Storing Items in a Rental Apartment: 9 Productive Ideas

1. Create a Workspace in a Nook

In many older buildings, there is space for storage or built-in wardrobes that can easily be transformed into a home office. Nooks and architectural features of rooms are also suitable for this purpose. A desk, shelves, and proper lighting are all you need for a comfortable workspace; once work is done, simply close the door.

2. Give a Coffee or Side Table New Functionality

You can add functionality to a coffee or side table by adding an extra drawer. This hidden storage space is perfect for books, magazines, board games, and various small items.

3. Use Baskets and Boxes

Is there no space under a shelf or on a stand? Various small items look much more appealing when organized, and even better when they're hidden out of sight. Woven baskets, attractive boxes, and containers help store many useful items in a simple and stylish way.

4. Add Drawers Under the Bed

Using space under the bed is quite difficult, so drawers come to the rescue. You can choose drawers that match the bed or use textiles from IKEA. Drawers are perfect for storing bedding and other essentials, seasonal clothes, or footwear.

5. Use a Dresser Instead of a Nightstand

Nightstands are not very functional, especially when space is limited. Instead, you can use a much more useful dresser, whose drawers can hold undergarments or various accessories, and the surface can accommodate a lamp and necessary small items.

6. Place a Dresser in the Hallway

A dresser in the room seems unnecessary? Then move it to the hallway. The room will become more spacious, and the hallway will provide a place for storing scarves, umbrellas, and gloves.

7. Use Children's Furniture

If your apartment has children's furniture and accessories, don't rush to throw them away. Try to find new uses for them—for example, a child-sized dresser can be used for storing jewelry, office supplies, or various small items.

8. Rearrange the Furniture

Owners of rental apartments rarely allow furniture to be discarded, but they are unlikely to object to rearranging it. Try zoning the space by moving various pieces of furniture to gain additional advantages. For example, if you divide the room with a sofa, you can place a dresser, low shelf, or console table behind it.

9. Give an Old Wardrobe or Buffet a New Life

If you cannot dispose of unnecessary furniture, it's time to come up with a new way to use it. An old wardrobe or buffet can serve as a workspace, especially if you add a pull-out countertop. For this, you only need a couple of drawer slides that can be bought at any hardware store, and one of the shelves will gain a new function.