Billeater: Ways to Save Space in Your Small Apartment

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If you're into saving money, chances are you opted for a small living space to keep your rent low. Unfortunately, that also means you have little extra storage space. Those confined to tiny efficiencies or studios have an even greater challenge. However, a number of products and strategies will help you to maximize storage space.

Under the Bed

Most of us spend at least part of our at-home lives in the bedroom. For many people, it's the center of their off-work hours and is used for lounging, relaxing and, perhaps, even working. Do you push things under your bed to get them out of the way? When your bedroom is only 10 feet square, you have to use under-the-bed storage space like a professional. Bed risers are one of the best-kept secrets of apartment living. These small, heavy-duty, plastic pieces fit under the legs of your bed to give you an additional four to eight inches of storage space. Invest in several under-the-bed storage boxes to occupy that space. You can store off-season clothing, extra bedding or canned goods there.

Pocket Organizers

Think vertically and use every inch of wall space not occupied by a window or mirror. Use over-the-door racks or pockets to make the most of wasted space. Those pocket organizers designed to hold nine to twelve pairs of shoes can hold other items as well.

Hang one in the kitchen to use as a mini pantry that will hold baking mixes, small packets of condiments, powdered drink mixes and similar items. They're handy storage spaces for flatware and table linens too. The same type of organizer can be hung on a bathroom wall to hold extra washcloths, beauty products, cosmetics and other odd-sized items. Hang one over the door of a linen closet to store extra bars of soap inside. The soap is out of the way, but its aroma will lift your spirits each time you open the door.

Multifunctional Furniture

Take a hint from colonial craftsmen and choose furniture that multitasks. For example, choose an ottoman with storage space under the seat rather than selecting a mere single-purpose footstool. Shop for a dining room table that expands or collapses according to your needs. You can find tables with additional built-in storage space for flatware and linens incorporated into the central portion of the dining surface.

If you enjoy antiquing, you might stumble across a table with a top that swings out of the way, converting a dining surface into a living room chair. If you're not an antique's fan, many modern-day houseware vendors carry furniture featuring these foldaway, multifunctional features.

Storage Shelving

You can install short shelves above doors to take advantage of a couple of feet of unused space. Store small, lightweight items on them to avoid headaches or concussions--in case someone closes a door with too much vigor.

Plastic-coated wire shelving is available in an assortment of sizes and shapes. Buy a few of these and hang them inside kitchen cabinets or the single closet you may have. A few of these units can double or triple available shelf space.

You can even maximize the wasted space above your kitchen cabinets by installing small shelving units. If you look carefully around your apartment with an imaginative eye, you'll discover other clever options for storage shelf installation.

Do you reside in a small space?  What tricks and tips do you have for maximizing space?  Share them in the comments!

Jessica Bosari writes for the money-saving site, Billeater.com. The site is devoted to helping people reduce expenses, save money and find great deals. Pay Billeater a visit for more money-saving tips!