11 Storage Solutions for Small Apartments using Multipurpose Furniture

Here you will discover a few types of multi-purpose furniture that are the ideal solution to the limited storage space in a small apartment.
“A Place For Everything And, Everything In It’s Place”, as the old adage goes.

You really find out how much junk you have when you want to “de-clutter”, or “down-size”
I did this just recently, and thought: There must be other people who are going to be doing the same thing – Let me write out my experiences and share some of my thoughts on a Compact Lifestyle.

The secret is: You are not trying to fit stuff IN. You are trying to leave stuff OUT.

I lived in a 3-bedroom house, with two bathrooms, 2 offices, a huge kitchen with a scullery, 2 lounges, 2 dining rooms, 2 patios a double garage AND a 2-bedroom cottage with lounge, fitted kitchen, and bathroom, and a garden with 52 trees growing in it.
Down-sizing – I moved into a bachelor apartment.

It is important that every bit of space has to be as functional and practical as possible.
The first thing to be is merciless: Have only what you need.
There are things you will need every day. Things you will need once a month. Once in a while. And things you will hardly ever need.

“Need” is not the same as “nice to have”.

For those things – leave them until last. If they wont fit – get rid of them
While there are hundreds of good Ideas of how to maximise your living space – I am only concerned here with the “hardware”.

If you have no ideas about the other stuff – Google is full of them.
Study the floor plan before the move. Familiarize yourself with your new apartment’s measurements so you know what can fit there and what won’t make it in to your new home.

Here is a Hard Part: This is for the more ignorant, ill-prepared and plebian: Get a piece of paper and a pen and write the measurements down.
And have a tape measure with you. All the time. Until you have moved and settled.

There is nothing to beat Guessing and Buying! And discovering that what you have just blown your money on DOES NOT FIT!!!

Meanwhile - Here are some tips on how to maximize the space in your Compact Living space.

1 - Get Rid of Unnecessary Stuff (on a regular basis)
The best way to avoid clutter in your Compact Lifestyle is by not allowing clutter in the first place. That means downsizing by purging any and all unnecessary items. Consider donating furniture and clothes to charity shops. Or sell your hardly-used items online. Or give it away to friends.

If you havent looked at it in the past 6 months - you probably haven't seen it in a year. And probably never will. So dump it!

Your main living area will invariably be both your lounge and your sleeping area. So be expedient!

2 - There are three types of Bed: With internal storage in the base. Fold down. Convertible sofa-to-bed.
The bed is the biggest item of furniture. Make sure it is multi-functional. When it’s important that every piece of furniture counts, that means making sure all items in your space serve more than one purpose where possible.

Sofa beds that fold out from being a couch to a bed are very helpful where space is tight. Or for the occasional guest.
A sofa that can fold out as a bed may be your first choice. I wont be dealing with those here. I have my limitations.

A fold-out bed unit of the type usually attached to a wall, that only has to be folded out when you need to use it? Like EVERY night.
A "nice idea", until you consider the ramifications. For example: When you need the bed - everything occupying that floor-space has to be moved out of the way - Hmmm.
I bet no one who ever buys one of these "solutions" ever thinks of that part. I wont be dealing with those either

So that Leaves the Bed with a Storage Base.
Storage beds are great because they act as both a bed and storage space. The base can be utilised as a storage place for items not often used. Luggage cases (that pack into each other being one of them. Otherwise, a base with drawers located underneath the bed).

I selected these units because they are the best on offer with the highest number of Good recommendations from people who have purchased them.

The balance are chintzy. Good luck with any of them.

Lucky for you - I have a selection of these right here >>

3 – Coffee Tables that Double as Storage Space
One of the best storage solutions for a Compact Lifestyle is a coffee table with concealed cavities or drawers. Coffee tables with storage can hold anything from blankets and shoes to items you only need on occasion – making them both stylish and functional.

A coffee table that can convert to a small desk (or small dining table) is first prize.
There are No ottomans. The ottoman is an over-rated prop favored by set dressers for fashion magazines.

You cannot relax on it. You cannot put your drink down on it. But - each to their own.

Lucky for you - I have a selection of these Multi-Purpose Coffee Tables >>
Right: Innovative 4-drawer multi-functional coffee table by Bera Design

4 - Other Storage – Wall Units
Wall Units are the best solution for storage anywhere. Things get packed away. The doors close. And the clutter is gone.
You can buy these everywhere, in everystyle imaginable. From dirt cheap to over-priced Hollywood designer jet-trash.
Most wall units have a glass fronted display cabinet or display shelves – and a cavity for a TV monitor.
This only works up to the point where you want to fit in a cinema-sized monitor – if that is your thing. In which case, you had better make a plan for a stand unit just for the TV monitor.

5 - Other Storage – Floating Wall Units
In addition to freeing up floor space, floating furniture makes a room appear bigger than it actually is, so that your small apartment wont feel so cramped.
Examples of popular floating furniture include TV consoles, office desks, bathroom vanities, and dressers. These items will help maximize the space inside the apartment, while also serving a necessary function.
The Down-side of Floating Wall Furniture The operative word is “wall”. These units have to be attached to a wall. That is, hung.
Think - drilling machine, screws, handywork. If you cannot do it – you will be paying someone to do it for you. AND – if you do not own the apartment – you will be repairing the walls when you move out.
So think about One of These Solutions >>

6 – The Kitchen
The best way to avoid clutter in your kitchen? Use simple drawer organizer inserts to each of your drawers. Cutlery trays will do the job. Keep everything organized and in place.
Place drawer organizers inside kitchen, bathrooms and closet drawers.
Do try to avoid bins and baskets. They fill up with stuff – and in 6 weeks they will just be small bins and baskets full of dusty stuff to throw away.

I have no storage solutions for you here. All the places I have ever rented or owned were fitted and had permanent fixtures.
So you are on your own here.

7 - In Small Apartments – The Toilet is in The Bathroom.
Installing shelving above the toilet only works if you are not going to meet it with your head.
It is a stupid idea. Don’t do it.

You need one cabinet. Over the sink. With a good, large mirror or three. Well lit. Large enough for all your toiletries and some medications.
If you have more than this – keep it in your bedroom cupboard.
If you have MORE than that – change your mind.
You have too much junk. Plus. Some of it has probably expired or is half-used since 6 months ago.

I have no storage solutions for you here. All the places I have ever rented or owned were fitted and had permanent fixtures.
So you are on your own here, also.

9 - Additional Tips for Maximizing a Small Living Space
Keep bigger items on the perimeter of rooms. Be strategic about where you put them. If you put bigger furniture like couches and bookcases against the wall instead of the middle of the floor you can create a better illusion of depth.

Use the available light as best you can to open up the space. Proper lighting can really make a difference and brighten up a small space. Let the natural light in. Use additional lighting to create a feeling of warmth. If you don’t have room for larger lamps, get creative with string lights, wall sconces, or pendant lighting.

Make use of mirrors. Strategically placed mirrors can create an illusion of more square footage by reflecting back natural and non-natural lighting. Use one large mirror or arrange a few smaller ones throughout the apartment.

11 - Here Is a List of "Do Not Do’s"
Do not hide your nicest hats and scarves. Hang them on something Good Looking that you can buy for the purpose, so that they can double as displays.

Do Not Install wall-mounted shelves throughout the apartment.
Open shelving of this sort does not “provide stylish and functional décor” to your home. It collects dust.
If you do not have a house-keeper – avoid the shelving schtick. At all costs.

If you can have shelves - you can have cabinets the same depth as the shelves. Such as book cases or wall units

The same think can be said for hanging hooks. Compact Living should NOT include exchanging clutter for half-arsed work-arounds that are not “solutions” so much as they are an untidy attempt to explain away your Lack of Imagination.

If you must have wall hooks because of the type of climate you experience – lots of rain and snow – ensure that you have something Stylish. Decent. Important looking. That guests can actually use.
Not so that you can hang stuff up there to become semi-permanent because you are too lazy to hang the items up in a closet where they actually belong.
Try to Not Hide clutter behind a curtain. Get rid of the stuff if it wont fit into your storage spaces.
Do Not Use wall space for accessories. It is not "creative", or "clever". It is lazy. And encourages the creep of Junk
Do Not Hang a cork wall to hang everything from mail to photos to accessories. Frame your photos and hang them up. Find a place for your accessories and deal with your mail.
Displaying old mail makes you look inefficient and forgetful.

11 Storage Solutions for Small Apartments using Multipurpose Furniture

You cannot relax on it. You cannot put your drink down on it. But - each to their own.

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