Where to Store Things in a Small Apartment: Tips from a Designer

With small bedroom areas and long corridors, it's practical to move storage into the hallway. But first, you need to understand what items you'll be storing there and what you'll need for that.

Anastasia Avvakumova, designer and founder of the architecture and design studio Milky Space, sees one of the main tasks of a designer as the rational organization of space.

Wardrobe instead of a dressing room

For storage in hallways, built-in wardrobes up to the ceiling are ideal. Their doors can be swinging or sliding. The choice should be based on the size of the wardrobe: the longer the wardrobe, the more practical it is to use sliding doors.

Setting up a small corner for outerwear and shoes in the entrance hall can free up space in main wardrobes. It's convenient to place guests' clothes and shoes here.

Shelves, hangers, boxes

When storing clothes for different seasons in one wardrobe, it's better to divide them into compartments. For example, near the entrance hall, allocate space for outerwear and outdoor shoes.

If outerwear varies in length, make hanger sections of different heights. The space near the ceiling is not easily accessible but is perfect for storing travel bags.

Before dividing the wardrobe into compartments, mentally review your closet: how many items will you hang on hangers and how many will be stored on shelves. Add 10–20% extra to the length of the rods that will accommodate your clothes.

Shoes are easier to store in identical boxes, arranged in two rows. With this arrangement, shoes don't get dusty and are easy to retrieve. You can label the boxes for quick access to the desired pair.

If you don't have a chest of drawers

If there is no chest of drawers in the bedroom, closed sliding drawers are ideal for storing underwear, socks, and tights. They should be arranged so that it's convenient to use them. All remaining space in the drawer unit can be taken up by shelves for clothes (above) and shoes (below).

Space for large items

You should plan in advance where in the apartment it's convenient to iron clothes — sometimes it’s better to use a large area in the hallway. If you iron near wardrobes where you'll fold the clothes afterward, you’ll save time and energy. Don't forget to set aside space in the wardrobe for an ironing board.

It's necessary to place household items and cleaning supplies in a way that the entire design doesn't get cluttered with ugly baskets, wardrobes, and cluttered shelves. Before planning storage, compile a list of everything you’ll need to store.

Today, many homes are cleaned by robotic vacuums, so you can do without a regular one and save space for the bucket and mops. Also, find a place in advance for tools, an artificial Christmas tree, and sports equipment.

Order in the bathroom

Drying clothes also takes up a lot of space. Sometimes it's convenient to place a small ceiling dryer in the bathroom, and for large items, a foldable floor one that can be stored in a wardrobe. A basket for dirty clothes should be hidden from guests in a cabinet or made an interesting feature of the interior.

Simple solutions

There are solutions that allow combining pleasure with usefulness. This applies to creating a cozy zone by the window. By increasing the windowsill, you get space to sit comfortably by the window with a book plus extra storage for books or dishes.

On the kitchen, you can increase the height of wall-mounted cabinets. To make them look lighter, the top row can have glass doors and backlighting.

Make storage invisible

Remember that storage systems should not overload the space: they should instead free up areas from clutter. It shouldn't feel like the main focus in all rooms is wardrobes and cabinets. Storage systems can be built-in and blend into the background or decorate the interior if, for example, they're open shelves with decor.

Illustrations: Design by Anastasia Avvakumova

Cover: IKEA

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