Closets packed to the gills, cluttered shelves and nowhere to store last winter’s clothing: These are all issues that can and most likely happen when you live in small spaces. These concerns are especially pressing for inhabitants of “tiny homes” — a type of shelter informally defined as a dwelling that clocks in at under 600 square feet while still mirroring the layout and permanence of a larger home.
Because you don’t have to reside in a tiny home to benefit from space-saving solutions, we asked some experts in the field how they maximize their environments — and found solutions that could benefit nearly any home, regardless of size.
Colin Chee is the founder and creative director of Never Too Small, an Australian company dedicated to small design and sustainable living. He said to declutter your space first and then you can best asses where potential storage exists — under the bed, beneath the sofa or even the area above your doors are all prime real estate. (For even more creativeorganizing ideas, check out the company’s newly released YouTube series “How I Live Small” and quarterly print magazine).
Renee Seevers is the CEO and founder of TinyFest, a multi-state organization and festival focused on tiny living. She likes Amazon because, according to her, you can find very size-specific items which is a big challenge when it comes to creating storage in smaller spaces. Thinking outside the box, Seevers suggests “stuffing pillow shams with things like scarves, sweaters or extra towels rather than an actual pillow.”
In the list ahead, Chee, along with other tiny home design experts, many of whom live in tiny homes themselves, gave us their small space hacks along with their favorite storage items and pieces of furniture, all easily accessible at Amazon.
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Chee suggested these vacuum storage bags, a classic choice for making even the bulkiest items compact and easier to store.
"[They] are great for storing blankets or extra pillows for occasional use when you have visitors, as well as winter jackets during the off-season. I store them in my large travel luggage, which is only used occasionally," Chee said.
This set includes a mix of 20 bags of varying sizes and a hand pump for compressing all the contents. To use, just fill the bag with your items, seal using the double zipper and suction out the air using the triple-seal turbo valve.
Bonus: They're also great for saving space in your suitcase when you travel!
"On Amazon, I have found tall and narrow items, shallow items, and items that were just a few inches smaller than the standard ones you find at brick-and-mortar stores," Seevers, of TinyFest, said. On TinyFest's curated Amazon page, we found this stylish triple-level shoe organizer that can hold up to 24 pairs of shoes in its tip-out shelves, each of which features natural rattan detailing. Its shallow design won't take up a lot of space and you can shop it in this black color or a walnut finish.
Another recommendation from Seevers is this very slim set of drawers that can easily slide into tight spaces and even in between appliances. Rated a solid 5 stars on Amazon, this dresser is made from a solid steel frame and has five slide-out fabric drawers, plus additional surface space at the top for even more storage.
Seevers, who actually wrote a beginner guide on kitchen ideas for tiny homes, is a fan of collapsible kitchen items like this set of four fold-down food storage containers that store seamlessly into drawers or cabinets. Each container is made from food-grade BPA-free silicone with a matching BPA-free lid with a steaming vent. Feel free to place these containers in the freezer, microwave or dishwasher.
Sarah Bronstein is an interior designer for small spaces and host of The Nomadic Spaces podcast. Bronstein, who lives in a renovated vintage travel trailer, told HuffPost that her biggest piece of advice is to keep belongings "out of sight, out of mind" to avoid making smaller areas feel like a giant closet and instead, bright and clean.
"Cord clutter is SO common! These cute little baskets will hide the wires and keep your space feeling clean," she said.
Thoughtfully made with woven imitation rattan to prevent overheating, this is large enough to store two standard-sized power strips and has two slots for cords to easily pass through. It comes in three colors and two sizes.
"Under-bed storage with wheels and a clear cover is perfect for maximizing space under both the bed and sofa," Chee said suggesting this pair of rolling storage containers. "The wheels allow easy access, while the clear cover helps you quickly see the contents without opening the container."
Each dust-blocking plastic cover secures shut with Velcro and the stainless steel frame can bear up to 40 pounds in weight.
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Another item on Seevers' list is this versatile chair which can convert from a standard lounger to a flat bed to even a desk for when your existing space can't accommodate a traditional one. A hidden table pulls out of the arm to offer a workspace large enough for a laptop as well as an adjustable mobile phone holder and a cupholder in the arm of the chair. Made from faux leather, this chair comes with a removable lumbar pillow and is available in six colors.
Bronstein likes attractive furniture pieces that double as storage space and suggested this round mid-century-inspired coffee table made from FSC-certified engineered wood and real veneer finish, available in two colors. Inside the smoothly sliding tambour doors are four adjustable height shelves for cleverly hidden storage.
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Bronstein also suggested this dual-purpose bed frame that lifts the mattress away from the frame using a hydraulic lifting mechanism, revealing ample storage space beneath. This platform upholstered bed frame comes in seven colors, three sizes and two styles.
"Adjustable tension rods can do wonders for wardrobes/cupboards, creating extra shelves without drilling holes or needing custom shelving," Chee said. "I added four rods inside my shoe cabinet to create two extra shelves, doubling its capacity from eight to sixteen pairs of shoes."
This set that he recommended comes with six spring-loaded tension rods that can be adjusted between 21.6 and 35.4 inches across to accommodate your space or add to existing shelving. These damage-free rods also come in six other sizes.
"Hooks can also add storage functionality, larger ones being installed in walls for coats/towels or smaller ones under shelves or cabinets for cups or cookware," Bronstein said, suggesting these rustic wall pegs as a good heavy-duty option. Available in multi-packs and two wood finishes, the hooks are made from 100% beech wood and can hold up to 35 pounds each. Mount these space-saving hooks to hang everything from extra clothes to bags, to baskets and more.
For cups, cooking utensils, towels and whatever else, Bronstein listed this pair of racks and hooks to help free up counter and cabinet space. They are made from rust-resistant metal and have five removable hooks each.
"Shelves can be a great solution to squeeze in extra storage," Bronstein said and mentioned this pair of floating shelves that can utilize wall space, without taking up too much unnecessary room. Made from solid pine wood and available in six finishes and in six lengths, these shelves have an impressive 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon and secure to walls using a hidden metal bracket.
"Hang 'pockets' on the backside of cupboard doors and closet doors to hold additional items with shoe organizers cut to size," Seevers suggested. "The space closest to the door would otherwise be wasted. It’s a great spot to create easy access to a variety of small items."
This pair of over-the-door pocket organizers were also on TinyFest's curated Amazon list and come with 4.6 out of 5 stars. Each panel has six individual pockets roomy enough to hold pairs of shoes, bottles of cleaning supplies, toiletries and more.
As Chee mentioned earlier, when it comes to selecting containers or organizers, he recommends clear ones so you can easily spot what you need without digging through everything. Also, "try organizing items vertically to maximize space," he said.
"[These] clear stackable storage containers are great for organizing wardrobes, bathrooms, and even pantries. I love versatile products that can be used in different spaces and for various purposes," Chee said.
These stackable bins can open two different ways: at the top with a locking removable lid or a drop-down door at the front that secures with magnets. They are easily collapsible when not in use and come in white or black and this set of three.
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