50 Small-Space Superheroes — From Furniture to Organizers — Our Editors Can’t Live Without

When commerce SEO editor Sarah tested the SERTRI makeup organizer, she found the ultimate solution to beauty storage in a tight space. Featuring three adjustable tiers, this fluted piece is made from durable thickened acrylic and alloy steel for an organizer that can store an array of products, be it tall bottles or short jars. The real kicker is its 90-degree, right-angle shape, which allows it to fit into any corner, making it a dream for small spaces. Best of all, it comes in three stylish colors, allowing it to double as a chic storage solution, too.

This sleek trash can has a capacity of 5 liters, and although I empty it every week, it could go much longer without needing to be emptied. Despite its roomy design, the can is narrow and fits between my toilet and the wall with plenty of floor space to spare. I also love its polished white finish, which matches almost everything in my apartment. Bonus: It has a discreet built-in liner dispenser and removable interior bucket for easy empties and bag replacements!

Anytime you can avoid using floor space for storage units, you've won. One of the best ways to achieve that is by installing floating shelves, such as these adhesive ones from Amazon. Tamara, AT's managing commerce editor, put some up in her kitchen and was happy to find that she didn't need any power tools to do so. "Now that I’ve had them up for almost three months, I can report back that these floating shelves are made with some seriously magical adhesive, because they’ve totally stayed put," she wrote. With your purchase, you get three shelves for less than $30.

This madesmart caddy will corral your undersink clutter in a flash, according to senior commerce editor Alicia. "The organizer took advantage of so much previously unused vertical space," she wrote. "I was able to fit two bags worth of skincare into the top tier and used the bottom tier for extra toothpaste, Q-tips, contact lenses, and dental floss." What's more, this product requires barely any assembly, and both of its shelves slide in and out, allowing you to easily access what you need. It's nothing short of game-changing.

Even if your bathroom is the size of a storage closet, you still want to be able to keep a few rolls of toilet paper on hand. This slim Yamazaki stand allowed Alicia to do just that, plus it looks so chic and minimalist. "My bathroom is not that aesthetically pleasing, so I like that Yamazaki adds a touch of modernity to one of the most-hated spaces in my home," she wrote. "Reviewers have noted that this stand can be a little wobbly, which I didn’t find to be the case — in fact, I would have to deliberately push it over to make it fall." What's more, the stand can hold up to six rolls, and it has a shelf on top for phone storage.

Instead of having your lipsticks and foundation bottles crowd your bathroom vanity, store them neatly in one place with the help of this sleek Joseph Joseph organizer. Alicia said it can hold much more than she expected it to, writing, "This organizer is meant for more compact items, like brushes, small eyeshadow palettes, lipglosses, and more... It easily fit 40 products (though many of them are very slim — e.g. concealers, tester-sized perfumes, lipglosses)." You'll also find that the organizer's mirror swings up and down seamlessly, concealing the items inside when closed.

Without a doubt, one of the worst aspects of living in a tiny apartment is having to deal with a confined shower. This expanding shower system, however, will make your bathing station feel a bit roomier and give you some extra range of motion. "Even though my shower curtain now sticks out a little farther, you can’t even tell," wrote Best List editor Britt of the system's angular design. What's more, this product comes fully assembled with a detachable, machine-washable liner.

This tiered bamboo shelf adds so much extra storage space — and looks chic doing it. Writer Olivia loves its low price and ample surface area, among its other good qualities. "I still do find myself rearranging products and storage containers on the shelves every couple weeks, but for the most part, it’s exactly the organization solution I needed," she wrote. "Plus, the shelves look a lot better than staring at a pile of products on the floor every day, trust me."

Unlike other cabinets in your home, the ones beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks don't come with shelves — or any clear way to keep them organized. This two-level rack with bins that slide out for easy access is a quick way to get these areas situated and keep all your cleaning supplies and toiletries neat. Sarah especially liked that this storage piece fits around the plumbing. "I thought I’d never find a suitable option for my space, but with the SmartHom Under Sink Organizer, this cabinet finally went from chaotic to zen," she wrote.

Shower storage is one of the trickiest things any apartment dweller has to deal with. You could definitely adhere some shelves inside your shower's walls to solve this problem, but Blair also highly suggests this hanging organizer that hooks right onto the rod. "Even completely filled up, mine still feels barely-there every time I step in the shower, and it’s positioned at the perfect height to easily access everything," she wrote. Blair also loves the organizer's individual compartments, which keep all her essentials separated and easy to grab. If you live with someone else, it might also be worth it to buy two for both of you.

One of the major characteristics our editors look for in any bed is a high profile because that means plenty of underbed storage. When you have that at your disposal, you can make use of products like these underbed storage boxes, which our senior commerce editor loves. "I have way too much bedding, so I stuffed a few sheets sets and a winter blanket in one of the bins," Alicia wrote. "I tend to overpack every organizer I come in contact with, just based on the fact that I live in an apartment with not a lot of storage space, and these bins held up despite me overfilling them." What's more, the storage boxes look incredibly chic, so even the hidden areas of your room will uphold your carefully curated aesthetic.

As a lover of all things beauty and makeup, I take my vanity space seriously. This acrylic organizer made a huge improvement in the organization of my collection, holding everything from powders to setting sprays to foundations — without taking up a ton of my desk's surface area. It's no wonder, then, that the organizer won the "Best Compact" category on AT's Best List. It's an essential for everyone dealing with a large makeup collection but limited vanity space.

Most air purifiers are quite large, which is why we were delighted to find a model that measures just 12" tall. And despite its small size, the Molekule Air Mini+ will still purify spaces of up to 250 square feet! AT contributor Terri first tried it in 2020, and the purifier subsequently won a spot on our Best List. "It’s small enough to be portable, yet big enough to make a significant difference," she wrote. "Unsurprisingly, it works best in small rooms and is really easy to use: You just touch it once to turn it on, and each time after that, you’re touching it to increase the fan speeds." Additionally, you can connect the air purifier to your smartphone and control it remotely.

Whether you need a compact fan to cool you off during the day or to provide some background noise during the night, this 11-inch-tall model is just the machine for the job. Not only is it powerful for its size, but the fan is also incredibly durable — just ask Blair, who has had hers for six years. "To put it in perspective, I’ve lived on a handful of busy New York streets, and as soon as I turn this on, car horns, sirens, and even clanking radiators in the wintertime (IYKYK) all practically become nonexistent," she wrote. "It’s also short enough to fit directly under my nightstand, so it stays somewhat out of sight yet conveniently close to my bed while I sleep."

After dealing with clutter on nearly every surface in my bedroom, I tried this six-tiered over-the-door organizer and haven't looked back. Its shelves are roomy without protruding outward too much, and although I've loaded up the organizer will all kinds of objects, it hasn't wavered. My handheld steamer, laundry products, bath towels, and other items are now organized and out of the way.

When you live in a tiny apartment, it might feel like you have to choose between certain types of furniture, such as a desk versus, say, a dresser. But Sarah said this dresser is so compact, it provides plenty of storage without making you displace other pieces. "At just 21" tall, it falls right below my window ledge, meaning I don’t have to worry about it blocking my view," she wrote. "Best of all, by freeing up that space under my bed, I’ve now been able to use it for different storage which has removed some of the clutter from my open areas. Who would’ve thought adding a piece of furniture to my studio would make it look less cluttered?"

When it comes to storage, benches are severely underrated. In addition to being able to hold a variety of items from books to exercise equipment to bedding, they also give you an extra seat or two around the house. Morgan particularly loves this model from Songmics. Not only is it pretty affortable, but as she noted in her review, it can fit a surprising amount of items. Morgan used her bench to store sweaters and free up tons of closet space.

Looking for a shoe rack that can fit in the tight confines of your closet? Look no further than this six-tier number, which you can snag for under $50. Britt uses hers for entryway storage and said the rack is sturdy enough to hold all kinds of footwear, including heavy boots. "For $50, you get so much more than your money’s worth with this organizer," she wrote. "It’s strong, versatile, and space-saving. Plus, if you don’t actually need a shoe rack, you can use it for books, towels, and more." The rack also has hooks on the sides for your keys or style accessories.

It can be a hassle to find storage solutions that aren't a total eyesore, but Blair managed to find these bins, which she describes as deceptively spacious and stylish, to boot. Each bin has a transparent window, so you can easily see what's inside without having to unzip it. "The 75-liter capacity can hold up to 35 pieces of apparel, according to the Amazon listing, as well as the equivalent of three king-sized comforters or six blankets," she wrote. "Oh, and rest assured that the (surprisingly durable-feeling) outer canvas — made from 90 percent cotton and 10 percent polyester — combined with the waterproof laminate interior help safely protect your blankets, extra towels, winter sweaters, and more."

If you're using regular hangers to hang pants, you're doing it wrong. Instead, you might consider these five-in-one tiered hangers, which come in a set of two. Alicia strongly recommends them for people who are short on shelf space and says they practically transformed her own closet. "With the two-pack, there are 10 hangers for pants or scarves," she wrote. "I personally doubled up some of my leggings, because they were so lightweight. I have a total of 14 pairs of pants and leggings hanging in my closet, which freed up an entire column of storage space on my shelf." Affordable and functional? Sounds downright enticing.

If you're in need of more storage space, one place to check is under your bed. This often-underutilized area is the perfect place to keep seasonal clothes, extra bedding, shoes, and other belongings that the rest of your bedroom (or home) simply doesn't have room for. Alicia has been using these Ziploc storage bags for 10 years and found them to be extremely durable, largely because they're flexible. She appreciates how versatile they are, writing, "The way I used these totes changed from apartment to apartment. In one apartment, I stored extra pillows and bedding and stacked two totes on top of each other on my closet shelf. In my current one, I filled them halfway and shoved them under the bed with my out-of-season clothes. They also fold nearly flat, so when they aren’t in use, they’re easy to hide out of sight."

The right hanging closet organizer can work wonders for your wardrobe and, in some cases, even double your shelving space. This one by LOVSTORAGE is a prime example of that; Britt said its five drawers completely decluttered her own closet. "The drawers can be placed wherever you want them to be, and you can move them around at will," she wrote. "In the drawers, I placed the bulk of my thick winter socks, hair accessories I wear once in a while, and my collection of laundry bags. After putting them away, I still had space left in the drawers for more items." Just be careful to not place too many bulky items on the fabric shelves.

Never underestimate the power a mirror has to make your space feel and look bigger. Alicia likes this one from Walmart, which bears a strong resemblance to one from Pottery Barn that's roughly $900 more expensive. "I think that it adds a touch of elegance and also helps establish my living room area as a space that’s very separate from my kitchen," she wrote in her review. "Luckily, I have a lot of natural light in this space, and during the day, the light bounces off the mirror and makes the entire apartment brighter." The mirror's arched top and simple black frame make it incredibly easy to style, too.

Window ACs are notoriously bulky, but this model won a spot on our Best List as the best option for small spaces. It's relatively light compared to others in its category, and at under $250, it's a steal. Ian, our sister site's senior commerce editor also enjoys that he can operate it via remote. The AC can also be operated via app, Alexa, and Google Assistant. “I’ve had over six different window AC units since I’ve lived in New York, and I’ve gotta say, this one is my favorite one by far,” he said. “It’s the first one I’ve had with a remote and, while I didn’t imagine myself using it a lot when I first unboxed the unit, it’s actually so convenient.”

Yes, it's possible to fit a sectional into a modestly sized living room. Style shopping editor Blair scored the sofa of her dreams for Anthropologie and managed to fit its 101" frame inside her NYC apartment. "I knew this sofa would fit perfectly width-wise in my living room, but I didn’t expect how lounge-worthy and deceptively spacious it would be altogether," she wrote. "It’s deep — 40 inches, to be exact." Blair also loves her sectional's raised silhouette (you get 7 inches of space beneath the legs) and sophisticated upholstery (there are nine fabrics to choose from!).

Side tables are all well and good, but the wrong one will not only make your space feel cramped, but it might also conceal your power outlets. This compact little side table prevents both problems. Alicia says its built-in charging station is nothing short of game-changing. "The side table comes with two outlets and two USB chargers, which means that my boyfriend and I no longer jostle over the two available outlets," she wrote. "We now have a total of six — we more than doubled our charging space." You'll also be happy to learn that this table is a breeze to assemble, even for those who aren't normally skilled in that department.

No central heating? No problem! This Dreo space heater works like a charm and isn't bulky by any means. When Alicia received hers, she was actually surprised by how well it worked considering its teeny size. "Eco mode is powerful enough to raise my living room temperature by two degrees, according to my thermostat," she noted. The heater is quiet, too, so you won't have to raise the volume on your TV.

The right table lamp makes all the difference in the world when you're trying to unwind after a long day and need a gentle, easily-accessible light that also looks good in your space. Alicia found this stylish lamp, designed by the Novogratz family, to be perfect for reading in bed and likes how the pull chains let you easily adjust the brightness. "If you’re looking for an affordable way to change the vibe of your space, I think the Globe Electric x Novogratz 2-Light Table Lamp is the perfect way to do it," she wrote. Of course, it would look equally as stylish in the living room next to your favorite lounging spot.

Upon viewing this coffee table in-store for our Personal Shopper series, we deduced that there's no need to buy a sideboard or hutch when you have its impressive storage capacity at your disposal. Its surface lifts up to reveal a broad expanse of space underneath, which lets you store streaming devices, books, and other items within easy reach. Despite its roomy design, the table remains small enough to fit in tinier living rooms, and it looks oh-so-stylish with its mixed-material design. And thanks to its lift-top, you can eat and work comfortably from the comfort of your couch.

The great thing about the Eddy sofa from West Elm is that it's available in four different sizes, the smallest of which has a width of 60 inches. This makes it perfect for living rooms that aren't very wide, themselves. Contributor Ivy loves its mid-century modern design and deemed it the perfect WFH couch for her office. "It’s comfortable — but not so comfortable that I slouch or fall asleep as soon as my butt hits the cushion," she wrote. "The polyfill cushions are still firm (regular flipping also helps here), so I feel supported as I multitask. In the three years since I bought it, I haven’t seen any sagging or divots where I usually sit, which is amazing considering how many words I’ve written on it!" If you have no room for a desk, this is the next best thing!

Who doesn't love a good Dutch oven? The only issue with this cookware staple is that most Dutch ovens aren't exactly compact. To get the same effect while also saving on cabinet space, grab a mini cocotte or two from Le Creuset. Ian uses his for a wide variety of meals, noting that the adorable little pots come in handy on a daily basis. "For serving, these can function as mini soup bowls, containers for single-serving desserts, ice cream bowls, cereal bowls, and more," he wrote. "In the kitchen, you can use them to make mini pot pies, cook gratins; bake souffles; and whip up single brownies, cookies, crème brûlées, and more." You can even use the cocottes outside of the kitchen as makeshift trinket trays!

If you've somehow accumulated more wine glasses than your cabinet can handle, check out this nifty storage solution. Simultaneously soft and sturdy, the box features individual compartments, so your stem glasses don't get damaged in storage. Britt owns the version designed to hold coffee mugs and can hardly believe how well it decluttered her cupboard. "The container’s padded interior is a total game-changer compared to the cardboard dividers in my other storage box," she wrote for our sister site. "I don’t hear any clinking or feel a lot of cups shifting around when I’ve moved it around, and that makes me feel like all the mugs I love are safe and secure."

You can't not consider kitchen tools and appliances when buying items that'll fit into your space without making it feel cramped. As far as electric kettles go, this one is a splurge, but Alicia says it's worth every cent. "The Smeg heats up in less than three minutes, holds enough water for my boyfriend’s oatmeal and my morning cup of coffee, and is easy to maneuver," she wrote. "Our commerce managing editor, Tamara, owns the larger Smeg Kettle and says that she wishes she got the Mini because it’s too big. So if you’re debating between the two sizes and are heating up water for one or two people, we say go smaller." And, of course, you can't ignore the kettle's stunning design!

It's only natural to accumulate an inordinate number of water bottles over the years, and it goes without saying that storing them is no easy feat. Because of that, commerce SEO editor Sarah recommends this horizontal organizer, which you can stow away neatly inside any cabinet. "With this organizer, I’m now able to see every bottle in my collection at once and reach it with ease," she wrote. "The best part? Because of its two-shelf design, I can actually take advantage of the open space at the top of my cabinet and stack bottles on top of each other. Yep — this organizer created even more storage space!" Use it for your water bottles, travel mugs, Stanley quenchers, and whatever else will fit.

If you've run out of cabinet and shelf space in your kitchen, it might be time to create some on your fridge. This magnetic basket from Yamazaki simplifies the process; all you have to do is stick it onto the side or the door of the fridge and pack it with spices, condiments, and whatever else needs a new home. "What I love about this organizer is that while my kitchen tends to look chaotic with various storage units and wall racks, this sleek white steel shelf doesn’t add to the noise," wrote contributor Erin after testing the basket. "Instead, it looks clean and simple attached to my fridge, no matter what it’s holding."

If you're running low on cabinet space, your best bet is to make use of your fridge exterior. After all, organizers such as this magnetic spice rack won't damage your walls. Charli, AT's executive lifestyle director, loves its matte black finish and the fact that it holds a variety of everyday items within easy reach. "Any time someone is new to our kitchen, this organizer is the first thing they notice and ask about," she also noted in her review. "I’ve had to share the link so many times, I now keep it saved in my favorites." We have no doubt the organizer will also earn you a ton of compliments.

Until we discovered the My Pint ice cream maker, we'd mostly seen bulky and large at-home ice cream makers. But this pint-sized purchase will barely take up any drawer, freezer, or counter space. Ian also loves how easy the My Pint is to use and that it allows him to create just about any flavor he wants. "There’s really no fussing or prep work involved, except popping the freezable bowl in the fridge the night before you want to make ice cream," he wrote. "Then, you just make your ice cream mixture, whack it into the bowl, pop the top on, and press the churn button!" And when you're choosing the exact ingredients that go inside, you can bet that your concoction will taste much better than the store-bought stuff.

It's hard to find a trash can that does it all: blocks odors, doesn't take up too much space, holds a lot, and looks good. But, we managed to do just that when we came across Yamazaki's airtight trash can. "It’s compact and small enough to fit under a kitchen sink but also holds a good amount of trash before you need to change the bag," Charli said after testing it out, herself. "The airtight lid helps me sleep well at night knowing that pests won’t stand a chance of getting inside. It’s also super sleek and blends in seamlessly with any decor." Additionally, the trash can has wheels so you can easily change its location.

Morgan said this colander is the most used item in her kitchen. The fact that it's also collapsible is a huge bonus, as any small apartment renter with limited kitchen drawer space will tell you. "I’d always been used to the bulky metal colanders that took up tons of valuable space in the few cabinets we had," she wrote. "This one can be pressed flat so that it’s only an inch or two thick — so it ends up taking about as much space as a wooden cutting board would." The colander is also made of heat-resistant silicone and sports two generous side handles so you don't burn your hands.

In addition to collapsible colanders, you can also save space with a collapsible dish rack! This one puts many so-called "compact" models to shame, as you can quite literally fold it down and make it invisible once your dishes are dry. It might not be ideal for larger households, but contributor Meg said the rack is just what her kitchen needed. "If you hand-wash most of your dishes and let them pile up, the rack may be too small for your needs," she wrote. "But if you need a full drying rack only some of the time, or you just really need the counter space, then the Ahyuan collapsible dish drying rack delivers as promised."

I'd been using a rechargeable personal blender for a few months, until it completely stopped working. As a result, I set out to find a replacement that was powerful but that still wouldn't take up a ton of space and subsequently came across Ninja's Nutri Pro blender. Not only can I stow it away in my cabinet to keep my counter free, but the blender also works exceptionally well. I make my daily smoothies in the Nutri Pro, and it effortlessly liquifies everything from ice to seeds to fibrous fruits.

Is there anything bulkier than a big pet food container? If you have a dog or cat at home, the good news is you no longer have to struggle to get them fed on a daily basis thanks to Yamazaki's airtight food container. Britt said even the largest size it comes in is still pretty inconspicuous. "I can’t say enough how impressed I am by the size of the Airtight Pet Food Storage Container," she wrote. "When it first arrived, I thought for sure they’d sent the wrong one. There was no way a 15-pound bag of IAMS dog food was going to fit into this tiny box. However, once I started pouring the food and saw how empty the bag was getting when the container wasn’t nearly full, I’d never been more happy to be wrong."

Tired of sacrificing shelf space for bulky laundry detergent bottles or having to lug them to the laundromat? Try this editor-loved spray detergent, which comes in a compact 12.8-ounce container. Despite its small size, one bottle of MyKirei holds enough detergent for 40 loads of laundry, and Sarah also noted that its spray nozzle prevents messes. "The first thing I loved about this detergent?," she wrote. "NO. MESS. Because you don’t have to measure or pour any detergent, you don’t have to worry about spills or drips. Secondly, there’s the smell. I’d describe the scent of this detergent as the faint smell of a spring breeze: earthy, citrusy, and flowery, but in no way overpowering — just extremely fresh."

Not only are traditional brooms not always efficient, but they can often look a little dowdy, too. Enter Dotti's ultra-sleek broom and dustpan, which SEO commerce writer Haley and I both love. Its silicone bristles are capable of tackling any mess, but what makes this cleaning must-have so great for small spaces is its extendable handle and compact dustpan. "Although my vacuum used to be the go-to, the Dotti has swooped in as the hero, effortlessly grabbing hair and dust," Haley wrote in her review. "A quick rinse under hot water, and it’s cleaned up and ready to go for next time."

Small spaces need small vacuums, and this handheld model from Black+Decker is a hardworking and affordable machine that takes the hassle out of keeping your home clean. Although it has a quick run time of just 11 minutes, Britt noted that that's more than enough time to clean up small messes. "The strength of this handheld vacuum caught me off-guard in a good way!" she wrote. "I couldn’t believe how quick and effective it was at picking up even the smallest grains of food and dirt." What's more, the vacuum arrives with its own drill-free charging dock for compact, easy storage.

As you can imagine, Britt has tested many laundry hampers, but she said this is the one she uses the most. This handy, portable basket is perfect for those who lack in-unit laundry; its long handles allow you to easily carry it to the nearest laundromat without a hitch. "It can hold SO much!" Britt wrote in her review. "I once dumped the clothing from my almost-full 72-liter hamper into the basket, and nearly everything fit into the Lustroware basket without it spilling over." Clearly, the tote's small size doesn't impede its impressive storage capacity.

You can't go without cleaning supplies, but the sad truth is that many of them are needlessly bulky. That's not the case, however, with this collapsible mop kit, which Blair says remains compact even if you don't flatten the included bucket. What's more, it'll leave any room of the home spotless. "For just $41.98, you essentially get seven tools, an easily-transportable storage bucket, and an all-around cleaner space — win-win-win," she wrote. The mop is easily her most used product, and Blair added that it's now her go-to when deep-cleaning the bathroom.

Aside from a handheld model, a stick is the best vacuum style for small apartments — for obvious reasons. AT contributor Marlen couldn't be more thrilled to have come across this Wowgo cleaner, which she said is as "light as a Swiffer." But even though this vacuum is slim, it's still powerful enough for daily use and quick pick-ups. "I use it multiple times a week to do a fast sweep through the apartment to keep dust and pet hair out of sight," she wrote. "It’s a great maintenance tool, and it’s great for people who want to keep a tidier house but are struggling with the follow through or are always short on time. If you were looking for a shortcut, this is the best one I have found thus far."

As the owner of a senior dog, I swear by the Shark StainStriker, a compact portable carpet and upholstery cleaner that takes the tedious hand-scrubbing out of cleaning up accidents. It comes with a reversible bristle tool, pet tool, crevice tool, and hose clean tool, not to mention two cleaning solutions that make your soft surfaces smell great. Just a few quick passes with the StainStriker, and stains and smells are easily eliminated.

As much as I love the big standing garment steamer in my parents' house, I needed something compact for my small apartment. Enter the Electrolux handheld steamer. It's the perfect size for easy storage; plus, it's much higher quality than the cheap Amazon steamer that I'd been using before. It also produces continuous steam for up to 18 minutes, which is more than enough for my daily needs.