No matter what size apartment you occupy, it seems like we always need more storage space. Where do you store all your favorite kitchen gadgets? What do you do with the daily clutter that you can’t quite throw away? There are simple answers to most of these questions. All you need is a little creativity (and maybe a few more shelves)…

Start by storing extra books, decorations you just can’t give up, or extra lighting by using shelves to think “up” in instead of “out”. Put vertical shelves on a wall of your closet to hold purses, shoes, and other accessories. Consider putting a shelving unit over your toilet to make extra room for toiletries and bath products. Some shelves include built-in lighting, allowing you to eliminate a lamp and make more room for your favorite books.

Baskets can be your best friend when it comes to storing blankets and other home accessories. Try sliding a few baskets under your coffee tables. Fill them with magazines, blankets for cozy evenings, and even socks and slippers to keep your feet toasty. Baskets work well in the entryway, too, giving you a place to put your shoes when you come home. Save space in your dresser drawers by using plastic baskets on your closet shelves to organize smaller clothing items like socks and underwear.

The kitchen and the entryway tend to get cluttered easily in most homes, and both of these spots can benefit from some well-placed hooks. Add a few storage spaces for things that are easy to hang like coats or pots by installing a curtain rod and placing some hooks on it. You can add more hooks as needed, and slide the hooks from side to side to create more or less space for certain items. You can also use hooks in your bedroom and bathroom for hanging extra towels or outfits.

Don’t forget to use all that space under your bed! Use Tupperware or baskets to keep rarely used items like holiday décor out of the way. Keep your guest sheets and towels under the guest bed to keep things neat, tidy, and organized. You can also keep larger items like folding tables and ironing boards under the bed and out of the way.

With a little creativity, you can find more storage space in your apartment so that you don’t have to throw away your favorite things!