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31 Products That’ll Help You Maximize Your Space If You’re SO OVER Living In A Tiny Apartment

Your decor could be working harder.

Posted 21 hours ago

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by Colin Gorenstein BuzzFeed Contributor

I am a contributing writer based in Brooklyn who previously held roles at BuzzFeed including Commerce Writer, Senior Entertainment Partnership Manager (Streaming Lead), and Streaming Editor.

1. A clever extendable dining table for anyone who wants their dining area to work a little harder. It goes from a compact 43-inch table to nearly 59 inches when you need extra room, seating up to six — and the extension leaf hides right underneath when you're not using it. The real star of the show, though, is the eight storage compartments built right into the base. 

Wayfair

Promising review: "It's a very pretty table and great for apartments because you save on space." —Anonymous

Get it from Wayfair for $242.99. 

2. A stunning wood coat rack that will sure beat the "pile of wet coats on the bed" move when you have guests over. And better yet? You won't even need to take up floor space with a freestanding option — this wall-mounted alternative is what we call functional art. 

AllModern

Promising review: "Great alternative to a [freestanding] coat rack! Looks like a little art piece under our mirror. We put a bench underneath so people can leave their purses or other things at the door and hang their coats on the rack. Lots of compliments on it." —Julie 

Get it from AllModern for $55 (available in two colors).

3. A magnetic organization rack, for when you've run out of cabinet/counter space but still need a spot for your paper towels and other kitchen miscellanea. Your empty fridge surface is right there!

Amazon

Promising review: "If you have a small kitchen and an exposed side to your fridge, this thing is a godsend. Perfect for paper towels, hanging up hot pads, stacking a few bottles of this and that (for me the cleaner that goes with the papertowels). Keeps a lot of miscellany out of the way. Sturdily built with great magnets and looks nice. I consider it a great buy!" —JenniferDG

Get it from Amazon for $65.

4. A wall-mounted, drop-leaf table that can be used as a desk or bistro table — and conveniently folded away when you're done using it. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The perfect little table for a small space. I needed something for our tiny office/living room/guest room. This made the space so much more versatile without taking up valuable square footage. Easily folds when not in use, simple to put together." —M. Lincoln

Get it from Amazon for $51.99+ (available in black and white).

5. A classy jewelry armoire working overtime as a full-body mirror that you can hang on your door *or* wall. With earring slots, ring holders, necklace and bracelet hooks, and several shelves, there's a designated home for practically everything.

Amazon

Promising review: "Three years I struggled to find storage for jewelry. This is absolutely perfect because you can see everything as soon as you open it. Great space saver as well." —Buckeye

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in five colors).

6. A colorful nesting mixing bowl set made of plant-based material that'll make meal prep feel a whole lot more organized — especially if you're working with a tiny kitchen. This set comes with five bowls in different sizes, from 1/2 quart all the way up to 5 quarts. Beats having five bulky bowls taking up half a cabinet!

Amazon

Promising reviews: "I've had these mixing bowls for almost a month now and I am absolutely in love with them. I use them almost every day. I love the matte feel, which makes them very easy to use and I don't lose my grip when mixing. Plus they look great sitting on my kitchen counter. Definitely recommend!" —MSReviews00

Get a set of five from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two color options). 

7. A bamboo tilt-out laundry hamper if you're in need of a laundry-day multitasker in your cramped space. But...ideally not *instead* of actual furniture? This hidden laundry storage looks and acts as furniture while keeping your laundry tucked neatly out of sight. The removable basket, meanwhile, will make it easy to grab everything and carry it straight to the washing machine.

www.amazon.com

It comes with a removable liner for the hamper that can be easily lifted out and wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Promising review: "Straightforward assembly and a beautiful product, I was really happy. This looks perfect in a small bathroom and hides the unsightly laundry pile nicely. I keep makeup on top and extra toilet paper in the middle, with plenty of space. The bamboo is nice and water resistant too, so it deals well with humidity." —AJohns

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes and with beige or green bags).

8. A coffee table with four ottomans that'll tuck neatly underneath the table when they're not in use, so you can keep extra seating on hand without crowding your floor. The cherry on top: The ottomans double as storage. Each one has 21.5 liters of hidden space for stashing all the random living-room clutter. Your guests don't even need to know they're sitting on a stash of Con Edison bills.

Wayfair

Get it from Wayfair for $360 (originally $430).

9. A minimalistic leaning ladder you can use to tastefully display all your beautiful and comfy throws, blankets, and accessories while taking advantage of your vertical space. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I'm one of those 'I wore it once, and it's not ready to wash yet' people. This ladder is perfect for draping shirts instead of putting them in a pile. Such a simple idea. At first, it was awkward assembling it until I figured out to attach all the rungs on one side first; do not try to do one rung at a time on both sides. It's lightweight and has good soft tips at the top and bottom. I love the black and the wooden rung at the top." —amazed

Get it from Amazon for $88 (available in white and black).

10. Acoffee table with a lift-top designso you can easily pivot from leisure to working on your laptop. Bonus: There's a large hidden compartment beneath the tabletop, perfect for stowing away your board games, laptop, or the numerous remote controls cluttering your tabletop.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Took about 1.5 hours to put together alone, but I was also multitasking — this is a really great and functional table BUT also doesn’t break the bank!! I got this to serve as both a desk and coffee table for my small studio apartment, and couldn’t be happier. If you’re even considering it, buy it. It’s worth it and has some solid storage space too." —Joana Kyle

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

11. A wooden pegboard with built-in shelves you can customize to display all your odds and ends that are currently without a home.

Amazon

Promising review: "I love the modular ability to be able to arrange it the way I need and make adjustments over time if need be. Will be using it to hold extra dog collars and leashes. Will be using by my back door for assorted items. Item is very well made, and the pegs seem to be very durable and look like they will last me a lifetime." — Kadee Pendleton

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in 11 styles and finishes).

12. A wooden storage platform bed, because maybe you're ready to *finally* put all your storage-related qualms to rest this year.

Amazon

Promising review: "I love this bed, I love this bed, I love it!!! This bed is not only beautifully designed, but it is solid and sturdy. Ample room for storage, like an incredible amount of storage. Doesn't make noise or creak, I just love it!! The only note I will make to future buyers is that if you are not mechanically inclined, make sure you have someone help you who is. The seller does offer wonderful customer support, instructions, and videos for assembly. Be sure to read and follow the instructions, and you will have no trouble and will have completed it in 3–4 hours. Other than that, best purchase I've made for myself and will have for years to come!" —Jenni C.

Get it from Amazon for $609+ (available in sizes twin–king and three colors).

13. Or some under-the-bed bamboo rolling storage boxes so you can make do with the bed frame you already have and invest in some that look just as stylish.

Amazon

Promising review: "Each container is spacious enough to hold a variety of items, from clothing and linens to toys and seasonal gear. The open design of the containers allows for efficient organization and easy visibility of contents. This is ideal for keeping your underbed space clutter-free and ensures that you can quickly find what you need without digging through piles." —Ally HL

Get two from Amazon for $54.99 (available in three colors).

14. A shelving system that will teach you to stop cutting corners and utilize your room's corners instead!

Amazon

Promising review: "I put a set of three of those shelves in my small half bath. I was able to get rid of floor-standing shelving. I like how it frees the floor and opens up the space." —IWTBH

Get it from Amazon for $17.94+ (available six sizes, three colors, and individually or as a set of two and three).

15. A slim storage cart with locking wheels that you can easily sneak into that weirdly narrow gap in your kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom that has been doing nothing for you except collecting dust, hair, and crumbs.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This has been a game-changer for my laundry room organization. Its sleek design fits perfectly in tight spaces, maximizing storage without taking up much room. The four tiers provide ample space for all my supplies, keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible. The mobility of this cart is a huge plus, allowing me to move it as needed effortlessly. Highly recommend for anyone looking to tidy up their laundry room or bathroom!" —jayden

Get it from Amazon for$32.49+ (available in four colors).

16. A brilliant sofa arm tray table made of ash wood and plywood, if you'd rather skip a bulky side table and use what you've already got. The slim, foldable design gives you a convenient surface without taking up any additional floor space, while the soft non-slip backing helps keep it securely in place. 

Ewart Woods / Etsy

Ewart Woods is a small business that creates handmade organization and storage solutions that blend into your home decor.

Promising review: "The sofa arm table is gorgeous; the color is great and fits perfectly on my sofa! The build quality is also great and seems to be durable. Definitely recommend." —Aubrey

Get it from Ewart Woods on Etsy for $55.74 (originally $61.55; available in three styles and 10 colors).

17. A multifunctional flip-top side table that'll make living in a tight space much more bearable with its genius additional storage. It also has two outlets and two USB ports for convenient charging while endlessly scrolling.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "It's a great side table with ample storage. Great for organizing bedside stuff. It was easy to assemble as well. Good buy!" —SM

"This only took me 25–30 minutes to assemble (I had the help of a 4-year-old and a cat, so it could’ve taken a lot less time). Everything was labeled to make it easy and quick to put together. It’s a super cute table and has two charging ports and two power outlets. No more need for power strips and cords everywhere! Awesome buy!!" —Concrete Mommy

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in six colors).

18. Or a side table with a built-in lamp, shelf, *and* two USB ports, because maybe you want to kill three birds with one stone. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Brightech is a California-based small business that specializes in home lighting. 

Promising review: "I have been ordering A LOT of inexpensive furniture items since I moved into a small apartment from a large home and THIS piece by far was the easiest to assemble! It works perfectly in my space. The bulb comes with it and it’s nice and bright. I was skeptical about how the shade would be put together but it was easy and great as well. They even provide nice clips to attach to the back so the chord is running along the leg. VERY happy with this purchase!" —Yvonne A.

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in brown and black styles).

19. A geometricfloating nightstand that'll free up some floor space while adding a contemporary pattern and some optical-illusion-style flair to your bedroom.

Amazon

Promising reviews: "Beautiful product and easy to assemble. It's small but worth every cent." —vivi

"Very sturdy, very cute. Gives a great pop of color!" —Kristin Baxter

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

20. A folding portable table you can configure to your various needs — whether that's fully extended to accommodate a four-person dinner or a work station, or half extended for a bar setup or side table.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So happy with this table. It’s larger than I had anticipated, which is great. Takes some time to assemble but it's totally worth it. In an NYC apartment, everyone appreciates furniture that can fold up and be neatly tucked away in a corner. It also arrived two weeks early which was great!" —Amber Martin

Get it from Amazon for $79.99.

21. An underwear and sock divider insert because there's nothing more luxurious than meticulously folding and organizing the (neglected) supporting players of your wardrobe. If you're short on drawer space, the foldable design is a total game changer.

Amazon

Promising review: "I got this organizer for my daughter's drawers. I was so tired of putting her clothes away and barely closing the drawer because she had so much stuff packed into it. These organizers fit in her drawers perfectly. They came ready to go. All I had to do was zip the bottom to make it stable and put it in the drawer. I used one in her underwear drawer and the drawer looks so wonderful and organized. The compartments are a good size. I was able to get two pairs of underwear into most of the compartments. This is a sturdy organizer and a well-made product." —Kari and Kevin

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99.

22. A slim, two-tier rolling shoe rack that'll fit under tiny spaces — a much more efficient system than flinging your shoes off at the door or giving up valuable entryway real estate to a bulky shoe cabinet.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I really love this brand so I purchased several of these to use in my closet. I like how the front panel conceals the shoes and the mobility of the casters. It's almost like having a pull out drawers for your shoes! This provides a streamlined way of eliminating shoe clutter. I would also use one by the entrance door.

The material is a good quality powder coated steel (it's NOT made of plastic). Assembly was a little tricky for me as the instructions are in Japanese and I was initially confused as how to position the front panel. (TIP: The side components go outside of the front panel, not inside.)

While the rack fits larger shoes (my hubby wears a men's size 12), it won't be able to accommodate as many. For example, I can fit 6-8 pairs of my shoes in each rack (I wear a woman's size 8), but only 4 pairs of his. —Nurse Box

Get it from Amazon for $84.50.

23. Or: an over-the-door shoe rack that doesn't look terrible while hanging from your door — a good alternative for those averse to the flimsy accordion-style options (or using the floor).

Amazon

Promising review: "I live in a teeny tiny apartment, and I have struggled with finding a place for my shoes, especially since I like to take them off as soon as I get home so that I don't track the outside soot and tree sap into my home. I saw great reviews of this item on BuzzFeed and, while skeptical, I ordered it, and it lives up to the hype. I was able to assemble it in about 20 minutes alone in very tight quarters. This will help me to see all of my shoes at a glance before I leave the house. I simply hooked the rack over my door and found that it is extremely stable without the use of mounting hardware. In case you do need to mount this to a wall, the kit comes with screws and drywall anchors. I love when a company wants their product to actually be useful right out of the box for all situations." —Jenny E

Get it from Amazon for $33.80+ (available in six colors and in an accessory version).

24. A bamboo countertop corner shelf so you can finally take advantage of that perfectly good vertical space. Display some of your most-reached-for cooking supplies or aesthetically pleasing trinkets.

Ikea

Promising review: "Sturdy, looks nice, and fits perfectly between my countertop and cupboard. Fills in that dingy corner between the fridge and stove that never had anything but bottles and spice jars that I used to much to justify storing. Now not only are they properly in/on a thing, but more accessible, using the vertical space to increase free counter space AND letting the goods cover that gap beside the fridge." —Nick

Get it from Ikea for $24.99.

25. A glass rack holder that'll utilize the undersides of your cabinets to maximize storage space. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My cabinets are designed very weirdly, and don't allow a lot of storage, so I was looking for an option for our wine glasses, and this was perfect! It makes our kitchen look fancy and utilizes some empty space between my counter and cabinets. It's super easy to install, just be sure where you want to put them. After a few months with them, I wish I had thought out my placement away from our plugs!" —Lexy Gonzales

Get it from Amazon for $12.87+ (available in one-rail or three-rail styles).

26. A high-rise organizer for your medicine cabinet because figuring out how to stack on top of narrow shelves can be a nightmare.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My medicine cabinet looks so neat with these organizers! The quality of plastic is good; the compartment size is convenient. I bought a few different sizes and found use for all of them. Highly recommended." —ZK

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

27. A fitness equipment storage rack if you're the type of person who likes to do your stretches, foam rolling, and yoga from the comfort of your bedroom. At just 9.45 inches wide, it's a match made in heaven for small spaces with a bit of empty vertical space.  

Nordstrom

Promising review: "I bought this to handle the storage of yoga mats and keep them from rolling away. It does it well. Very easy to assemble and is perfect for the use. Fits nicely out of the way. It's a good piece." —Steve

Get it from Nordstrom for $68 (available in black and white).

28. A compact wall-mounted ladder-style bookshelf with shallow shelves (they're only 5.9 inches deep) that'll take advantage of all that wasted vertical space without hogging the whole wall. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased this bookshelf three years ago. It's durable, easy to clean, and offers a minimalist design that maximizes space while holding a substantial amount of items. Each shelf holds up to 50 pounds, making it a reliable storage solution. I am very pleased with my purchase." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $147.99+ (also available in six colors/styles).

29. A space-saving two-level desk you'll be relieved to learn folds down to just 1.5 inches thick. When you're done burning the midnight oil, you can easily tuck it away under your bed or couch.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I live in a studio apartment and work at home sometimes, so I needed a desk that could fold up behind my couch. It was bigger than expected but still fit perfectly. It is easy to move and is very nice and adds a classy, smart feel to a room. Would recommend for someone with small space who needs to fold up for room." —Faith Miletello

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

30. A children's nookthat's a bookshelf, toy organizer, and mini reading bench all rolled into one. Its compact design makes it especially handy for bedrooms, playrooms, and nurseries where every bit of floor space matters.

Amazon

Promising review: "My 2-year-old loves her new bookcase! It took me forever to find a bookcase that was short enough to fit under her window. The cute seat is an extra bonus. It took a little bit of time to assemble, but it's totally doable." —Sarah

Get it from Amazon for $83.99+ (available in espresso or modern white).

31. A super-slim bathroom storage cabinet that, at just 6 inches wide and a little over 6 inches deep, can squeeze into those awkward gaps. Plus, its two doors and shelves give you a designated spot for toilet paper and other essentials.

Amazon, Amazon

This is waterproof, so reviewers use it in the bathroom and kitchen, too!

Promising review: "This little shelf is great for its price point and size. I had a small, awkward corner in my bathroom where I wanted to add a little storage. This shelf unit fits perfectly in the space, was very easy to assemble, and the price did not break the bank. I have had this for about a year, and it is sturdy and still in great shape." —L. Beach

Get it from Amazon for $24.48+ (available in black and white).

Want even more home upgrade inspiration? We're here to help:

* Products That’ll Help Disappear Home Eyesores So Well, Your Space Will Feel Totally Refreshed

* Things That’ll Help You Make All Kinds of Home Upgrades You Thought Were Too Difficult to Try/Out of Your Realm of Possibility

* Quick Home DIYs You Can Pull Off, Even If You Couldn’t Pick A Screwdriver Out Of A Lineup

* If Your Home Is In Desperate Need Of A Glowup, Here Are 75 Easy Upgrades

* $20-And-Under Finds That Can Completely Transform Your Space

Plus, finds from Walmart, Wayfair, and World Market.

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Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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