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Apartment Living vs. Food Storage: 3 Tips for Making Space
01/24/2012 - by Aundres S.

When I think of apartment living, I think of the word “cramped”. As in, I don’t have room for “extra” stuff. If you are living in a small space, trying to build even a small amount of food storage may seem daunting--but it doesn’t have to. Truth is, there are some really easy tricks to storing food and supplies in really tight spaces!

Tip #1—Clean and Condense

One of the best ways I have ever found to create extra space for food storage is to deep clean a room and remove clutter. It is amazing how much extra space can be found by simply eliminating the junk out of a room and reorganizing the things that are left! Condensing items as much as possible helps to maximize the newly created space. For example, after eliminating books you no longer use (such as old text books and cookbooks) rearrange or stack books on shelving units to more efficiently use the shelf space and allow for additional books (or some home décor items) to be kept there. Then, gather the books stored in other areas of your living space and deposit them on the newly arranged, roomier shelving unit to free up additional space in your apartment—such as in closets, in cupboards, or on additional shelving—to be used for food storage. Also, consider condensing items such as bedding, sleeping bags, and seasonal clothing in vacuum-sealable bags to eliminate volume and increase an area’s storage capacity, sometimes by more than double!

Tip #2—Convert Wasted Space

Believe it or not, there is a TON of wasted space to be had, even in really small apartments: under beds, under stairs, behind doors, on top of cupboards, in small closets—even on plant ledges. Not all wasted space is ideal for food storage; however, it is ideal for something. And when you store everyday household items in places not ideal for storing food, other spaces more suitable for keeping food are freed up. For example, plant ledges are a great way to display books, knick-knacks, crafts, and collectables, and free up other shelving in your apartment for food and supplies. Consider using “over the door” storage devices for things such as shoes, bags, and jackets to free up floor and closet space. Even relatively short spaces under furniture like beds, dressers, night stands, and end tables is sufficient to keep various sizes of canned goods, and a bed skirt or table cloth can hide goods you don’t want left in view.

Tip #3—Furniture as Storage

When trying to maximize storage space, keep furniture in mind. Trunks, or ottomans that double as storage boxes, are AWESOME for storing canned and boxed food, or even hygiene supplies (think toilet paper). End tables and night stands that have drawers or enclosed areas can also discreetly hold items such as boxed pasta, toothpaste, or bars of soap. Book shelves, armoires, even dressers are great for holding food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies. Have a little more empty space than furniture? Consider using a free-standing screen or room divider (or hang a curtain) to “wall off” a section or corner of a room to use as a food storage space.

In short, cleaning, reorganizing, and condensing creates space. Convert wasted spaces into usable storage by rethinking how and where you store things: look for unused space under and behind furniture, on ledges, on closet floors, and behind doors. Last, but not least, repurpose furniture for use as discreet storage options, or section off an area in your apartment with a screen or curtain to use as a storage space. By using these simple tricks to maximize the space in your apartment, you will be able to build and maintain your own food storage, even in a very tiny space!

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