There are tons of tips out there for ways to put every inch of storage space in your apartment to good use, including using the little bit of room underneath the bed and on the tip top shelf of your closet. But eventually you’re going to run out of ways to hide away your clutter! Unless you get creative and hide it in plain sight.
Here are four tips on how to store your stuff in plain sight using nontraditional storage containers and methods that are as eye-catching as they are functional.
Pretty Pottery Catchall
Who says clutter-saving catchalls have to be utilitarian (read: boooring)? A pretty pottery bowl works perfectly as a place to stash all the little items that would normally litter — and possibly get lost in — your apartment, like keys, gum, Chapstick, etc. Place the bowl on a console or side table right near your door, that way you can train yourself to drop your keys and whatever knickknacks you’re carrying as soon as you walk in. A colorful piece of pottery can totally brighten up your entryway, too. Or if you’re going for a modern, more subdued look, try using a carved wooden bowl to add a natural, textural element (Target has a surprisingly large selection of these — who cares if they were originally made for the kitchen!).
Basket Case
Think of a big ol’ basket as the upgraded version of the catchall. It’s perfect for large items you need to pull out often (like scarves in the winter) that would be annoying to store in the back of your closet or under the bed — or if you’re tidying up right before friends come over, you can just toss all the clutter in there. Plus, big, beautifully woven baskets are ideal for filling in awkward corners or gaps between furniture.
Bucket for the Bathroom
Creating bathroom storage in your apartment is difficult because space is usually pretty tight and you don’t want to invest in storage that can’t handle getting a little wet. That’s why I love storing all my extra toiletries in a simple large metal bucket. It’s stylish (especially if you’re going for a rustic-chic look), and it won’t mildew in the bathroom’s muggy environment. Be sure to pick up a galvanized metal bucket, though; that way it won’t rust. Also, if you spill shampoo or lotion in there (hey, it happens!), it’s easy to clean out. You can usually find these buckets for pretty cheap at craft stores or hardware and outdoor stores like The Home Depot.
Stack ‘Em Up
Books, that is! If you have a bunch of big coffee table books but no more space on your coffee table to display them, put your books to work. I stacked several on top of a vintage school chair to create a unique nightstand. If you have quite a few coffee table books, you could try stacking them all the way up to nightstand height without worrying about whether they’ll topple over because these kinds of books are so heavy. It sure beats letting your books get all dusty by shoving them under the bed.
[tweetthis]Put your books to work! Stack them on a vintage chair with a lamp on top for unique storage.[/tweetthis]
If you’re looking for more out-of-the-box apartment storage solutions, consider reading more on how to seek out more storage space by using the backs of doors.
Have you gotten creative with your apartment storage? Share your storage solutions with us in the comments below!