The Double-Duty Storage Solutions Every College Student Needs In Their First Apartment (They’re Stylish, Too!)

Alyssa LongobuccoContributor
Alyssa LongobuccoContributor
Alyssa is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York. When she's not diving into the latest in food and home decor, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and son.
published Jun 10, 2022
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
Woman stretching on a bed with white and yellow bedding, surrounded by plants and wall art in a bright bedroom.

Moving into your first place can feel super liberating and exciting — after all, you’re no longer confined to your parent’s decor choices or the constraints of ugly dorm room furniture. But with more space comes more square footage to organize and keep neat — and this time you’re in charge of it all. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the numerous storage options on the market, and even more normal to feel like, in order to have an organized and tidy apartment, you’ll have to sacrifice style.

Here’s the good news: There are tons of decor and organizational items out there that will help you marry form and function in your first apartment for a space that feels streamlined and still like you. From a mirror that boasts sneaky storage to a stylish storage cart that will turn heads the moment people set foot in your apartment, these pieces marry quality with organizational ease that will streamline the way you rock post-grad life in spaces big and small. Check out a few of our favorite ways to level up the tidiness (and design!) factor in your first apartment, below.

From our partner
Squared Away 3-Tier Narrow Utility Storage Cart in White
$40

Rolling utility carts are an MVP storage solution that every home should have. They're just so versatile! Use them in the kitchen as a slim faux pantry, in the bathroom to house your skincare essentials, or in the bedroom to calm the chaos in your closet — the opportunities are truly endless.

$40 at Bed Bath & Beyond
SONGMICS Mirror Jewelry Cabinet
$110$81

Streamline your morning routine with this handy mirrored jewelry cabinet from SONGMICS. Equipped with LED lights (the key to nailing your contouring — or so we hear), it also boasts ample room inside to house everything from your favorite necklaces and earrings.

$81 at Amazon
Entryway Rack
$184

Pattern Brands (formally known as Open Spaces) is a chic organizational brand that puts a priority on creating products that are as stylish as they are functional. Their signature entryway rack — seen here in stunning lilac — is a perfect example of that ethos, with three roomy rounded shelves that boast plenty of room for boots, shoes, bins, and more.

$184 at Pattern Brands
Harmati Velvet Storage Bench
$130$90

There's nothing better than a storage piece that adds serious style to your home — and one you can't even tell houses a secret! Such is the case with this bench on Amazon, which is covered in luxe velvet and features MCM-inspired legs and a roomy interior to hide everything from off-season clothes to toys.

$90 at Amazon
Steel Shoe Rack
$125

Sneakerheads take a lot of pride in their shoe collection — so why not display your many pairs with pride? This generously-sized shoe tower fits up to 18 pairs of shoes but is still slim enough to sneak into the smallest closet.

$125 at Yamazaki Home
Simply Essential USB Charging Desk Organizer
$25

This desk organizer is a must-have addition for anyone who works (or studies) from home. The handy compartments tout plenty of room for office essentials (like paper clips, sticky notes, pens, and more), while the back of the organizer has three USB outlets to juice up your tech.

$25 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Maura Entryway Mirror Shelf
$149

Create a true style moment in your entryway — and add a bit of additional storage — with this funky mirror from Urban Outfitters. The lime green hue is playful and energetic, while the slim shelf acts as the perfect place to stash mail, keys, a bud vase, and more.

$149 at Urban Outfitters
Everly Quinn Ifan Counter Height Drop Leaf Dining Set
$275

When space is at a premium, you'll want to invest in items that can add to your home in multiple ways, and this counter-height dining set from Everly Quinn does just that. Not only is the modern style suitable for dining with two stools, but it also boasts useful storage on one side for a spot to stash dishware, serveware, and more.

$275 at Wayfair
Belle Bathroom Bench
$129

Transform your bathroom into a spa-like retreat with this bamboo bathroom bench from Urban Outfitters. Not only is it a useful place to perch when prepping in the morning, but it's also a great place to stash extra towels or toiletries for guests.

$129 at Urban Outfitters
Corrigan Studio Modern Fabric Loveseat Sofa with 2 USB Charging Ports
$300$215

This clever couch will still make your life a whole lot easier (not to mention more stylish). It touts two USB charging ports, plus a small pouch on the side that can hold your current read or TV remote.

$215 at Wayfair

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