Top home storage ideas for renters

Packing everything you own into a single space is no mean feat. It’s especially hard to think of new and creative ways to maximise storage space when you’re renting your home, as the same options aren’t always available. To help, we’ve created this handy guide to storage ideas for renters. 

Jump to:
Utilise those awkward spaces 
Divide spaces with storage solutions 
Use shelves for depth 
Select a statement piece 
Get tables with built in storage 
Baskets are your friend 
Stack them high, collapse them down 
Make the most of your windowsills 
Utilise your wardrobe doors 
Storage solutions in beds 

Utilise those awkward spaces 

Your home has more space than you may think; it’s just hiding from you!  

There are plenty of precious voids around your home that you can use if you know where to look. Gaps above wardrobes and cupboards can permanently house storage boxes and storage, and the higher your ceilings, the more room you have to play with.   

If you’re not blessed with tall walls, don’t worry; the space under beds and sofas can also be utilised to make more space in your home. You can even invest in more aesthetically pleasing trunks or baskets to hold extra items you want close to hand. That way, you can have the convenience while making a design statement.   

Divide spaces with storage solutions  

In many homes now, a single space needs to provide multiple purposes. Whether you have a bedroom-turned-home office, a kitchen /diner/ living room, or live within a studio flat, using storage is a brilliant way to create the illusion of a divide in space while adding to the practicality of your home.   

A freestanding, open-backed shelving unit (like this GoodHome Mixxit White Freestanding 6-shelf Rectangular Shelving unit) can be a fantastic way to divide a space without preventing the flow of light, making your space feel airier while providing much-needed storage too.   

Alternatively, positioning a solid cupboard (like this IDÅSEN High cabinet with drawers and doors) as a room divider can give your space the structure it lacks. You can use the back as a wall by painting it or hanging pictures from it. This can be especially useful if you cannot hang artwork on the walls as part of your tenancy agreement.   

Use shelves for depth  

Floating shelves can make a room feel more spacious by housing all your knick-knacks without taking up the floor space a traditional bookshelf unit would.  

While you may not be able to store your heavier items, they’re a great place to place plants, candles, books, or things you want to show off.  

Shelves can add interest and depth to a space by drawing the eye beyond the walls. They’re an amazing way to trick the eye into thinking your rental home is much more spacious than it actually is.  

But be aware, hanging shelving can be a fiddly job, so it’s best to follow a step-by-step guide to talk you through it. You can find our guide to hanging shelving here. 

Select a statement piece 

We’d all love the option to cram as many storage items as possible into our rental home if we could, but sometimes, you don’t have the room.  

In these situations, opt for a multifunctional piece of furniture like a dresser with drawers, cupboards, and display space. That way, you can get the most storage use possible while only taking up a single wall.  

The other benefit of using a single ample cupboard is that it can make the room feel much more significant and less cluttered, alternately achieving that sense of space we all crave.  

Get tables with built-in storage  

Honestly, who doesn’t love a multipurpose item of furniture? There’s something satisfying about knowing that your coffee table or bedside unit has a secret life as a storage cupboard. Plenty of stylish tables in diverse designs have drawers or platforms underneath that provide extra storage. Take the opportunity to invest in one of these pieces to add an additional home for your items. 

Baskets are your friend 

Clutter is your enemy when trying to create the illusion of space. However, baskets can provide a fun solution.  

Storage baskets and containers can transform your kitchen, bedroom, or living room by creating subtle storage spots in an easy-to-access format that doesn’t take up too much space and can look like an intentional stylistic choice.  

Under furniture, on top of items, next to things – you can stick a storage basket almost anywhere! Be as inventive as you like with your choice of container to add your own stamp to a space; after all, decorative boxes and crates will only add to your home’s aesthetic.

Stack them high, collapse them down  

When space is at a premium, entertaining can be more challenging. However, where there is a will, there is a way.  

Investing in a drop leaf or collapsible trestle table can give you the additional space you need to host those get-togethers without permanently taking up your space. Store your foldable furniture against walls, under beds or behind the sofa when not in use. A drop leaf table can also be handy behind the sofa shelf when not in use.  

Stackable stools can also be a big help for those who like to entertain, as they can easily be stacked and tucked away during quieter times.   

Make the most of your windowsills 

Your windowsills are a tiny piece of space that is often overlooked. For example, you could use any wide sills in your home as a bookshelf, a bedside table, or a dressing table. Hanging shelves on your window can be a clever and creative way of making extra space, whether you use them to display trinkets, houseplants, or everyday essentials. 

Utilise your wardrobe doors  

When trying to squeeze every inch of storage space out of your home, your wardrobe doors can provide a vital addition. Shoe holders that hang from doors are inexpensive and a great way to provide accessible storage that utilises space that would otherwise go unused.   

Elsewhere in your home, you can use kitchen cupboard doors to hold extra baking tools, saucepan lids, and even cookbooks.