Often the most challenging issue with living in a small apartment is not the size of the apartment itself, but the overabundance of belongings packed into it. Many apartment dwellers find themselves dealing with overcrowded apartment homes because of the economical advantages, sacrificing functionality for an affordable living arrangement. However, by exploring some resourceful storage solutions, inhabitants of apartment homes can enjoy both functionality and affordability. Streamlining the organization of a small apartment serves a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one, opening up the space and making it appear larger. With some creative thinking, anyone can improve the storage situation in his or her apartment and enjoy an efficient and orderly living space.

A lack of storage is a common issue in smaller apartment homes, and one that can leave an apartment feeling cramped and uninviting. Often, the result of too little storage is too much visible clutter, which can make even the most organized apartment feel smaller. Small one bedroom and efficiency apartments often have just one, or even no closet to accommodate all of a person’s storage needs, making it a challenge to create an organized home.

The first stage in an apartment storage overhaul is determining what items are worthy of storage and what items should be eradicated. Sometimes we hold onto belongings that offer no benefit to our lives simply because we do not know what else to do with them. Streamlining your apartment organization involves first making an honest assessment of the items you own and determining which can be donated or thrown away. Once you have on hand only the items you intend to keep, it is time to create new space for them.

Vertical storage space is widely unutilized in apartment homes. A tall bookshelf is an excellent storage solution which takes up minimal floor space and provides multiple surfaces on which to store a variety of items. In addition to holding books, a bookshelf is a great place to store smaller items within aesthetically cohesive bins and baskets. Wall shelves provide another opportunity to capitalize on vertical space. A wall shelf mounted to one wall or around the perimeter of a room adds ample square footage for storage without taking up an inch of floor space.

Another technique for clearing out clutter in a small apartment space is utilizing furniture that does double duty as storage space. A storage ottoman or coffee table allows you to stow items out of sight without sacrificing easy accessibility to them. You can also maximize the storage functionality of your existing furniture. Shallow storage bins designed for under bed storage can help you maximize use of the space under your bed, and can also be stacked within a closet to further capitalize on vertical space.

Creatively combating clutter and establishing a pleasant, functional living area go hand in hand. By thinking beyond the closet, you can create new storage throughout your apartment and control clutter more effectively. Streamlined organization and open flow can make any apartment inviting, large or small.