It doesn't matter how big your home actually is: Over time, any space can start to feel smaller and smaller as you accumulate more stuff. But if you're in a place where you feel more cluttered than comfortable, it might be because you don't know how to properly organize everything. Talking to experts, we gathered some of the best tips that will help make your space feel so much bigger. Read on to discover seven home storage ideas you should try.
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1 | Expand shelving units upwards.
iStockOne of the easiest ways to create more storage in your home is to look for "vertical solutions," according to Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight.
"Horizontal monotony can make a space feel limited," he warns.
To make your home feel bigger instead, Kropovinsky recommends making storage pieces higher than you might be used to.
"Expanding shelving units or bookcases so they almost touch the ceiling can draw the eye upward," he explains. "This not only maximizes storage but also emphasizes room height."
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2 | Utilize your doors.
iStockDon't underestimate the potential of a good door if you're trying to open things up. Mark Buskuhl, founder and CEO of Dallas-based home renovation company Ninebird Properties, says that doors are the "perfect spot for storage," especially when you don't have a lot of extra room to work with.
"Hang over-the-door shoe organizers and towel racks behind bathroom and bedroom doors, [and] install hooks for coats, hats, and other items," Buskuhl advises. "This is an easy way to maximize space without taking up too much square footage."
3 | Use elevated pieces.
iStockIf you want to give the "illusion of more floor space," choose elevated storage pieces, Kropovinsky says. This can include things like wall-mounted desks or floating vanities.
"By revealing more of the floor, our eyes naturally perceive the space as larger," he tells Best Life. "This opens up a homeowner's space visually and physically, making rooms feel airier and less boxed in."
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4 | Mix in mirrored cabinets.
iStockAnother way to add more storage to your home without taking up floor space is by using mirrored cabinets. As Kropovinsky notes, mirrors themselves already "naturally make a space feel larger." But when you combine them with a cabinet, you make them that much more practical.
"Beyond the visual expansion mirrors offer, mirrored cabinets hide away belongings, ensuring a neat and tidy space," he says. "So they provide storage without compromising on the spacious feeling."
5 | Find furniture with built-in storage.
iStockSimilar to mirrored cabinets, there are other pieces you can put in your place that double as storage opportunities.
"Think beds with drawers, ottomans that open up to storage, or coffee tables with compartments," Kropovinsky says. "These pieces are not only functional, but also eliminate the need for additional storage units."
You can easily "streamline the appearance of a room" by finding furniture with built-in storage, according to Kropovinsky.
"This is because they minimize the number of items in view, and therefore reduce visual clutter," he notes.
6 | Or opt for foldable furniture.
ShutterstockIf you can't find furniture with built-in storage that you like or is within your budget, there is another route you can try instead: foldable furniture. These type of pieces can be a "game changer in small spaces," according to Mariusz Baran, owner of UK-based home clearance company We Clear Everything.
He says that he and his team often recommend foldable or retractable furniture as a solution for clients who live in compact places or need a multipurpose room.
"Tables that can be folded down when not in use or beds that can be tucked away can free up valuable floor space," Baran explains. "This flexibility allows homeowners to adapt their space to different needs and activities, making the home feel more expansive and versatile."
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7 | Get creative with your existing storage.
iStockYou don't have to abandon all the storage you already have in your home for new pieces. Danielle Dorn, creative director at home decor company mDesign, tells Best Life that she suggests homeowners "get creative" with the existing closets and cabinets in their space.
"Install shelving systems in your closets and cookware organizers in your cabinets to utilize all of the space in these areas," Dorn says. "This maximizes how many items can be stored within, instead of being left on counters or shelves."
