Your living area is about creating a home appropriate for you. In an apartment there is no yard work, getting locked out isn’t a huge deal and plumbing repairs don’t come with a price tag. However, apartment living isn’t without its shortcomings especially when it comes to space.

In a regular size apartment, the space for a multitude of closets and large furniture is not available. Nevertheless, it is possible to neatly store your possessions without tripping over them or shoving messy piles into a hallway closet. Professional organizers offer some ideas to help you deal with apartment storage shortage.

Resist the temptation to toss receipts, catalogs or spare batteries in random spots around your apartment. Everything you own should have a place where it can be found when needed and returned when not in use. If an item does not have a home and you can’t find one for it, chances are you do not really need it.

Do not get trapped in buying colorful crates, interlocking plastic cubes and rustic looking straw baskets without determining what you need them for. They can be more of a hassle than a help, especially if nothing fits size wise. To determine the amount and size of containers you need separate the items to be stored into piles and then look for the storage device they will fit in before making purchases. Not measuring prior to buying storage bins is another big error.

And of course, there are some people who just can’t get used to seeing an empty living room corner or a cleared kitchen table once the organizing is done and everything has been stored away. Resist the urge to fill a vacancy.

Ideas for more storing space

Fill the lack of a foyer allowing you a nook to hang your coat, leave your keys and mail, or drop the magazines and bills from the mailbox as soon as you come home by installing a landing space using shelves, wall hooks and door organizers.

If you have a closet nearby, the inside is a helpful resource. Hanging organizers can easily turn a closet door into a vertical storage for seasonal toys and mittens, hats and scarves.

Purchase benches with built-in storage; under the bed is also a good source of storage space.

Store bottled water and other items you use often in a bookshelf in a hall closet. Use portable shelves, normally used to maximize kitchen cabinet storage, in closets and store office supplies.

Use other storage organizers to make the most of your closets, cabinets and empty spaces throughout your apartment. Use hanging organizers, to store shoes, accessories, socks, underwear, sleepwear and cleaning supplies near the washer and dryer. It will give you space in your closets for those small items. For the bathroom, use baskets to hold toiletries, makeup and other necessities and store them in a wall cabinet or under the sink.

Use filing cabinets as end tables or nightstands by covering them with a nice piece of fabric.

In the kitchen, for extra storage, use small rolling carts. Get one with a wire frame and purchase small metal hooks allowing hanging pots and pans off the sides.

If there is no linen closet, use under the bed storage boxes that easily roll out. It will be easily retrievable when you need to change your sheets and towels.