Whether you’re working with a tiny apartment, a cramped family home, or just way too much stuff, a little strategic storage can go a long way. Ahead, you’ll find clever solutions like shoe cabinets, floating bookshelves, compact storage sectionals, lift-top tables, and hanging hampers. Consider them your first line of defense against having to weave through furniture and miscellaneous piles just to get from one room to the next.
1. A set of floating bookshelves if you’ve run out of storage room or just want to show off your most impressive titles. If someone were to assume you read Infinite Jest in its entirety just because you have it on display…that’s on them!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Kayla Boyd has these! She says: “I love my floating bookshelves because they save a lot of space and since I colorized them, they look like fun decor in my room. It definitely helps me get excited about reading more since they’re so cute and visible. The shelves were also super easy to hang and, as you can see, they’re very sturdy.”
Promising review: “Super chic way of organizing our many books and keeping them off windowsills and other non-book surfaces. This was a great solution and we didn’t have to buy ANOTHER furniture piece — win!” —EmGeeBond
Get a set of three from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in two sizes).
2. A hidden slim profile shoe rack narrow enough to fit in tight mudrooms, entry halls, and foyers. At minimum, it holds six pairs of sneakers, slip-ons, or sandals (the larger option holds 24!) — that way they’re not strewn all over the floor ripe for tripping.
Promising review: “Love the shoe storage. Mostly bought for the look, not practicality. These fit sandals/anything flat like Birks, running shoes, and Air Forces fine, but anything taller won’t fit. Six shoes total for one cabinet fit. Would buy again. Does as advertised and easy on the eyes.” —mmaj
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four finishes and with two, three or four flip drawers).
3. A foldable stair basket that’ll encourage you to relocate all of the upstairs belongings that’ve ended up downstairs. Visually, this basket is a whole lot better than a leaning pile of socks, shoes, and stuffed animals, too.
Promising reviews: “Well structured, so nice to have a compact stair tote for the daily dump of items once my son comes home from school.” —LK1014
“This stair basket keeps things organized rather than scattered on the steps. The convenience of carrying the basket upstairs makes dropping items a thing of the past.” —Beverly
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four colors).
4. A broom/tool organizer, because no matter how carefully you tuck your Swiffer/broom/stick vacuum in that gap between your fridge and wall, they never fail to fall over and scare the bejeezus out of you.
The organizer has four slots and four hooks, which can be used to hold all sorts of kitchen, bathroom, garage, and garden tools. Installation takes about five minutes, and all it includes is drilling two holes for screws and then mounting the unit.
Promising review: “I purchased this to organize my brooms, mops, etc. They were always sitting beside one of my tall kitchen cabinets and looked like a total mess. This allowed me to make it look more organized and it turned out perfect. Couldn’t be any happier with it.” —DazzBoomer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).
5. A circular lift-top table as your living room also happens to be your home office and dining room. Plus, the hidden storage keeps your small space nice and clutter-free, which happens to trick our lil’ lizard brains into thinking the room is bigger than it is.
Amazon
The other half of the table also lifts to reveal storage space!
Promising review: “Love this thing! Easy to assemble; it just takes a while. Very functional for me, as I can watch TV while I work. Good quality.” —Tiffany C.
Get it from Amazon for $109.99+ (available in two sizes and finishes).
6. Or a sofa tray if you literally don’t have room for a coffee table, but could use a place to rest your iced coffee, TV remote, phone, AirPods case… You know — the essentials.
Promising review: “I don’t have and prefer not to use a coffee or end table. This is the perfect extra touch to have something where I can put down my drink or plate of snacks.” —Yael Neubauer
Get it from Amazon for $20.79+ (available in six finishes).
7. A light-up storage headboard with room for your books, iPad, snacks, and small bedside essentials. It’s also equipped with a built-in smart light strip (with 60,000 colors and different flashing modes) that can sync to your music.
8. A Squatty Potty hidden toilet brush that attaches directly to the tank, so 1. You don’t have to see it, and 2. It doesn’t take up any floor space.
PS: It fits any toilet with a tank that has a 1/2-inch lip thickness and a tank length of 15 inches or less.
Promising review: “We’ve had one of these in our powder room for about a year and it’s holding up well. Considering getting another for the primary en-suite bathroom. Extremely creative invention that is very practical.” —Susan Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
9. A damage-free Command bottle hook you can hang your various stain removers, all-purpose cleaners, and window sprays from, because when you throw them all under the sink, it’s hard to decipher what is what.
And like other Command products, they won’t peel off paint once they’re removed.
Promising review: “Where have these been my whole life?! I initially saw these on a video about home organizing and had to have them. So happy I bought them! They save room on the shelves under my sink and prevent clutter. Now the bottles I use most are available at my fingertips.” —Katie
Get two from Amazon for $6.99.
10. A 4-in-1 convertible sofa bed guaranteed to unfold at the *exact* angle you prefer when watching TV. Use it as a regular chair, a chaise lounge, an ottoman, or even a single bed — that way you don’t have to pull out an air mattress when you have a guest.
The manufacturer notes that the sofa bed has a weight limit of 350 pounds.
Promising review: “I ABSOLUTELY love this sofa bed. The functionality of it works great in the space I purchased it for. It is super comfortable and sturdy. As a plus-sized woman, I am often wary of furniture that has a weight limit. However, this folding ottoman beat all expectations! It provides great support, even when fully flattened. I love how versatile it is and how easily it transitions from one position to the next. It looks great in my space and offers additional seating when others are in my room. Highly recommend!!!” —Sabb
Get it from Amazon for $239.99 (available in six colors).
11. A combined floor lamp and end table if you’re 1.) Trying to save space or 2.) Just absolutely enamored (like any sensible adult) with multitasking pieces.
Promising review: “I was looking for a lamp of this style and happened to come across this one. It had no reviews, so I was suspicious, but for the price, I took the chance. Best gamble ever! This lamp is so beautiful, and the quality is amazing. The marble base is like real, sturdy marble. Gold finishing looks so expensive. The table is not flimsy at all. I absolutely love it and can’t believe I was able to find this for such a deal.” —Sarah Diaz
Get it from Amazon for $73.81+ (available in three lampshade colors).
12. Or a Govee floor lamp that takes up basically no room and is Alexa-compatible, so when you’re ready to plop down on the couch, you can set the vibe with a simple voice request. It has 16 million colors (not even an exaggeration, believe it or not) and can sync to your music! (I need someone to blast “All the Things She Said” and get back to me with a vid.)
Promising review: “Absolutely love this lamp! It fits perfectly in any corner of my home and provides the best amount of light to the area, especially at night. I don’t use the app to control it often, but when I do, it works great and is easy to use. I’ve had it for almost a year now, and it works amazingly. I’ve had zero issues with it at all.” —Austyn Farr
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in four colors).
13. A set of hanging acrylic shelves with room for each and every succulent you impulsively bought when you ran to The Home Depot last week. Heck, there’s even space for a few more if you happen to come across others that are just begging for a home.
They can also hold up to 14 pounds!
Promising review: “These were easy to assemble and they look great — maximizing space in my kitchen for growing microgreens without blocking any sunlight. I am so glad I read the reviews and chose this brand….Overall, they seem reasonably sturdy and were perfect for my purpose. I would definitely buy them again!” —Lori
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four sizes and up to five shelves).
14. An over-the-door stuffy organizer for anyone whose home has turned into a free-roaming plushie sanctuary.
Promising review: “This over-the-door stuffed animal storage is a game-changer for organizing my kid’s room! We had stuffed animals everywhere, but now they’re neatly stored and easily accessible. The pockets are spacious and sturdy, holding a surprising number of plush toys without sagging or tearing. Installation was a breeze — just hang it over the door, and you’re done! The mesh pockets make it easy for my child to find their favorite stuffed animals without having to dig through a pile. It’s also great for small toys, books, or accessories. If you are looking for a simple, effective, and space-saving storage solution, this is it! Highly recommended for parents who need a clutter-free way to store stuffed animals.” —simplylivingky
Get it from Amazon for $23.16+ (available in 10 colors).
15. A wall-mounted table you can use as a desk, for extra counter space in your kitchen, as a place to fold laundry, or as a dinner table. And once you’re done, it folds down, taking up next to no space, so you don’t have to scooch around it all awkwardly.
Promising review: “This is a great table for our laundry room! When we moved into our condo, the washer and dryer that came with it were slanted on top and couldn’t be used for folding clothes. This table fits in perfectly and is well-made and can hold substantial weight if needed. I could see it used as a portable desk somewhere also.” —Anne C.
Get it from Amazon for $85.19+ (available in four sizes and three finishes).
16. A baseball hat organizer that’ll keep your caps in one central location without taking up much space at all. Even better, the DomeDock will keep them in tip-top shape as you won’t accidentally step on them or throw your platform boots on top of them the next time you quickly toss stuff in your closet.
PS: DomeDock is a small biz!
Promising review: “This is the perfect solution to keep your hats organized. Each organizer holds about a dozen hats. The hats stay put and don’t fall over. As long as you tuck them properly, then they stay put and won’t get messed up. Definitely worth buying.” —FarraB
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in white or black and individually or as a two-pack).
17. A modern pedestal table with *just* enough room for your daily mocha latte. It really is the perfect size, because once you’re finished, you won’t have room to let cups pile up — you’ll have to take care of them right away.
18. A compact double-chaise sectional if you’re working with limited space but don’t want to skimp on leg room. Plus, the ottomans lift up to reveal hidden storage!
Promising review: “A while ago, I purchased a 7-piece sectional modular sofa from Belffin in gray velvet. I couldn’t be happier: its styling is minimalist, its look is modern and sleek, and its comfort and functionality are high quality. And you can align these any way you want. Moreover, it’s smaller and more dainty, so it fits perfectly in our family room. I’ve just now added two ottomans to my set. So, now I have a family room that comfortably and elegantly accommodates up to 9 people. Like the other sofa sections, these square-sized Ottomans come with impressive storage spaces under the seat cushions (approximately 21.5 x 21.5 x 6.5 inches) that we use to store board games and puzzles. Very ingenious. If you prefer, they can be linked together with a nifty connector accessory that is easy to install or remove, depending on the alignment you want for your sofa or ottoman sections.” —Juan Lulli
Get it from Amazon for $1,250 (available in four colors and various other configurations).
19. A super-slim storage cart to make up for your lack of a medicine cabinet and vanity space. Slide it alongside your toilet or between your shower and your sink for an instant storage upgrade.
Promising review: “This is literally the perfect thing for the annoyingly narrow and pointless 5-inch space on the side of the cabinet/sink in my powder room! It helped me clear off the clutter and the caddy I previously had on the counter fits this exactly. Great for holding brushes, dry shampoo, and cleaning products that didn’t all fit in the cabinet. ♥️ This so much” —not a hoarder i just shop a lot
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six colors).
20. A floating bedside drawer that gives you a spot to put a drink (cause the last time you put it on the floor, you promptly kicked it over…) and a drawer where you can store your Kindle/TV remote/other things you frequently reach for.
Valiai Design / Etsy
Valiai Design is a small, family–run business that specializes in Scandinavian-style furniture.
Promising review: “Lovely side tables for a tight space. Very attractive and easy to install.” —Priscilla Sowa
Get it from Valiai Design on Etsy for $100.52+ (originally $125.65+; available in two finishes and single or double drawers).
21. A C-shaped table you can wheel around wherever is convenient, so you don’t have to dedicate any specific floor space to your WFH setup or a coffee table, if you don’t want to.
22. An easel-style TV stand if — space concerns aside — your style is *so* minimalist, you’d actually prefer to keep your living room media-console-less anyways.
It’s suitable for TVs 45–65 inches.
Promising review: “I was skeptical at first about how sturdy this TV stand would be. To my disbelief, it is sturdy and super functional! It frees up a lot of space in my bedroom, and I love how it can be placed in a corner for an ideal viewing experience. Instructions were easy to understand, and I got the whole thing mounted and set up in less than 20 minutes. All the components are high quality, not cheap plastic. I have no doubt this TV stand will last for years. Another great thing about this stand is that it’s easy to pick up the TV and move it around. I recommend the safety mount if you have kids or pets for added peace of mind. If you want an affordable TV stand that adds a nice design element, I would recommend you purchase this.” —Austin738
Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in three finishes).
23. A garage tool organizer so you can get all of your rakes, mops, shovels, and weed wackers up off the floor and out of the danger zone that is your parking spot.
Promising review: “This garage tool storage rack has been a game-changer. Easy to assemble and solidly built, it comfortably holds all my tools from heavy wrenches to small screwdrivers. The design optimizes space, providing easy access to tools and freeing up my garage. After several months, it remains durable and functional. If you’re seeking a high-quality, space-saving tool storage rack, this rack comes highly recommended. It’s a worthwhile investment for an organized workspace.” —sbmaher
Get it from Amazon for $64.95.
24. A toilet paper cabinet small enough to slide right between the commode and bathroom wall. This way, you don’t have to fill your entire bathroom cabinet with TP rolls or worry about them getting wet in one of those open-wire stands.
Promising review: “Product is easy to assemble and fits perfectly in a tight bathroom space. It holds and hides all my facial and hair care products in easy-to-reach cubbies. Completely eliminates bathroom clutter.” —DenyceC
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven finishes and two sizes).
25. Or a smaller toilet paper basket so you don’t have to waste precious under-sink storage space on paper products. It’s that or buy your toilet paper one roll at a time, and the couponer in you knows that’s not a cost-effective way to do things…
Promising review: “Great addition to my small bathroom. Serves to hide away extra toilet paper rolls and provides a shelf for your phone. Additionally, I like that it has feet so it isn’t sitting directly on the bathroom floor.” —Mjband3
Get it from Amazon for $27.19+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
26. A hanging laundry hamper to save floor space and hide the eyesore that is your overflowing, dirty laundry pile.
Promising review: “Pottery Barn style with Amazon price! No more bulky baskets in the rooms. I love these. I have one in every bedroom, bathroom and even on the back of the kitchen/ basement door for my kitchen rags and towels. I also put a dryer sheet in the little pocket to keep the bag and house smelling fresh. The fact that they are washable is awesome.” —Em
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two colors and packs of two).
27. A wall-mounted towel rack if you currently have to contend with a leaning tower of linens that fall out of your closet every time you open it.
Promising review: “I love this. It keeps my towels organized because I don’t have enough space in the cabinets. It is very appealing as well. Very sturdy. It was super easy to put together. Definitely recommend.” —Cari Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and four finishes).
28. An Ikea ottoman with a rattan storage cubby and four metal legs that give it a lil’ elevation. An option you can use as a table *and* a footrest? Yes, please!
29. A set of shelf dividers so you can maximize that hard-to-reach space at the top of your closet instead of just haphazardly throwing things up there and hoping they stay.
They’re also great for bulky items like linens and towels! The dividers are 12 inches tall and can slide over any standard shelf up to 7/8 inches thick. PS: This Amazon bestseller comes from small biz Lynk!
Promising review: “I love these! They fit snugly over my shelf, so they don’t shift or move around. I have a lot of handbags, and it’s been a mess on my closet shelf for the ones that are floppy. I have limited closet space in a small home, so my choices of where/how to store them are limited. This was the perfect solution. I plan on buying more when I get around to rearranging sweaters on shelves.” —BarbraGenie
Get a set of two from Amazon for $17.99.
30. A four-tier slim storage rack you can shimmy into the dead space between your washer and dryer. The three-tiered unit has plenty of room for your detergents, dryer sheets, and in-wash booster beads, which — TBH — are totally unnecessary but fun to sprinkle in.
It’s also perfect for taking advantage of small slivers of space in laundry rooms or closets.
Promising review: “Perfect for small spaces! I lack much storage space in my kitchen. This shelf is perfect because it’s so compact but has a good amount of extra storage space. It was very easy to assemble, well-made, and perfect for spices and cans of food! I think I might purchase another one for my bathroom toiletries and things like that. Very happy with this purchase!” —Liana Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $18.98+ (available in five colors).
31. A three-tier over-the-toilet shelf with open storage so you can store your impressive skincare collection and that one succulent that’s been hanging on for dear life despite you both over- and under-watering it.
Promising review: “Very happy with this purchase. It took maybe an hour for me to assemble by myself. Instructions were easy to follow and assembly was not difficult. It was easy to lift and put into place. Feels very sturdy and solid. Looks great and adds additional storage. Would recommend!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $68.99+ (available in four finishes).
32. A ceiling-mounted garage storage rack where you can stow away the bocce set, badminton net, and 10-foot-tall animatronic Santa you’ve had tucked away in your spare bedroom’s closet.
The elevation also ensures everything is safe in the event of a flood.
Promising review: “If you want storage for your garage and have 10-foot or higher ceilings, this is the ticket. Installation is involved but I was able to do it as a one-man job. I used bungee cords to hold up one end of the shelf while installing the other. It took me a whole day to install but I was particular about its position and considered the constraints of surrounding space and aesthetics. This holds a total of 16 18-gallon totes… 16!!! It occupies otherwise unused space whereas standard shelving occupies valuable floor space. This is absolutely worth the money.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in seven sizes, packs of one or two, and with or without guard rails).
33. A set of 27-gallon under-bed storage containers so you can use the few inches under your frame to store extra linens and other odds and ends. Do you really own a concerning amount of clothes if half of them are hidden under your bed??
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Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
