How to Utilize Hidden Storage in Your Apartment

By Christine Ascher on July 28, 2017

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

It’s difficult to keep a small college apartment organized when you don’t have a lot of storage space where you can stow away all of those extra books, papers, and out-of-season clothes that are otherwise left lying around. Part of the problem, of course, is that most college apartments don’t come with a lot of closet space where you can hide any unseemly clutter.

Unfortunately, just having an open bookshelf or visible storage solution in your apartment won’t help to minimize the disorganized feel of the space. This means you’ll have to get a bit creative when trying to get organized. Try out some of these hidden storage tips to keep your clutter out of the way and your apartment looking clean and tidy.

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Cut out the middle of old books

This is an old trick, but it works well when you need some extra storage for smaller items like pens and paper clips that might otherwise clutter up your desk. Cut the middle out of an old book to create a box that you can then hide away on a bookshelf. You can even refashion some old textbooks into a storage solution if you don’t want to sell them, ensuring that they don’t go to waste.

Make them into decorations by using old books with attractive spines and lining up a couple on your desk or stacking them on your nightstand. They’ll always be nearby whenever you need to grab something, and they’ll add some character to your apartment.

Image via https://www.pexels.com

Use drawer storage systems

Use tiered drawer systems to make the most of a small cabinet space. Instead of having everything lying at the bottom of the cabinet, you can maximize the space with a vertical storage solution.

Plastic drawers will help you keep items separate and will give you far more space for storage than if you left items loose. You can also try a pull-out organizational system, which will hide unwanted clutter away in a cabinet, but will leave it readily accessible for whenever you need it.

Consider storage on the back of your closet door

For extra clothing organization, over-the-door storage solutions are a great option, as they can be hidden away in your closet. This works particularly well for organizing shoes, and is a great alternative to having them spread out on the floor where you might trip over them.

Over-the-door organizers will turn a previously unused space — the back of your closet door — into a valuable storage space. You can also find over-the-door organizers for jewelry and accessories, which will allow you to keep everything at your fingertips.

Store items in an unused corner and disguise it

For an inexpensive storage solution, try putting items in an unused nook or corner of the apartment and hiding them away with a curtain or decorative screen. If you’ve run out of room in your closet to store items, this is an easy way to keep them accessible without cluttering up your apartment.

Either stack them up on the ground, or use some plastic drawers for added organization. Instead of being an eyesore, adding a curtain or screen can actually liven up your apartment with a bit of extra color.

Image via https://www.pexels.com

Invest in a coffee table with storage

If you’re purchasing your own furniture for the apartment, look for items that have a dual purpose. Many coffee tables, for example, have hidden storage components, whether they’re drawers along the side or a compartment underneath the top.

This is a good place to tuck away your magazines, remote control, and any other items that you might otherwise leave lying on top of the table. Your apartment will look much tidier with the surface clean and everything hidden away underneath.

Use an armoire to hide away clutter

If you want to hide away some items like coats, towels, and blankets and don’t have enough closet space, a small armoire is perfect. Keep it against an empty wall and, from the outside, it will look like a piece of décor.

Inside, you can stack up all those spare linens, sweaters, and jackets that you want to hide away. Even if the inside is a mess, you can easily close the doors and leave your apartment feeling tidy and organized.

Use your bed for storage

Under bed storage is one great option for a hidden organizational system. Invest in some rolling bins that you can keep tucked away under your bed, and use them to store away items that you won’t need to use too often.

For instance, you can keep your winter sweaters tucked away in bins until it’s cold enough to bring them out. Use a bed skirt to hide them from view — that way, even if it gets a bit untidy, you won’t be able to see the mess.

If you’re purchasing your own furniture, try a bed that has its own storage built in, whether it’s with under bed drawers or shelves at the head or base. Or, if you’re crafty, you can even create a headboard with its own storage shelves, where you can store items like old books and DVDs.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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