The right laundry cabinets can turn even the tiniest laundry spot into a calm, streamlined little work zone. I’ve lived with laundry in closets, corners, and one very awkward hallway nook, and smart cabinetry is always what makes it feel intentional. Sink Base Cabinet With Smart Inserts Turn your under-sink laundry cabinet into a spill-proof zone with trays + slim bins. A sink base cabinet can be way more functional if you add simple bins…
A bathroom closet can go from “fine” to full-on chaos in about a week, especially in a small space. These ideas are the exact tricks I’ve used in my own tiny apartments to keep everything easy to find and actually pretty to look at. Create a Grab-and-Go First Aid Bin A bright, labeled first-aid bin keeps your bathroom closet calm—and emergencies totally grab-and-go. I keep a bright, clearly labeled first aid bin in my bathroom…
A great closet isn’t about having more space—it’s about having a smarter system that fits your real life. Mix Hanging, Shelves, and Drawers Combo closet wall: short-hang, open shelves + slim drawers for tidy small-space storage. My go-to custom closet idea is a “combo wall” with short-hang, a few open shelves, and a slim drawer stack so every item type has a home. I used to do all-hanging space, and it made my sweaters and…
If your mirrored closet doors feel a little dated, an overlay is my favorite “big impact, small-space-friendly” fix. I’ve used these tricks in my own tiny apartments to make builder-basic mirrors look custom without giving up that light-bouncing magic. Frosted Film Under an Overlay Frosted film under a simple wood overlay: soft glow, less mirror glare, still bright. Layering frosted film under a simple overlay pattern is my favorite combo for soft light and less…
Small closets can feel like a game of storage Tetris, especially in apartments. Slide In a Narrow Shelf Tower A slim shelf tower adds instant compartments to a reach-in closet—clean, calm, and no remodel. I’ve tucked a slim shelf unit into the center of a reach-in closet to create a “spine” for folded clothes and bins. It’s such a clean way to add compartmentalization without needing a full remodel. Explore these options: Tall Narrow Bookshelf:…
Decorating built-in shelves is one of my favorite small-space tricks because it gives you storage and a “designed” focal point in the same footprint. Paint the Back Panels for Depth Paint built-in shelf backs a deep shade for instant depth, contrast, and designer-level drama. Painting the backs of built-in shelves a deeper shade is my favorite “designer” trick for instant drama. I tried it once in a small living room and the shelves suddenly looked…
When you place floating shelves in the right spot, they do so much more than hold stuff—they make a small room feel intentional and styled. Stacked Vertically to Use Wall Height Stack floating shelves vertically to lift the room—tidy spacing, warm wood, airy styling. When a room feels short, I stack floating shelves vertically to pull the eye upward—this trick saved my studio from feeling boxy. I keep the spacing consistent so it reads tidy,…
Turning a basic closet into a pantry is one of my favorite small-space upgrades because it instantly clears your counters and calms the kitchen chaos. I’ve done this in multiple tiny apartments, and the right setup makes even a shallow reach-in feel roomy and intentional. Create Simple Pantry Zones A simple “Snacks” basket creates a kid-eye-level pantry zone and prevents duplicate buys. I always set up pantry zones like baking, breakfast, snacks, and dinner helpers…
Kids grow fast, and their closets somehow get messy even faster. In my small-space home and with my clients, I’ve found a kids closet stays calm when it’s easy to reach, easy to reset, and built to change with them. Add a Center Shelf Tower Center shelf tower turns a narrow kids closet into two tidy zones for folds and bins. A center shelf tower (shelves or a slim drawer stack) gives the closet a…
Sleeping bags are awkwardly bulky, and in a small home they can take over a whole closet shelf in a heartbeat. I’ve tried just about every method in my tiny apartments, and the best ones keep your bag lofted (not squished) while stealing back precious space. Hang It Inside a Garment Bag Keep your sleeping bag dust-free: hang it in a breathable garment bag for a tidy small closet. When I was battling dust in…
