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Trendey • Storage Ideas • 11 Tiny Space Storage & Organization Ideas

11 Tiny Space Storage & Organization Ideas

11 Tiny Space Storage & Organization Ideas

  • by — Liz Bittar
  • Published on February 16, 2022

  • Updated on March 31, 2025

Storage is essential in any home, especially if you live in a small house, where any items lying around give the space a cluttered look.

But there are some very practical and creative storage ideas even for the smallest spaces. In this post, we will give you some useful tips, maybe even a few solutions you had never thought of!

1. Maximizing Under-Sink Storage and Wall Shelves

When it comes to small spaces, any storage room counts. A common and very efficient solution is to use the space under the sink for storage and hang floating shelves on the walls.

To explore the tiny space even more, you can add a medicine cabinet and use a rolling cart that can fit even in the tiny space between the toilet and the vanity.

Cozy bathroom with a bathtub, sink with storage underneath, and toilet; wooden floor, marble countertop, and plants by three windows create a serene atmosphere
Source: @teacuptinyhomes via Instagram

A towel rack is also a great storage solution, and for day-to-day use, think of adhesive hooks if you do not want to drill the walls. The vertical space over the toilet is normally unused space, and when it comes to tiny bathrooms, we cannot afford to have wasted spaces at all!

Consider using the space over the toilet for floating shelves, leaving at least 24 inches between the top of the toilet tank and your shelf. You also have to be extra careful not to reach pipes or electrical conduits behind the wall, before drilling. The video below will show you how to do that.

See more small bathroom storage ideas here.

2. Bedroom Storage Solutions: Containers, Drawers, and Custom Units

One great solution for the lack of room for storage in small bedrooms is to have an ottoman storage bed. It has gas-lift hydraulics to lift up easily, and you’ll find plenty of storage and drawers underneath.

If you don’t want a lift storage bed, maximize the space by using storage containers and baskets well hidden under the bed. You can also add some sliding drawers to make full use of the space under the bed.

Cozy wooden nook with a bed with storage underneath, pillows, and shelves by a large window overlooking lush green trees and a blue sky
Source: @cloudbreakerfalls via Instagram
Small closet with white curtains, wicker baskets on shelves, wooden walls, and a small shelf with a speaker and water bottle
Source: @roadrootsupfitters via Instagram
Wooden dresser with multiple drawers under a sloped ceiling, colorful striped rug, and wicker baskets on top. Cozy and rustic decor
Source: @threetinyhams via Instagram

Another great solution is to place the mattress over a storage unit. It can be custom-made to meet your specific storage needs and you can decide on height and functionality.

In small spaces it is important to have a dedicated space for all your stuff, otherwise the room will soon be cluttered. So think of floating shelves, hooks, cabinets, and organize your closet to optimize its use to the maximum!

If there is enough room, consider an end-of-bed trunk, and choose furniture with storage, like nightstands or modular furniture. Hanging storage baskets are another good solution, besides being a decoration element in the room.

3. Customized Built-Ins: Maximizing Vertical Space with Pull-Down Racks

In tiny houses, every inch counts when it comes to storage. Built-ins are great, and you can customize them to take advantage of the whole space, from floor to ceiling. No matter the height, they can be extremely practical for everyday use, just by adding pull-down racks, which you can swing up after use. 

Cozy kitchen with teal cabinets, wooden countertops open shelving, gas stove, microwave, farmhouse sink, and a green plant above
Source: @mitchcrafttinyhomes via Instagram
Cozy room with a brown leather couch, wooden table, potted plants, storage unit, and a window view of snowy trees. White walls and rustic decor
Source: @talesofthetaillons via Instagram

Another smart storage solution is to build rollouts at ankle level to store all your baking trays. You can also install under-cabinet storage racks, to pull down whenever you need, and swing back up against the bottom of the cabinet after use.

Slide-out racks within your built-in are ideal to store all your pots and pans in an organized manner. Reclaim corner cabinets by replacing the lazy Susan, common in most corners, with racks with hooks to hang all your pans and pots.

4. Optimizing Storage in Campers and RVs with Smart Furniture and Creative Solutions

In tiny spaces, you need to think of smart storage solutions in every little inch you can!

Use multipurpose furniture, that can double as seating and storage. Also consider fold-in tables and stackable chairs. Custom-made built-ins allow you to use every bit of square footage, and you can reduce the unused space in walls with floating shelves and hooks.

Interior of a cozy camper van with wood and green cabinetry, a kitchen area, and neatly lit by overhead lights
Source: @projectyonder_ via Instagram
Compact, cozy tiny home interior with a small kitchen and elevated bed, wooden accents and large window open to a grassy area outside
Source: @pumphreyandweston via Instagram
Interior of a cozy camper van with a neatly made bed, wooden cabinets for storage, and blue curtains, viewed from the open back door
Source: @rolling_horst via Instagram

Also hang trash cans onto the wall, to clear precious floor space. They can be used for storage as well.

When there’s a lot of stuff to put away and little room, it’s important to maximize the use of drawers to keep them well organized. Use storage bins for this purpose, they came in all sizes and everything in your drawer will be easy to find.

Another great idea is to use Sunnersta containers in your kitchen area or bathroom. They are very easy to install by mounting a bar onto the wall and hanging the containers onto the bar. Or you can simply use command hooks, it works just the same. These containers are available at IKEA.

In an RV, even the space below the driver’s seat can be utilized. It is an ideal space to keep a bucket with shoes or toys.

5. Maximizing Small Spaces with In-Wall Cabinets

In-wall cabinets are ideal for small spaces with big storage needs! You can have hidden storage behind a mirror or build behind-the-door shelves.

Laundry room with a white washer, in-wall cabinets, wall art of plants, a framed schedule, and potted greenery on a shelf
Source: @dibbstinydigs via Instagram
Modern small space with wooden stairs, washing machine, and cabinets under the stairs. Light wood and minimalist design
Source: @fritztinyhomes via Instagram
Compact bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, white subway tiles, in-wall storage shelves, a small window, and a toilet
Source: @timbercraft_tiny_homes via Instagram

Also, consider building a narrow storage shelf into the wall. Use a stud finder to locate studs and electrical wiring and plumbing so that you find the best spot to build shallow shelving.

6. Storage Solutions for Small Kitchens: Racks, Shelves and Cabinetry

In small kitchens, effective storage is key, and it’s not just about spending money but about clever planning and creativity. Affordable storage options abound, from versatile racks and shelving to multipurpose cabinetry and furniture. For innovative kitchen storage, consider a vertical pegboard roll-out for hanging utensils, efficiently using space while keeping essentials accessible.

A cozy kitchen with open shelves displaying jars and spices, a ginger cat sleeps on the wooden counter next to colorful knives
Source: @spindrift_tinyhomes via Instagram
Compact kitchen with white panel walls, hanging utensils, spice jars, a small stove, and a window with a potted plant
Source: @tinyhouselangele via Instagram
Cozy kitchen with bar stools, hanging plants, pots, and wine glasses; wall shelves hold spices and decor under a skylight
Source: @tiny.tohuwabohu via Instagram
Cozy kitchen in a tiny home with a turquoise SMEG fridge, black and white cabinets for storage, and a loft bed above; rustic wooden floor and white walls
Source: @perchandnest via Instagram
Bright kitchen with large windows, wooden floor, white cabinets, open shelves with mugs, and two wooden bar stools at a counter
Source: @tinyhealthyhomes via Instagram
A cozy kitchen corner with neatly arranged spices and oils on shelves, utensils in holders.
Source: @justbtinyhouse via Instagram
Minimalist kitchen with wooden shelves holding dishes, glasses, and fruit bowls above a wooden countertop and white sink near a small window
Source: @tinyhousect via Instagram
Kitchen corner with wooden shelves holding cans, jars, plants, and a grinder; knives on the wall.
Source: @totemohayaete via Instagram
Minimalist kitchen with white cabinets, wooden countertops, hanging light, and potted plants by the window.
Compact kitchen with a microwave, sink, stove, toaster, and utensils on shelves. A turquoise sofa is partially visible to the left

Every inch counts in a small kitchen. Look for opportunities to optimize storage from floor to ceiling. Affordable and practical solutions include closet organizers, space-saving cabinets, and overhead open shelves, perfect for maximizing limited space.

Wire pantry shelves, ideal for tight spots, offer a budget-friendly alternative where full-depth shelves don’t fit. Floating shelves and hooks provide additional wall storage, while sliding drawers and pull-down racks make the most of upper cabinet areas.

Racks with hooks are a neat solution for organizing pots and pans, either inside or outside cabinets. Rollout cabinets are a game-changer in small kitchens, offering easier access and better organization than conventional drawers.

Incorporate open floating shelves for spices and cooking jars to keep countertops clutter-free. These solutions not only optimize space but also enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a small kitchen.

See more small kitchen storage ideas here.

7. Maximizing Space with Modular Furniture

Modular furniture is a great call for tiny houses. You can push them around the room as needed or stack them up after use. They also double as storage, so it is a perfect solution when it comes to multipurpose furniture.

Cozy reading nook with a daybed, pillows, bookshelves, plants, and storage baskets; warm wood paneling and natural light
Source: @spindrift_tinyhomes via Instagram

Why can’t a coffee table be more than just a coffee table? Lift-top coffee tables with adjustable height can function as workstations or dinner tables.

There are many other multifunctional furniture options, like floor lamps with bookshelf, folding tables, drop leaf console tables, stackable chairs, storage stools, convertible chair-into-bed, the options are countless!

8. Innovative Floating Shelf Storage Ideas

You can maximize the use of space by adding as many floating shelves as you wish. Use both sides of your shelves to hang kitchen or crafts jars, by screwing the lids to the bottom of the shelf. Or you can hang glasses upside down and use hooks on the bottom part of the shelf to store cups.

Neatly organized pantry with jars of spices, grains, lentils, and kitchen appliances on wooden shelves
Source: @francescacooper via Instagram
Wooden staircase with storage space, featuring woven baskets underneath each step, a window on the right lets in natural light
Source: @girlinatinyhouse via Instagram

Also, consider installing open overhead shelves. They are modern, very practical, and create a sense of openness to the space.

9. Creative Under-Stair Storage Solutions

There are many ways to use the space under the stairs for storage! Think of custom-made cabinets, deep drawers, sliding racks, and open shelves.

Wooden staircase with built-in storage shelves, holding baskets, a washing machine, and books
Source: @life_inthepines via Instagram
Cozy interior of a tiny house with wooden stairs, bookshelves, plants, and a sunny window; hidden bed area and kitchen with artistic curtain below stairs
Source: @livingtinyandgreen via Instagram
Cozy living room with a brown sofa, a wall-mounted TV, and stairs with drawers; white furniture and decor
Source: @septi.wul2 via Instagram
Cozy tiny house interior with wooden stairs with built-in shelves leading to a loft, a compact kitchen with black appliances, and a small bathroom in the back
Source: @teacuptinyhomes via Instagram
Built-in wooden bench with herringbone cushion, surrounded by white drawers with black handles, set on a wood floor underneath
Source: @tinyhomiez via Instagram
Tiny house interior with wooden stairs, white cabinets underneath the stairs,, small kitchenette with sink, and a gray sofa on wooden flooring
Wooden tiny house interior with black stairs with storage compartments underneath, compact kitchen, and wooden floors and walls. Minimalist and cozy design

The pictures below will give you plenty of ideas, for you to maximize your home storage capacity.

10. Utilizing Above-Door Shelves for Extra Storage

Every space counts! You can add wall-to-wall shelves above doors and windows and store your items in pretty baskets that function as decoration pieces as well.

Bright, cozy room with tall windows, yellow curtains, wicker baskets on a high shelf, and round woven wall mirrors
Source: @goodandtiny via Instagram

You can also add a bookshelf over the door frame to display your books and knick-knacks.

11. Floor and Ceiling: Unconventional Storage Spaces

Do not underestimate neither the floor nor the ceiling when it comes to possible storage spaces! You can build a raised floor with hidden storage in almost every room of the house.

Cozy room with a gray sofa, patterned cushions, a small desk by the window, bookshelves, and a tall green plant
Source: @threetinyhams via Instagram

Also consider hanging not only open shelves in the ceiling, but also taking advantage of the space over the bed for extra storage. You can custom-build a built-in around your bed, so you have storage on both sides as well as under and over the bed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a modern solution to accommodate 2 children, instead of bunk beds?

There is more than one option. You can choose a ceiling bed or arrange the furniture in an L shape, so that the bed on the floor is against the wall, with a perpendicular loft bed above.
Another possibility is to have a trundle bed so that you leave clear floor space during the day and pull out the bed for sleeping.

How can I maximize floor space in a very tiny bedroom?

Murphy beds or retractable ceiling beds are excellent options for you to have precious floor space for multiple purposes during the day.

What is the best way to turn my bedroom into a home office during the day?

You can use a Murphy Desk Bed, that keeps the desk level to the floor when you pull down the bed. It is a very practical solution because you do not have to clear your desk every time you pull down the bed.

Liz Bittar

Writer

Liz Bittar is a writer/editor, fluent in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese, who has lived and worked in England, the USA, Switzerland, Argentina, and in her home country, Brazil.

Liz Bittar is a writer/editor, fluent in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese, who has lived and worked in England, the USA, Switzerland, Argentina, and in her home country, Brazil.

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