No matter how big our homes may be, most of us would probably say we don’t have enough storage space.
While decluttering is always a good idea, many of us will find that there’s some stuff we just don’t want to part with. However, if you’re fed up with your home looking untidy, you might be thinking about how you can maximise space – and, the good news is that there are many hacks that can help you do just that.
While some ideas may require a bit of work or even a professional to help put it together, others involve some simple rearranging. So, if you want to take charge of your belongings and keep a clean and clutter-free home, we’ve got you covered.
Here are 20 clever storage solutions to maximise space in your home.
1. Use the back of doors
It might sound obvious, but using the backs of doors for storage is a tip that’s often overlooked. If you have a small room, the door can provide valuable storage space, and because so many storage solutions can simply be hung over a door, they’re incredibly easy to install.
In the kitchen, you can use the back of the door to hang cleaning essentials, or as a spice rack. In the bedroom, you can use the door to store cosmetics, toiletries, accessories, and jewellery. Alternatively, why not fix a mirror to the back of the door?
2. Consider bespoke shelving for nooks and crannies
In small rooms, it can be difficult to find furniture pieces that fit and accommodate all your storage needs. So, if you have any empty nooks and crannies in your home or unused vertical space, why not make the best of them by fitting some bespoke shelving? You can buy shelves and cut them to size yourself.
Adding bespoke shelves to unused wall space in the bathroom can be the equivalent of creating a linen cupboard, giving you a dedicated space to store clean towels – and doing the same in the bedroom or living room can create a new bookshelf. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, extra shelves can be used for plates or cups, and shelves under the stairs can be used for miscellaneous items.
3. Build an alcove home office
If you like the idea of a home office but don’t have a spare room you can turn into a dedicated workspace, why not turn an empty alcove into an office?
All you need are open shelves that can sit above a desk – and if you don’t have enough space for a proper desk to sit there all the time, why not use a fold-down desk? Slide in a chair or stool and you’ve got a small but swanky office!
4. Make the most of windows
The space beneath a window is also often underused. If you have unused space under a window, why not think about adding a bench where you can store shoes, or installing built-in storage units?
If you don’t have unused space beneath a window, you can use the window sills themselves for storage. For example, you could turn them into a mini bookshelf to display attractive books or add plants, trinkets, ornaments, or any other pretty, small objects and use them as a decorative space.
5. Use lazy Susans to make the most of cupboard space
Lazy Susans can be game changing in getting your home organised and making the most of unused vertical space in your cupboards. A lazy Susan is essentially racks, shelves, or trays on a rotating base, which you can easily spin to reach items that may have otherwise been lost at the back.
Many people use lazy Susans in dry food cupboards to organise things like herbs, spices, and condiments – but you can also use them in the fridge, to organise cleaning products under the sink, or to keep your craft supplies tidy.
6. Mount your bike
If you’re a regular cyclist, there’s a good chance you keep your bike in your home. But rather than having your bike take up precious floor space, why not hang it on the wall?
Elevating your bike is a great way to clear floor space, which instantly makes your hall or room look neater. Plus, painting a statement wall or accent a corresponding colour means your bike mount can double as decor.
7. Store things under the bed
If you don’t have enough cupboard space in your bedroom, why not store bedding or out-of-season clothes in storage boxes under the bed?
Just measure the under-bed space – some beds are low so will require shallower storage units – and buy some pull-out baskets or drawers. Just make sure your storage drawers have lids, so your clothes don’t get dusty.
Alternatively, if you’re in the market for a new bed, consider choosing one that has built-in storage space beneath the mattress – such as an ottoman. These can be deceptively roomy, so they’re excellent for storing bulky items like bed linen and towels.
8. Create under stairs storage
When it comes to maximising storage space, the potential of the stairs is often overlooked – but adding drawers to them can save space in a small home. However, while this is a brilliant hack, it can take considerable patience and effort to get it done (though, we think it’s worth it!).
There are two options when it comes to creating drawers under the stairs. You can have a drawer that pulls out from under each step, or create drawers that pull out vertically from the side of your staircase. Check out this tutorial from Shelterness to get an idea of how to do this.
9. Use a pegboard
A well-placed pegboard can be incredibly effective if you’re looking to create extra storage space. They work particularly well in the kitchen, and if you don’t have enough cupboard space for all your pots and pans, they’re a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to create more space.
Plus, they can look surprisingly stylish, especially once you give them a lick of paint.
10. Add a display shelf to your radiator
Unless you’re lucky enough to have under-floor heating, chances are you’ve got a radiator in each room. So, rather than allowing these to waste wall space, why not turn them into a storage solution?
Simply adding a wooden slab-style shelf above the radiator can turn an often unsightly necessity into an attractive display shelf. Use it for books, decorations, or plants – just ensure they’re plants that are happy with a little heat!
11. Create a closet with curtains
If you don’t have space in your bedroom for a proper wardrobe or closet, it’s easier than you might think to create space to store your clothes without them looking cluttered. If you have an alcove, simply install shelves or racks right onto your wall, then camouflage your clutter by drawing a curtain across.
Not only is this an easy way to create a makeshift wardrobe, but if you choose attractive curtains it can make your room look cosier and more stylish too.
12. Install floor-to-ceiling shelving
To maximise every last bit of space, why not build floor-to-ceiling shelving? This works really well in living rooms, especially if you have lots of books or records. Not only is it a great way to store them, but it also doubles up as a striking and colourful wall display.
Don’t stop at the walls, either – as there’s usually a lot of wasted space around doorways. Once you’ve built shelves in this space you can use them to store books, plants, or other decorative items.
13. Choose seating with storage
Sofas, chairs, and benches with hidden compartments are some of the best storage solutions, so if you could do with some new seating in your home, you could choose items that have a dual purpose. In the living room, ottomans with lift-up lids work really well for stashing items like blankets or spare cushions, but they can just as easily be used for linen, towels, or children’s toys.
In the kitchen or hall, benches with hidden storage always work well. Hall benches are great for storing shoes, coats, bags, and umbrellas, whereas kitchen benches can be used to store all the bulky kitchen equipment you don’t use everyday – like juicers and blenders.
14. Think about above-the-sofa space
While sofas themselves can be great for storage, it’s also worth thinking about how you can use the space above your sofa. Typically, this wall space is used for paintings and photographs, but if you’re short of storage space in the living room, why not hang a shelf above the sofa?
Not only is this a great way to store extra items like books, plants, and decorations, but it can be just as effective as a painting at pulling the style of the room together and displaying your creativity. You can use the shelf to showcase your personality: why not arrange some of your favourite books, plants, and items on it?
15. Use storage baskets
Pretty storage baskets are one of the cheapest yet most effective ways to maximise space and create a clean, clutter-free home. Living rooms especially benefit from storage baskets, which can easily be hidden underneath chairs, sofas, or coffee tables, or on top of shelving.
Not only are storage baskets great for holding often-used items like remote controls, tissues, and takeaway menus, but they’re also great for last-minute tidying. If you’ve got guests coming around, just throw in anything you don’t want them to see!
16. Invest in a sink unit
Bathrooms can be particularly small and cramped, so if you struggle to find enough storage space for all your toiletries and bathroom accessories, it’s worth investing in a sink unit.
You can buy brand-new sink units, but you can also fit units around an existing pedestal sink, and then use the extra space to store towels, toilet paper, and toiletries.
17. Use skinny spaces
If you’ve got a small kitchen with little storage space, think about how you can use even the smallest, narrowest spaces. Pullout pantries are especially great; these tall, narrow drawers are an excellent use of skinny space and can be used to store food items as well as pans, cutting boards, and knives.
You might not have the space for a proper cupboard, but you’d be surprised at just how much you can fit between a few inches!
18. Fill empty suitcases
Most of us have a few unused suitcases lying around the home, but rather than wasting that space, you could use them as a storage solution – one that doesn’t take up any extra room.
Just roll out-of-season clothes into bundles (this takes up less space than folding and allows clothes to breathe easier) and stuff them into your empty suitcases.
19. Get handy with hooks
Creating more vertical storage space by mounting hooks might sound simple, but you’d be surprised at how much space hooks can free up. You don’t have to hang hooks only on walls – why not hang them on furniture too?
Add hooks to the sides of wardrobes or bookshelves – and if you don’t want to make holes in your walls or furniture, just use removable, self-adhesive hooks.
Adding hooks to the backs of doors or cupboards is also a great way to create more space. If you have a cupboard under the stairs, for example, you can add hooks to hang tools, mops, brooms, brushes, and cleaning tools, and turn it into a makeshift utility room.
20. Use drawer organisers
If you’ve got a habit of messily shoving items into a drawer, you may want to consider getting drawer organisers to keep items in place.
Draw organisers can be adapted to size, and are great ways of creating a sense of order in the kitchen and office. Out of sight isn’t always out of mind!
Final thoughts…
From buying some pretty baskets to finding creative ways to use window sills or radiators for storage, there are lots of cheap and easy ways to maximise space in your home.
Even the storage solutions that require some DIY skills, like building an alcove home office or installing bespoke shelves aren’t too complex or time-consuming, so once you’ve got your tools and kit, you may not have to fork out for a professional.
Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference – like freeing up floor space by mounting your bike on the wall or using empty suitcases to store seasonal clothes.
And, of course, one of the most effective ways to maximise space is to get rid of belongings or furniture that you don’t need. If you need some help with this, check out our articles; How to declutter and reorganise your home and 8 tips for minimalist living.
Do you have any clever storage solutions that can help maximise space? We’d love to hear about your organisational skills and DIY experiences in the comments below.