4 min read

Storage Tips For Small Apartments

If you’re new to high-rise living, you might find a lack of storage space frustrating. Downsizing the amount of stuff you own will help but are not the only solution. Instead, get creative with these storage solutions.
By
Storage Tips For Small Apartments

Moving companies services at low-cost

Budget-friendly moving service. Trusted by thousands of customers across NZ. Door to Door delivery.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

Apartments are becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand. If you’re new to high-rise living, you might find a lack of storage space frustrating. Downsizing the amount of stuff you own will help but are not the only solution. Instead, get creative with these storage solutions.

1. Turn every table into a storage item

Most coffee tables or nightstands don’t have a lot of storage. If you’re moving into an apartment, think about swapping your regular coffee table for one with built-in drawers. Likewise, nightstands can take up a lot of space without being that functional. Think about replacing your bedside tables with a small set of shelves. You can fit a lot more on them. Plus, they’ll add interest to your bedroom.

2. Utilise the space under your bed

Slat beds are great for apartments. They’re easier to move than a mattress and bed base. Plus, they allow for plenty of under-bed storage. Most apartments come with small wardrobes and lack the space to store an entire year’s worth of clothes. Use plastic tubs or vacuum pack bags to store any clothes that aren’t seasonally appropriate right now.

3. Use furniture to store and divide

In a small space, you need every piece of furniture to do double duty. Cube-style bookshelves can be a great way to store your things while breaking up your area. If you move into a studio apartment, a bookshelf can give your bedroom more privacy. You can use them to create a visual section between the dining and living areas in a bigger apartment.

4. Use baskets to store small items

Small items can be difficult to store at the best of times. Buy small baskets for the bottom of your bookcase. You can use these to store random items that don’t often have a home, like wires, remotes, lightbulbs and batteries.

5. Bump up your bathroom storage

Creating vertical storage options in a small room, like a bathroom, will save you a lot of space. Not all apartments come with under-sink storage or vanities with shelving. A small trolley with shelves will give you somewhere to store your toiletries without taking up too much space. If your bathroom has space under the sink, buy a couple of large opaque tubs with lids. Here, you can store towels, hairdryers and other hair tools that take up a lot of space. They will also look tidier than clear plastic tubs.

6. Create an entranceway

One of the downsides to living in an apartment is that you often lack a proper entranceway. Coats, bags and jackets end up in piles all over your home. Create a small entranceway with a shoe rack for people to store their footwear. Use Command hooks to hang jackets and bags when they aren’t in use. This will also free up the room in your wardrobe.

7. Use hooks for items that often end up on the floor

Did we mention how handy Command hooks can be? Use Command hooks in the bathroom for hanging towels. Damp towels can make your apartment smell musty if you don’t have a towel rail. Hang your towels on the back of your bathroom door. You can also use hooks in the kitchen for your tea towels and oven mitts. This will help keep these items from falling off the oven rail and onto the floor.

8. Use wall caddies in the kitchen and bathroom

Wall caddies are a great way to keep your products accessible but out of the way. These are great for storing small items like herbs and spices, kitchen items like sponges and scrubbing brushes, or bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Install them near your sink, on the side of your pantry, or in the shower.

9. Store shoes and clothing vertically

Small bedrooms are a pitfall of apartment life. If your bedroom doesn’t have a big wardrobe, store shoes and clothing on a vertical organiser or an over-the-door shoe rack. This will keep your shoes off the floor and keep your wardrobe generally looking tidier.

10. Use the areas above your cabinets

If you have a free-standing cabinet or tall bookcase, don’t forget about the space on top. Place a couple of baskets on top. Sure, you can just place the items on top, but the baskets will allow you to store more items in this space and keep the area from looking cluttered.

11. Hang your plants

Plants are great for adding decoration and interest to an apartment, but they also take up a lot of space. Instead of sitting your plants on a table, why not hang them? Hang your plants from the ceiling or from the side of a sturdy item, like a wooden cabinet. 

Need a storage item delivered?

If you’ve bought a new storage item and need it delivered, Wise Move can help. Our dedicated movers will pick up and deliver any piece of furniture you need at a price point that other movers just can’t match.

Moving companies services at low-cost

Budget-friendly moving service. Trusted by thousands of customers across NZ. Door to Door delivery.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$45
Upper Hutt, Silverstream
Upper Hutt, Trentham
10
Maninder
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Awesome service, took immediate action on my request. Affordable too!!
$190
3 seater couch, 2 seater couch
Auckland, Saint Johns
Mangawhai, Northland
10
Becky
Reviewed 6 hours ago
Thanks guys! Great service. Comms were awesome, updates on arrival etc. couches were wrapped and protected with moving blankets. Chur
$90
Glass fronted display cabinet and a small sidebiard, Sideboard
Paraparaumu, Otaihanga
Paraparaumu, Wellington
10
Megan
Reviewed 8 hours ago
Fabulous service, quick to respond and accurate with their timing. Couldn’t do enough for me, highly recommended and will use again. Thanks guys
$650
Chaise couch
Levin, Manawatu-Wanganui
Rangiora, Canterbury
10
Becky
Reviewed 8 hours ago
Excellent service and communication thanks very much!
$135
Bed heads
Wellington, Island Bay
Christchurch, Linwood
10
Jenny
Reviewed 8 hours ago
Marshall is very trustworthy and did a great job with the communication. Highly recommend.
$120
Auckland, Parnell
Auckland, Herne Bay
10
Emma
Reviewed 13 hours ago
Great communication, careful loading and unloading and efficient. Thank you!
$40
Auckland, Parnell
Auckland, Eden Terrace
10
Amanda
Reviewed 14 hours ago
Fantastic service. Quick and straightforward, well executed and would definitely book again.
$50
2 Seater Couch
Auckland, Mount Eden
Auckland, Auckland CBD
10
Mirya
Reviewed 14 hours ago
Great service thank you! We would definitely book again

For every (wise)move

TradeMe purchase pickup and delivery service across NZ
TradeMe Delivery
Get your heavy-large TradeMe purchase picked up and delivered by our movers anywhere in NZ.
Learn more
Car transport nz
Car Transport
Our professional car transport teams from across New Zealand are the best at what they do.
Learn more
Motorbike transport nz
Motorcycle Transport
Our pros take everything into consideration when ensuring the safety and well-being of your bike.
Learn more
Piano transport
Piano Move
Moving a piano requires the expertise to ensure is kept safe and protected on the road.
Learn more
Furniture removals
Furniture Removals
Our teams will treat your possessions like they would their own, ensuring that the greatest care and diligence is taken.
Learn more
Pet transport nz
Pet Transport
During the transport our teams will ensure full care, well-being and friendliness as if they were our own.
Learn more
Boat transport nz
Boat Transport
Our transport teams will ensure your boats will be delivered safely, efficiently and on time.
Learn more