MY MEDALLION
While we all dream of having huge closets and storage to spare, it’s not always a reality that we can get. Living in a small apartment often doesn’t come with the luxuries of a deep closet or pantry, so getting the most out of the storage space you do have is vital. Here are six storage hacks to you get more out of the space you have.
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Buy furniture with added storage
Sometimes getting more space out of your place just requires the right furniture. A quick trip to your local furniture store or an IKEA can usually result in some great new ideas for storage in objects like your bed frame, bed boards, and even couches. You can find storage solutions that give shelves or hidden storage units built right into the bottom of the bed frame. They’ll increase your overall storage capabilities without taking up any extra floor space.
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Use hanging baskets to store small objects
Just because it’s called a fruit basket doesn’t mean you’re limited to using them for fruit! A hanging fruit basket can be a great storage device for all those loose items that can get lost easily. Socks? Works perfectly. Scarves? Certainly. As long as they’ll fit in the basket the possibilities are yours to discover. They make great ways to organize all your shower needs too. Hang them in spaces where you won’t walk into to them, like your closet or bedside.
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IKEA is your friend
If you’ve seen other storage hacks and suggestions, chances are you’ve run across something from IKEA. The Swedish store has an amazing selection of storage solutions for any space and furniture needs. In fact, they have a whole section devoted to creative storage solutions!
Just check them out here for some interesting combinations that you can customize for your space. They even give options for the size you may need and which room you’ll be using it in (ie. your bedroom or living room).
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Fold It Up
This one will take a little more handiwork than the other suggestions (bit of installation required), but allows for a lot more space when you’re not using your desk or dinner table. Finding a fold down desk or table lets you store that surface against the wall when you’re not using it, only taking up the space when you need it. Some even become a little shelf when you’re not using the surface. When you need to do some work or sit down for some food, just fold out the table and you’re all set. Just remember that your lease calls for you to return the apartment to its original condition before you move – that means plugging any holes you’ve made in the walls and repainting.
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Mirrors
This one isn’t so much about storage, but about making a smaller space open up a bit more. Mirrors are a great addition to rooms to help make a cramped space feel more bigger. Having a mirror in a space that has access to natural light will not only make your room feel more spacious, but it’ll help brighten up the room in a quick and easy way.
Angle your mirror so that it catches that natural light against a wall, and watch as your once small space feels twice the size (and brightens up!)
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Drawer Organizers
The key part of any storage management process is making sure your storage methods are as effective as they can be. Drawer organizers are a great way to get more out of your drawers than you were previously. Clean up your spices by putting them all into uniform sized jars with labels on the top and putting them in one of your drawers in your kitchen. Makeup and nail polish ending up everywhere in your bathroom? Try an old bead organizer.
Getting the most out of the space you have for storage can seem daunting, but using some of these easier tricks and fixes can turn even the smallest apartments into a well organized place. For more information on how to increase your storage space, visit the Medallion Blog.
