This Renter-Friendly Storage Hack Hides Clutter in Plain Sight

I live in a small city apartment with limited storage space, and there’s only so much decluttering magic I can do to make my living area look less chaotic. I’ve experimented with so many different hacks to minimize visible clutter, from housing part of my shoe collection under my bed to finding statement furniture pieces that also double as hidden organizers. So I did a double take when I stumbled across this apartment-friendly storage hack on TikTok that might be the most aesthetically pleasing solution I’ve ever seen for hiding your clutter in plain sight. 

In a video shared by Arthur Braud (@mymodernoasis), the Chicago apartment renter revealed the ingenious way he turned a small nook in his apartment into a full-blown storage compartment. Braud starts by showing a seemingly serene art installation in the corner of his apartment. Set against the backdrop of some dark wood blinds, the Zen setup includes a travertine side table holding a tall plant next to a little artsy wooden stool. 

However, Braud quickly revealed that the wooden blinds weren’t hiding a window but rather a secret storage closet. When he rolled up the blinds, he exposed disorganized shelving that was completely stuffed with stuff that he didn’t want guests to see. 

Braud was able to find the Japandi-coded blinds for only $50 on Facebook Marketplace (and urged people living in big cities to check out their local shopping groups), but you can also get a similar product from The Home Depot shipped straight to your door.

The Bali Northern Heights 2 3/8 Inch Wood Blinds at The Home Depot are currently on sale for $126.40 (from $229.82), which is quite a bit more expensive than the Facebook marketplace find in the video. However, the best part is that you can customize the width and length of these blinds depending on the dimensions of your storage shelving or cabinet. 

Plus, happy customers called out the real wooden blinds’ “stunning” appearance and the “outstanding quality of the product,” saying that the blinds “truly transformed [their] space.” Several people also noted that these wooden blinds don’t have a pull string, so you can simply pull them down and lift them up to access your storage setup behind. All you have to do is install the blinds (depending on your storage space, you can probably do this with just a screwdriver for a renter-friendly process), and you’re good to go.

It’s up to you whether you decide to take cues from Braud’s sleek and modern design or lean into a boho aesthetic with a little nook oasis straight out of Tulum, but the best part is none of your guests will be the wiser that your decorative setup is hiding unsightly clutter on the other side.

Buy: Bali Northern Heights 2 ⅜ Inch Wood Blinds, Home Depot, $126.40