Anyone living in a smaller home knows how transformative smart storage can be when it’s done well — and how frustrating it is when it isn’t. No matter your square footage, easy access and sensible placement are the goals. After downsizing from a 3,150 sq. ft. house to a 1,400 sq. ft. home, we had to become much more intentional about storage. Our footprint dropped from 14 rooms to 6, and we lost a garage, attic, large shed/workshop, and most bedroom closets (only one of our three bedrooms had a closet when we bought the house).
Over the past 16 months we’ve leaned on a handful of especially useful, double-duty storage pieces. People often ask for specifics — exactly what we use to make a smaller home hold everything we need. Below are seven storage favorites we’ve relied on, why they work for us, and some alternate options if you want to add similar solutions to your space.
1. A Hidden-Storage Coffee Table
Problem: Limited entryway storage near the front door
Solution: A deep-drawered coffee table that provides lots of concealed space
Our front door opens into a small sitting area, so there’s no traditional foyer or mudroom. While the nearby laundry closet handles some items, it can’t hold everything. Enter a coffee table with deep, hidden drawers. At first glance it looks like a solid wood table, but both sides pull open to reveal two wide drawers that glide easily. One side holds extra shoes and a basket with grab-and-go items (keys, sunglasses, dog leash). The other side stores out-of-season jackets. It’s functional without shouting “storage.”
Other Hidden Storage Coffee Table Options
- Left: Our coffee table also comes in a gray-washed wood version, and we use a warmer wood version with brass handles.
- Middle: A sleek round option offers mixed finishes and hidden storage without corners.
- Right: A flip-top storage coffee table is helpful if you don’t have room to pull out drawers.
Coffee Table In Context Of The Whole Room
To see how the coffee table looks in the space and spot another item from this list, check the video tour we shared a few weeks ago.
2. An Under-Bed Bookshelf
Problem: Containing our daughter’s expanding book and toy collection
Solution: A platform bed with built-in cubbies that use under-bed space efficiently
When we chose beds, we prioritized under-bed storage. Our daughter’s platform bed has multiple cubbies that hold books, toys, and large bins of Legos. A tall bookshelf would have taken floor space she wanted for a desk, so the bed’s cubbies let us keep items accessible without crowding the room. The twin version we own offers eight cubbies — three on each side and two larger ones at the foot of the bed for big bins.
We initially doubted cubbies because under-bed drawers seem common, but drawers can obstruct toes and need floor clearance to open. We converted our son’s drawers to simpler felt baskets for easier use, and became fans of cubby-style storage. The bed included fabric bins and larger plastic bins at the foot fit perfectly for bulky toys.
Other Under Bed Storage Buying Options
- Left: Full and queen-sized versions of similar storage beds come with baskets included.
- Middle: Raised daybed-style frames offer various storage configurations.
- Right: Upholstered beds with disguised footboard drawers can avoid toe hazards and come in multiple fabric options.
3. A Large Weatherproof Outdoor Bin
Problem: No garage or shed for outdoor gear like beach chairs and helmets
Solution: A large, weather-resistant faux-wicker storage box for the porch
Without a garage or shed, we needed a way to store sandy beach chairs, umbrellas, and toys. A faux-wicker outdoor storage chest on our covered porch keeps those items out of the house and organized while blending with the porch decor. It’s roomier than we expected and holds chairs, umbrellas, helmets, beach toys, and sports equipment. One caveat: the lid is waterproof but the sides aren’t fully watertight on their own, and the chest originally included a waterproof liner we didn’t use. If you might move the box to an uncovered spot later, keep the liner for extra protection.
Other Outdoor Storage Bin Options
- A 4-ft-wide option with handles and wheels makes moving easier.
- Round storage boxes can double as an outdoor coffee or side table.
- Resin storage boxes in 51″ widths are affordable, durable, and come in multiple colors.
4. A Long TV Credenza-Style Media Cabinet
Problem: Need to maximize media, game, and keepsake storage in one area
Solution: A custom, extra-long credenza built from modular cabinets to fill the alcove
Our upstairs living room has a long wall beneath the TV, and standard media consoles would have looked too narrow. We combined two wide modular cabinets to create a near-wall-to-wall credenza. The result is almost eight feet of storage housing photo albums, photobooks, board games, yearbooks, and more. It’s more functional and visually cohesive than multiple short cabinets would have been. Our streaming setup keeps visible media components minimal and out of view.
Other TV Credenza Buying Options
- Caned media cabinets are over 5 feet long and still allow remote signals to pass.
- Three-door storage consoles work under TVs up to 70″.
- Two-toned wood credenzas with cord holes combine style and function for medium-large rooms.
5. An Under-Desk Drawer System
Problem: Need for useful storage beneath a built-in desk
Solution: A small freestanding file drawer that slides neatly under the desk
We built a floating desk for our son and used the open area under one side for a compact freestanding drawer unit. It provides soft-close drawers for papers, art supplies, and activity books without crowding the desk’s legroom. We removed the wheels for a cleaner look and painted the top to match the desk. The cabinet helps keep his work surface tidy and stores supplies out of sight.
Other Under Desk File Cabinet Buying Options
- Under-desk systems with mixed drawer and shelf configurations come in white and wood finishes.
- Grasscloth-style file cabinets are available in multiple widths and add texture.
- Traditional hanging-file cabinets with colorful finishes can brighten a workspace.
- Metal mesh units work for exposed storage or can hold baskets for a neater look.
6. Bookcases With Display Space + Drawers
Problem: Desire to show decor while hiding clutter
Solution: Customizable bookcases that combine open shelving with concealed drawers
Our top storage MVP has been a set of modular bookcases that let you mix drawers and shelves. We used them in several rooms — first in our office, then in the kitchen, and now in the family room. The combination of display shelves above and four drawers below works perfectly: books and decorative objects stay visible, while files, camera gear, paperwork, and other essentials stay tucked away. Being able to choose shelf heights and drawer placement makes these units adaptable to different needs.
Other Bookshelf Storage Buying Options
- Traditional tall bookcases with doors can be aligned to create one long storage wall.
- Ladder-style shelves with bottom drawers combine open display with hidden storage.
- Storage bookshelves with accent hardware offer a refined look and function.
- Modular wood shelving systems can place closed storage up high, out of reach of small hands.
7. A Wall-Mounted Spice Rack
Problem: No deep drawers for spices and limited counter space
Solution: A compact wall-mounted spice shelf near the stove that saves counter and drawer space
Our latest favorite is small but mighty: a narrow wall spice rack mounted near the stove. It frees up counters and drawers, holds jars in two rows, and even accommodates paper towels and a dishtowel. The shelf is magnetic on the back so it can be mounted on a wall, the side of a cabinet, or stuck onto the fridge. We added matching spice containers with preprinted labels that fit nicely and keep everything tidy. The shelf takes up zero floor space and keeps frequently used items within reach.
Other Spice Rack Buying Options
- Four-tier spice shelves with farmhouse details add character and storage.
- Decorative wall shelves with metal rails help keep jars secure.
- Modular metal shelves in multiple sizes let you design a custom arrangement.
That’s our list. Storage comes in many forms, so choose solutions that match your family’s routines, room layout, and the items you need to stow. If you want even more ideas for maximizing a small home, check the related posts below for deeper dives into how we used many of these pieces around our house.
- More detail on our long credenza built from modular cabinets and other uses for the same system in the bedroom.
- Nine kitchen updates that helped us optimize a small kitchen.
- How we added shelves to our laundry closet to make a tiny space work harder.
- How we added lots of closet storage to a bedroom that started without one.
- A reflection on the realities of downsizing: the good, the hard, and the surprising parts.
- An overview of our downsizing journey and how we arrived where we are today.
- A page listing paint colors and sources for items in our home.
- A before-and-after photo tour of our current house.
*This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission when purchases are made through links on our site at no additional cost to you.