Organizing your home effectivelyespecially when space is limitedcan be a challenge. A variety of versatile storage ideas exist to help manage clothessmall closetsand tiny spaces using affordable and simple DIY solutions like shelvingmultipurpose furniturestorage basketsand chests. With these creative solutionsyou can declutter every room by choosing the right storage bins for your needs and varying container sizes for efficiency. Whether organizing bedroom clothingbathroom linensor living room itemsstrategic planning will help streamline your home organization.
- 01 of 49
Use Chalkboard Labels for Changing Storage Needs
Credit: @neatbymeg / Instagram
Labels are a professional home organizer's best friendwhich might explain why there are so many types of labels and label makers to buy. Chalkboard labels are a great choice not only because of the stylish lookbut also because they can be updated easily. If you expect the contents of your storage bin to fluctuatesuch as back-to-school supplies to summer craft projectsconsider chalkboard labels.
- 02 of 49
Hang Hats on the Wall
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
Whether you like ball caps or beretsit can be challenging to store a hat collection without damaging their shape. Hats are the perfect item to occupy some wall space in your closet. Not only will you protect them from getting flattened in a boxbut you'll be surprised with how stylish they look on display.
- 03 of 49
Save Counter Space With a Dish Drying Cabinet
Credit: Doornob This trick is currently all the rage in northern Europewhere modern design always seems to be at the forefront of everyone's minds (think: IKEA). Install a dish drying rack in a cabinet above your sink to save space on the countertop.
- 04 of 49
Nest Your Tupperware Together
Credit: Polished Habitat Tupperware storage and food storage containers aren't that easy to storebut sorting them by size can help considerably. Nest your storage containers together to keep them streamlined and organized. If your collection of food storage containers is a little chaoticsort through and limit your collection to three or four different sizes so that you can nest them together more efficiently.
- 05 of 49
Purchase Handbag Hangers for Purses
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
Those with a love for handbags may baulk at the thought of stuffing their bags into a plastic bin under the bed. Fortunatelythere are a number of ways to store pursesincluding specially designed handbag hangers that will help you keep your bags in perfect shape.
- 06 of 49
Create Pretend Pull-Out Drawers
Credit: Everyday Organizing If you can't install pull-out storageor don't want to deal with the hasslebins are the perfect alternative. This solution allows you to see what's in the back of your cabinet without removing all of the items in the front. Simply slide out the bingrab what you needand slid it back.
- 07 of 49
Discover a Smarter Way to Organize Your Pans
Credit: iHeart Organizing Use wire racks in your cabinet to you store anything long and thinlike baking dishescutting boardsor even sauté pans. This is a much more effective storage solution than stackingsince you won't have to lift an entire set of goods out of the cupboard to access the one item you need.
- 08 of 49
Make a DIY Plastic Bag Dispenser
Credit: Polished Habitat The idea of repurposing an item rather than throwing it away is not a new conceptbut when a good idea comes alongespecially one so simpleit feels like a spark of genius. Save your empty tissue box to keep plastic bags organized and within easy reach.
- 09 of 49
Paint Pen Kitchen Organization
Credit: A Beautiful Mess Relocate the grains and spices you use often into clear storage containers. Label them using paint pens for an attractive displaythen arrange the containers in alphabetical order to make items like flourriceor oats even easier to locate. This tip also helps you keep track of how much you have of an ingredientso you'll never accidentally run out.
- 10 of 49
Make Above-Cabinet Storage Visible
Credit: A Beautiful Mess The key to making storage on top of the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets work is visibility. If you can't see the items you've stored up highyou'll forget what's there until they've long expired. Swap your woven baskets for wire to fix the issue. Wire is also more durable and easier to cleanwhich is essential for exposed storage.
- 11 of 49
Recycle Boxes to Organize Your Freezer
Credit: Queen Bee Coupons If you like to stock up and store things in your freezeryou know how quickly a mess can develop if you fail to institute some organization. A simple way to help you keep the freezer tidy is to cut the tops off of used cardboard boxeslabel them, and fill them with frozen items for easy retrieval. This tip works especially well for pre-made freezer meals.
- 12 of 49
Build a DIY Trash Bag Roll
Credit: Simply Organized This clever hack will save you the frustration of wrestling a bag out of the box every time you take out your trash. Each bag holder is made with two curtain rod hangers and a short length of wood dowelwhich you can find at any hardware store or home center.
- 13 of 49
Hang Your Measuring Spoons
Credit: Tidy Mom No one enjoys digging through a kitchen drawer for the elusive quarter teaspoonand this easy tip saves you the trouble. Pick up a few tiny adhesive hooks from your local hardware storeattach them to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door (such as the cabinet with your baking supplies)and hang your measuring spoons.
- 14 of 49
Separate GarbageCompostand Recycling
Credit: Nadiia Fedorova / Getty Images
Even your garbage deserves a little organization. To keep your trash and recycling separate and tidypurchase a set of matching bins to store side-by-side. Designate a pull-out cabinet or drawerif possibleto keep the sight (and smells) hidden. If you have plenty of space to work withpurchase an additional smaller bin for compost.
- 15 of 49
Store Medicines and Prescriptions in a Deep Drawer
Credit: @neatbymeg / Instagram
Tossing Band-Aids and cough syrup into a deep drawer make seem convenientbut that's hardly the case when your little one falls or catches a cold. Insteaduse drawer dividers to sort your items into categories so they're easier to findthen arrange them upright to make the most of the drawer's depth.
- 16 of 49
Repurpose Your Mint Container
Credit: Lovely Indeed Small items like bobby pins and Q-tips may be easy to store because of their sizebut they're tough to keep organized. This mint dispenser idea is a brilliant way to corral a bunch of small items together to make them easy to find when needed.
- 17 of 49
Create a Discreet Charging Station
Credit: Caught on a Whim If you don't care for the sight of cell phones and iPads crowding your countersturn an old book into a hidden charging station. This is a helpful tip for those who like to keep their devices closebut also out of sightespecially from children and guests.
- 18 of 49
Sort Earrings With an Upcycled Organizer
Credit: Smart n Snazzy Skip the hassle of digging around for a matching set of earrings. This idea allows you to repurpose a cardboard box and organize and display your earrings in a cute and functional way. Punch a series of holes in the bottom of each box using a push pin. Hook the earrings through holes to hang them and use the matching half of the box to create a stand.
- 19 of 49
Repurpose a Coke Crate to Store Your Ties
Credit: Rain on a Tin Roof If you like the vintage aestheticyou'll be thrilled to know there are many ways to give antique items a new purpose. An old soda cratefor instanceis the perfect storage compartment for ties and scarves. Simply roll up the fabric and place it in one of the slots.
- 20 of 49
Store Underwear in PVC Pipes
Credit: Infarrantly Creative Keep your undies organized with a cubby-hole arrangement of PVC pipe sections. Cut the three-inch-diameter pipe into pieces that fit the height of your drawerthen sand the cut edges to make them smooth. Paint the pipesif desiredand glue them together. This also works well for small accessories like scrunchies.
- 21 of 49
Label Toy Drawers With Pictures
Credit: Family Ever After This idea is perfect for children who need a little extra help finding and putting away their toys. By labeling the drawers with pictures instead of wordseven little ones who can't yet read will know exactly which toys go in which drawers.
- 22 of 49
Use a Shoe Organizer for Storing Stuffed Animals
Credit: Mommo Design Over-the-door shoe organizers can certainly help you keep sandals and boots sortedbut this tool is far more versatile. For instancethis simple organizer leverages vertical storage and can be repurposed to store your children's small toys and stuffed animals.
- 23 of 49
Create a Gallery Wall for Kids' Artwork
Credit: Family Ever After Kids' artwork can pile up quickly. Hanging it rather than keeping it in a pile means less clutter. Regularly rotate new projects and artwork every few months (or weeksdepending on how artsy your kids are).
- 24 of 49
Use Large Paper Clips to Hold Cables
Credit: Luis Diaz Devesa / Getty Images
Organizing electrical cords for all your devices and small appliances can be difficultespecially if you regularly unplug and plug in items. Threading cords through large paper clips that are fastened to the edge of your desk can make it easier to access the cable you need when you need it.
- 25 of 49
Sort Cords in a Recycled Shoebox
Credit: Darkroom & Dearly Tech clutter happens to the best of us. Storing chargers and other electronic accessories can be a real painbut this straightforward DIY tip can help you keep everyday tech accessories organized. All you need is some cardboardwrapping paperand (of course) labels.
- 26 of 49
Convert a Closet Into an Office Supply
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
Office spaces can be among the more difficult areas to organize in a home. If you find your desk often cluttered with miscellaneous files and pens and post-itsyou might benefit from this organization tip. Claim a nearby closet for excess office suppliesespecially those you don't use daily.
- 27 of 49
Make a DIY Twine Keeper
Credit: Whisker Graphics Balls of stringtwine, and ribbon can become a jumbled mess when stored in a drawer. Insteadtry storing them in a sugar dispenser. The jar protects your string and such from becoming tangledand the nifty pour spout makes accessing the material simple.
- 28 of 49
Install a Pegboard for Tools and Craft Supplies
Credit: Brit + Co A pegboard can store and organize various household productssuch as garage tools and craft supplies like scissors and tape. The trick to hanging pegboard is to mount it over wood strips or blocks to create a small space between the pegboard and the wall. The space is necessary for adding hooksbracketsand other hanging hardwood onto the pegboard.
- 29 of 49
Mount a Magazine File on the Kitchen Cabinet Door
Credit: Just like shoe organizersmagazine files can help you sort much more than paper. For instancea clever way to store foilplastic wrapparchmentand wax paper is to hang a magazine file on a kitchen cabinet door. This will free up drawer space for your utensilsflatwareand other items.
- 30 of 49
Repurpose Deep Kitchen Drawers for Bread and Root Vegetables
Credit: Bread and root vegetables are best kept in a cooldry area of the kitchen. Store these items in a deep drawer to free up some counter space. Be sure to choose a drawer away from the ovensince the heat could make your food go bad quicker. Additionallysince root vegetables need air to stave off rotconsider replacing the drawer bottoms or sides with mesh.
- 31 of 49
Add Hooks Inside Bathroom Cabinet Doors
Credit: If you're lucky enough to have a bathroom drawerit is usually the first spot to get crowded. To add some extra storage spacehang some hooks inside your bathroom cabinet doors. This tip works well for items premade with loops or holes for hangingsuch as scrub brushesscissorsshaversscrunchie spongeshair tiesand more.
- 32 of 49
Install a Magnetic Strip Hair and Nail Tools
Credit: Accessories or tools made of ironnickelor cobalt are magnetic. Most hair and nail items are stainless steelwhich contains iron. You can easily hang bobby pinshair clipsbarrettesnail filestweezersand nail clippers on a magnetic strip inside a bathroom drawer to alleviate your bathroom storage woes.
- 33 of 49
Build a Dog Bed Trundle
Credit: If the floor space in your bedroom feels crampedconsider building a dog bed trundle. You can make your own dog bed with an old crib mattressor pick up a thin bed at your neighborhood department storeand construct a roll-out platform with a few simple products at your local hardware store.
- 34 of 49
Move Garage Storage to the Walls and Ceiling
Credit: @neatbymeg / Instagram
Garages can feel like oversized junk drawers if you're not intentional about organizing. Instead of stacking boxes and bins on the floorinstall some storage racks on the wall and ceiling. The wall mount rack is perfect for yard toolsscooters and bikesand more. Store seasonal supplies and other items used less often overhead.
- 35 of 49
Transform Your Paper Towel Holder
Credit: The Spruce / Antonis Achilleos
A paper towel holder is another versatile organizer. Use one in the office for all your tapes—maskingpackingand duct tape. This giant spool also works well for storing rolls of ribbon or yarn for knittingsewingor crafting. Belts also have a way of multiplyingbut coil them around this hand caddy for an easy grab when needed.
- 36 of 49
Use a Muffin Tin Storing Small Items
This Vintage 60s Ovenex Muffin Tin was upgraded with a black handle for portability. Credit: Etsy
Tool shedsgaragesand offices are riddled with miniature items like nailsscrewsnutsboltspaper clipspush pinsand safety pins. Repurpose an old muffin tin or fishing tackle box that you don't use anymore for these tiny supplies.
- 37 of 49
Reuse Shoe Pocket Caddies for Pantry Goods
Credit: The 36th Avenue Shoe pocket caddies can be the perfect organizer for a wide range of goodsespecially when utilized in small closet storage. In the pantryuse them for kitchen utensilsgarbage can linersrubber bandspencilsand scissors. Other uses include cleaning supplies like spray bottles and cansspongesand scrub brushes. Families with young children can also use these nifty organizers as a snack food caddy for granola barscookieschipsand candy.
- 38 of 49
Kitchen Lid Rack for Purse Clutches
Credit: Purse clutches are slim and stylishmaking them perfect for a night on the town. Unfortunatelythey don't often come with loops or hooks for hanging. Instead of taking up a drawerfind some extra shelf space and vertically file your clutches in a pot and pan lid rack. This trick offers easy access when it's time for your next soiree.
- 39 of 49
Install for Shelves Near Garage or Mudroom Door
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
There are multiple supplies you might need access to on your way in and out of the garage or mudroomand this organization tip is the perfect solution. Install some strong metal shelves to store heavy-duty trash bagsgloves and bootsdog leashesand more. If you want to give the shelving rack some aesthetic appealchoose woven baskets over wire or plastic bins.
- 40 of 49
Hang Baskets Sideways for Towel Storage
Credit: If you have a pair of sturdy rectangular baskets being underutilizedturn them on their side and screw them into the wall along their bottoms for vertical bathroom storage. Fill them with towelswashclothsor toilet paper rolls for a cutebut cleverstorage solution.
- 41 of 49
Reuse Empty Glass Jars
Credit: Jess Bailey / Unsplash
Empty Mason jars make great storage for nailsclothespinspaperclipspushpinsbobby pinscotton swabsand more. The clear glass makes it easy to find what you need quickly. Screw-top jars can be used for storage throughout the homethe garagepantryofficeand bathroom.
- 42 of 49
Build a Bungee Cord Ball Caddy
Credit: You can breathe new life into a crate or plywood box by turning it into a caddy for basketballssoccer ballsfootballsand more. Turn it on its sidestring some bungee cords along the frontand grab a ball when needed. Pop it back in when you're done.
- 43 of 49
Use a Lazy Susan in the Fridge
Credit: The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Lazy Susans make for great storage solutions in closets and cabinetsas well as the refrigerator. Particularly if you have a deep fridgeit can be a hassle to shuffle through foodstuffs in the front to reach supplies in the back. A rotating trayhowevermakes it easy to grab what you need when you need it.
- 44 of 49
Use Carabiners for Hair Ties and Rubber Bands
Credit: A carabiner is commonly used for rock climbing and linking together ropes and harnessesbut this handy metal clip is also fantastic for keeping together hair ties and holding onto keysbeltsand handbags. Attach the carabiner to your toiletries bag during travel and hang it on a Command hook inside your bathroom cabinet door at home.
- 45 of 49
Repurpose a Letter Organizer for Flip Flops
Credit: Flip flops and sandals are awkward to hang on shoe rackssince they often slip out. That's why you have to get creative with shoe storage in the closet. Grab your slippers and file them away in a letter organizer vertically. Place them on a shelf in a closet or near a back door or garage door for easy access.
- 46 of 49
Hang Jeans for Clever Clothes Storage
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
Folding your jeans might seem like the most obvious way to store thembut what happens when you need to reach a pair at the bottom of the pile? Your neat stack becomes a heap of denim. Hanging jeans vertically is a clever way to store them and take up less room.
- 47 of 49
Use the Space Under Stairs for Shelving
Credit: @afreshspace / Instagram
If your stairs are located in the middle of your houseyou may have empty walls that feel imposing and blank. Make them a focal point by adding shelvinggiving you a place to display beautiful objets and art.
- 48 of 49
Use a Multipurpose Island
Credit: A kitchen island isn't just a place for prep work. You can incorporate an island into your space that is multipurpose with storage space and racks for towels. The open storage on this kitchen island makes it easy to reach for what you need.
- 49 of 49
Put a Dresser in Your Entryway
Credit: This dresser makes the most of both an entryway and an under-the-stairs spot. It's a beautiful antique piece that's been perfectly dbut it also gives you several drawers for storing everything from blankets to extra phone chargers to items you might need on your way out the door.
-
How can I store more in a small space?
There are lots of ways to make the most of small storage spacessuch as utilizing wall and ceiling spaceinstalling pull-out drawers in your cabinetsand sorting goods into categories to streamline your storage solutions.
-
How can I declutter storage areas?
Storage areas can be an intimidating decluttering projectso it's best to split it into more manageable chunks. Declutter one storage drawer or one closet at a time. Think about what you've used in the past year and what you haven't. Consider whether it's something you could easily replace if you did happen to need it again in the future.
-
How do you create more shelf space for storage?
To make the most of shelf spaceuse organizers and boxes to create neat arrangements that stay in place. Look for boxes you can stack or easy access bins. The easier it is to keep a shelf organizedthe more space you'll have.