21 Small-Space Organizing Ideas to Get the Most of Every Room

Small-space organizing ideas are especially impactful near the entryway where storage for shoes, coats, bags, keys, and more is a necessity. Here, a narrow set of built-ins turns an empty corner by the door into a small but functional mudroom. Divided cubbies below the bench offer handy shoe storage, while matching bins organize the open compartments above. 

Corner drawers and cabinets (sometimes called blind corner cabinets) are notoriously hard to organize because of their awkward shape. But the sharp angles of a corner drawer can work well for organizing small kitchen items, such as cloth napkins and dish towels. Here, linens are neatly filed in sideways, instead of stacked on top of one another, for easy-access kitchen organization.

Organizing a small bathroom can be a challenge, but it's possible with the addition of a few smart storage solutions, like this hair dryer holder. Utilizing space that would otherwise go unused, it slips directly over the cabinet door and keeps the cord neatly contained. This small-space organizing hack frees up room inside the cabinet for storing other essentials like toiletries and folded towels.

Get creative with small-space organizing ideas, and look to places that ordinarily don't get used. Here, the side of a refrigerator offers storage for paper towels, salt and pepper shakers, measuring cups, kitchen twine, and more. A magnetic organizer attaches directly to the fridge, freeing up counter and drawer space elsewhere.

In a small entryway, utilize closed storage that allows you to shut the doors on toys, shoes, and other miscellaneous items. Even a shallow storage unit, like the one used in this entry, can fit a lot of stuff, especially when outfitted with labelled bins to keep items contained. A hook provides a spot to hang the dog's leash on the inside of the cabinet door.

Transform a blank wall in the kitchen into a hidden storage compartment. These homeowners outfitted the narrow space along the side of the refrigerator with shallow shelves that store paper bags, homework, folders, and tablets (there's even an outlet for charging devices). The back of the door offers a prime location for hanging chore charts and to-do lists.

Turn a small pantry into an organized oasis by using matching containers to decant and store food. Glass canisters let you monitor the level of staples including flour and sugar, while open baskets make it easy to grab ingredients like potatoes and onions. For a more organized look, install a curtain rod around the lowest shelves to keep appliances and other odds and ends tucked out of sight.

The key to maximizing organization in a small closet is dividing up the space. To make better use of this cleaning supply closet, the homeowners added a variety of compartments, shelves, and pullouts. Designating each area for a different type of item ensures no space goes to waste.

To organize a small bathroom, mount floating shelves to make use of empty wall space. Here, an acrylic shelf next to the vanity offers quick access to everyday toiletries, freeing up space in a medicine cabinet or under the sink. Simple wall hooks lined up below keep jewelry organized and tangle-free.

If your bedroom is short on space, don't let the square footage under your bed go to waste. A shallow bin or basket can slide easily underneath the frame and stash bulky boots and shoes out of sight. A container with a lid works well for out-of-season clothes, as the lid helps protect against dust and other debris.

One of the simplest ways to organize a small room is to install hooks. In this small entryway, two sets of hooks turn a blank wall into a dropzone for coats, bags, umbrellas, and other items. The height of the lower hooks makes it easy for kids to hang up their own belongings, further encouraging organization in the small space.

Clear bins are a small-space organization hack that works in nearly any room. Whether you're storing a collection of vinyl records (as seen here) or a stash of beauty products, these containers allow you to clearly see what's inside so you don't have to rummage to find what you need. Choose bins with built-in handles and spots to place labels to make access even more convenient. 

Clever small-space organizing ideas transform this closet into a crafter's paradise. It includes a storage station for ribbons, washi tape, and paper, plus open cubbies for fabrics and hanging storage for tassels and other trimmings. Organize craft supplies by color or material so you can easily find the material you need.

Keeping drawers tidy so you can fit more inside each one is key to small bedroom organizing. Here, diamond-shaped drawer dividers keep folded items within view, which saves on space as well as time when you're trying to find something to wear. These dividers come in different shapes and materials so you can find one that best fits your drawer.

Most laundry rooms are limited in square footage and can benefit from a few small-room organization ideas. Adding a counter on top of front-loading machines is a great way to get more surface area in a laundry room, and mounting open shelves can keep detergent and cleaning supplies organized but easily within reach. For a more orderly look, utilize baskets and trays to corral loose items on the shelves.

If your main door opens straight into a living area, wall-mounted organizers can help you fake a functional entryway. This small-space organization system goes beyond simple hooks with the clever use of compartments for storing incoming mail or homework. Chalkboards catch last-minute reminders on the way out the door.

In a small bathroom without a ton of counter space, a narrow storage cabinet is a great way to get all those necessities tucked away. Using the back of the door for toothbrushes or even hair brushes and hot tools can free up even more space on the shelves. Plus, it ensures frequently used items are easy to grab without having to rummage through the cabinet.

An organized pantry is both aesthetically pleasing and a major space-saver. Use clear jars to decant dry goods and risers or stackable bins to maximize vertical space. Labeling the jars or canisters makes it easy to maintain your organizing system and helps you clearly see what you've run out of.

Whether you have a big family or a small home (or both), kitchen storage space is always at a premium. One way to maximize kitchen organization is to install a pegboard for hanging pots, pans, and utensils that would otherwise clutter up a countertop or fill a cabinet. In addition to being functional, a pegboard wall filled with beautiful pans and cutting boards doubles as kitchen decor.

When organizing a small room, think vertically. Here, hanging baskets offer a simple yet effective organizing solution for laundry room items like soap, dryer sheets, lint rollers, or garbage bags. To easily mount bins on tile, opt for a damage-free hanging solution like self-adhesive hooks.

Most kids are not known for being super tidy. Fortunately, there are closet organizing ideas that will help keep the chaos contained. Mesh or wire drawers with labels help kids see what they're looking for, which hopefully means they don't pull everything out on their quest to find the right item.