In small apartments, floor space is precious. But most spaces have unused vertical real estate—walls, the space above furniture, inside closets and cabinets. Going vertical is one of the most effective ways to increase storage without making rooms feel cramped.
Wall-Mounted Storage
Floating Shelves
Simple and versatile, floating shelves work in almost any room:
- Above desks: Books, supplies, decorative items
- In kitchens: Spices, frequently used items, cookbooks
- In bathrooms: Toiletries, towels, décor
- Beside beds: Replace nightstands in tight spaces
Pegboard Systems
Pegboards offer flexible, reconfigurable storage:
- Home offices for supplies
- Kitchens for utensils and tools
- Craft areas for supplies
- Entryways for keys and small items
Wall-Mounted Organizers
- Mail organizers near the door
- Magnetic strips for knives, keys, or spices
- Wall-mounted file holders for papers
- Jewelry organizers in bedrooms
Using Height in Furniture
Tall Bookcases
Choose bookcases that reach near the ceiling:
- Use top shelves for rarely-accessed items
- Keep a small step stool accessible
- Anchor tall units to the wall for safety
Above-Furniture Storage
The space above low furniture is often wasted:
- Shelves above the toilet
- Cabinets above the refrigerator
- Shelving above desks
- Storage above the washer/dryer
Bed Risers and Loft Space
Raising your bed creates storage underneath:
- Bed risers add 5-8 inches of clearance
- Loft beds free entire floor areas
- Use under-bed space for bins, drawers, or luggage
Inside Closets and Cabinets
Double-Hang Rods
Most closets have wasted vertical space below clothes:
- Add a second rod below for shorter items
- Use hanging shelves for folded items
- Hang a shoe organizer on the door
Shelf Risers
In cabinets with tall shelves:
- Shelf risers double capacity for dishes and cans
- Stackable bins use full height
- Under-shelf baskets add storage
Over-Door Organizers
The back of doors is prime real estate:
- Pantry doors: Spices, wraps, small items
- Bathroom doors: Toiletries, cleaning supplies
- Closet doors: Shoes, accessories, belts
- Bedroom doors: Jewelry, scarves, bags
Hooks: Simple but Powerful
Hooks are the simplest vertical storage:
- Command hooks: Renter-friendly, removable
- Rail systems: Kitchen utensils, entry items
- Pegboard hooks: Reconfigurable
- Behind-door hooks: Robes, bags, towels
Where Hooks Work Well
- Inside cabinet doors
- On closet walls (not just the rod area)
- Behind bedroom doors
- Under wall-mounted shelves
- On the sides of cabinets
For Renters
If you can't drill holes:
- Command strips and hooks: Support surprising weight
- Tension rods: Create shelving without holes
- Leaning shelves: Rest against the wall
- Over-door options: No installation needed
- Freestanding units: Tall but don't attach
See our renter-friendly organization guide for more options.
The "Look Up" Rule
Walk through your apartment and look up in every room. Above doors, above windows, above furniture—there's almost always unused vertical space you could utilize.