Use these apartment organization hacks to keep every room in tip-top shape

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Clean and organized drawer of perfume and makeup
(Image credit: Simply Sam)

Let's face it, apartments can be a bit of a challenge to organize because, for the most part, space is limited. You simply don’t have the square footage you do in a house. That being said, there are clever ways you can make the space work for you.

Yes, I'm being real with you here. Even small closets, kitchens, and bathrooms can all store plenty if you know what to do and the products you need to buy. No need to get stressy, bestie — I've got you covered.

I've sought out expert advice and rounded up a range of apartment organization hacks that will make fitting everything into the space so much easier. This way, you can spend less time worrying about clutter, and more time making your place cute AF.

Want to get your apartment working for you? Thought so. Scroll on down for some totally genius apartment organization hacks...

Apartment organization hacks for every room

Whether you need to organize one room or all the rooms, I've got you covered. I have also picked out some buys, to help you get the look too.

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.

Bedroom organization hacks

One of the easiest ways to store extra clothing, shoes, and accessories is with under-the-bed storage. "Never underestimate under-the-bed storage," says Sam Lund, professional organizer and CEO of Simply Sam. "In any apartment, it’s always great to keep your seasonal items under your bed in storage containers so they don’t take up precious real estate."

Before clicking "add to cart," be sure to measure the space so you order the right-sized containers. She also suggests adding a storage shelf to one side of the closet for long-term storage. "We just did this in an apartment closet and it really helped our client stay organized with all their files, memories, and camping without getting a storage unit."

Another recommendation from Lund is to use slim hangers in the closet, as they take up less space than other types of hangers do. They will also look the most aesthetically pleasing — bonus. "We are currently loving what’s called ‘non-slip rubberized hangers,'" she notes. "They are slim, things don’t fall off, and they don’t catch on things like velvet hangers do." Love it, love it.

 Living room organization hacks

Living rooms are filled with opportunities for storage — if you know how to do it properly. For example, storage furniture such as sofas and ottomans can be very useful for stashing linens or even off-season clothing. 

"Purchase furniture with hidden storage, as this helps prevent things from getting dusty but also you can use clear containers inside to make things easily organized that maybe wouldn’t look great in a dining room or family room," says Lund. She suggests organizing cords, lightbulbs, pens, craft supplies, and games in these cabinets, to keep them out of the way. 

Bathroom organization hacks

Between beauty and personal care products, and larger items such as towels and toilet paper, bathrooms — especially the area under the sink — can become very messy if everything isn’t properly contained. Small stackable drawers are a great hack to keep these areas more organized. 

“They make so many lovely options now that go under the sink to create more space," explains Lund. "My favorites are the ones that are tall and skinny, so you can stack another one on top and still have space beside it."

You can also keep all your toiletries such as soaps and toothbrushes all in one place, by using acrylic organizers. These look so chic and are easy to maintain and clean too.

Kitchen organization hacks

While many people think of decanting as the best way to keep a kitchen organized, the costs of those plastic containers can add up quite quickly. They also aren’t the only ways to save space. Consider using nesting and stacking dishware to get the most from every square inch. “Nesting and stacking dishware is huge," says Lund. "I know that we all end up with mismatched stuff at some point but it makes a huge difference to splurge on a matching set that also saves space."

Lund also likes using vertical pan dividers. "Don’t lay those pans, cutting boards, and cookie sheets flat," she notes. "Stack them vertically. When we lived in an apartment, we actually put this on top of our fridge to maximize space."

As well as using pan dividers, consider using drawer organizers and utensil organizers to keep all your items in one place. This also makes them easy to move around, if you feel like having a shuffle. 

Helpful organization tips for any room

There are some apartment organization hacks that can be applied to all rooms of the house. Talk about making things easy, right? For example, vertical storage can be incredibly useful in small spaces such as apartments. This is because apartment dwellers have got to advantage of every extra inch of space.

“I always say to my clients would you rather see your stuff or be disorganized?” explains Lund. “Don’t underestimate height. Get a lightweight step stool and use your whole space from floor to ceiling for storage. You’ll be surprised by how seeing everything makes a big difference.” If you have a lot of knick-knacks or collections and you aren’t sure where to put them, consider installing a decorative shelf in the living room or bedroom. Display, don’t hide your treasures. 

Another helpful hack is taking advantage of over-the-door storage. While many people use this for closets and bathrooms, know that any door in your home can be a great place to store things away, according to Lund. “Over-the-door storage can make a huge difference — we love them for cleaning supplies, bathroom items, and creating a small mudroom when you don’t have an entryway!” 

No matter what you need to organize in your apartment, there's absolutely a way to make it easier. Small spaces don't need to be limiting — they just require a li'l bit of out-of-the-box thinking.
Up next: These organizing hacks are gonna make your life 10x easier

Amanda Lauren
Contributor

Hi, I’m Amanda Lauren. I’m a design expert and interior stylist who writes for Real Homes, Forbes, Real Simple among other publications. I live in Los Angeles in the historic neighborhood of Hancock Park with my husband, and two dogs, Lulu and Milo. We also have a baby coming in spring 2023. I’m a big believer in finding beautiful things at all price points. There are so many places to find affordable things, you just have to look for them. If you don't find it at first, look harder!

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