Living in an apartment has its perks—less maintenance, easy access to city life, and often lower utility costs. But space? That’s always a challenge. If you’re in a growing city like Salford, where apartment living is common, finding ways to store your belongings efficiently is key.
With limited square footage, every bit of space matters. It’s not just about tidiness; smart storage solutions can make your home feel bigger and more functional. Whether you need extra room for seasonal items, sentimental keepsakes, or daily essentials, knowing how to optimise storage is essential.
So, let’s explore practical ways to create more space.
1. Make Use of Vertical Space
Apartments often lack built-in storage, but there’s plenty of room if you think upwards. Instead of crowding the floor with storage bins or furniture, use the walls, doors, and awkward corners to your advantage.
- Floating shelves: These are great for books, framed photos, or small decor. In the kitchen, they can hold spice jars or cups. In the bathroom, they can store toiletries.
- Hanging organisers: Over-the-door organisers work well for shoes, accessories, or cleaning supplies. Inside cabinets, small adhesive hooks can hold measuring cups, oven mitts, or keys.
- Pegboards: A versatile option that works in almost any room. Use one in the kitchen for utensils, in the bedroom for jewellery, or in the office for stationery.
- Wall-mounted desks or fold-out tables: These provide functionality when needed but don’t take up floor space.
For those with larger items—like seasonal decorations, bulky furniture, or sports gear—offsite storage might be the best option. Salford self storage units offer a practical way to free up space at home while keeping your belongings secure and accessible.
2. Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
In a small apartment, every piece of furniture should serve more than one purpose. This helps reduce clutter while maintaining a stylish and functional living space.
- Beds with built-in storage: A bed with drawers underneath or a lift-up frame can store clothes, bedding, or even luggage.
- Storage ottomans: These work well in living rooms or bedrooms, providing seating and hidden storage for blankets, magazines, or gaming accessories.
- Convertible sofas: A sofa bed is perfect for small apartments, especially if you have guests. Some designs also include built-in storage.
- Extendable dining tables: A foldable or extendable table ensures you have enough dining space when needed but won’t take up unnecessary room daily.
3. Use Under-Bed Storage Wisely
If your bed sits on a standard frame, the space underneath is too valuable to waste. Instead of stuffing random items there, use it effectively:
- Vacuum-sealed bags: These are perfect for storing out-of-season clothes or extra bedding. They compress bulky items, taking up less space.
- Rolling storage bins: Ideal for shoes, handbags, or miscellaneous household items. Their wheels make access easy.
- Low-profile storage drawers: A great alternative to bulky dressers if you have limited wardrobe space.
This method helps keep items organised while ensuring easy retrieval.
4. Get Creative with Wardrobe Organisation
A crowded wardrobe makes it hard to find what you need. Instead of cramming everything inside, try these simple fixes:
- Double hanging rods: These instantly double the hanging space for clothes.
- Shelf dividers: They keep stacked items from toppling over.
- Velvet hangers: These slim hangers take up less space than bulky plastic ones.
- Accessory storage: Use hanging organisers for handbags, scarves, or belts. Drawer inserts can help keep small accessories neat.
Rotating your clothes seasonally can also make a huge difference. Pack away winter coats during summer and store swimsuits when it gets cold.
5. Make the Most of Kitchen Storage
A cluttered kitchen can make cooking stressful. Even in a small space, strategic organisation can improve functionality.
- Use drawer dividers: These keep utensils and cutlery in order.
- Install tension rods: Placing one vertically in a cabinet can separate baking trays, lids, and chopping boards.
- Stackable containers: Clear, stackable containers make food storage more efficient and prevent wasted space.
- Hanging storage: Wall-mounted racks for pots, pans, or mugs keep cabinets from overflowing.
An organised kitchen creates a better cooking experience while preventing frustration when searching for items.
6. Store Smart in the Bathroom
Bathrooms often have limited storage, but even the smallest spaces can be optimised.
- Over-the-toilet shelves: These provide extra space for toiletries and towels without taking up floor space.
- Magnetic strips: Attach one to the inside of a cabinet to hold bobby pins, nail clippers, or tweezers.
- Under-sink organisers: Stackable shelves or pull-out baskets make the most of deep under-sink cabinets.
- Wall-mounted dispensers: These help declutter shower shelves by holding shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in an organised way.
By keeping the bathroom tidy, getting ready in the morning becomes a much smoother process.
7. Maximise Entryway Space
A cluttered entrance sets the wrong tone for your home. Make it functional with storage solutions designed for small spaces.
- Wall-mounted key holder: This ensures you never misplace your keys.
- Slim shoe cabinets: These take up little space but keep shoes off the floor.
- Storage benches: They provide seating while offering hidden compartments for scarves, umbrellas, or bags.
- Hanging hooks: Ideal for coats, hats, and handbags.
A well-organised entryway makes leaving the house stress-free while keeping the area looking tidy.
8. Declutter Regularly
No matter how well you organise, clutter can sneak in over time. Set a routine to keep things in check:
- Adopt the “one in, one out” rule: For every new item brought in, get rid of an old one.
- Sort through belongings every few months: If you haven’t used something in a year, consider selling or donating it.
- Use the 80/20 rule: You likely use only 20% of your items regularly. The rest may be taking up unnecessary space.
Decluttering not only makes your apartment feel more spacious but also keeps your home feeling fresh and organised.
Apartment living comes with space challenges, but a well-organised home can make all the difference. From maximising vertical storage to investing in multi-purpose furniture, small changes can create significant improvements. By keeping clutter under control and making the most of every storage opportunity, your living space will feel larger and more functional.
Try these storage hacks and enjoy a tidier, more spacious apartment!
DISCLOSURE – This is a collaborative post.
