Pretty and Practical: Simple Storage Ideas for Any Space -

Learn how to incorporate beautiful, creative, and simple storage solutions that elevate both form and function in your home.

Are you tired of cluttered and disorganized spaces in your home, but feel overwhelmed by the thought of tackling it all? Don’t worry, because I’ve got you covered with simple storage solutions you can use in any room in your house.

In this article, I’ll be sharing some clever and stylish storage solutions from personal experience that are perfect for any home, no matter how big or small.

From using pretty containers for catch-all items to making use of underutilized spaces with hidden storage hacks you may be surprised at how many things you already have that can be used for pretty storage and find new ways to keep clutter at bay.

Beautiful and Simple Storage Solutions for the Home

I mentioned personal experience above because after living in 6 rentals and 2 older homes in the past 12 years, I’ve dealt with many challenges of older homes and rentals that are notorious for having small closets, cabinets, and sometimes minimal square footage.

Finding a home for all of our belongings was difficult at first but I learned that I consistently fell back on using the same beautiful storage solutions over and over again that were easy to work with.

The right storage solutions can transform your messy home into a beautifully tidy haven and make your life so much easier! So let’s maximize space in every room of your house with these tips.

1. Pretty Containers for Catch-Alls

Small items like keys, jewelry, and pens can quickly clutter up your surfaces. Instead of letting them pile up, use pretty containers to corral them. You can use small bowls, trays, or decorative boxes to keep these items organized and add a touch of style to your home.

Take note of where everyday clutter piles up on a surface. Add a container so that the item(s) has a “home”. If you have multiple spots where something is showing up, for instance, mail, decide on one area to collect it and place your decorative container there. No floor space? Try a hanging basket or small shelf!

Here are other storage ideas for everyday items. A jewelry or wood box to hide remotes. Decorative tin boxes work great to hold craft or school supplies. During the school year, a large basket by the front door is a life savior for containing backpacks, library books, and other things that come in and out of the house on a daily bases if you don’t have a mudroom or designated storage wall/furniture.

Keeping these things in close reach but hidden in plain site will help keep the space clean and clutter-free.

A beautifully styled coffee table in an eclectic living room shows stylish storage solution for television remote. — Stylish Storage for TV and Gaming Remotes

A wooden box holds and hids a tv remote next to a stack of coffee table books with a koi fish and candles. — Decorative Box for TV Remote

2. Hidden Storage Hacks

Underutilized spaces like the back of doors, under beds, and inside cabinet doors can be valuable storage areas. These spaces are hidden but are great for staying organized and clutter-free.

Use door hooks for scarves and bags in the coat closet, extra storage for towels and robes in the bathroom, and behind closet doors to hang your outfit for the day or clothes that need mending or to go to the dry cleaners.

A bright and white foyer features a gallery wall, walnut chest with a tray and dish for storage, a money plant in a basket, and a decorative hook on the coat closet for handbags and accessories. — Cabinet, Tray, Dish, and Hooks Provide Decorative Storage in the Foyer

Little racks and shelves behind closet doors, when the space is available, will help keep your smaller items organized and ready to use.

Shallow baskets and decorative bins for under the bed can be used with or without a bed skirt and still look aesthetically pleasing and keep out of season or extra storage out of the way.

3. Storage on Shelves

Shelves are a great way to organize and display items in your home, but they can also easily become cluttered. Here are some tips for organizing shelves effectively.

Use baskets or bins to group similar items and incorporate decorating accessories to break up the monotony. Use a similar scale and quantity on each shelf to keep it looking cohesive and in harmony.

A small piece of luggage, vintage picnic basket, trays, and large bowls are good options and sit nicely on bookcases and open shelving.

A gold and wooden bar cart is in the foyer with a spider plant in a chinoiserie bowl on top and large picnic basket for hidden storage on the bottom shelf. — Picnic Basket Adds Extra Storage

Try something that isn’t traditionally used for storage. Anything that you have that looks nice and can hold things is fair game, especially pottery, vases, and decorative bowls.

An asian eterge is full of eclectic and holiday decor with books, plants, and decorating accessories, and folded linens, and blaskets and dishes for hidden storage. — Eclectic and Curated Bookshelf with Dishes and Baskets for Extra Hidden Storage

4. Storage Under Furniture

Just like hidden storage hacks, utilizing the space under your furniture can be a great way to maximize storage in your home. We usually just think of under beds but there may be many other options ready for use in your home right now!

A narrow and tall carved tv stand with an opening at the top holds a small brown leather suitcase for more decorative storage and books. — A Small Leather Suitcase is Decorative and Stores Neckties

Leggy furniture like accent chairs and display cabinets is perfect for stashing items under in decorative containers like a vintage suitcase, trunk, or open bin and the slim profile keeps a small space from looking heavy.

Tuck baskets and bins under leggy chairs or side tables to hold books, DVDs, throw blankets, toys, and pet items. The extra layer adds a fun texture and brings more interest to your furniture and keeps useful items nearby.

A beautiful view of a living room with view of front door showing a piano bench and music cabinet with a vintage trunk underneath for extra storage. — A Vintage Small Trunk is Tucked Underneath a Display Cabinet for Music Storage

A beautiful white foyer with two-toned blue and green hallways has a walnut cabinet with baskets underneath for extra storage. A gallery wall of fine art is above. — A Row of Short Baskets Fits Perfectly Under a Walnut Cabinet for Additional Storage

A small glass top and brass bamboo nesting table has a Japanese writing desk underneath and books and lamp on top. — A Japanese Writing Desk is Underneath a Nesting Table to Hold Belts and Neckties

5. Multifunctional Furniture as Storage Solutions

Furniture that doubles as storage can be a lifesaver in small spaces and provide extra storage for large families.

Use nontraditional furniture for side tables, console tables, and foyer tables. Dressers and chests aren’t just for the bedroom, they can replace your normal tables with lots of extra storage but are still functional as decorative table surfaces. These pieces are great when you are limited on closet space.

A white foyer with a black Asian cabinet, plants, art, and white campaign chest creates a beautiful vignette with simple storage solutions. — Two Small Cabinets in the Foyer Provide Storage for Family Photos and Office Supplies

A vintage desk is placed as a console table for extra storage in the living room with a large basket tucked underneath and a small bamboo chest on top. A large blue and green bird painting is on the wall. — A Desk is Used as a Console Table

Always incorporate pieces of furniture that have multiple functions if you are a renter or move often. If you can sit on it, place a drink on it, and store something in it, it’s a win! My favorite piece is a storage bench that gets used as a coffee table, extra dining room seating, and sometimes tucked under a sofa table and holds DVDs and Blu-rays.

Sofa table with raw edge wood and eclectic decor in a Japanese rental house. A tray holds beach treasures while an upholstered storage bench is tucked underneath with a basket on top for extra storage. A cat is sitting on the bench. — Trays, a Basket and Storage Bench, and Sofa Table

A colorful and eclectic living room view of a grey leather sofa in front of wood shutters and grand piano. A chinoiserie garden stool is used as a sofa table and a grey upholstered storage bench with brass wheels is used as a coffee table. Global pillows and textiles give it a hygge style. — An Upholstered Storage Bench is a Workhorse in a Small Rental

6. Closet Organization and Storage

Closets are notorious for becoming a catch-all for everything from clothes to linens to shoes. Implementing beautiful organization ideas can make getting ready for the day much easier and more pleasant!

Storing smaller items in bins or boxes that can be easily stacked, investing in quality hangers, and grouping items by color or type will instantly make a closet feel pretty and organized.

Larger closets can be of a better use when adding a chest or dresser inside. This is a great option when you can’t afford custom built-ins.

A walk in closet with clothes hanging and a dresser inside for extra storage. — A Tallboy Dresser Provides More Storage in a Walk-in Closet

Label bins, shelves, and drawers for kids to help them stay organized. I love an inexpensive bookshelf in the closet for babies and toddlers when clothes don’t take up that much room!

Labels are used to organized toys in a drawer unit and bins inside a closet for beautiful and simple storage solutions. — Labeled Bins Make Toy Organization a Breeze

A drawer full of neatly folded clothes has labels for organization. — Folded Clothes with Labels in a Drawer

7. How to Make Storage Part of Your Home Decor

An additional note on decorative items, mementos, souvenirs, and small items. Sometimes the items that are cluttering surface space are special objects that you want don’t want to store but are not sure how to display. Especially small things like pictures, postcards, little tchotchkes, and small collections.

Small items look better when corraled on a tray or dish instead of being displayed directly on a large surface.

Protect them from dust and getting handled too much by keeping them in a lidded vase, small box, or glass case.

Whether they are hidden in a decorative container or visible, keep them out on the coffee table or placed on a bookshelf so you can enjoy sharing them with friends and family.

How fun for you and your guests to open a pretty box to find treasures inside. They also make great conversation starters!

Seashells are beautifully displayed and stored in a morrocan tiled tray on top of a sofa table. — Display of Beach Treasures in a Beautiful Tray

A white provincial french dresser is styled with books, trays, and dishes for jewelry storage and has a gallery wall around a wall mounted tv above. — Trays and Books Corral Small Jewelry Dishes and Boxes

I hope you enjoyed exploring some easy and stylish ways to keep your home organized. From using baskets and trays to repurposing everyday items, there are many creative storage solutions that can help you keep clutter at bay without sacrificing style.

Girl's room with bird wallpaper and pink walls. A woven basket trunk is at the foot of the bed for extra toy storage. — Stylish Toy Trunk at the Foot of the Bed

By implementing these ideas, you can create a more functional and aesthetically pleasing space that you’ll love spending time in. Remember, organization doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. With a little creativity and some simple storage solutions, you can transform your home into a more organized and beautiful space.

Q&A Stylish and Simple Storage Solutions

Q: What are some creative ways to use baskets for storage?
A: Baskets can be used to store a variety of items, from blankets and pillows to toys and magazines. You can also use baskets to organize pantry items, like snacks and fruits, or to store bathroom towels and toiletries. To add some style to your storage, consider using decorative baskets in different sizes and shapes.

Q: How can I repurpose everyday items for storage?
A: You can repurpose everyday items in many ways to create storage solutions. For example, you can use a vintage ladder to store blankets, or a wooden crate to organize books or magazines. Another idea is to use mason jars to store small items like makeup brushes or office supplies. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!

Q: What are some space-saving storage solutions for small apartments?
A: For small apartments, it’s important to maximize every inch of space. Look for furniture with built-in storage, such as a bed with drawers or a storage ottoman. You can also use vertical space by installing floating shelves or a hanging organizer. Finally, consider using multi-functional furniture, like a coffee table with hidden storage or a sofa bed.

Q: How can I keep my storage solutions looking stylish?
A: To keep your storage solutions looking stylish, consider using decorative baskets, bins, or boxes that match your home decor. You can also use labels to keep things organized and add a personal touch. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different storage solutions to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look.

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