Anyone who lives in a relatively small home knows how much intentional storage can improve daily life—or how frustrating it can be when it’s missing. No matter the size of your rooms, you want your belongings easy to find and stored in sensible places. Downsizing from a 3,150-square-foot house to a 1,400-square-foot home last year pushed us to be much more deliberate about storage. We went from 14 rooms to six and lost the garage, attic, large shed, and most bedroom closets (only one of our three bedrooms had a closet when we bought the house).
Over the last 16 months we’ve discovered several multi-purpose storage solutions that answered a question we often get: “Tell me exactly what you use to make a smaller home work.” Below are seven of our favorite storage pieces, why we chose them, and a few alternative options if you’re looking for similar solutions.
1. A Hidden-Storage Coffee Table
Problem: Not enough storage by the front door
Solution: A coffee table with deep, concealed drawers
Our front door opens into a compact sitting area, so we don’t have a dedicated foyer or mudroom. The nearby laundry closet helps with hoodies and backpacks, but it wasn’t enough. A deep-drawered coffee table gave us concealed storage where we needed it most.
At first glance it reads as a solid wood table with understated hardware, but both sides pull open to reveal wide, smooth-sliding drawers. One drawer holds extra shoes and a grab-and-go basket for keys, sunglasses, and the dog leash. The other stores less-used or out-of-season jackets. It’s functional without shouting “storage.”
Other hidden-storage coffee table styles include gray-washed finishes, round designs, or flip-top models if you don’t have room to pull out drawers.
Other Hidden Storage Coffee Table Options
- Left: Our coffee table is available in a gray-washed wood version or a warmer wood with brass handles.
- Middle: A sleek round storage table comes in several mixed finishes.
- Right: A flip-top storage table works well where drawer clearance is limited.
Coffee Table In Context Of The Whole Room
If you want to see the coffee table in the full space, we shared a short video tour that shows the sitting area and other storage pieces.
2. An Under-Bed Bookshelf
Problem: Managing our daughter’s growing book and toy collection
Solution: A platform bed with built-in cubbies that use usually wasted under-bed space
When choosing beds for this house, we prioritized models that offered usable under-bed storage. Our daughter’s platform bed with cubbies has been a perfect fit. It holds books and several large baskets of toys without taking floor space away from a desk she wanted in the room. The twin-sized version we have provides eight cubbies—three on each side and two larger ones at the foot of the bed for big bins of Lego.
She organizes her own cubbies, which teaches ownership and makes finding items effortless. The bed included fabric bins for smaller items, and we use larger plastic bins in the larger cubbies for bulkier toys.
We were skeptical about cubbies at first, because under-bed drawers are common. But drawers can collide with toes and require clear floor space to open. Cubby-style storage avoids those problems and works better for our kids’ rooms.
Other Under Bed Storage Buying Options
- Left: Full and queen-sized storage beds include wicker baskets and larger storage configurations.
- Middle: Raised daybed-style frames offer a variety of storage solutions underneath.
- Right: Upholstered beds with concealed footboard drawers can be easier on toes than wooden drawer units.
3. A Large Weatherproof Outdoor Bin
Problem: Limited outdoor storage for beach gear and helmets
Solution: A large faux-wicker storage bin placed on the covered porch
Without a garage or shed, we needed a weatherproof solution to keep sandy chairs, umbrellas, and outdoor toys out of the house. A substantial outdoor storage bin on our covered porch hides gear and blends with the outdoor furnishings. It proved roomier than expected—measuring inside at roughly 64″ long, 30″ wide, and 34″ tall—so it stores chairs, umbrellas, toys, helmets, and sports equipment.
One tip: while the lid is waterproof, the sides may not be fully watertight on every model. Our bin included a removable waterproof liner that we didn’t initially save; in hindsight we should have kept it inside the bin for extra protection if the bin ever ends up in an uncovered spot.
Other Outdoor Storage Bin Options
- Left: Smaller wheeled options make moving a full bin easier.
- Middle: Round storage units can double as outdoor tables.
- Right: Affordable resin boxes in multiple sizes are widely available in neutral colors.
4. A Long TV Credenza-Style Media Cabinet
Problem: Maximizing media, game, and keepsake storage in the family room
Solution: A custom long credenza built from two wide cabinets that fills the alcove
Our TV wall was much wider than standard media consoles. Instead of a short media unit, we joined two wide cabinets to create a nearly eight-foot credenza. It stores photo albums, photobooks, board games, and keepsakes—everything we wanted to keep accessible but out of sight. The result is far more functional than any narrow, low console would have been.
For media components we keep a small streaming device tucked behind the cabinet. Since we stream everything, we don’t need a large AV stack, which frees up even more storage space inside the cabinets.
Other TV Credenza Buying Options
- Left: Caned media cabinets add texture and won’t block remote signals.
- Middle: Wide three-door media units handle TVs up to larger sizes and offer concealed storage.
- Right: Two-toned wood credenzas can include cord management and several drawers.
5. An Under-Desk Drawer System
Problem: Adding useful under-desk storage without compromising legroom
Solution: A small, freestanding file drawer that slides neatly under the desk
We built a floating desk for our son and used the space beneath one side for a mobile drawer unit. We removed the wheels for a cleaner look and painted the surface to match the desk. The drawer keeps papers, art supplies, and activity books tucked away, helping the desktop stay tidy and ready for work or play.
Other Under Desk File Cabinet Buying Options
- Far Left: Under-desk systems with mixed drawers and shelves in white and wood finishes.
- Middle Left: Decorative file cabinets in grasscloth or textured finishes come in multiple widths.
- Middle Right: Traditional hanging-file cabinets with a modern color twist keep documents organized.
- Far Right: Metal mesh units work for exposed books or toy storage—add baskets for concealed storage.
6. Bookcases With Display Space + Drawers
Problem: Needing both display space and concealed storage
Solution: Customizable bookcases that combine open shelves with drawers
Our favorite storage workhorses are customizable bookcases that let us choose shelf placement and drawer count. We used them in the kitchen and now in the family room. The combination of display shelves and four drawers at the bottom gives us the perfect balance: ceramics and mugs are accessible, while snacks, camera gear, paperwork, and other odds and ends stay hidden.
These shelves work hard and look good doing it, making them a go-to for small homes where every piece of furniture needs to pull double duty.
Other Bookshelf Storage Buying Options
- Far Left: Traditional bookcases with doors can be lined up to create a long storage run.
- Middle Left: Ladder-style shelves with bottom drawers offer a lighter visual and extra storage.
- Middle Right: Storage bookshelves with accent hardware add a decorative touch.
- Far Right: Modular systems let you place closed storage higher to keep things out of reach of little hands.
7. A Wall-Mounted Spice Rack
Problem: No drawer space large enough for all our spices and no desire to crowd countertops
Solution: A compact wall-mounted spice rack near the stove that frees up counter and drawer space
A small wall-mounted shelf near the stove has been unexpectedly impactful. It holds our spice jars in two rows, stores paper towels and a dishtowel, and is magnetic so it can be mounted on the side of a fridge or secured to a wall or cabinet. We paired it with matching spice containers labeled for easy use. The shelf takes up almost no floor or counter real estate and keeps frequently used items within arm’s reach.
Other Spice Rack Buying Options
- Left: Multi-tier spice shelves with decorative details suit farmhouse or rustic kitchens.
- Middle: Decorative wall shelves with a rail help keep jars from sliding off.
- Right: Modular metal shelves in various sizes let you design the arrangement you need.
That’s our roundup. I hope it gives you useful, specific ideas for storage that fit into a smaller home. Storage solutions come in many shapes and styles, so choose what matches your family’s needs and the space you have. If you want more detail about any of these projects or pieces, we’ve shared additional posts about our Besta cabinets, pantry updates, laundry closet shelving, closet additions, and our downsizing journey.
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