The average square foot of a one-bedroom apartment is around 800 square feet in the United States. This number includes the bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and any other square area in the unit. It’s no surprise that closet space is getting smaller, and in some apartments, it is non-existent. If you have a small closet or are looking for creative ways to make the most out of your space, these renter-friendly storage ideas can help you maximize your closet and storage space.
Before You Buy, Measure and Assess Your Space
Before you go out and buy storage containers and bins, it’s important to know how much space you’re working with. Measure the width, height, and depth of your closet so you know what can fit.
Another way to get creative with your space is to measure vertically in addition to horizontally. Vertical measurements can help you determine how much room you have for overhead storage and what clothing you should prioritize hanging versus storing in dressers and storage bins.
Whether you have a designated closet or are making space in the corner of your bedroom, it’s important to know how much room is available and what can fit.
Clothing Racks That Look Stylish
If you don’t have a designated closet in your apartment, you can use a garment rack to create extra hanging space. Whether you’re looking to hang heavier coats, lightweight clothing, or just want a clothing rack for easy access, here are a couple things to consider before purchasing a clothing rack.
Choose a rack that can hold the weight
While clothing racks are a good alternative if you don’t have a closet, you should make sure that whatever rack you choose can hold the weight of whatever you hang on it. Think about what clothing items you want to hang. If you’re thinking about winter coats, jeans, and sweaters, look for a rack that can support these items. If you’re going to mix and match summer and winter clothing, choose a rack that has a large enough weight capacity for the heaviest items.
Style the rack so it looks intentional
Although having a rack in your bedroom can feel like a compromise when closet space is limited, where and how you place it can make all the difference. When deciding where to place your clothing rack, think about decorating around it. Line shoes up underneath, choose matching clothing hangers, and place a plant or lamp beside the rack. These small changes can make your clothing rack look less like a necessity and more like a deliberate decorating decision.
Consider adding a tension rod and curtain
Another creative way to make the most of your small closet or apartment space is to add a tension rod and curtain in a doorway or alcove. Some tension rods can be installed without drilling, and adding a curtain means you can hide your clothes while keeping your apartment stylish. Before installing and using a tension rod for clothing, make sure it can accommodate the weight of your clothing and fits in your space.
Know What to Hang and How Much it Holds
Before you decide what closet hack you’re going to try in your apartment, think about which items you plan to hang and what hardware can support it. There are several different hanging methods you can use when building a makeshift closet, like adhesive hooks, adhesive strips, curtain-rod brackets, metal hooks, over-the-door hangers, or drilled anchors. Whichever method you choose, check how much weight it can safely hold and if they violate any lease rules.
When to use different hanging methods
A simple way to decide which hooks or strips to use is to consider the weight of the items you plan to hang. For example, if you just want to hang dresses, shirts, and light sweaters, adhesive hooks are better suited to holding lighter items. If you want to hang coats, denim, or shoes, pinhole hooks and anchors can hold the weight.
No matter which hanging method you choose, review your lease and talk to your landlord or property manager to determine which methods are lease compliant.
Think About Vertical Closet Storage
Storage bins and dressers can take up valuable horizontal space in your closet. If you find yourself out of space, think about storing clothing and shoes vertically. There are several over-the-door and hanging options that can provide more storage without drilling into the wall. Try these vertical closet storage options if you find yourself short on space.
Over-the-door options and what to store
Over-the-door storage is not a new concept. In fact, these organizers can be helpful even if you have more than enough space. These organizers can store socks and shoes, T-shirts, and other small clothing items while freeing up closet floor space for dressers and bins.
Something to be aware of when hanging these organizers is whether the hooks interfere with the door. Sometimes a loaded organizer can be too heavy and prevent a door from closing properly, or its hooks may be too thick to fit between the door and frame. Make sure you have enough room for an over-the-door organizer and that your door can withstand the weight of the items you choose to store.
Other Small-Space Closet Storage Solutions
If none of the previous storage options work for your apartment, consider using areas outside the closet for additional clothing storage.
Space under your bed can be a second dresser
Storing clothes and other items under the bed is not a new concept. However, if you have little to no closet space, this storage hack can be even more useful. If your standing dresser is already full, you can use small rolling bins or vacuum storage bags to store clothes.
Another storage strategy to consider is rotating clothing by season. During the summer, keep your winter clothes toward the back and vice versa. You can also apply this strategy to your dresser by keeping in-season clothing in easy-to-reach places.
Buy furniture that doubles as storage
Another space-saving strategy to consider if you’re running out of room is choosing furniture that doubles as storage. Some furniture, like chairs, ottomans, and couches, includes hidden storage underneath the cushions. Many people use this space for items like extra blankets or pillows, but if you need more closet storage, this hidden option could help free up space. If you decide to use furniture as closet storage, consider storing items that fit comfortably, such as shoes, shirts, and jeans.
Consider a closet clean-out
If you’ve tried all these storage options and closet space extensions and you still need more room, it may be time to clean out your closet. It’s smart to clean out your closet at least once a year to get rid of items you no longer wear or haven’t reached for in a while. Although it can be difficult to choose which clothes to keep or donate, removing unused items can free up valuable storage space.
Find Your Next Rental on ForRent
If you’re looking for an apartment with a large closet and enough space to store all your belongings, start your search on ForRent. When you use ForRent to find your next rental, you can view unit-level photos and information that makes it easy to determine which apartment is right for you. Start your rental search on ForRent!
This article was originally published on July 25, 2018 by Carol Pinchefsky and has been updated.
