I Lived in a Tiny NYC Bedroom and These Small Space Storage Solutions Saved Me
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Before moving into my own spacious one-bedroom apartment, I lived with three other girls and had the smallest room in our four-bed unit. Like, so small the only furniture that could fit was a full size bed (I haven't had one of these since middle school), desk, desk chair, and four Ikea shoe cabinets I used for dresser space. It sounds a lot worse than what it actually was, so believe me when I say that having a small room isn't bad, it's just a challenge—and one that calls for creative organizing solutions.
"In small spaces, prioritizing storage solutions is essential," says Dormify founder and president Amanda Zuckerman. "Effective planning helps keep your area organized and clutter-free, and it’s all about maximizing the space you have."
I happily took on the challenge of using damn near every square inch of that bedroom and made it work for about two-and-a-half years, all thanks to some of the below organization tips. So if you are currently looking for storage ideas for a small bedroom, then keep scrolling and get ready to basically have your whole life changed.
Use the height of the room.
Where my room lacked in square footage, it made up for in height. I utilized every inch of the tall ceilings and loaded up my walls with shelves. This is a fun way to add personality with decor, but it's also a nice way to store some of your belongings while making them come across as thoughtful decor. For example, I had a few handbags that didn't fit in my closet, so I styled them on a shelf and boom—the chicest storage hack you ever did see. I also used a spare piece of wall to mount about four acrylic shelve and used those to store (and display) my sunglass collection.
Make furniture pull double-duty.
I mentioned having a desk in my room, and this was clutch since it had two long and deep pull out drawers. I used those drawers for all my desk supplies and random pieces of mail, but I actually used the top as a vanity to do my hair and makeup. Snag a few makeup organizers, a lighted mirror, and you're good to go. Zuckerman also recommends "multifunctional seating options to incorporate hidden storage," she says. "Ottomans, chairs, and storage benches can serve dual purposes."
Get your bed off the ground.
You likely don't have enough space for a gorgeous storage bed, and now is absolutely not the time to go all Scandinavian chic with a low bed frame that basically sits on the floor—you'll loose all that precious space underneath! I got a metal bedframe that brought my bed about a foot and a half off the ground and used the space under for shoes, my gym bag, and storage bags of clothes that were out of season. If you want it even higher, you can get a couple of risers for the frame to sit on.
Sconces are your best friend.
We all know that after a certain hour, the big light absolutely cannot be on anymore. But since you likely don't have enough floor space for a proper floor lamp, a couple of hardwire free sconces will truly save the day. They are also so chic and elevate your room with hotel-like vibes, so that's an added bonus too.
Secretly mount a little pen holder.
Because I didn't have room for a proper nightstand, I didn't have anywhere to put my glasses, phone, or TV remote at night. The solution? An adhesive acrylic pen holder discreetly secured to the wall my bed was against. It was truly so convenient and I never misplaced any of these after getting this bad boy. "Next-to-bed storage is another often-overlooked game changer that can significantly enhance a small space," says Zuckerman.
Use! Your! Doors!
If your closet doors swing open (rather than those that slide), then this one is for you. Throw a few hooks over the top of them to use the inside of the doors for extra storage. I did this and would use the hooks to store totes, crossbody bags, hats, and some clothing items I didn't want actually *in* my closet, if that makes sense. I also put some on the back of the door to my room for a convenient place to keep my work bag and other everyday purses I grabbed on a regular basis.
Scale down.
Furniture pieces like dressers probs will takeover your tiny room, so find a slimmer, more narrow option instead. And don't be afraid to use something beyond its intended use! For example, because I needed shallow dresser storage, I used four of these Ikea shoe racks—two in the tall, two in the short—since they are only 11 inches deep. On the tall dressers I arranged my jewelry with organizers and my perfumes on a vintage brass and mirror tray. I mounted my TV above the two short ones and used the top of them for more perfume bottles on trays and decor like coffee table books.
Get a mirror.
This one isn't a storage hack per se, but because mirrors are obviously reflective, they help bounce light around to make your space feel bigger. I had mine above the two aforementioned tall "dressers." It faced a wall and was functional for putting little keepsakes in the corners.
You Might Also Like
