty, they fold flat for easy storage.
- Bins for Guests: If you frequently have overnight guests, keep some foldable bins in the closet so they have a temporary spot for their things. After they leave, you can collapse and store the bins out of sight.
Foldable storage solutions are perfect for when you need flexibility without committing to permanent storage furniture.
The Golden Rule of Storage
No matter how fancy or functional your storage solutions are, remember this: storage isn’t a license to hoard. The key to truly transforming your home is to avoid filling up your storage just because you have it. Keep things intentional. If you don’t love it or use it, let it go!
With the right storage strategies in place, you’ll be able to maintain your decluttered, transformed space for the long haul, and your home will truly become the organized, calming sanctuary you’ve always wanted it to be.
