Best Storage Ideas From Apartment Therapy

We've posted it. We'd talked about it. We still feel like we don't have enough. Storage is a constant design issue for people living in homes with a small footprint who don't want to feel cluttered by all of the things they own. After the jump, check out a roundup of past Apartment Therapy posts to inspire even the most storage-challenged dwellers.

From your books to bikes to even your gift wrap, finding a home for these things in your home often requires a little creativity, a little thinking outside the box (go vertical, people!), a lot of humor and an open mind.

What are your best storage solutions at home that keep the clutter away and calmness around?

Image: Marisa's House Tour

Comments (4)

I actually just discovered a place in my apartment where I might be able to squeeze in some storage. There's a door between my kitchen and main room (I live in a tiny studio) that I always keep open, but there's also a pretty large clearance between the wall and the back of the door. I haven't measured, but I'm hoping it's at least 4", maybe 7" if I'm lucky.
My plan it to get some cheap, utilitarian wall shelves (no need to splurge on pretty looking things since it's out of sight, yay!) and mount them behind the door for a little extra storage.
Now I just need to make sure I can actually fit a shelf there! :)

posted by sparkle on August 20th 2009 at 7:22pm
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Sparkle- not sure if these are too much of a splurge, but these seem like they could be ideal for your situation:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=77781

posted by lulu77 on August 20th 2009 at 10:59pm
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I have a short, deep, black (fake wood, but mostly just looks black) bookcase I got beside the dumpster at my last apartment complex that I use next to the dining table to store bar stuff. I sewed a curtain for it to cover the clutter and left it like that. Then a couple days ago I got the bright idea to get a second bookcase to put on top. I got a black (again, fake wood, only $15 plus it matches the bottom one really well) three shelf bookcase that's almost as wide as the bottom one but not as deep (the bottom one is about 20 inches deep). It holds an amazing amount of stuff (now all the wedding gifts fit!) and gives some decorative storage as well. All together, it looks like a fairly nice hutch (like it was made for that purpose) and really anchors the dining area. When we move to a house eventually and can buy better stuff, I'm sure the bookcases will still come in handy. Best $15 ever.

posted by everythingistaken on August 21st 2009 at 12:03pm
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I know AT has done posts on them before, but old card catalogs from libraries are amazing for hyper-organizing. The one in my kitchen has specific drawers for: light bulbs, over-the-counter meds, pliers, pens, dog stuff, screwdrivers, small hardware, tape, glue, string, scissors, Exacto knives, sewing stuff, rulers and measuring stuff, keys...

These are the best organizers for all the small items we need but have a hard time keeping sorted and arranged. And, with the economy, they're relatively cheap on both Craigslist and eBay right now. (A gorgeous antique golden oak one sold on Boston Craigslist for $300 a few months ago - it was all I could do to not go buy it.)

posted by Mary B C on August 22nd 2009 at 1:48pm
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