Living in a small home or apartment can be cosy and cost-effective but requires clever storage solutions. When every square meter counts, it’s essential to get creative. Fortunately, with some ingenuity and effort, you can maximise your space without spending a fortune.
These DIY storage hacks will help you maximise your limited living space while keeping things tidy and stylish.
Remember, even the smallest space has the potential to be a functional and beautiful home.
1. Vertical Space is Your Best Friend
One of the easiest DIY storage hacks is using vertical space. Install shelves above doorways, around windows, or near the ceiling to store items you don’t use daily. Floating shelves add character to a room and provide a place to store books, decorative items, or kitchen supplies. You can even DIY a ladder shelf using wooden planks and brackets for a chic and functional addition.
2. Multi-Use Furniture
When space is limited, your furniture should work double duty. Try building a storage ottoman or a bench with hidden compartments. A coffee table with drawers or some clever shelving is another great DIY project that adds storage while maintaining a sleek look. Murphy beds or wall-mounted fold-down desks are more advanced DIY storage hacks, but they can completely transform a room’s functionality.
3. Behind-the-Door Organisers
Don’t overlook the backs of doors. Hang shoe organisers in closets, over-the-door racks in the pantry, or hooks on your bathroom door for towels and robes. With some fabric, a sewing machine, and creativity, you can even craft custom pocket organisers for items like cleaning supplies or craft tools.
4. Under-the-Bed Storage
The space beneath your bed is prime real estate. Instead of letting it waste, build rolling storage drawers using old dresser drawers or wooden crates with caster wheels. Label them for clothes, shoes, or seasonal items. This DIY storage hack helps keep clutter out of sight while remaining easily accessible.
5. Wall-Mounted Pegboards
Pegboards are a game changer for small-space organisations. You can mount one in your kitchen for utensils, in your office for supplies, or the garage for tools. Paint it to match your decor and customise it with shelves, hooks, and baskets to suit your needs. It’s a simple yet highly effective way to add storage without taking up floor space.
6. Reimagine Everyday Items
Look around your home—you may already have what you need for clever DIY storage hacks. Repurpose mason jars to hold bathroom essentials, use tension rods under sinks to hang spray bottles, or attach magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for knives or spice jars. Even old ladder rungs or wooden pallets can become rustic wall organisers.
Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing organisation or style. With these DIY storage hacks, you can transform your home into a clutter-free, efficient, and cosy haven. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a novice, these projects are practical, budget-friendly, and incredibly rewarding. The best part? They’re all surprisingly simple to do. So grab your tools and get started—your space has more potential than you think!
Suzette Meyer is the lead author and content creator for Kandua.com, South Africa’s #1 marketplace for home services. She researches and writes the Kandua Advice articles, Cost Guides, and the Kandua Email Newsletter, drawing on the expertise of Kandua’s base of over 40 000 pros across more than 100 services, and the data gathered from the 100 000+ home service projects facilitated through the platform.
Home improvement can be daunting, and it is often difficult to find out if you are paying a fair price for your products and services. Suzette has made it her mission to help homeowners with advice on all aspects of home repair, maintenance and improvement, including how to choose the right handyman and how to make smart upgrades that improve your resale value or save costs.
