Maximizing Space in a Room Without a Closet: Top Organization Tips

2024-08-19

Many people find it challenging to organize their belongings without a closet, especially in a small studio apartment. If you’re looking for effective ways to store items and keep your space tidy, this guide has you covered.

A neatly organized room feels great, doesn’t it? Some people, however may have items scattered everywhere in the room without knowing how to store them. Please use the tips in this article as a reference on how to keep your place tidy if you live in a small space without any or just a small closet.

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How to Store Things Without a Closet: Furniture with Storage and More

Source: IKEA

Use furniture with storage

A bed with built-in storage allows you to effectively store clothes, eliminating the need for a conventional closet. It’s advisable to store off-season clothes, sweaters, T-shirts, underwear, socks, and other items that won’t lose their shape there. Alternatively, if you don’t have a storage bed, you can achieve a similar effect by using commercially available boxes designed to fit neatly under your bed.

Use a loft bed

Since a loft bed is elevated from the ground, you can effectively use the space underneath it. You can also use the height as a clothes rack, and by installing a shelf, you can secure sufficient storage space even in a room without a closet.

Use a clothes rack

Clothes racks provide a convenient way to store clothes on hangers, eliminating the necessity of folding. They are particularly useful for storing wrinkle-prone garments and bulky jackets conveniently. You can also store bags and small items by placing storage boxes or baskets at the base of the rack.

Use an open rack

One method of storing clothes is to use a modular open rack. The advantage of an open rack is its adjustable height, providing ample storage space.

You can use hangers to hang clothes and storage boxes or baskets to store small items. Because it’s an open storage space, it won’t create a sense of clutter even when placed in a room.

Hang it on the door

You can hang coats, hats, bags, and more using door hooks and door hangers, available at 100-yen shops. They are easy to install and don’t take up much space, making them ideal for small apartments.

Smart Ways Store Your Belongings in a Small Closet

Install clothing cases in the unused space

To maximize closet storage capacity, consider installing clothing cases beneath the hanging clothes to utilize the space efficiently. Opt for clothing cases suitable for items that are challenging to store on hangers, such as underwear, socks, and bags.

Make use of hanging storage shelves

For items like sweaters and knitwear that may lose their shape on hangers, consider folding them and storing them in hanging storage for your closet. If you’re having trouble storing bags, hanging storage solutions can be particularly helpful as well.

Use wall pockets

Consider utilizing wall pockets in the unused space of your closet. These convenient accessories, available for affordable prices in stores like 100-yen shops, are perfect for storing small items like handkerchiefs and socks. With various sizes to choose from, you can select a wall pocket that best accommodates the items you need to store.

Storage Boxes and More: Top Storage Solutions for Small Rooms

Using storage boxes

The appeal of storage boxes lies in their affordability, even when purchasing multiple boxes. You can enhance their versatility by placing a board between two color boxes to create a desk or horizontally placing them to support a TV. Moreover, they are ideal for neatly storing A4 and B4 books upright.

While color boxes typically come in standard colors like white, black, or wood optic, you can personalize them by applying adhesive remake sheets or masking tape. Pairing them with baskets and other smaller storage boxes ensures the efficient organization of small items.

Making effective use of dead spaces

Maximize your storage space by effectively utilizing unused areas such as the gaps between furniture and walls, or the space under the beds. You can achieve this by incorporating furniture designed specifically for these spaces, or by installing storage cases and baskets underneath beds.

Using a kitchen cart

One versatile option is a kitchen cart equipped with casters and multiple shelves. While traditionally utilized for storing kitchen utensils such as toasters and rice cookers, a kitchen cart provides flexible storage solutions. It’s ideal for organizing items such as stationery and cosmetics, making it a practical addition to any room.

Make the Most of Your Small Kitchen by Utilizing Dead Spaces

Source: Yamazaki Jitsugyo

Utilize movable gap furniture

Gap furniture, designed to fit snugly between the refrigerator and sink, is a versatile addition to any kitchen. Even if you do not use it in a gap, this furniture can be beneficial when placed against a wall in a passageway, thanks to its slim profile. The top surface of this furniture serves a dual purpose as a workspace, enhancing cooking efficiency and adding functionality to your kitchen setup.

Organize kitchen tools with wire netting

For storing kitchen tools such as ladles and spatulas, hanging them is often the most practical solution. Wire netting proves to be an excellent choice for this purpose. Mount wire netting on a kitchen wall and use S-hooks to hang your tools. Place frequently used items on the S-hooks for convenient access, while less-used items should be stored elsewhere to keep them clean. This setup ensures efficient organization and easy retrieval of essential kitchen utensils.

Utilize under-sink storage efficiently

Directly storing pots and pans under the sink can make retrieval troublesome. Instead, use dedicated shelves to maintain organization. Store frying pans and pot lids vertically on a book stand or create a storage shelf using tension rods and wire netting. For added convenience, attach hooks and wire netting to closet doors to store items like plastic wrap and bags.

Enhanced Storage Solutions for Your Entryway

Source: Yamazaki Jitsugyo

Utilize an expandable shoe rack

If you have additional shoes that won’t fit into the provided shoebox, we recommend using an expandable shoe rack. For example, the shoe rack pictured above can store up to 6 pairs of men’s shoes or 8 pairs of women’s shoes, including heels. It’s a space-saving solution that occupies minimal space.

Use magnetic storage items

Utilize magnetic storage items with hooks to efficiently store small items such as keys and gloves. Some magnetic items can also hold umbrellas. Using these as needed can help keep your entrance area tidy and convenient.

Storage around the Bathroom and Washing Machine Area

Source: Yamazaki Jitsugyo

Create a shelf with a tension rod above the washing machine

Utilize the dead space above your washing machine by installing a shelf with a tension rod. This setup can store detergent, hangers, towels, and more. It’s easy to install and highly recommended as it can provide ample storage space across 2-3 levels. For neat storage solutions, we recommend using baskets or storage boxes.

Use a shower rack

In apartments designed for single occupancy, it’s not uncommon to find integrated bath and toilet units known as 3-point unit baths. Here, we recommend using a shower rack to store items such as shampoo and body soap. One of the benefits of a shower rack is that it prevents slimy residue from accumulating at the bottom of containers, making it an excellent choice for bathroom storage.

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