Last updated on April 26th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Renters and apartment hunters in large US cities face unique challenges, chief among them being the increasingly smaller housing units. That’s right; square footage continues to shrink despite soaring rent prices.
A tiny apartment means an even smaller bedroom, which can be challenging particularly around storing clothes and other items. Since the bed takes up most of the space, there’s not enough room for the rest of your stuff.
When you live in a small apartment, learning to make the most of the little space you do have is of utmost importance. Here are some clever clothing storage ideas for small bedrooms to help you better utilize your space.
How to Store Clothes without a Closet or Dresser
Finding the perfect apartment in a big city is an impossible task. There’s always some sort of compromise to be made. Sometimes, desperate renters have to settle for an apartment without a closet or dresser.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live in an avalanche pile of clutter or throw away all your clothes. Check out the ideas below for how to store clothes without a closet or dresser.
External wardrobe
A closet doesn’t have to be fitted or built-in; an external wardrobe is the ideal closet alternative for a bedroom without a closet or dresser. These classic pieces of furniture come with everything you need in a closet, including hanging bars, shelves or drawers, and sometimes even a mirror.
Floating shelves
When it comes to storage, the floating shelf is the most versatile option for people with limited space. Floating shelves work for your clothes, too. A floating shelf is ideal for keeping a set of folded clothes if a closet or external wardrobe is out of the question.
Clothing rack
A clothing rack can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a closet or dresser. You can use it to hang your clothes, and it doesn’t take up much room. A freestanding clothing rack is sort of an exposed wardrobe, which will force you to be even tidier.
A repurposed bookcase
Another great way to create storage space for your clothes where there’s none is to repurpose a bookcase. When placed strategically, a bookcase can serve the function of a closet flawlessly. Simply fold your clothes and organize them on the shelves.
Storage for Small Bedroom without Closet
If your bedroom is too small for an external wardrobe or any of the options outlined in the previous section, you’ll have to be even more creative when finding storage space for your clothes. Here are a few clever storage ideas for a small bedroom without a closet.
Under the bed storage
The space under the bed is often overlooked, but it can be an excellent storage solution if your apartment doesn’t have a closet. You can use containers, cubbies, and bins to store your clothes under the bed.
Behind the bed storage
For an even more creative solution, you utilize the space behind the bed by turning your headboard into a closet. Rather than using a decorative headboard, invest in one with a freestanding clothing rack or a hatch behind.
Corner spaces
You can also turn any of the corners in your bedroom into an improvised closet. Use a corner hanging bar — or two, one above the other — to transform unused corner space into a hanging space for your clothes. These bars can hold up to 45 pounds.
Entry
With some ingenuity and purposeful placement, you can transform the dedicated entryway in your small apartment into a storage space. For instance, you can use renter-friendly command hooks to hang everyday items such as hats, purses, and keys.
Clothing Storage Ideas for Small Closets
If you are lucky enough to find an apartment with a fitted closet, chances are the wardrobe is too small to accommodate all your clothes and other belongings. You’ll need to create storage space for items that don’t fit into the tiny wardrobe.
Here are some creative clothing storage ideas for small closets.
Hall trees
A hall tree is a perfect way to create extra storage space in your entryway or hallway. These versatile pieces of furniture combine multiple functions, holding hats, bags, coats, and other clothing items. These compact, all-in-one storage solutions are available in all sizes.
Pegboards
Like hall trees, pegboards are a brilliant way to take advantage of unused spaces on walls and back of doors. Here, you can store items such as coats, hats, totes, and anything else you need on your way out.
Hanging rods
When it comes to creating storage where there’s none, hanging rods can be a valuable addition to your space. If you are extremely short on space, install under-shelf hanging rods to take advantage of the space under your floating shelves.
Clothing Storage Ideas for Studio Apartments
Studio apartments are generally smaller than their one-bedroom counterparts, with minimalist interiors, slimmed-down features, and less storage space. Use these clothing storage ideas for studio apartments to create more space.
Room divider with built-in storage
If you live in a studio apartment, the first thing you need to do is to create separate zones in your space. Instead of traditional options, consider using room dividers with built-in storage — such as an open-backed bookshelf or a cubed shelving unit — to separate the room.
Utilize vertical space
Get the most out of your small space by utilizing your vertical space in your studio apartment. You can use floating shelves, tacky hooks, hall trees, et cetera to take advantage of the space on the walls and areas above.
Multipurpose furniture
If you are short on space, invest in multipurpose furniture with concealed storage. When it comes to furniture pieces with built-in storage, you have numerous options. For instance, consider an ottoman with built-in storage or a TV stand with concealed storage for unsightly items.
Make the Most of Your Small Bedroom
It’d be nice to have a bedroom large enough to accommodate a walk-in closet, but that isn’t a reality for most city dwellers. But with a little creativity, you can make even the tiniest of living spaces work for your needs. You’re welcome to use our clothing storage ideas for small bedrooms for inspiration.