Before investing in storage solutions, get rid of what you don’t need. No amount of bins, shelves, or organizers will fix an overflowing space if it’s filled with things you never use.

Don’t have time to read it all right now? Skip to the quick-reference checklist here.

Decluttering Tips:

Commit to a major purge upfront—When I first read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I went all in and tackled my entire house. Having recently gotten married, we had duplicates of almost everything—kitchen gadgets, bath towels, and way too many random household items. On top of that, I was hanging onto clothes I never wore, makeup and hair products I didn’t use, and just general stuff that wasn’t adding value to my life. Doing one big purge made a huge difference and set a new standard for what I actually needed.

Be ruthless—If you haven’t used it in a year, chances are you don’t need it. There are exceptions, but for the most part, if it’s been sitting untouched, it’s just taking up space.

One in, one out—For every new item you bring into your home, remove something old. I won’t lie—this one is tough to stick to, especially with Amazon orders and kids’ toys constantly creeping in. Instead, I do periodic sweeps, going through the house and getting rid of things we don’t need.

Consider storage before buying—Before you buy something, ask yourself: Where will this go? and Do I really need it? Once you start seeing “future clutter” instead of just new things, you tend to buy a lot less.

Tidy as you go—Decluttering isn’t a one-time event—it’s ongoing. If you notice an area getting messy, reorganize it before it spirals out of control. A little maintenance each day saves you from overwhelming cleanouts later.

Reconsider gift-giving and receiving—At some point, I realized that Christmas (and other gift-giving occasions) had become more stressful than enjoyable. I was spending money on gifts for people who already had everything, and in return, I was receiving things I didn’t need or want. So, I made the decision to opt out. I let my family know that I wouldn’t be buying gifts anymore, and I didn’t want to receive any either. It’s saved me money, stress, and a lot of unnecessary clutter. Of course, some people still give me gifts, and honestly, I open them with a bit of dread. My well-meaning mother once gave me a large air fryer, and the first thing I said when I opened it was, “Where am I going to put this?”

If you still want to give gifts, or have family members who won't accept your opting out, consider steering them toward experience-based gifts—like concert tickets, memberships, or a meal at a nice restaurant. Let them know that while you appreciate the thought, you’d rather create memories together than accumulate more things. This way, you can still enjoy the spirit of giving without adding to the clutter.

Decluttered? Now It’s Time to Maximize Storage in Every Room

Good storage solutions reduce clutter, improve functionality, and make it easier to find what you need. They also simplify cleanup by ensuring everything has a designated place. A clean, clutter-free space is always more visually appealing—and best of all, decluttering and organizing are completely free.

Every home comes with its own storage challenges. In our small open-concept home, making the most of every room was essential. This guide will take you through practical storage solutions for each space, helping you maximize both style and function.

Entryway Storage

The Problem: Our home is small, with no mudroom or even a coat closet! That meant cluttered shoes, a cramped space for getting ready to head out, and nowhere to hang coats—making every entrance and exit more chaotic than it needed to be.

Solutions:

Wall-mounted coat hooks: If you don’t have a closet—or even if you do—having an easily accessible spot to hang coats, keys, and bags keeps the entryway tidy and functional.

Boot tray solutions: If you live in a wet or cold climate like we do, you need a dedicated space for boots and shoes to dry off. We opted for a long DIY wood slat boot tray that adds style while keeping things practical. Other great options include plastic boot trays tucked under entryway benches or, in drier climates, stylish baskets to keep shoes neatly stored.

Hidden storage: We maximized our space with a large DIY wood storage bench behind the couch. It doubles as seating while providing much-needed storage. In addition, we installed six Ikea Trones with a shelf above them. Trones are perfect for tight entryways since they’re only about 7" deep. We use them to stash mitts, hats, scarves, tissues, sunglasses, sunscreen, dog essentials, and anything else we need on the way out the door.

I've done an entire post on our open concept entryway makeover here.

Living Room Storage

The Problem: Keeping things organized while maintaining a stylish space.

The Problem: Keeping things organized while maintaining a stylish space—especially challenging when you have small children and their toys inevitably make their way into the living room.

Solutions:

Furniture with hidden storage: I solved our living room toy storage dilemma with an old dresser that I refinished and repurposed as a credenza under our DIY hidden TV. Removing the mirror and painting it white transformed it into a beautiful and functional piece with ample storage.

Storage ottomans are another great option, as well as coffee tables or end tables with drawers. If you're open to refinishing furniture, you can find some great 60s & 70s-era end tables with storage on Marketplace. For inspiration or guidance on refinishing your own piece, check out my Furniture Flipping 101 post here.

Built-ins and shelving units: I’d love to create a custom built-in spanning our entire living room wall, and I’ve seen some great DIY versions on Pinterest using old upper kitchen cabinets or Ikea cabinets. You can opt for just lower cabinets for hidden storage or add shelves above for a bookcase/media wall feel. The base cabinets provide tons of concealed storage while keeping the space stylish.

Baskets and bins: Sometimes, all you need to contain out-of-place items is a stylish woven basket in the corner of the room. It’s an easy, low-maintenance way to keep things tidy without sacrificing aesthetics.

Kitchen Storage

The Problem: Limited cabinet space and constant countertop clutter—especially in smaller or older kitchens that weren’t designed with modern storage needs in mind.

Solutions:

Declutter: I know I already talked about decluttering, but it’s especially important in the kitchen. One of the quickest ways to improve the look and feel of your kitchen is to clear off your countertops as much as possible. I thought mine were already minimal, but I challenged myself to go even further. I moved the toaster into a cupboard, and when I’m not using it, I tuck my wire drying rack into the dishwasher instead of leaving it out on the counter. You could also just place it inside the sink—it makes a big difference in how clean and open the space feels.

No wasted spaces: In our kitchen, we discovered two tall, narrow hollow spaces—one beside the stove and another directly above it that had been covered with panels. We removed the panels and replaced them with two Ikea VADHOLMA open shelves. What was once completely unusable space now holds spices, glassware, and a few decorative items—all for under $200. We also had an awkward 7" high by 30" wide gap between the top of our fridge and the upper cabinet. I found two baskets that fit almost perfectly and now use them to stash random junk and things I don’t want my toddler getting into. It’s a simple fix, but it made a big difference in keeping things functional and tidy.

Use vertical space: Don’t let those upper walls go to waste! Floating shelves are perfect for everyday dishes, pretty glassware, or even pantry items in matching jars. You can also install hanging rails with hooks for utensils, oven mitts, or small pots—super practical and easy on the eyes.

Drawer organizers & pull-outs: Deep drawers are amazing, but only if they’re organized. We added drawer dividers for utensils, bins for extra spices, and even a small pull-out rack under the sink for cleaning supplies. Everything is easier to access and way less chaotic.

Maximize pantry space: Our house came with a small pantry just off the kitchen, but the previous owners had removed most of the shelves and installed a rod to turn it into a mini coat closet. We made it far more functional by removing the rod and adding as many shelves as we could fit. We also installed a few hooks in the open spaces and built a custom, medicine cabinet-style shelf on the inside of the door for smaller items. Wall-mounted baskets would’ve worked just as well if you’re looking for an easier option.

If you're planning a kitchen refresh or even a small-scale makeover, check out our Ikea Kitchen Makeover for tips and budget-friendly ideas.

Bathroom Storage

The bathroom is the only room on our main floor that we haven’t renovated—probably because it’s our only bathroom, and the idea of tearing it apart and having no bathroom at all isn’t exactly appealing. We do have a storage cabinet and a few drawers under the sink, but there’s definitely room to improve. I’d love to build a custom cabinet or full wall-to-wall built-in to really maximize the space—but we’re just not there yet. In the meantime, keep reading for tips on making the most of a small bathroom, even without a full renovation.

The Problem: Tiny cabinets, minimal counter space, and way too many half-used products.

Solutions:

Over-the-toilet shelving: A classic small-space trick. Whether you DIY your own or buy a slim unit, it adds instant vertical storage for towels, toiletries, and even décor.

Drawer and cabinet organizers: Under-sink baskets, stackable bins, and drawer trays can help you make the most of every square inch. I even use an old cutlery tray for makeup—it works better than anything I’ve bought specifically for that purpose.

Hooks and wall-mounted storage: Add hooks to the back of the door for robes and towels. Magnetic strips inside cabinet doors are great for tweezers, nail clippers, and bobby pins.

Limit what stays on the counter: Only the essentials get prime real estate—everything else gets stashed. A clean counter instantly makes the space feel larger and more relaxing.

Bedroom Storage

The Problem: Overflowing closets, no space for seasonal items, and cluttered nightstands.

Our Solution:

Custom wall-to-wall built-in wardrobes: Our master bedroom is small, and the existing closet wasn’t cutting it—it was cramped, hard to keep organized, and we still needed a dresser for my husband’s clothes. I also wasn’t a fan of the mirrored nightstands flanking the bed. I wanted more storage and less furniture. So we built wall-to-wall wardrobes with an upholstered headboard in the middle, giving us tons of hidden storage and a cleaner, more cohesive look. You can read all about how we made our built-ins and headboard on a budget here.

To maximize space inside the wardrobes, we installed a clothing rod near the top and added custom shelves on the bottom half. We spaced the shelves to perfectly fit Ikea SKUBB boxes—each labeled with what’s inside. They slide in and out like drawers, making it easy to keep everything neat and accessible without digging through piles of clothes.

Other Solutions:

Under-bed storage: Use rolling bins or lift-up storage beds to take advantage of this often-wasted space. I store out-of-season clothes, shoes, and even extra bedding under ours.

Use vertical space in the closet: Adding a second clothing rod, shelf risers, or even shoe organizers can double your closet’s functionality. If you’re really short on space, an armoire or wardrobe adds much-needed storage while doubling as a design feature.

Nightstand drawers or baskets: Keep chargers, hand cream, and whatever else you use before bed hidden but within reach. Baskets underneath can hold books or extra blankets without making the space feel cluttered.

Kids’ Room Storage

The Problem: Toys. Everywhere.

Solutions:

Accessible bins and baskets: Storage needs to be kid-friendly to work. Open bins or cubbies they can reach make cleanup easier and encourage independence.

Rotate toys: Fewer toys = less mess. Store half away in a closet and rotate them every few weeks—it keeps things fresh and cuts down on the chaos.

Multi-use furniture: A toy chest that doubles as a bench or a bookshelf that holds both books and bins can go a long way in maximizing storage without overcrowding the room. I’m a big fan of beds with built-in storage—my son currently has a daybed with two large drawers underneath, and my daughter had a loft bed that included a built-in dresser, a play area, and multiple cubbies. These kinds of pieces make a huge difference, especially in smaller rooms.

Make the most of the closet: My son’s closet is small, but we were able to maximize it by adding an extra shelf above the standard one over the clothing rod, as well as a lower shelf about 18 inches off the ground. That lower shelf holds more Ikea SKUBB boxes for his folded clothes, keeping everything organized and easy to access. Clear stackable bins are also great for storing toys inside the closet—they make it easy to see what’s inside while keeping the space tidy.

We also use a couple of refinished furniture pieces to store toys in the main living areas. Stylish and practical!