Traditional self-storage can feel inconvenient and impersonal. When you’re already trying to maximize storage for small spaces, the process of buying supplies, packing everything yourself, and hauling boxes to a facility across town can be time-consuming and physically exhausting.
In this Redfin guide, we’ve teamed up with Clutter to walk you through a better approach to storing your belongings and simplifying the entire process. Whether you’re relocating to your new home in Lafayette, CA or simply looking for an easier way to protect the things you love in your cozy home in Atlanta, GA, modern storage hacks can help you stay organized without the hassle — especially when you have your home financing squared away.
Can’t grow out? Grow upward
When you can’t expand out, think up. Maximizing space is the single best way to reclaim usable square footage in a small home or apartment.
How to maximize vertical storage:
1. Shelving systems: Invest in tall, narrow bookcases, stacked storage cubes, or slim cabinets to draw the eye up and make the room feel taller.
2. Creative ledges: Install wall-mounted shelves that reflect your style. If you’re handy, try crafting a simple ledge that wraps around the entire room about a foot from the ceiling– a discreet, high-impact space for books, decor, or rarely used items.
3. Wall grids and pegboards: In kitchens, living areas, entryways, or offices, a sleek pegboard can hold everything from spices and utensils to accessories and craft supplies.
4. Hooks and hangers: Backs of doors and closet interiors are often wasted space. Over-the-door storage, adhesive hooks, or simple racks can store everyday items without crowding surfaces.
Bonus tip: The more your vertical storage draws eyes upward, the taller (and larger) your space will feel—a two-for-one win.
Master the multi-functional
In a small space, your furniture needs to multitask. Look for pieces that serve storage, seating, and style all at once.
Furniture that maximizes space:
5. Beds that lift: A lofted bed or one with built-in drawers transforms “dead space” into storage for blankets, clothing, or shoes.
6. Storage in action: Coffee tables that open up, ottomans with removable lids, or sectionals with built-in storage are perfect for living rooms that need to work double-duty.
7. Folding and nesting: Dining tables that fold against the wall, nesting side tables, or drop-leaf desks give you flexibility when you need it and tidy minimalism when you don’t.
Tiny tweaks = big impact
Organizing small spaces is about working smarter, not harder. Small adjustments can nearly double closet or drawer capacity.
Simple organization hacks that actually work:
8. Vacuum seal bags: Perfect for bulky seasonal items like puffy sweaters, pillows, and comforters. They shrink down to a fraction of the size, freeing up precious closet real estate.
9. Tension rods: Inside cabinets or closets, tension rods are a creative way to hang spray bottles or add a second layer of clothing.
10. Tray tricks: Struggling with visual noise on surfaces like coffee tables, nightstands, or console tables? Group smaller items like remote controls, candles, or coasters onto a decorative tray. It instantly reduces the appearance of clutter, without forcing you to part with what you love.
What do you do when you can’t live with it, but you can’t live without it?
Maybe you’re maxed out, a minimalist, or you just need some breathing room. So, how do you decide what should be stored off-site?
Helpful scenarios to ask yourself:
11. Seasonal items: If you use it less than three months a year and it doesn’t pay rent, store it.
12. Bulk purchases: Great deal with no place to put it? Off-site storage to the rescue.
13. Sentimental items: If you can’t part with the old photo albums, heirloom dishes, or childhood safety blanket, there’s nothing wrong with that. But they don’t need to take up meaningful space in your apartment.
Consider a self-storage option
Traditional self-storage can feel inconvenient and impersonal. Between buying supplies, packing everything yourself, and hauling boxes to a crowded facility, the process is often time-consuming and physically exhausting—and it rarely fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With full-service storage companies like Clutter, storing your belongings becomes intentional, intuitive, and designed around your needs—not a long trip to a storage unit across town.
Storage for small spaces: reclaim your space
Living well in a small space starts with strategic organization and smart solutions about what stays and what goes. By mastering vertical space, choosing multi-functional furniture, and identifying rarely used items, you can transform your home, whether it’s a studio, a downtown apartment, or a tiny home.