Do you live in a small apartment or home? Are you looking for space-saving storage ideas that will maximize your living space? Check out our five space-saving storage ideas for small homes, apartments and all small spaces. Open up even the smallest space.

Make use of a couple of the ideas listed below and you’ll have plenty of room to entertain guests, knock out your morning yoga routine or slow dance to that new Ed Sheeran record.

5 Storage Ideas for Small Homes, Apartments and Spaces

1. Add Shelves Above Doors

Adding shelving throughout your home or apartment may seem like an obvious storage idea, yet knowing where to add them isn’t so obvious. First, look above your doors. Often there’s a few feet of space to work with and these are areas that are commonly bare. And even if your apartment is a few hundred square feet, it likely has at least two or three doors that can become homes for storage.

storage above doors

Adding shelves above doors in bathrooms will make it easy to store toiletries. (Image via: Attada Shelves)

How to Use Shelves Above Doors

  • In Your Kitchen: Display glassware and china that reflect your personal style.
  • In Your Living Room: Show off books or seasonal items like pumpkins or Christmas decorations.
  • In Your Bedroom: Place baskets on top of the shelves to hold junk-drawer type of items.
  • In Your Bathroom: Stock additional towels, toiletries and all kind of surplus bathroom supplies.

2. Add Shelves and Hooks Behind Doors

Thinking beyond the conventional uses of a door, it can become a space-saving storage center. With the average height of a door being 6 feet 8 inches, it provides the opportunity to hang all kinds of items throughout your home. This could include closets, the kitchen pantry, bathrooms and more.

storage behind doors

Hanging hooks behind doors is a great way to store often-used items. (Image via: Baadaug, Home Improvement)

How to Use Shelves and Hooks Behind Doors

  • In Your Kitchen: Pantry doors present a big opportunity to store food packages and plastic bags.
  • In Your Bedroom: Hang clothes for easy access and to create additional space in your closet.
  • In Your Bathroom: Hang towels to dry or add metal baskets to store bathroom supplies.

3. Store Items Above Cabinets

Assuming your cabinets don’t run along the ceiling, any unused space above them is a missed space-saving storage opportunity. Often kitchen and bathroom cabinets have a few feet of space above them, which create a natural shelf to house items. While this space can be functional for many small apartments and homes, it also allows you to design each room according to your specific tastes.

storage above cabinets

The space above your cabinets provides plenty of room to store kitchen items. (Image via: Uniquely You Interiors)

How to Use the Space Above Cabinets

  • In Your Kitchen: Prop up plates or add decorative signs to round out your kitchen.
  • In Your Bathroom: Stack towels on top of cabinets or add baskets for infrequently used items.

4. Create Display Areas

Many household items don’t have to be stored behind cabinet doors and closets, thus storage shouldn’t be thought of as a way to hide items. Open shelving, old wooden crates, hanging racks and a long list of other storage methods can double as display areas. Show off your child’s artwork, your book collection or your glassware. Don’t let them collect dust in the back of some cabinet.

create display areas

Combine functionality and aesthetics by creating display areas. (Image via: Jeremy Levine, Three Trees House)

How to Make Use of Display Areas

  • In Your Kitchen: Use any flat surface to display artwork or stock small kitchen appliances.
  • In Your Living Room: Store items that reflect your hobbies and personal interests.
  • In Your Bedroom: Display a collection of pictures or objects that show off your creative side.
  • In Your Bathroom: Add personal memories, greenery or create an appealing bathroom display.

5. Make Use of Every Wall

Walls present the biggest space-saving storage opportunity even in the smallest apartments and homes. After all, you have at least four of them. Installing cabinets or shelves can maximize your space in hallways or just about any room. Storing items in this vertical fashion will free up the floors and make your space appear bigger.

make use of every wall

Look around your home. You’re going to see walls. Make use of them. (Image via: Jeremy Levine, Three Trees House)

How to Make Use of Walls

  • In Your Kitchen: Hang often-used pots and pans above the stove or sink for easy access.
  • In Your Living Room: Install shelving units to stack books and personal memories.
  • In Your Bedroom: Use the space above your bed to store out-of-season clothing items or shoes.
  • In Your Bathroom: Add hanging baskets to house toiletries and medical supplies.

Find More Space-Saving Storage Resources

Make the Most of Any Small Home or Apartment

Maximizing the space in your home comes down to staying organized and adding storage where possible. If you’re looking for additional ways to do so, take a look at some of our other space-saving storage ideas and resources.

Do you have other storage ideas for small homes and apartments? Drop a comment below.