Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like living in a smaller space. You really want your home to be as multifunctional and comfortable as possible but the space limitation can be incredibly frustrating. Often everything gets temporarily ‘boxed up’ forgotten about.
Stop dumping everything into a box and start thinking outside the box with my favourite shelving organization solutions for small spaces! Think shelves, floating shelves, corner shelves, metal shelves, the space saving opportunities are endless!!!!
There are many shelving solutions that can help you create more space without taking up a lot of floor area, especially when space is a premium luxury.
In this article, we will discuss seven shelving organization ideas that can save space in your home. So whether you need more storage for books in your living room, or want a place to stock your plants, we have the perfect solution for you!
1. A New Set of Bedside Manners.
Instead of your traditional bedside table why not replace it with a shelving unit or my favourite option is to install a floating shelf. With a floating shelf you get the free space underneath which you can leave empty or even stack your favourite classic books which equally serve as decor and make you look super intellectual. Amazon has great shelving options available, some of their shelves even include drawers for the extra space. Check out all the great options here!
This can be a great way to free up some extra space on your nightstand, and it can also be a convenient place to store books, magazines, or other items. If you are looking for a small shelving unit to use as a bedside table, be sure to measure the space in your room before you purchase anything. You want to make sure that the shelving unit will fit comfortably next to your bed without taking up too much space.
If you prefer a more rustic feel add a basket underneath offering more discreet storage.
2. A Story to Tell
Your home is essentially a reflection of who you are. It should tell a story like a three dimensional quilt. A collection of books will instantly highlight your interests while some quirky art might show another side of you. In my humble opinion every space should have a small collection of books. If you are like me and love all sorts of books then click here and read about my ultimate list of table books that will add style and character to any home.
If you have a small living room, chances are you don’t have a lot of floor space to spare. That’s why floating shelves are such a great shelving solution for this space. You can use them to store books, plants, and even decorations. And since they don’t take up any floor space, they won’t make your living room feel cramped. A smaller living space should not mean boxing up your story to save space!
I love floating shelves above a sofa area in a living room. Firstly its an area that is often ignored and the space is literally there for the taking and secondly I love that the living area is where people sit and converse. It’s the perfect area to display your collection of life.
3. Be a Plant Sitter
If you live in a small apartment the idea of a few terracotta planters are scary. Who has the space? However when you investigate the benefits of houseplants in your home, you’re going to want to make space for them. Houseplants really do inject good vibes into your home. Not only are the pretty to look at and help give a sense of calm but research has shown that plants around any space help increase concentration and productivity, reduce stress and boost your mood. What is the space solution? Stack your plants on shelves.
It’s a great option because you can go vertical and the more shelves you add the more green life you will see. There are many different types of shelves that can accommodate plants, such as wire shelving, ladder shelving, and even hanging shelves. I love this boho inspired 3 tier hanging shelf which works perfectly for plants from Amazon! If you have a small amount of space to work with, consider using a wall-mounted shelf.
Corner shelves are also a great option to take advantage of unused space. If you don’t like the idea of floating shelves on your walls then use the space from an open book shelf will offer to stack and display your beautiful array of foliage. Terrariums work beautifully here as a display piece.
4. Bathroom Shelving
Having a tiny bathroom space certainly has its ups and downs, definitely more downs in my opinion. I remember living in a small apartment where the bathroom was so teeny that I would sometimes forget that I wasn’t on an aeroplane but actually at home. Its not so much the square diameter of the bathroom that is bothersome but rather the lack of storage to place all your odds and bits that normally go in the bathroom. A basin will sometimes take up the precious space you long for and leave you almost floor-less and questioning where to put everything. Believe it or not there are actually many shelving organization ideas to use in this personal space.
There are many different types of shelving that can be used in a bathroom, from wall-mounted shelves to corner shelves. If you are short on floor space, consider using a shelving unit that hangs from the ceiling. This will free up valuable floor space and provide you with additional storage.
There are so many different styles and types of shelves that you will be hard pressed not to find a sneaky spot where it can be placed. If you have the floor space then a versatile trolly with shelves is a great idea. My favourite space for shelving is above the toilet because its out the way and offers great storage space as well as a platform to be decorative. Simply add a basket to place your toilet paper in and a plant nearby and you have a cosy storage nook made.
In a small bathroom situation you really do what to utilise every inch of space and that’s why I love toilet paper shelves, it’s the usual toilet paper holder beside you except you have a small flat surface shelf attached above. Pretty clever and useful! I especially love this cheap and cheerful one from Amazon.
5. No Need to Mind the Gap
Shelving organization is a great way to save space in your home. That little space above your door is a real sweet spot for adding a shelf. By placing shelves above your door, you can free up floor space and create more storage space.
You can add books, trinkets or even use it as a linen shelf to store spare towels. Add storage boxes or pretty baskets and you have the perfect solution to tuck photos or documents neatly away.
6. When you Need your Space
Need some smart shelving organization ideas that also help you save space in your home? When you want to set clear boundaries in a small domain then stacking crates or even an open shelving unit is exactly what you need to set the boundary line clear. Not only have you created a new useful layout but you now have extra space to stash and display.
7. Take a Seat
Living in a small space means less floor space up for grabs. If you want to add more seats for when guests visit without cramping things up then a great solution is wall mounting a floating bench all along your wall. The floor remain clutter free and you have extra seating. If you don’t utilise the full length of the bench then the remaining space can be used to stack books.
Shelving organization is a great way to save space in your home. By using shelving, you can declutter your home and create an organized system that works for you. We’ve provided some tips on how to best organize your shelving, but feel free to get creative and make it work for your own needs. What are some of your shelving organization ideas?
Let us know in the comments below!