37 Clever Items That Will Open Up Your Small Space
Living the small space lifestyle is an ongoing battle of trying to do more with the less. Sometimes, after an exhaustive search, we strike the furniture jackpot with a piece that epitomizes our spacial, stylistic, and budgetary trifecta. But just because these home buys are a rarity, doesn’t mean that there aren’t multiple viable options out there…It’s a matter of finding the time to hunt them down.
If turning small-space furniture hunting into a full-time job isn’t in the cards right now, don’t sweat it — because we’ve got you and your tiny apartment’s back. Every month we’re hula-hooping our way through the best buys in budget, size, and statement-making — from chic nesting tables to decorative room dividers, work-from-home space solutions, sleek units with extra shelving, and beyond.
Scroll on for the under $150 furniture finds that will maximize tight spaces while keeping minimalism and style top of mind — so you can easily shop, decorate, and relax without ever leaving your tiny abode.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Rebrilliant 12-Pair Shoe Rack
When “coat closets” are a foreign concept: Turn to a compact, free-standing entryway rack to hold your outerwear in maximized space-saving fashion.
Rebrilliant 12 Pair Shoe Rack, $, available at Wayfair
Foundstone Hayward Floating Desk
When your bedroom is also your office: Meet the space-saving champion that is this wall-mounted desk meets vanity — built to support everything from your workspace essentials to your beauty routine in elevated style.
Foundstone Hayward Floating Desk, $, available at Wayfair
WoodekDesign Scandinavian Entryway Rack
When your entryway is a cluttered heap of bags, coats, and hats: Get them off the ground and streamlined with this Scandinavian-style, multipurpose organizer that attaches easily to the wall.
WoodekDesign Scandinavian Entryway Modern Wooden Coat Rack Wall Moun, $, available at Etsy
Umbra Triflora Hanging Planter
When you don’t have a window sill to plant an apartment garden on: Try taking those green friends to your walls with a mountable system that elevates them to new sunlight-reaching heights.
Umbra Triflora Hanging Melamine Hanging Planter, $, available at Wayfair
Hashtag Home Dakota Geometric Bookcase
When your apartment is your bedroom (and vice versa): When small spaces don’t leave room for walls, create your own boundaries by sectioning off the room with a sturdy bookcase unit that offers stylish geometric separation.
Hashtag Home Dakota Geometric Bookcase, $, available at Wayfair
Salt Over-the-Door Shelf Pantry Organizer
When countertops and cupboards are out of the storage question: Turn to this multi-tiered and streamlined metal rack that’s designed to hang over the back of a door (or the side of your fridge).
Salt Over-the-Door 5-Shelf Pantry Organizer in White, $, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
Williston Forge Wall-Mounted Bathroom Cabinet
When your bathroom can’t contain your beauty routine: This wall-mountable bathroom cabinet is the answer to containing your overload of personal products — from hair to skincare, beauty essentials, and more — in chic-locker style.
Williston Forge Cherita Wall Mounted Bathroom Cabinet, $, available at Wayfair
Langley Street Creenagh 2-Piece Nesting Tables
When you need (but can’t sacrifice) more table space: Go the nesting-table route — this compact side-table duo is ready to open up surface area wherever you need it and stack up wherever you don’t.
Langley Street Creenagh 2 Piece Nesting Tables, $, available at Wayfair
Latitude Run Abhainn Garment and Accessories Rack
When you consider closets to be a thing of myths: The closet-less small-space plague need no longer trouble you — instead, try out a streamlined, free-standing rack for clothing and shoe storage.
Latitude Run Abhainn Garment and Accessories Rack, $, available at Wayfair
Justina Blakeney Paradiso Quilt Set
When you want to flex your interior design muscle but don’t have a lot of room for it: Here’s the easy, one-step home decor upgrade you’ll thank us for later — Use your bed as a decorative anchor by dressing it with a stylish throw.
Justina Blakeney Paradiso Quilt Set, $, available at Jungalow
La Jolie Muse Hanging Storage Basket
When you don’t have a drawer to store your silverware in: Mount these chic, multipurpose baskets on your kitchen wall to make a utensil-catching statement instead.
La Jolie Muse Wall Hanging Small Storage Baskets, $, available at Amazon
A&D Home Santa Convertible Chair
When you don’t have sun OR room to fit a dreamy daybed: Make your own small-space lounging retreat by investing in an oversized chair that converts into a compact bed for luxuriating.
Artdeco Home Santa Convertible Chair, $, available at Walmart
CB2 Slice Wall Mounted Storage Shelf
When your floor square footage is nearly nonexistent: This floating bedside table and storage unit will elevate your essentials where cramped floor space can’t.
CB2 Slice White Wall Mounted Storage Shelf, $, available at CB2
ORG 3-Cube Storage Bench
When the “mudroom” is your “living room”: This storage bench has a cushioned seat for changing and storing shoes, umbrellas, hats, and anything else that needs to be quickly stashed before entering your humble abode.
.ORG 3-Cube Storage Bench, $, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
Ebern Designs Lansing Writing Desk
When you’d really like to work anywhere that isn’t the kitchen table: This stripped-down, streamlined desk style can fit in the most surprising of spaces, transforming an otherwise neglected spot in your household into that coveted work-from-home office area.
Ebern Designs Lansing Writing Desk, $, available at Wayfair
DHP Kebo Futon Couch
When your apartment won’t fit a pullout sofa: This affordable, stylish, and adjustable futon-couch has compact bonus sleep space covered.
DHP Kebo Futon Couch with Microfiber Cover, $, available at Walmart
Umbra Conceal Bookshelf
When your book collection is out of a Hoarders‘ episode: Streamline all your favorite paper to hardcovers and magazines with the ultimate minimalist’s solution — a set of invisible, wall-mounted bookshelves.
Umbra Conceal Book Shelf, $, available at The Container Store
Solid Manufacturing Co. Decorative Found Ladder
When you don’t have space to spare for drying delicates: This leaning ladder rack is the vertical solution to hanging wet laundry without sacrificing the little floor surface area you have left.
Solid Manufacturing Co. Decorative Found Ladder, $, available at West Elm
Tirrinia Bedside Shelf Table & Storage Organizer Caddy
When your bed is now your desk: This bedside attachable shelf-table is ready to support your from-bed business essentials.
Tirrinia Bedside Shelf Table & Storage Organizer Caddy, $, available at Walmart
Urban Outfitters Magnolia Macramé Window Panel
When you don’t have a door to hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on: Make your own doorway by hanging this artfully woven macramé window panel up for a little extra-stylish privacy.
Urban Outfitters Magnolia Macramé Window Panel, $, available at Urban Outfitters
AllModern Weist Nesting Poufs
When extra seating, tabletop, AND storage space all compete: This compact set of chic velvet poufs not only serves as bonus seating AND tabletop surface area, but it boasts bonus interior storage, too — and can nest together when not in use.
AllModern Weist Pouf Set, $, available at AllModern
Maxyoyo Japanese Floor Futon Mattress
When you don’t have a guest room (let alone ro
om for guests): Fold up and tuck this twin-sized, traditional Japanese futon-style mattress underneath your bed to use as a pull-out sleep space for your guests in a pinch.
MAXYOYO Grey Triangle Japanese Floor Futon Mattress, $, available at Amazon
Kamal Folding Multi-Hook
When you’re rich in mugs but poor in cabinet space: Let everything from your prized Ruth Bader Ginsberg to trendy glazed stoneware and chipped alma-mater cup dangle in organized style for all to behold (vertical or horizontal, depending on your available wall real estate).
Urban Outfitters Kamal Folding Multi-Hook, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Creative Bath 4-Shelf Bamboo Corner Tower
When your walls aren’t built for storage: Take advantage of an empty corner with this incredibly easy to assemble and space-efficient shelf tower that’s built to fit where no others have fit before.
Creative Bath 4-Shelf Bamboo Corner Tower, $, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
August Grove Mossley Mounted Wine Bottle and Glass Rack
When a bar cart is too big (but so is your booze collection): Try going with a wall-mounted bar instead that will display your bottles (and glasses) in elevated style.
August Grove 6 Bottle Wall Mounted Wine Bottle and Glass Rack, $, available at Wayfair
Bonzy Home Mobile Side Table
When you don’t actually have a living room: Tuck this small-space version of a side table and desktop beside a compact love seat to create your own studio apartment-style “living room.”
Bonzy Home Mobile Side Table, $, available at Amazon
West Elm Toilet Paper Storage
When you don’t have a laundry room to stash all those extra TP rolls in: This sleek and slim unit was designed in Japan to hold up to 12 rolls of your toilet-paper stock AND slide neatly into that tight space next to your golden throne.
West Elm Toilet Paper Storage, $, available at West Elm
PBteen Leaning Get Ready Station
When making space for a vanity is done in vain: Not all vanities are cumbersome sets — this slender leaning system was made to be a small-space readying star with its laddered shelving for stowing away your daily necessities and built-in full-length mirror for getting gussied up.
PBTeen Leaning Get Ready Station, $, available at PBTeen
Mind The Cork Atlas Planter
When you’re thumb is green but your space is tight: Just because your countertops are limited doesn’t mean you can’t set your inner plant lady free. Go all out honey-I-shrunk-the-planters and opt for a miniature take on this home decor trend.
mindthecork Atlas Cork Planter, $, available at Etsy
Global Caravan Rattan Wall Shelf
When your dream bathroom beauty #shelfie is just a dream: This wall-mounted, triple-tiered stylish rattan solution with four bonus hooks is ready for its Instagram closeup, displaying everything from your enviable skincare routine to favorite tiny succulents.
Global Caravan Rattan Wall Shelf with Hooks in Caramel Brown, $, available at Bed Bath and Beyond
Homemaxs Side Table With Storage Basket
When you don’t actually have a living room: Tuck this small-space version of a side table and bookshelf combo beside a compact love seat to create your own studio apartment-style, “living room.”
Homemaxs Side Table With Metal Storage Basket, $, available at Amazon
The Container Store Magnetic Modular System Components
When you don’t have space for a workspace: This magnetic-modular wall system won’t just stash all your home-office essentials in an elevated style, it will also provide some fresh space for planting a tiny apartment garden too.
Container Store Perch Magnetic Modular System Components, $, available at The Container Store
World Market 3 Tier Gold Wire Basket Rolling Cart
When your office is your bedroom/dining room: This elegant rolling cart looks just as smart in your bedroom as it would in an office setting. It can hold anything from hardware to pantry goods or both, of course.
World Market Gold Wire Basket 3 Tier Antonia Rolling Cart, $, available at World Market
Pottery Barn Laundry Bag Holder & Shelf
When you don’t have a closet to hide a hamper in: Instead of letting your dirty laundry pile up on the floor, store it inside this minimalist wall-mounted solution that boasts a shelf for storing your detergent.
Pottery Barn Trenton Laundry Bag Holder & Shelf, $, available at Pottery Barn
Yamazaki Chain Link Bag Holder
When you can’t sacrifice space for spices: Pick up a slim unit with major storage potential — like this thin-framed rolling rack that can tuck in between empty spaces between appliances and counters.
Yamazaki Chain Link Bag Holder, $, available at Amazon
CO-Z Floor Lamp With Storage Shelves
When your tiny apartment is also a dark tiny apartment: Allow this stylish lamp to light up your dark apartment while also playing the double-duty role of living room storage unit.
CO-Z Floor Lamp with 3 Wood Storage Shelves, $, available at Overstock.com
Novica Handmade Cotton Belem Sun Hammock
When an outdoor oasis isn’t in the building plan: Hang a cotton hammock from a nook inside your small space to bring the breezy outside vibes inside.
Novica Handmade Cotton Belem Sun Hammock, $, available at Overstock.com
Mainstays Kitchen Island Cart
When you don’t have a “real” kitchen: Tiny apartments usually don’t come complete with separate kitchen spaces — or any kitchen space at all — which is where a multi-storage-capable cart with a compact rolling frame comes in handy.
Mainstays Kitchen Island Cart with Drop Leaf Top, $, available at Walmart
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