I am no stranger to small apartments. In fact, I have lived in three, almost four, (please pray for me) in the last three years, so I have encountered my fair share of storage issues. Fortunately, along with the frustration that comes from having zero closets, I have learned *a lot* of storage hacks. Plus, I watched both seasons of Get Organized with The Home Edit, so I’m practically a pro.
If you’re living in an apartment that doesn’t have any (or many) closets, odds are, you don’t have a lot of stuff, but as a—dare I say—adult, you still need a place to put things like linens, household supplies, and, well, clothing. When those places aren’t glaringly obvious in your apartment (like a linen closet or a bedroom closet), it’s time to get creative and implement some storage hacks. Here are my favorite tried-and-true solutions for having zero closets:
1. Add side tables with drawers
Source: @emilykennedyphoto
You probably need a side table in your bedroom or living room anyway, so you might as well choose the ones that have a few drawers for storage. In my opinion, the best items to store inside bedroom side tables are socks, bras, and underwear. In the living room, store books, charging cords, remotes, and random knick-knacks you can’t bring yourself to part with. These will help keep clutter to a minimum, and we love that.
Pottery Barn
Four Drawer Nightstand
Wayfair
Double Drawer End Table
Pottery Barn
Antique-Finished Nightstand
Pottery Barn
Drawer & Cabinet Nightstand
West Elm
Black & Gold Nightstand
Wayfair
Tall End Table
2. Store bins under your bed
Source: West Elm
In my opinion, one of the best places to store things you don’t need all the time is under the bed. I store all of my seasonal clothing in rolling bins under my bed, and it’s been a total game changer for me. At the beginning of each season, all you have to do is roll out the bin and swap out the clothes that you have in your dresser with what you need for the new season. This is functional and makes you feel like you have a fresh wardrobe every time. Win, win!
West Elm
Steel & Canvas Bed Drawer
The Container Store
Long Plastic Bin with Wheels
IKEA
Fabric Zip Bin
Amazon
Storage Containers
3. Use a clothing rack
Source: @fashion_jackson
Not only are clothing racks aesthetic and fun to style, but they are also incredibly convenient. I recommend choosing a clothing rack that also has some shelves so you can keep folded clothing and shoes on it as well. Thankfully, you can get a clothing rack almost anywhere, and there are options for every budget. For inspiration, check out how our associate editor uses her clothing rack—we are obsessed.
Amazon
Double Rod Clothing Rack
Wayfair
Adjustable Clothing Rack
Brightroom
Black Metal & Wood Clothing Rack
Amazon
Double Clothing Rack with Wheels
4. Add a storage bench or ottoman
Source: West Elm
Not only do storage benches and ottomans look nice from a design standpoint, but they also add additional seating and, you guessed it, a place to store things. Benches and ottomans are great for keeping extra blankets, sheets, and pillows in as well as books and games. I recommend adding a storage bench to the end of your bed and using an ottoman in your living room as a coffee table to maximize your storage options.
Joss & Main
Upholstered Bench
CB2
Curved Storage Bench
Wayfair
Flip Top Storage Bench
CB2
Suede Storage Ottoman
Target
Round Storage Ottoman
Crate & Barrel
Oval Storage Ottoman
Crate & Barrel
Notch Storage Ottoman
Ikea
Square Storage Ottoman
Article
Bouclé Storage Ottoman
Threshold designed with Studio McGee
Woven Storage Ottoman
5. Make the most of cabinet space
Source: @thecontainerstore
If we can’t have closets, we better be making the most of the cabinets we have, right? The best way to do this is by adding some organizers. Clear bins, drawers, and over-the-door racks will help you maximize your storage space, especially in places like your bathroom or your kitchen.
The Container Store
Wire Pull-Out Organizer
The Container Store
Curved Rattan Baskets
The Container Store
Stackable Bins
The Container Store
Divided Lazy Susan
The Container Store
Hair Tool Organizer
The Container Store
Cabinet Door Rack
6. Hide shoes in a cabinet
Source: @houseofhire
Adding a shoe cabinet to your entryway is one of the ultimate storage hacks. It will clean up your space instantly, keep your shoes organized, and, ultimately, save your sanity. There is nothing worse than walking into your front door when you’re juggling one-trip groceries and tripping over your shoes (been there, done that). Do yourself a favor and invest in a shoe cabinet to keep them tucked away.
Wayfair
Slim Entryway Shoe Cabinet
West Elm
Entry Storage Cabinet
Overstock
Natural Rattan Shoe Cabinet
IKEA
12-Pair Shoe Cabinet
