Short on Bedroom Storage? Here Are 18 Genius Ways to Solve Your Organizing Woes (2024)

• Organizing
• Bedrooms

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Think your oddly shaped, small bedroom means you’re doomed to having a cluttered, disorganized space? Think again. There are plenty of space-saving storage solutions out there for bedrooms of all shapes and sizes that will help you declutter and create the stress-free retreat you’ve been dreaming of for little to no money at all. Let these small bedroom storage ideas inspire you to finally maximize your sleep space in an efficient and visually appealing way.

1. Maximize vertical space.

In a small bedroom, storage solutions are a crucial part of everyday life. Maximize vertical space by rethinking your shelving systems to make them more expansive, like the one in this Buenos Aires apartment. Key places to incorporate this tactic are above a desk, above the bed, or in the closet.

2. Add a bookshelf up high.

This tiny London bedroom still makes room for tons of books (#priorities) with a couple of shelves installed almost at ceiling height. They’re reserved strictly for books to maximize storage and cut down on visual clutter.

3. Keep a tiny side table.

When it comes to small bedroom storage ideas, you may need to pare down on some furniture. The best place to start? Your side table. Find a streamlined option like the one shown in this Brooklyn apartment in order to help your room appear slightly larger and much less overcrowded.

4. Install a chair rail and use it to place small items.

Here, it’s art. In another room, perhaps trinkets, small personal items, or even an alarm clock. This Chicago bedroom might be small, but the addition of several pieces of art propped on the chair rail sure does make a big statement.

5. Use a shelving system.

This DC rowhouse bedroom might be small, but you can be sure there’s a place for everything! This handy shelving system takes care of that, with room for hanging clothes, baskets to corral small items, and of course, purses.

6. Partition your sleep space with a shelving unit.

This New York City studio shows how useful a shelving unit can be in a tight sleeping space for creating privacy and extra storage. Make sure to think through the type of items you’ll want to store there, as that may affect how much shelving space you want to leave open for displaying items such as your beloved shoe collection or a curated assortment of books.

7. Make the most of odd corners and architectural features.

Think your bedroom is small? This Philadelphia tiny home is just 160 square feet and is a masterclass in maximizing storage space. While architectural quirks and odd corners may be frustrating to have in an already small bedroom, make the most of them by adding proportional shelving and baskets to house seasonal gear high above you and everyday items within reach.

8. Take a cue from the runway.

There’s no need to let the size of your bedroom limit your fashion dreams! Find clothing storage inspiration in this New Orleans abode that uses a bare corner to house a rolling rack that can easily be moved to another area when needed. Plus, you can hang accessories from either end of the rack and even store a few shoes at the bottom.

9. Take advantage of floating shelves.

If you’re a bookworm or just have lots of sentimental trinkets you’d like to showcase, consider floating shelves your new BFF. Instead of purchasing a bulky, free-standing bookshelf, use up wall space to save room for valuable storage furniture like dressers and nightstands.

10. Use an end-of-bed trunk.

Be it a storage bench or good old-fashioned trunk, housing one of these at the foot of your bed is one classic way to maximize storage in your sleep space. This hack prioritizes comfort and functionality, as a bench or trunk can also double as an end-seat.

11. Stash your dresser in the closet.

What better way to maximize your space than stashing storage within storage? If your closet is large enough, you’ll save valuable floor and bedroom space if you keep the dresser tucked away. Your sleep space should be your oasis and a place to retreat for peace and quiet. Plus, more open floor space equals even less clutter.

12. Maximize storage space underneath the bed.

Feng Shui experts may cringe at the idea of putting stuff under the bed, but it’s simply one of the smartest and easiest ways to declutter your room. There are a few ways to do this: You can buy a new storage bed, DIY an under-the-bed storage solution, or raise your current bed with risers to add storage containers underneath.

13. Organize your dresser like a pro.

Folding and drawer dividers will change your life if you aren’t already using them. Taking the time to properly store the clothing in your dresser can free up extra space for more items. You can also consider more extreme storage methods, like vacuum packing out-of-season clothing that can slide under the bed or hide in a closet until the weather permits.

14. Find unused space in your closet.

Are you currently milking every inch of closet storage space possible? If you don’t own your home, you might be hesitant to drill lots of holes for more shelving space, but even renters can maximize closet storage with the addition of extra clothing rods, Command hooks, and over-the-door hangers.

`15. Use double-duty furniture.

Opting for small storage cabinets instead of a table, a floating drawer instead of a basic shelf, and even a nightstand with drawers can make all the difference in maximizing bedroom storage. While you may already have less space for a nightstand and other furniture in a small space, upgrading a piece of furniture or two can do wonders in terms of upping your clothing and accessory storage.

16. Splurge on a wardrobe wall.

It’s not the cheapest option, and it might even seem crazy if you’ve got a really small bedroom floor plan to begin with, but installing shallow wardrobes or built-ins along a whole wall may be just the trick for DIYers. This setup will create a cozy feel to the entire room while adding storage without adding too much bulk.

17. Rethink what belongs in the bedroom.

Sure, it makes sense to keep your clothes in your closet. Or does it? If your closet space is cramped, think about all the seasonal clothes you don’t touch for half the year. Could you find a new space for them? Maybe there’s room under the sofa, or you could put them in a new storage unit you have space for in the living room. The point is, don’t hold your storage hostage because you’re stuck on where things belong; just store them where they fit.

18. Use the back of a door.

There is so much potential in even the most cramped of bedrooms. If your door is untouched, you should know that you can reclaim a ton of back-of-the-door storage space for your extra things, like shoes and accessories, and it’s pretty much invisible most of the time you leave the door open.

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