1. ONE STORAGE UNIT CAN BE USED FOR MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
Usually, shoving everything into one cabinet and combining categories is seen as a home organizing mistake that can make it more difficult to find the things you need when you need them. However, when limited on where you can stow things behind closed doors, I learned it is perfectly okay to combine storage units into a miscellaneous catch-all.
The trick, I discovered, is to break a storage unit down by shelf or drawer, and then further still with dividers if needed, so that everything still has a place. These clear dividers, at Amazon, are ideal for giving lots of smaller items a designated home, and they stop things from moving around when opening and closing drawers. I once used a three-drawer unit to store our bike tools and hiking accessories in the bottom drawer, and our medicines, bandages, and extra bathroom products like soap in the top drawer. The link isn’t too tenuous – if we hurt ourselves when outside on an adventure we would need the medicine kit, for instance, but it is a good example of combining categories that would usually live in different parts of a house. Just be sure to keep things separate to keep them hygienic.
2. GOING VERTICAL WITH STORAGE IS A MUST
Even when I couldn't drill holes into walls I was finding ways to take my storage up onto the walls and doors, be it with over-door hooks or Command hooks, available at Amazon.
3. LIVING WITH LESS CAN BE LIMITING, BUT ESSENTIAL
I am someone who loves to be surrounded by stuff, albeit organized stuff. When living in a small space with not much storage, however, I finally had to admit to myself that encouraging minimalism at home was the only option if I didn't want to live with constant clutter.
FAQS
HOW DO I MAXIMIZE STORAGE IN A SMALL SPACE?
One of the best ways to maximize storage in a small space is to buy furniture pieces with storage in mind. For instance, in a small bedroom, consider replacing the bed or a chair with a piece that has built-in storage for extra space. Similarly, in a living room, opt for a coffee table or TV stand with drawers to help keep everything from standard clutter to throw blankets and cables out of sight for better flow.
HOW DO I FIND STORAGE SPACE IN MY SMALL HOUSE?
When trying to seek out storage opportunities in a small home, try to think outside of the box. Don't just consider where you can fit another cabinet or drawer unit – instead, consider what you can use that you already have. For instance, take storage up onto the backs of doors, squeeze storage into narrow spaces between units and walls, or add baskets and hanging dividers into cabinets and shelving units to help make use of deep and high storage spots.