Looking for ingenious storage hacks? However big or small your home, unless you get items organised your house will always feel cluttered and untidy. But with some clever thinking, you can find spaces for possessions with items you might never have dreamed of. Click through and marvel at the sheer brilliance and simplicity of these storage ideas...
Don't throw cereal boxes away once finished, instead upcycle them into sturdy magazine file holders to store stationery. One Good Thing by Jillie has transformed various boxes with colourful washi tape which not only decorates the boring box but reinforces the cardboard too.
Ikea spice racks are so cheap yet super versatile as storage for so much more than spices alone. The narrow width and guard rail make perfectly petite storage shelves for food, toiletries, tools, books and more. A Baby On Board has painted two in dazzling blue to create an easy-to-reach board book library for a child's bedroom.
This linen storage idea is a 'why didn't I think of that?' hack and couldn't be simpler. After laundering duvet sets, use this hack to avoid letting the matching pillowcases go missing. Fold the bed sheet, duvet cover and one pillowcase neatly and then store them all together inside the remaining clean pillowcase. Reading my Tea Leaves has done just that in her perfectly organised linen closet.
A child's soft toy collection can get out of hand. Tidbits have come up with a clever way of giving each cuddly creature a home by hanging a fabric shoe organiser to the back of the wardrobe door. A small teddy has been popped into each compartment to keep them tidy, dust-free and within easy reach for their child.
Keep loo roll in one place and off the ground with a funky rope store. Tie a knot in one end to keep the tissue in place and then tie the top end to a shelf above the toilet. Need a novel way to know when to re-stock? Paint the quarter of the rope that will be covered with toilet roll a bright hue and when the colour becomes visible it's time to go shopping.
Need a place for toiletries when you are in the shower? Try this easy bathroom storage hack and free up floor and wall space with a shower curtain with pockets. Or, hang a water-proof shoe organiser alongside the curtain for an easy DIY version. Choose a mesh design or cut holes in the pockets to drain the water.
When properly sanded and treated, a wooden pallet can become an eye-catching and rustic desktop shelf for a home office. It's panels and grooves make handy surfaces for stationary and inspirational objects. Giant crocodile clips will also transform it into a notice board if needed.
Double up your kitchen storage space by screwing unobtrusive hooks onto the under-side of wall-mounted shelves. Then, hang attractive mugs or large utensils. Measure and mark out the exact space between each hook for a consistent and streamlined look.
Kickboards give kitchens a smart finish but they are also hiding huge storage potential underneath the units. Buy ready-made draws with plinth fronts and runners to match your kitchen style or make your own as a woodworking project. Or, if that sounds too technical simply add handles to the boards and keep rarely used kitchenware such as Christmas crockery in shallow boxes behind in the redundant gaps.
Grow herbs and vegetables in an old colander. The quirky strainer will add vintage charm to your kitchen scheme and its design is perfect for drainage and root growth. Hang or stand in a sunny spot on the kitchen window sill and transfer onto the patio or balcony in the summer. It's a great way to keep floor space free in a small outdoor area and is an easy gardening hack.
The inside of cupboard doors can be utilised with a whole host of sticky pad storage solutions including this ingenious method for storing opened 'tear-and-share' food packets. Kept in place and sealed tight with pegs the snacks will stay fresh and dry and won't spill.
A large family can accumulate a mountain of shoes, which look unsightly piled on the floor. Pegboards make creative homes for shoes. Mount them low to create another level of unobtrusive storage and pop the shoes on the pegs upside down. This endearing wellington boot board looks rustic and fun with the words 'mud glorious mud' engraved in the wood.
If you are always losing the TV remote controls this could be the perfect storage hack for you! These ready-made designs used by Dear Lillie are fake and made of wood but you can make your own using a real vintage book. Glue pages together and cut out a compartment in the middle. What a stylish hiding place for those ugly buttons! Kate's Creative Space has an easy guide to make a secret book for jewellery which uses the same method.
Bags for life support the fight against plastic waste but the thicker material and bulkier size makes them a real storage pain. However, folded correctly they shrink into tiny bundles that can be managed and stored in baskets and transported to the shops with ease. It is that simple, check out Modern Parents Messy Kids for a step-by-step photo guide to fold a bulky, reusable bag into an itty-bitty, reusable bundle.
When drawer space is tight, make your flatware a feature by storing it in attractive flower pots on a work surface. The hole underneath for plant drainage does the same job if the utensils are not dry and allows airflow. These colourful and labelled designs by Instant Party add a personal touch.
If there is no room for a home office, create a concealed work station hotspot to store away everything needed for admin. A drawer organiser and smaller storage boxes will keep paperwork and stationary orderly and in its place, then lift the lid and it's ready to work when you are.
Solve the problem of where to put your phone when you're getting ready with inexpensive open storage pots with strong suction pads. In this instance, labels have been added to identify whose is whose. These pots have been stuck on the bathroom tiles well clear of accidental splashes whilst in the shower.
Inspire family members to tidiness as soon as they come home by mounting wire baskets for outwear above one another in the hallway. Whether you choose to nominate one crate per person or theme them with labels for hats, gloves, scarves etc. It makes good use of otherwise wasted space and you'll never be searching for that lost glove again.
Look beyond the 'egg' box and make use of every-day items that would otherwise be thrown into the recycling. The size and shape of egg cartons make them perfect mini organisers for storing bits and bobs that might get lost in draws. This endearing little sewing box made by Truly Myrtle started life storing eggs but is now used to holds sewing supplies in ideal compartments. We love how the cotton thread and ribbon have been wound neatly around dinky wooden pegs.
We've covered storing 'bags for life' by folding them properly, but what about all those other lighter plastic bags that accumulate and pile up? Save them in a tidy manner within a fabric carrier bag dispenser that can be hung on kitchen cupboards and doors. Gathered and sewn with a hole at the bottom they are easy to retrieve when needed. This pretty blue version is available to buy, or make your own in ten minutes with a sewing machine by following this tutorial from Smashed Peas and Carrots.
It's marvellous owning special cutlery for celebrations but those big heavy boxes can be a storage nightmare. Take inspiration from chef knife rolls by creating a tea towel roll that will keep cutlery clean, protected and that takes up a fraction of the space. Things For Boys has made one with sewn pockets for each utensil set and labelled with stylish ribbon tape.
If you’re a fan of the outdoors and a spot of weekend fishing, then this Instagrammer has a great idea to keep your rods in check. Simply screw hooks into the garage ceiling to keep them safe and secure. For extra protection, score slits evenly along a swimmer’s noodle float and slot a rod into each one to keep their lines from tangling.
For an easy, low-cost storage option in the garage simply buy a heavy-duty metal muffin tin. This useful tip from Tattered Style means you can store and separate fiddly items like bolts and nails or hardy stationery.
DIY and decorating pro, Kathy, has come up with a great DIY PVC hairdryer and curling iron stand tutorial. The simple construction allows you to stand multiple hair tools in an easy to reach place, so you can worry less about tripping over them on the floor or clogging up your vanity area.
Look up and you might just unlock a whole new world of storage space. These DIY sliding storage boxes can be attached to the roof, freeing up precious floor space in a garage. There are a few online tutorials detailing exactly how to put this trick together or speak to someone at your local DIY store about ready-made systems.
Gift-wrapping isn’t just a task for Christmas but also for all the birthdays, anniversaries and other events throughout the year. Make life a little easier for yourself by organising jumbled gift bags on a simple stationary rack. This idea from Aunt Peaches keeps wrappings together so they take up less space as well as making it easier to find the gift bag you want.
French teacher and former blogger, Isabelle came up with a great recycling idea for storing lots of colouring pens and pencils together. Put one side of a plastic drinks bottle out and stick coloured tape around the edge to indicate which pens belong in that bottle and to tame any sharp edges. The bottles can then lie flat in a drawer rather than taking up desk space in a traditional tidy.
This ingenious space-saver keeps your precious pieces securely hidden and within easy reach for when you’re getting ready. Having a small house, The Girl on the Go blogger, Kellie, came up with this unique idea to create an inventive storage solution which would take up minimum space in her home. Simply adding a hinge to one side of the mirror creates an almost completely flat storage cupboard that's perfect for jewellery and accessories.
Turn any wardrobe into a multipurpose storage space with these clever DIY shoe hangers. The tennis balls are perfect because their round shape and fuzzy coating protects the shoe material and doesn't warp the shape.
Awkwardly shaped packets of cotton wool balls, pads and other loose items can take over the bathroom if you're not careful. Instead, get super organised with the storage-solver's item of choice – the humble mason jar – like this clever idea from My Creative Days. Wind wire around the neck of the jar and hang them from the walls to make a display of your washroom essentials - it's easy enough to do in a day.
This genius idea from Ich Designer allows you to instantly create a wooden storage wall without hours of DIY. Hang bed slats from two coat hooks drilled into the wall and then use S-hooks on the wooden bars to attach pen pots, plants and baskets for trinkets.
Don't let the kids' wet play toys take over the whole bathroom. Instead, get yourself a hanging vegetable storage unit and use the baskets to keep toys tidy like this example from Shelterness. You can also keep your own items (face masks, sponges etc.) in the top basket to keep them neat and out of the way. Get a basket made from coated metal so it doesn't deteriorate in the damp environment.
Rarely do you use an entire pack of batteries in one go. But what to do with the spares? Instead of letting them roll around a drawer, a fishing tackle box is the perfect storage solution, as this example from Today's Mama shows. You can even separate your AAs from your AAAs, and store those awkward types that only need changing once every five years, so you're ready for the next time.
There's always room for books, as this idea confirms. You can use a custom-made headboard with spaces built into the design, or just upcycle a pallet for a DIY option.
For books and other bits and pieces, you don't need every day, install some high shelving in the dead space above doorways, in hallways and alcoves like Scribble Street News has done here. They also double as a colourful wall feature. Go for 'floating' shelves that don't require brackets and make sure you check how much weight they can carry, so you can split the load.
Bedside tables can be extremely inefficient uses of space, so instead, try a drinks trolley version like this one from The Every Girl. This gives you three levels of storage, but still tucks into small spaces. Keep your bedside calm and restful by making sure the top shelf is uncluttered and beautiful.
Cables have the potential to take over your whole house, curling into the corners and tangling so badly they're as good as useless. And can you ever find the correct charger when you actually need it? This super-easy DIY project uses toilet rolls to create space for each cable. You just have to remember to put them back when you're finished with them.
If you're short of wardrobe space, use your clothes as decorations in their own right like this idea. Purchase a few attractive hangers (large, wooden types suit most decor), and layer your clothes as seen in this picture. Not only will they be more visually pleasing, they're also easily accessible – especially handy when you're getting dressed in the dark first thing in the morning.
Children's arts and crafts can take over their whole bedroom (and potentially your house too), so get them into the habit of putting everything away in a trolley that can be wheeled out of the way when it's not in use like Suburble did. Accept that the trolley itself won't be tidy, but that's OK – organised mess is a totally different thing.
If you're a dab hand at crafting, get out your pliers and rewire your wardrobe like this idea from Epbot. It's not as tricky as it sounds! You'll just need to cut into some wire clothes hangers and curl in the ends until they're smooth, creating stable hanging storage for footwear, from flip flops to boots. It's particularly useful for clearing out of season shoes out of the bottom of your cupboards.
No room for tables? No wall space for shelves? No problem! Hanging shelves are the answer to your prayers. They're also a great way to show off plants and ornaments high up and out of the way. By hanging them from hooks in the ceiling, it also means there's no table legs so it frees up floor space and it looks cool too, like this example from Monstercircus.
Stylish storage that's quirky and useful – what could be better? Use an old garden rake (check Gumtree and Freecycle as well as the back of the shed), clean it up and stick the head on the wall like in this example from The Home Edit. It will provide stable storage for even delicate wine glasses, and frees up shelf space for other crockery.
Storing all your washing up items inside the sink when they're not in use is a neat way to keep everything tidy and organised. It also means you won't get any drips damaging your kitchen surfaces, or leaked washing up liquid getting everywhere. Plus your worktops will be lovely and minimalist. Perfect.
Always buying new spices because you can't find the one you need? We all have 10 jars of Garam Masala, don't worry. But these magnetic jars are a neat storage solution. Arrange them on the fridge for a decorative way to make sure you can always find the spices you need. Just don't forget to label them – cinnamon and chilli look mighty similar but are very different on a cappuccino.
Magnetic knife strips are a brilliant space saver in the kitchen. But if you don't want young children to pull them off the wall, keep them well out of the way (and nice and tidy) stuck to the ceiling of the cupboard like this Instagrammer. Easy-to-access and taking up no essential shelf space.
This rubbery grass is usually used for letting baby bottles dry naturally, but it turns out it's the perfect place to keep all your different makeup brushes and sponges while they're drying (after your once-a-week hygiene wash, right?). Just leave them to dry naturally overnight and put everything way in the morning.
It's important to keep your medicines safe, dry and out of the way of children and pets. But also, it's important to keep everything organised and accessible so when you really need something, it's easy to find. This simple plastic drawer system from the blog A Healthy Slice of Life is ideal. Just arrange by ailment or body part and thank your former self next time you're in need of a cure.
Ever wanted a nail salon in your own home? Make a colourful display by storing them in a craft trolley or bath caddy. You can also fit bottles of essential oil and other makeup items in them.
If you don't have the cupboard space to store clean towels, make your own. No need for an airing cupboard when you can fix a small shelf in the empty space above the bathroom door like this clever idea from The 2 Seasons blog.
Pegboards are perfect for storing small items that could easily get lost, as the home bloggers 4 Men 1 Lady know only too well. Keeping jewellery on them also means it doesn't tangle up and you can always find what you want to wear.
However hard we try to reduce our use of plastic bags, there are always some knocking around. Keep them small ones out of sight and available when you need them by pressing them into a baby wipe bottle. It's amazing how many will fit, as this example from the blog Nae Chic demonstrates.
Never lose remote controls and games controllers again. These wall hooks to hang loose items on the walls, or on the inside of cabinets - just remember to always put them back when you're done.
Looking for more? How about these landlord-approved decorating hacks for renters
To turn one hanger into a multi hanger, all you need are some spare shower rings strung along the lower bar of the hanger. Each one can be used for an individual scarf, tank top or other small items like bras or leggings. Ideal for tiny wardrobes and people with a lot of scarfs, as this example from The Frugal Female shows.
A fold-down desk is useful if you're not much of a paperwork person. This way, you have access to one when you need it, but it can also double as a handy bureau for all your notes and stationery bits. And you get the top to use as a shelf. It's a marvellous multifunctional home furnishing.
Magnetic knife holders can be used for a whole host of (metal-based) storage. One of our favourite ideas is this toy car storage solution from Just a Girl and her Blog, that keeps the feet-biting critters off the carpet, and allows instant play, as well as being a colourful addition to the walls.
Too many plastic containers are the bane of any kitchen, and it's all because of the pesky lids. Closed, the boxes take up too much space, but separate the boxes from their lids at your peril. However, this clever idea from Essomeorganizing uses a rack (for dishes, CDs, whatever fits your shelves) to make sure the lids all stay in one place, making it easy to find the one that fits.
Kitchen sundries such as bin bags take up a ton of space and can be fiddly when you need to reline the bin. To keep them neat, accessible and out of the way, attach them to the inside of your sink cupboard like this hack from Simply Organized. Ideally, attach rollers so you can pull a new bag off easily when you need it.
Make the most of unused corners of your home to their full potential. For example, if you have a blocked-off fireplace, what are you doing with the space? This is the perfect place to keep books, DVDs and other multimedia, or alternatively, trinkets, photo frames and ornaments you might not otherwise be able to display – as seen here by blogger Diane Again.
Store crayons and similar useful items in easy-to-access food storage tubs made of glass so you can see the contents. It's easy to put away these regularly-used and messy-looking items in drawers and cupboards, but that just encourages buying more when we can't find them. This way, they're on show without getting in the way and it's easy to take them out and return them to keep your small space neat.
Get the most from a small kitchen space by turning cupboard storage on its head. Perfect for stacking platters, chopping boards and even frying pans, you can fit so much more into a secret storage space with this trick.
If you have a fitted bath, have a look inside it to see if there's any unused space you can make the most of. These sliding panels might be a job for an expert, but it will make a huge difference to the appearance of your bathroom, and will put all that unused space to good purpose.
Make the most of your under-sink space by adding an adjustable tension pole. This inexpensive addition offers an extra layer of storage for sprays and bottles which can be accessed in a flash.
There’s nothing worse than when you’re in a rush and you can only find one of your matching earrings. This ingenious idea from Pure Wow allows you to keep your jewellery together. Threading your earrings through button holes also makes a decorative feature out of a clever storage solution.
If your garage or DIY shed is getting out of hand, try screwing the lid of a plastic storage jar to the underneath of a shelf like this example by Benita Larsson. Now any screws, nails or smaller bits and pieces can be gathered together while keeping your workspace clear.
If you struggle for wardrobe space, slot hangers down links on a length of chain so you can layer your clothes like YouTuber Wengie has here. Instead of items bulking together at the top of your wardrobe, you can make the most of the space below and fit in a few more of your favourite pieces.
Food presenter Alton Brown was fed up frantically shaking ketchup and mustard bottles to try and get the sauce to come out. His idea is to cut the lid off an egg box and place it on a shelf in your fridge door. Now you can store your condiments upside down so they’re ready to go when you need a squeeze.
If you use ribbons for craft-making or gift wrapping, try decorating guru Heather’s great idea from her website, Heathered Nest. Stack the reels in a plastic bag holder and thread the end of each ribbon through a hole. Each piece can be easily accessed while keeping them stacked nice and tidily.
When setting aside a cupboard for your all pans, you can often find that the lids take up a whole other cabinet on their own. Jayefuu from Instructable.com, suggests attaching stick-on hooks to the inside of kitchen cupboard doors. If you slot the pan lids between these hooks they will stay put without costing precious shelf space.
Lamberts Lately blogger, Leslie, came up with a simple and inexpensive idea for organising the children’s playroom. Buy stick on hooks for the wall and hang storage baskets from them for unruly playthings. This keep the floorspace free for more important things, like playing!
Blogger KC from The Real Thing with the Coake Family had this great idea for organising washcloths. Store them rolled up in magazine files to keep them streamlined, separated and easily accessible for all the family members. Vertical storage is a particularly good trick if you’re short on shelf-space.
These wire baskets are perfect for storing vegetables that don’t need to go in the fridge. Heidi from All That Brings Joy bought these baskets to utilize wasted space behind her kitchen door. She attached them with two simple hooks, meaning the crates can be lifted on and off whenever she needs them. Painting the strip of wall with chalkboard paint is a fun way to label the boxes or write to-do lists.
If you struggle to keep the toys in check, try creating storage baskets with fun picture labels on the front of them. Just a Girl and Her Blog writer Abby used heat transfer material to add the shapes to fabric baskets. Putting toys away becomes almost like a fun puzzle, as children match their truck, train track or jigsaw piece with the correct storage box.
If you find yourself rummaging around for the right tools when you need to do a DIY job, try attaching things like spanners and wrenches together with a carabiner clip. This idea from Hooniverse is great because you can slot different tools on in size order so they’re quick to navigate and you can pick up carabiners cheaply in lots of outdoor and bargain stores.
This Old House came up with this trendy outdoor storage trick using just the head of an old garden rake. The bent spokes become ordered hooks to hang your garden shears, spades and scissors from whilst adding a touch of vintage style to your outdoor area.
One way to make sure you can always find tape when you need it is to make a feature out of storing it. Jen from Something Turquoise attached felt pads to the bottom of these pipes for a stylish, no-scratch solution. If you have a craft area like Jen does, the pipes are particularly good for making a real feature out of decorative washi tapes.
There are lots of crafty bloggers utilising behind-the-door space with nifty tricks and this simple idea by Jenna Burger is perfect for tiny bathrooms. Attach towel rails to the back of the door to free up wall space and keep your washcloths off the floor. The width of the door should allow enough space for the towel to sit flat so its nice and dry for when you hop out of the shower.
If your gangly garden hose is getting in the way, try this trick by Life in a Little Red Farmhouse. Place an extra large planting bucket beneath your outdoor tap and wind the hose inside. Start from the tap end first so that the nozzle stays on the top and it can be neatly deployed around the garden without getting in a knot.
For makeup hoarders and beauty queens Liz Marie’s magnetic board is an inventive and decorative way to make the most of your room. This DIY hack involves stretching fabric over a sheet of metal and simply gluing magnets to the back of each product. This way the makeup stays out of the way while still looking cute on a pretty board in your dressing area.
For busy family bathrooms, bedtime can be a hectic time of the day. Save sink space and make sure everyone knows which toothbrush is their own with this cutlery tray trick. The divided sections work perfectly for a family of four with space for the toothpaste too. It’s also easy to spray clean and rinse out to keep germs at bay.
To free up a bit of room in the kitchen cupboards, decant your spices from their mismatch of jars, boxes and packets into empty tic-tac boxes. Seattle Sundries’ idea is great because the neat rectangular shape allows the tiny boxes to slot together and take up minimum space. They are also super portable for camping trips or weekends away.
This nifty hack from Polish site Lifehacker offers an inventive and inexpensive way to sort wires across your office desk. These simple stationary clips are available from almost anywhere and allow you to easily hold the wires and chargers you need within instant, organised reach.
We love this hack that uses bungee cords and a plywood box to create a practical storage solution for a very tricky item that most of us have in our garages and cupboards at home. The beauty of this system is that stretchy cords mean that it's really easy to get to the ball when you're ready to play a game and putting them away again is no hardship. Genius!
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