Curbed's Emily Nonko takes a look at six design hacks to maximize the storage in shrinking floor plans, from taking inventory of belongings to tricking out the closets, below are some solutions for packing away.
Curbed spoke with designers at Ollie, the micro-apartment co-living company, and Affordable Interior Design, a New York firm that’s no stranger to the tiny apartment, on how to tackle storage when you don’t have much room to spare.
Take stock of your belongings and your space: When downsizing, take stock of what you have. This step is essential in creating a storage plan for your new digs, says Jacqueline Schmidt, Ollie’s director of design: “You’ll find in the process of creating storage solutions, you may not need all the stuff you have to store.”
Different items need different storage: The next step is figuring out the best way to store everything. “Pick out the items you’re dealing with every day, versus stuff you won’t touch for six months,” Helmuth says. Reserve convenient and easy-access spaces in your apartment for storing items you use daily. Off-season clothing and holiday decor, on the other hand, can be relegated to less conspicuous of your home.