Living in a compact home presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, particularly when it comes to storage. Anyone who has experienced a smaller living space understands that thoughtful, well-executed storage solutions can profoundly enhance daily life. Conversely, a lack of efficient organization can lead to constant frustration and a feeling of perpetual clutter. The goal, regardless of room size or quantity, remains the same: to access items effortlessly and keep them neatly organized in smart, designated spots. Our own journey perfectly illustrates this transformation. Last year, we embarked on a significant downsizing adventure, transitioning from a spacious 3150 square foot house to a cozy 1400 square foot home. This move compelled us to become far more intentional about incorporating the most effective storage systems into our new lifestyle.
The shift was dramatic. We went from residing in 14 rooms to just 6, and along with this, we relinquished the luxury of a large garage, a sprawling attic, a sizable outdoor shed or workshop, and even basic amenities like closets in most of our bedrooms. In fact, when we purchased this house, only one of our three bedrooms featured a built-in closet, forcing us to rethink traditional storage paradigms from the ground up. This transition, while challenging, became an exciting endeavor to optimize every square inch.
Over the past sixteen months, this deep dive into efficient living has led us to discover some truly exceptional double-duty storage pieces. These items are more than just practical; they are integral to maintaining a functional and harmonious home. We frequently receive questions from our community asking for specifics: “Tell us exactly what you’re using to make your smaller home accommodate everything you need and use every day!” This comprehensive guide aims to do just that, offering a detailed look at the innovative solutions that have revolutionized our compact dwelling. We’ve also included links to previous posts for those who wish to explore these topics in even greater depth. Join us as we unveil seven of our absolute favorite storage pieces, explaining why we chose them, how they integrate into our daily lives, and offering alternative options for anyone looking to maximize their own living space.
1. A Hidden-Storage Coffee Table: The Ultimate Entryway Solution
Problem: A common dilemma in smaller homes is the lack of dedicated entryway storage near the front door, leading to immediate clutter accumulation.
Solution: Our deep-drawered coffee table offers an elegant and expansive concealed space to organize and stash essential items, effectively transforming an ordinary living room feature into a highly functional storage hub.
In our new home, the front door directly opens into a small sitting area, completely bypassing the traditional foyer or mudroom setup we were accustomed to. While we ingeniously maximized our nearby laundry closet (whose double doors are visible in the image above) for bulkier items like hoodies and backpacks, it simply couldn’t accommodate everything we needed to store near the entrance. This is precisely where this exceptional deep-drawered coffee table became an indispensable part of our home organization strategy.
What truly sets this coffee table apart is its incredible storage capacity, cleverly disguised within a sleek design. At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than a solid, stylish wood coffee table, with no obvious handles or indications of its hidden functionality. But beneath its unassuming exterior lies a delightful surprise: both sides smoothly pull open to reveal a total of two wide, deep drawers that glide open effortlessly. On one side, we store extra pairs of shoes – beyond the flip-flops that conveniently stay on our front porch – along with a basket containing miscellaneous grab-and-go items such as keys, our dog Burger’s leash, and sunglasses. This keeps everyday essentials readily accessible yet out of sight.
The drawer on the opposite side serves an equally important purpose, discreetly housing our less-used or out-of-season jackets. The sheer brilliance of this design is that you would never, ever guess that an entire collection of outerwear is neatly tucked away inside our coffee table. Mission accomplished! This piece truly exemplifies the power of double-duty furniture, allowing us to maintain a pristine, clutter-free living space without sacrificing essential storage.
Other Hidden Storage Coffee Table Options for Every Style
- Left: For those seeking a slightly different aesthetic, our beloved coffee table is also available in a sophisticated gray-washed wood version. If you prefer the warmer tones and brass accents, our exact model is also linked here.
- Middle: If your space or style leans towards curves, this sleek round option provides ample hidden storage and comes in a variety of mixed finish combinations, adding a contemporary touch to any living area.
- Right: For rooms where space constraints make pulling out drawers challenging, a flip-top storage coffee table offers a practical alternative, allowing easy access to contents without requiring extra floor clearance.
See the Coffee Table in its Full Context
To truly appreciate how this coffee table integrates into the overall design of our living space (and to catch a glimpse of another item on this list!), be sure to watch the quick video tour we recently shared. It offers a dynamic perspective on how these pieces function within the room.
Our Kitchen & Sitting Area Update: Watch this video on YouTube for a full tour.
2. An Under-Bed Bookshelf: Maximizing Space in Kids’ Rooms
Problem: The perpetual challenge of managing and organizing a child’s ever-expanding collection of books and toys without sacrificing precious floor space.
Solution: A cleverly designed platform storage bed with integrated cubbies that keeps books and toys readily accessible, efficiently utilizing the often-overlooked and wasted space beneath the bed.
When selecting beds for our new, smaller home, we meticulously considered how each piece could contribute to our overall storage strategy. We understood that beds, often the largest pieces of furniture in a room, offered significant untapped potential for under-bed storage. Our daughter’s bed, in particular, has proven to be an exceptional solution. She possesses an impressive and continually growing collection of books, alongside four large baskets brimming with LEGOs and various other toys. Traditionally, accommodating such a collection would necessitate a dedicated bookshelf or a bulky storage cabinet, which would inevitably encroach upon space desired for other essential items in her room, such as the desk she requested (now positioned across from her bed along the mural wall) and the dressers that ingeniously double as nightstands.
This is precisely why we hold this platform bed with under-bed cubbies in such high regard. It astonishingly accommodates a vast quantity of items, preventing them from being haphazardly pushed under the bed and lost forever. The structured cubbies ensure everything remains organized and within easy reach.
Note: The availability of this specific bed can fluctuate across different retailers. For your convenience, we’ve linked to a few places where it seems to be in stock: here’s one link and we also found it here.
We opted for the twin-sized version of this bed, which boasts an impressive eight cubbies in total. Three are located on each side, with two larger ones positioned at the foot of the bed. These larger cubbies are currently home to oversized bins filled with our daughter’s extensive LEGO collection. The beauty of this system is that she is fully empowered to decide what goes where, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring she always knows the location of her belongings. She particularly enjoys the convenience of being able to effortlessly grab a book or toy from her bed at night, even while engaging in typical kid antics like hanging upside down! The bed originally came with two fabric bins, which she now uses for toys and various items on one side of the bed (as pictured above). Additionally, we sourced these larger plastic bins from Target, which perfectly fit the two spacious cubbies at the foot of the bed, dedicated to her LEGOs.
Initially, I admit I harbored some skepticism about the cubby design. After all, under-bed drawers are ubiquitous for a reason, right? However, our experience with our son’s bed taught us a valuable lesson: drawers, while seemingly practical, can often be “toe-killers” and require a clear, unobstructed floor space to open smoothly – a rarity in a bustling kid’s room. We ultimately removed our son’s drawers and now utilize our own smaller, more flexible felt baskets for under-bed storage. This journey has undoubtedly converted us into staunch advocates for the efficiency and child-friendliness of cubbies!
Other Smart Under-Bed Storage Options
- Left: For those needing larger beds, the full and queen-sized versions of our daughter’s bed come complete with charming wicker baskets, offering a cohesive look (though the twin size may currently be out of stock).
- Middle: This elevated daybed-style bed is a marvel of versatile design, featuring a variety of integrated storage solutions, making it ideal for multi-functional rooms or guest spaces.
- Right: An upholstered bed with a discreet drawer built into the footboard provides soft, concealed storage that eliminates the “toe-killer” problem often associated with wooden drawers. It’s also available in several appealing fabric options to match any decor.
3. A Large Weatherproof Outdoor Bin: Essential for Exterior Organization
Problem: The significant challenge of finding adequate and protected storage for outdoor gear, such as sandy beach essentials, umbrellas, and bike helmets, especially after downsizing.
Solution: An oversized, stylish faux-wicker storage bin, strategically placed on our covered porch, provides a durable and discreet solution for all our exterior items.
One of the most significant adjustments we faced after moving was the absence of a large garage or shed – those traditional catch-all spaces where we previously stowed items we preferred not to keep inside the house. Think sandy beach chairs, cumbersome umbrellas, bulky outdoor toys, and gardening tools. While we certainly don’t miss the endless weekend garage clean-outs that stemmed from our previous “willy-nilly tossing” approach (a phenomenon we’ve explored in more detail here), the immediate need for smart outdoor storage was undeniable. Fortunately, with our outdoor gear now neatly tucked away inside this faux-wicker outdoor storage bin on our covered porch, that familiar “where does this go?!” squeeze has been completely eliminated.
We are particularly fond of this outdoor bin because it masterfully conceals a substantial volume of items while simultaneously blending seamlessly with our existing porch furnishings. An added bonus is its ability to discretely hide some unsightly pipes, a clever trick we detailed here. Even better, its internal capacity far exceeded our initial expectations. We diligently measured it before ordering to ensure it could comfortably house our beach chairs and umbrellas (its interior dimensions are 64 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 34 inches tall). We were delighted to discover ample room for additional items, including various beach toys, bike helmets, and even sports balls.
Our only minor learning curve was discovering, somewhat belatedly, that while the top of the bin is genuinely waterproof, the sides aren’t perfectly watertight on their own. This wouldn’t have been an issue if we had retained the waterproof bag/liner that originally came with our purchase and securely attaches inside with Velcro – a detail we regrettably overlooked! We initially decided against using it because our bin is situated under a covered porch. However, upon reflection, we wish we had kept it tucked away at the bottom of the bin for safekeeping, just in case we ever choose to relocate it to an uncovered area. We share this experience in hopes it might prevent a similar oversight for others planning their outdoor storage.
Other Excellent Outdoor Storage Bin Options
- Left: For maximum portability and ease of rearrangement, this 4ft-wide option is equipped with both a convenient handle and robust wheels, making it a breeze to move around your patio or deck.
- Middle: If you’re looking for multi-functional pieces, round versions like this one ingeniously double as an outdoor coffee or side table, adding both utility and style to your seating area.
- Right: A highly affordable and well-reviewed choice, this 51-inch resin box provides robust storage and is available in versatile gray or brown finishes to suit various outdoor decors.
4. A Long TV Credenza-Style Media Cabinet: Maximizing Media and Game Storage
Problem: The desire to centralize and maximize storage for media components, board games, and various keepsakes within a designated family room area, going beyond the limitations of standard media consoles.
Solution: Instead of a conventional media cabinet, we opted for an extra-long, customized cabinet that spans almost the entire alcove, providing unparalleled storage capacity and a streamlined aesthetic.
Our television is proudly displayed on a rather long wall in our upstairs living room. In previous homes, we typically placed some form of furniture underneath our TV. However, for this specific space, a standard “media cabinet” or “media console” would have significantly shortchanged our storage potential. Most commercially available media units are often low to the ground and nowhere near as wide as the available wall space, leaving valuable room unutilized. This observation led us to a more inventive solution: customizing a long credenza. We achieved this by combining two wide IKEA Besta cabinets, meticulously installing them side-by-side to create the appearance of one continuous, expansive cabinet. You can delve into the specifics of how we accomplished this seamless integration here.
Had we chosen to mount it off the ground, it would have fit the “fauxdenza” trend popular in contemporary design. However, we decided to retain the legs for now, though we cleverly removed the potential for unsightly double legs in the middle to maintain that coveted seamless, built-in look (learn more about that trick here). We still envision further customizing it in the future, possibly by adding a thick wood countertop or perhaps even a sophisticated stone slab. But even in its current form, the storage it provides is absolutely glorious. Measuring nearly eight feet long, this credenza effortlessly houses every single one of our old photo albums, newer photo books, our extensive collection of board games (and we possess quite a lot!), as well as miscellaneous keepsakes like yearbooks. It feels immeasurably superior to any of the shorter, narrower media cabinets we might have purchased off the shelf.
Regarding our actual media equipment, such as cable boxes and cords, our setup is refreshingly minimal. Currently, all we have is the small connection box that accompanies our Frame TV. This discreet box simply rests under the Besta unit, tucked against the wall where it’s completely out of sight. As we’ve fully embraced streaming for all our television consumption, there’s no need to contend with bulky cable boxes or DVD players. For those interested in decluttering their media setup, you can read about how we cut the cord a few years ago here.
Other Smart TV Credenza Buying Options
- Left: For a blend of natural texture and modern functionality, this organic caned media storage piece measures over 5 feet long. Its unique caning not only adds visual interest but also allows your remote’s signal to pass through unimpeded.
- Middle: Drawing inspiration from our custom IKEA Besta creation, this three-doored version is perfectly sized to support televisions up to 70 inches, offering substantial hidden storage for a variety of items.
- Right: For a sophisticated aesthetic, this two-toned wood credenza spans nearly 6 feet in length and conveniently includes built-in cord holes at the back, ensuring a tidy and organized media setup.
5. An Under-Desk Drawer System: Functional & Flexible Workspace Storage
Problem: The need to integrate practical and easily accessible storage beneath a built-in desk without compromising essential legroom or desktop functionality.
Solution: A compact, freestanding drawer system that slides neatly under the desk, offering versatile storage and maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Earlier this year, our son expressed a desire for a simple desk in his room. It’s become quite a trend with our children, who now have a large shared craft/art/school project desk upstairs, in addition to individual smaller desks in their bedrooms. I’m certainly not complaining, as he frequently uses his desk for drawing or assembling intricate LEGO sets. It’s just amusing to realize that children’s currency might, in fact, be desks! In this instance, we struggled to find a pre-made desk that perfectly fit his unique space. Our solution was to custom-build one, ingeniously connecting it to his bed so that it appears to float completely off the floor. It’s securely supported by simple wood braces along the side and back walls, as well as being firmly attached to the bed frame.
During the design phase, we deliberated over adding built-in drawers or creating cubbies directly beneath the desktop. However, we ultimately concluded it would be more efficient and functional to utilize the extra area under the left side of the desk for a freestanding storage unit, rather than dedicating a narrow, less-functional slice below the entire desktop. Trying to integrate full-width drawers would either severely restrict legroom or necessitate an awkwardly high, uncomfortable desk. So, our quest began for a stylish and functional under-desk file drawer system. We were delighted to find one that even features soft-close drawers, adding a touch of luxury!
Upon receiving the unit, we opted to remove the included wheels, as we felt they gave it a slightly less polished appearance. This also had the added benefit of creating bonus storage space on top of the cabinet. Sherry then took the initiative to prime and paint the faux-wood top with leftover paint from his room’s mural, as the original wood color was darker and had a redder hue that clashed with his desk chair and the room’s aesthetic. Our son absolutely adores this addition because it provides him with a dedicated spot to stash his papers, organize extra art supplies, and neatly store his coloring and activity books. For us, its appeal lies in its ability to keep his desk perpetually clean and ready for creative endeavors, while completely concealing any potential chaos behind its sleek drawer fronts.
Other Versatile Under-Desk File Cabinet Buying Options
- Far Left: This elegant white and wood under-desk system is incredibly versatile, available in a variety of drawer and shelf configurations to perfectly suit your specific organizational needs.
- Middle Left: For a touch of texture and sophistication, this attractive grasscloth file cabinet comes in two practical widths, 19 inches and 36 inches, offering both style and ample storage.
- Middle Right: Infuse some fun into your workspace with a traditional hanging file cabinet that features a vibrant, colorful twist, proving that functional pieces can also be delightful.
- Far Right: For certain environments or aesthetic preferences, a metal mesh option provides an ideal solution for visible book or toy storage. Alternatively, you can easily add baskets to these units for a more concealed and tidy storage approach.
6. Bookcases With Display Space + Drawers: The Smart Hybrid Storage Solution
Problem: The common desire to beautifully display cherished items and decor while simultaneously needing to discreetly tuck away less aesthetically pleasing essentials and clutter.
Solution: Our highly favored customizable bookshelves from Ikea, offering a perfect balance where some items are elegantly revealed, and others are conveniently concealed.
It would be remiss of us not to include the true storage MVP of our smaller home in this roundup: our indispensable Ikea Fjalkinge bookcases. These versatile units first entered our lives in our home office in Richmond, quickly proving their worth. When we made the move to Florida, they initially served as robust storage workhorses in our kitchen (as seen in the image below) before finding their current, equally effective home upstairs in our family room (pictured further below). What can we say? We simply cannot get enough of their powerhouse combination, which masterfully allows some items to be hidden away behind closed doors while others are proudly displayed for all to see.
The beauty of these bookcases lies in their exceptional customizability. You have the freedom to choose your preferred combination of shelves and drawers, and even set the shelves at ideal heights to suit your needs. Critically, the drawers can be placed wherever you desire. While Ikea often showcases them in the middle of the unit on their website, we have found that positioning four drawers at the bottom is incredibly effective for maximizing concealed storage. This ideal split, featuring four drawers for discreet storage combined with three shelves for appealing display space, has served us exceptionally well in both its previous kitchen role and its current family room application. In our kitchen, the open shelves kept bowls, cups, and mugs easily accessible, while the drawers neatly organized food and snacks typically found in a pantry. Now, with the addition of a dedicated pantry cabinet (more on that here), these bookcases are thriving in our family room. Here, books and decorative objects adorn the shelves, while the drawers house essential files, camera equipment, important paperwork, and various work-related items, keeping them out of sight yet perfectly organized.
Just like many of the ingenious solutions we’ve highlighted in this article, these bookcases exemplify the principle of hard-working furniture that also contributes significantly to the aesthetic appeal of a room. They prove that exceptional functionality and beautiful design can, and should, coexist harmoniously, especially in a compact living environment.
Other Multifunctional Bookshelf Storage Buying Options
- Far Left: For a classic and expandable storage solution, these traditional bookcases, complete with lower doors for concealed storage, can be effortlessly lined up to create an impressive and cohesive long storage unit tailored to your space.
- Middle Left: Similar in concept to our beloved ladder shelf, this alternative offers the added practicality of bonus drawers on the bottom, perfect for tucking away items you’d prefer to keep out of sight while maintaining an open, airy feel on the upper shelves.
- Middle Right: Add a touch of personalization and flair with this versatile storage bookshelf, which comes with elegant accent hardware available in three distinct finish options, allowing you to match it perfectly with your interior decor.
- Far Right: As part of a flexible modular system, this wood bookshelf ingeniously places its closed storage compartments higher up. This design choice is particularly advantageous in homes with small children, keeping certain items safely out of reach of little hands.
7. A Wall-Mounted Spice Rack: Kitchen Efficiency Elevated
Problem: The absence of suitable kitchen drawers to accommodate an entire spice collection, coupled with the desire to keep countertops free of clutter.
Solution: A sleek, wall-mounted spice rack, strategically positioned near the stove, that utilizes vertical space, freeing up valuable counter and drawer real estate.
We conclude our list with our newest storage favorite, a solution that, while small in size, is mighty in its impact. You might have already spotted it in our recent kitchen pantry update post, but its sheer helpfulness demands its inclusion in this roundup. This is especially true for anyone contending with limited floor space who might have an unused sliver of wall, the back of a cabinet door, or even the side of a refrigerator that could incorporate this genius organizer. After installing our new refrigerator, we discovered a perfectly sized empty wall segment directly adjacent to the stove—precisely where we needed quick and easy access to all our spices. We have absolutely fallen in love with this compact spice shelf. Beyond its primary function, it cleverly integrates holders for paper towels and a dishtowel. Its versatility is further enhanced by multiple installation options: it can be securely mounted to a wall or the side of a cabinet, or simply adhered to the side of your fridge thanks to its magnetic backing.
While the concept of getting spices (or knives, or paper towels) off the countertop and onto the wall isn’t revolutionary, it’s a game-changer for us, and one we wholeheartedly embrace. Its impact on kitchen efficiency and aesthetics has been profound. To complement our new setup, we also invested in this comprehensive set of matching spice containers, complete with a vast array of pre-printed labels for virtually every spice imaginable, plus some blanks for custom blends. These containers fit perfectly in two neat rows on the wall shelf, allowing us to store 18 different spices on this single unit with room to spare for larger salt containers and our salt & pepper grinders. Sherry, in particular, is captivated by the crisp white color palette juxtaposed with the warm wood dowels; she literally comments on its beauty every time she changes the paper towels!
Other Excellent Spice Rack Buying Options
- Left: For those who appreciate a touch of rustic charm, this four-tier spice shelf features an attractive chicken wire detail, perfectly embodying that timeless farmhouse aesthetic while offering abundant storage.
- Middle: If your kitchen decor leans towards a more decorative and elegant style, this decorative shelf, with its elegant gold metal rail, is not only beautiful but also functional, helping to keep spices and other kitchen goods neatly corralled.
- Right: For ultimate flexibility and a customizable approach to your kitchen organization, these versatile metal shelves are available in a wide array of sizes, empowering you to design the perfect arrangement to fit your specific wall space and storage requirements.
And there you have it – a comprehensive exploration of our top seven ingenious storage solutions that have profoundly transformed our smaller home. We sincerely hope this detailed post offers precise specifics on the items we utilize and how we’ve integrated them into our daily lives. The true beauty of storage solutions lies in their incredible diversity; with so many options available, you are empowered to choose what genuinely aligns best with your family’s unique needs, the specific characteristics of your rooms, and the particular items you need to organize. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, or to think creatively outside the box.
If your appetite for innovative storage and smart home organization remains unsatiated, we encourage you to delve into the related posts below. They offer even deeper insights into maximizing the potential of a compact living space:
- This post provides additional details about our Besta cabinets beneath the TV, and also highlights two other clever applications of Besta units in our bedroom for even more storage.
- Discover 9 essential kitchen updates that have allowed us to optimize every inch of our small kitchen for maximum functionality.
- Learn how we ingeniously added shelves to our laundry closet – a humble closet that now boasts an impressive amount of storage!
- This post unveils how we created a wealth of closet storage in our formerly closet-less bedroom, proving that even the trickiest spaces can be transformed.
- Get an honest look at the realities of downsizing, exploring the good, the challenging, and the entirely unexpected aspects of this significant life change.
- For a comprehensive overview, this page provides a thorough synopsis of our downsizing journey and the path that brought us to our current home and lifestyle.
- Curious about specific paint colors or where we sourced particular items in our home? This detailed page is your ultimate guide to all our product links and decor choices.
- Embark on a visual journey with before & after photos of our entire house, showcasing the remarkable transformations we’ve achieved.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.