18 Big Storage Ideas to Steal from Tiny Homes

Try Hide-and-Seek Furnishings

In this utterly ingenious little homemade camper, morning begins by folding the bed back and popping the table up to create a dining area for breakfast time. It’s idea that can be swiped for small apartments—just look for an inexpensive murphy bed or an adjustable height table that can be stashed away (or used as a coffee table) after meals are done.

Take Advantage of Architectural Elements

Reimagine the space between studs or exposed ceiling beams as storage opportunities. In this completely sweet tiny house, beams become shelves and brackets for wine glasses, paper towels, and more.

Build In a Bit of Bathroom Storage

Tiny houses have even tinier bathrooms, so owners have to get really clever about where to put the necessities. Here, an easy DIY—requiring just a couple of boards and a couple of nails—creates an over-the-toilet shelf that’s a perfect fit for extra shampoo, soap, or a decorative plant.

Related: 17 Tiny Bathrooms We Love

Max Out Space Above Windows and Doors

For even more shelving, look up above the openings in your home. Those precious inches between the top frame of your windows and doors can be the perfect spot for hanging a bracketed shelf and stowing tableware, books, or knick-knacks.

Step It Up

Many tiny houses have stairs leading to a bedroom loft, and these present interesting storage options. Here, a narrow shelf is tucked into the tiny space at the foot of the stairs, but it’s possible you can carve out space beneath the stairs as well.

Be Proud of Your Pots

A pot rack is a time-honored storage trick for a small kitchen, saving on cabinet space and keeping the cookware within easy, instant reach. Add some hanging containers and you can even rack up flatware, spices, or fresh herbs.

Repurpose Some Multi-Tiered Finds

Keep your eye open for creative ways to reuse old stuff, and you’ll have added storage for very little cost. Try leaning a ladder against an empty wall for hanging towels, or add a crate, with a few hooks screwed in underneath, for a multitasking spot for kitchenware, or just about anything else.

Related: Library Ladders – Reaching New Heights at Home

Go For Flexible Furniture

Furniture that can shrink or expand with use is the ultimate practical choice for a small space. Folding chairs can be stashed when not in use, while an old-fashioned secretary is a classic choice for a disappearing desk space that hides the clutter when work-time ends.

Peg Your Culinary Tools

This kitchen trick was good enough for Julia Child! Steal this idea, hang a sheet of pegboard above your stovetop or behind a door, and add a slew of storage for everything from measuring cups to tea towels.

Look for Nooks

Design by Sullivan Building & Design Group; photography by Kathleen Connelly

That awkward little spaces in the corners and crannies of any room might just be your home’s coolest assets. With simple built-in shelves, inexpensive lighting, and the right furniture, an alcove can be transformed into the coziest reading or sleeping nook ever.

Paint It to Match

A monochromatic color scheme is a sneaky way to trick the eye and make a room look and feels larger. Choose furnishings that blend with the walls, and, when adding shelving, brush on a coat of paint that matches the walls for a seamless, built-in look.

Get Reflective

Whether in the halls of Versailles or your grandma’s dining room, a well-placed mirror is the easiest way to add light and a feeling of openness to any space. Try suspending a pair in a tight bedroom, as shown here, or cover the whole wall of a teensy bathroom with a collection of small framed looking glasses.

Light It Right

Floor space at a premium? Hang your light fixtures on the wall instead of using standing or table lamps. Sconces or reading lights provide lots of atmosphere and style, and can be hard-wired right into the walls or simply plugged into an outlet.

Make Multi-Tasking Rooms

In a small home, every inch of space needs to work as hard as possible. With no spot for a laundry room, this homeowner tucked a pair of stacked machines into the klutzy corner of a bathroom.

Invest in a Compact Kitchen

Want to find extra room in your cramped house? Ditch the dedicated kitchen and install an all-in-one unit instead. This amazing British model features a two-burner induction stovetop, a sink, a microwave, and a mini fridge.

Try Translucence

Translucent furnishings and finishes allow light to bounce around and create a sense of openness and depth. Frosted-panel cabinet doors
, glass canisters, and plexiglass furnishings are all clever and practical choices for small-space living.

Use Your Headroom

Let furniture climb the walls to make the most of your vertical space. Use high loft beds and floor-to-ceiling shelving to pack in functionality while leaving floor areas clear. A ladder, painted to match the furniture, will keep it all within reach.

Go Mini

If you order out just as much as you cook in, why give over acres of space to a space-hogging kitchen range? Take a cue from this minimalist kitchen
, and swap that four-burner beast for a streamlined, up-to-date hotplate and a small convection oven or microwave.