Small Spaces Need Storage

One of the things that usually defines apartments is that space is limited.

The first and best way to take control of the room you do have, is to have efficient storage.

Every possession in your apartment needs to have a home. Otherwise it will be left lying around, and your compact space will become cluttered and uncomfortable to live in.

An absolute must is the fitted wardrobe. If you have the money to spend, get every wardrobe in the apartment fitted by a professional.

If you don’t have the cash, buy one of the inexpensive wire frame wardrobe systems for each wardrobe and fit them yourself (or enlist a friend who is nifty with a drill).

Again, if you have the money, consider hiring a builder to create an entire wall of shelving. You can hide your possessions with cupboard doors, or buy (or make, if you’re crafty) attractive storage boxes for everything.

Make sure you label every box, so you can find what you need in a hurry!

Are there extra places where storage could be inserted? Drawers, shelves or a cupboard under a staircase, if you have a loft/mezzanine or two-storey apartment? Shelves along the wall in a hallway, or on either side of a recessed doorway. Shelves on the far side of a kitchen bench or island. A blanket box at the foot of the bed.

Suspend shoe racks from the back of wardrobe or bedroom doors. Use spice and condiment racks on the inside of kitchen cupboards. Use cuphooks to hang mugs from the underside of cupboard shelves. Attach a railing to the kitchen wall and use butcher’s hooks (s-shaped hooks) to hang attractive pots and pans.