How to Get More Storage Without Remodeling Anything

You don’t need to knock down walls or build new closets to get more storage. Most homes already have unused space—you just have to look at things a little differently. Whether you’re in a small house or just trying to keep the clutter down, these tips will help you stash more without tearing the place apart.

Use the Backs of Doors

The back of a door is wasted space in most homes. With the right hooks, racks, or over-the-door organizers, it turns into quick-access storage for shoes, cleaning supplies, jackets, or even pantry items.

Hall closet doors, bedroom doors, and even cabinet doors in the kitchen can all be used this way. It keeps things off the floor and out of drawers, without eating up square footage. It’s an easy fix that takes less than ten minutes and actually works.

Add Shelving Above Eye Level

Most people stop storing stuff at shoulder height, but there’s usually a foot or two of open wall above that—perfect for extra shelves. It works in closets, laundry rooms, or even above door frames if you get creative.

Use it for things you don’t grab every day—spare linens, camping gear, holiday stuff. Just make sure the shelf is properly anchored and you’re not loading it up with anything too heavy. You’d be surprised how much it helps.

Get Under-Bed Storage Bins

There’s a lot of square footage hiding under your bed. Instead of letting it collect dust, use it for storage. Plastic bins, rolling drawers, or vacuum-sealed bags can hold seasonal clothes, extra bedding, or shoes.

Measure your bed height first so you know what will actually fit. Stick with low-profile containers if clearance is tight. Label them and you’ll know exactly where everything is without digging through piles.

Hang Tools and Gear on the Wall

If you’ve got a garage, shed, or even a utility room, stop stacking everything in piles. Wall hooks, pegboards, or slat walls can turn a blank wall into organized storage for tools, hoses, backpacks, or extension cords.

Get stuff off the floor and make it easy to grab. You don’t need fancy gear—just solid hooks and a good layout. And if you can see your tools, you’ll actually use them instead of buying another because you couldn’t find the first one.

Use Stackable Storage in Closets

Closets usually have wasted space between shelves or underneath hanging clothes. Stackable bins, drawers, or cubes can help fill those gaps and double your usable space.

Stick to clear or labeled containers so you’re not guessing what’s inside. And don’t be afraid to adjust or remove that low-hanging bar if it’s not working for your layout. Most closets need less hanging space and more actual storage.

Add Hooks Anywhere You Can

Hooks aren’t just for coats. They’re one of the easiest ways to add usable space without remodeling anything. Stick them on hallway walls, inside cabinets, in the bathroom, or behind doors.

Use them for bags, towels, hats, keys—anything that clutters up flat surfaces. If you go with adhesive ones, you don’t even have to drill holes. It’s low effort and high payoff, especially in spots where shelves or drawers don’t make sense.

Use the Space Above Cabinets

If your kitchen cabinets don’t go all the way to the ceiling, that gap is prime storage space. It’s not great for stuff you need every day, but it’s perfect for extra paper towels, backup pantry items, or small appliances you rarely use.

Just keep it neat. Use baskets or matching bins to keep things contained and easier to pull down. It keeps clutter off your countertops and frees up space inside the cabinets for things you reach for more often.

Store Items Behind Furniture

A lot of furniture sits a few inches away from the wall, and most people ignore that space. But it’s perfect for tucking away flat storage bins, folding tables, or even extra chairs.

Slide long items like wrapping paper, spare cutting boards, or ladders behind couches, dressers, or armoires. You won’t see them, but you’ll know right where they are when you need them. It’s a sneaky way to make tight spaces work harder.

Use Under-Sink Organizers

The area under your sinks usually ends up being a mess of half-used bottles and random junk. But a simple organizer—especially one with levels or sliding drawers—can make a huge difference.

Measure first so you don’t block the plumbing. Then sort stuff into bins or trays based on use. You’ll make better use of the space and stop buying duplicates because you couldn’t see what you already had.

Turn Furniture Into Storage

If you’re low on storage, every piece of furniture should work double-duty. Ottomans with lids, benches with compartments, and even coffee tables with drawers can give you extra space without adding more clutter.

Keep extra blankets in a storage ottoman, board games in the bench by the front door, or charging cords tucked into a side table drawer. You don’t need new furniture—sometimes it’s about looking at what you already have and using it better.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.