No matter how big your home is, it always seems there’s more stuff in it than your cupboards and cabinets can accommodate.  Adding pieces of furniture to store our belongings can easily make a space overcrowded and be detrimental to the flow and energy of the room.  Here are some solutions to help you maximise storage space without resorting to extra cupboards or cabinets.

 

#1. PURGE

I know many people want to avoid this step, but I would really urge you to start by examining the contents of your cupboards and cabinets and let go of anything that you don’t need, use, or love so you can make space for what you do need, use, and love.  Streamlining your belongings is the simplest way to maximise your storage space.  Consider engaging the help of a professional if the idea of purging paralyses you.  With the right guidance, all of us can learn to build the confidence to declutter and simplify our lives.

 

#2. STORE LESS FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS OUT OF THE WAY

Keep all the items that you don’t frequently use in places that are less accessible and reserve prime estate i.e., any storage space within eye level and accessible without the use of a ladder or without having to bend too much to reach items you frequently use.  Infrequently used items include out-of-season clothes, ski gear, holiday decorations, special occasions tableware, etc., and should be stored in the storeroom, on the higher shelves in your cupboards and cabinets, or in under-the-bed storage boxes.

Avoid resorting to external self-storage facilities though, except for valuable possessions such as antiques.  Otherwise, like many, you might end up paying thousands of dollars in storage fees for stuff that you will quickly forget about and won’t be interested to keep when you’ll get a chance to see it in a few months or years’ time.

 

#3. USE THE VERTICAL SURFACES

Using a wall, a room door, a cabinet door, or a fridge door is a great way to maximise storage space when the cupboards are full.

… Add shelves that can be mounted on the wall.  If you rent your home and don’t want to drill a hole in the wall, opt for a free-standing or suction option.

… Spices can be stored in magnetic jars that will attach to a flat metal surface, including a refrigerator door.

… Plastic carriers can be contained in a hanging organiser on the back of a kitchen cabinet door.

… Over the door hangers can be added over your bedroom door to store your bags’ collection.

… Pocket organisers can be placed at the back of a door to store small items, such as kids’ toys or even shoes.

 

#4. MAKE USE OF THE ENTIRE HEIGHT OF YOUR CABINETS AND CUPBOARDS

If you’re not utilising the whole height of a cabinet or cupboard, here’s what you can do so you can maximise that storage space.

… Add a second rod under the main rod in your wardrobe to double the hanging capacity.  This works well if you don’t have a lot of long dresses, but more separate tops and bottoms.

… And a shelf on the whole width of your cabinet or cupboard.  You don’t even have to drill a hole if you don’t want to.

… Alternatively, add a rack.

… Use under the shelf basket.

… Use multi-tier lazy Susans.

… Use stackable organising products.  In the absence of a front opening, it will increase the number of steps to access the contents, but it will certainly maximise storage space.

… Baskets that can slide out will make things more easily accessible.

 

#5. CONTAINERISE

Keeping items in containers, boxes or baskets will keep items, in particular small ones, from spreading and taking more space on a countertop, in a drawer, or on a shelf.  It will also make your space look tidier and easier to clean.

… In the bathroom, cups can be used to keep toothbrushes and toothpaste, comb and hairbrush, make-up brushes and mascara, etc.

… Magazine holders can be used to keep long items vertical.  For example, pasta boxes, kitchen paper, etc.

 

#6. SLIM THINGS DOWN

… A lot of people like wooden hangers in their wardrobes.  They look beautiful and sturdy, but they also take up space.  Consider using thinner hangers if you have a lot of clothes.  Avoid metal hangers at all costs as they get easily entangled.

… You can also use multi-tier hangers, but the reality is that people often end up using the item at the top of the hangers and forget about the others.

… A vacuum bag will save a lot of space.  Use it for items you don’t use frequently.

 

The list above doesn’t pretend to be comprehensive, but I hope it will help you identify spaces that are currently underutilised in your home and maximise storage space.  Also, some of these options might not be aesthetically pleasing to you so it’s for you to decide the right balance between functionality and aesthetics.  I’d love to read whether you have other options to recommend in the comments section below.