Living

35 Small-Space Superheroes — From Furniture to Organizers — Our Editors Can’t Live Without

updatedJul 20, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

If it seems like our editors have really good product picks fortiny apartments, it’s because they’re right there in the trenches with all you small-space dwellers. Most of us live the reality, whether we’re tiptoeing around a studio or splitting a one-bedroom with a roommate. The upside is that our recommendations are legit, meaning you can trust that a certain sofa orset of shelveswill get the job done without taking up excess real estate. We realized, however, that although there are endless one-off product reviews floating around AT, it might be helpful to compile them and putall those great findsin one post. Thus, we present you withSmall-Space Superheroes, our series that highlights editor-tested and -loved products that make our diminutive domains feel less cramped and more comfortable. We’re sure they’ll do the same for you, so check them out below, and maybe take a look at what needs replacing (or upgrading) in your own humble abode.

Bedroom

1/5
Amazon
$39.99

One of the major characteristics our editors look for in any bed is a high profile because that means plenty of underbed storage. When you have that at your disposal, you can make use of products like theseunderbed storage boxes, which our senior commerce editor loves. "I have way too much bedding, so I stuffed a few sheets sets and a winter blanket in one of the bins," Aliciawrote. "I tend to overpack every organizer I come in contact with, just based on the fact that I live in an apartment with not a lot of storage space, and these bins held up despite me overfilling them." What's more, the storage boxes look incredibly chic, so even the hidden areas of your room will uphold your carefully curated aesthetic.

2/5
The Container Store
$22.99

As a lover of all things beauty and makeup, I take my vanity space seriously. Thisacrylic organizermade a huge improvement in the organization of my collection, holding everything from powders to setting sprays to foundations — without taking up a ton of my desk's surface area. It's no wonder, then, that the organizer won the "Best Compact" category on AT'sBest List. It's an essential for everyone dealing with a large makeup collection but limited vanity space.

3/5
Amazon
$11.29
was $16.99

Perhaps you don't have space for a nightstand next to your bed, but thisclip-on lightwill still let you get some late-night reading in regardless. Commerce SEO Writer Nic clamped his onto his bed frame and said it works seamlessly. "It has a slim design and plenty of adjustable features, so while I’m still dreaming of the day when I wake up next to a modest nightstand, this device makes the meantime so much more pleasant," hewrote. Nic also appreciates the light's gooseneck design, which allows you to angle it as far away or close to you as you want. And for under $12, you're barely paying anything!

4/5
Amazon
$50.99
was $60.99

Although this slim4-tiered unitis labeled as a dresser, writer Tierra loves hers for storing toiletries in the bathroom. "In the time I’ve had it, it’s done nothing but make life easier," shewrote. "I feel much more confident buying items now because they have a place to go, and there’s nothing stopping me from adding a few more candles or incense to my space." No matter where you place it, the dresser will undoubtedly corral your clutter.

5/5
Molekule
$359.99

Most air purifiers are quite large, which is why we were delighted to find a model that measures just 12" tall. And despite its small size, theMolekule Air Mini+will still purify spaces of up to 250 square feet! AT contributor Terri first tried it in 2020, and the purifier subsequently won a spot on ourBest List. "It’s small enough to be portable, yet big enough to make a significant difference," shewrote. "Unsurprisingly, it works best in small rooms and is really easy to use: You just touch it once to turn it on, and each time after that, you’re touching it to increase the fan speeds." Additionally, you can connect the air purifier to your smartphone and control it remotely.

Bathroom

1/7
Amazon
$27.99

Anytime you can avoid using floor space for storage units, you've won. One of the best ways to achieve that is by installing floating shelves, such as theseadhesive onesfrom Amazon. Tamara, AT's managing commerce editor, put some up in her kitchen and was happy to find that she didn't need any power tools to do so. "Now that I’ve had them up for almost three months, I can report back that these floating shelves are made with some seriously magical adhesive, because they’ve totally stayed put," shewrote. With your purchase, you get three shelves for less than $30.

2/7
Amazon
$18.99
was $19.99

Thishanging toiletry bagis technically designed for travel, but contributor Emma said it's been a life-saver during her moving process. "It’s making sure I stay tidy and don’t leave anything behind on the bathroom sink because I immediately pop my products back into the bag after using them," shewrote. "It’s also amazing for living in smaller spaces, as it frees up the counter and keeps things looking a lot less cluttered, which can happen very quickly when you don’t have a ton of room to deal with." When you're done using the bag, you can simply fold and zip it back up to achieve a neat and tidy space.

3/7
OXO
$36.99

If your shower is roughly the size of a linen closet, you know what a struggle it is to store all of your bath products within the tight confines. Consequently, when we wrote ourBest Liston the top editor-tested shower organizers, we made sure to include this compact number from OXO in the lineup. "This organizerhangs right from the shower head pipe and is perfect for single-person households or those who just need a little extra space," contributor Taylor wrote. "Trays or holders that aren’t needed can be removed, and it’s finished off with a removable soap tray and three hooks, which makes the overall look and feel of the product even more minimalistic." And because this item is rust-proof, you don’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon.

4/7
Amazon
$20.99

Unlike other cabinets in your home, the ones beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks don't come with shelves — or any clear way to keep them organized. This two-level rack with bins that slide out for easy access is a quick way to get these areas situated and keep all your cleaning supplies and toiletries neat. SEO commerce editor Sarah especially liked that this storage piece fits around the plumbing. "I thought I’d never find a suitable option for my space, but with theSmartHom Under Sink Organizer, this cabinetfinallywent from chaotic to zen," shewrote.

5/7
Amazon
$8.99

Shower storage is one of the trickiest things any apartment dweller has to deal with. You could definitely adhere some shelves inside your shower's walls to solve this problem, but style shopping editor Blair also highly suggests thishanging organizerthat hooks right onto the rod. "Even completely filled up, mine still feels barely-there every time I step in the shower, and it’s positioned at the perfect height to easily access everything," shewrote. Blair also loves the organizer's individual compartments, which keep all her essentials separated and easy to grab. If you live with someone else, it might also be worth it to buy two for both of you.

6/7
Amazon
$25.99
was $35.99

The bathroom is usually the smallest room of the house, so it's a good idea to double up where you can. Specifically, you might try this two-in-onetrash can with a built-in toilet brush. It also helps that the can, itself, is slim and thus able to fit in the tight space next to the toilet. "With the Cq acrylic, you can say goodbye to that icky toilet brush that you (think you) are hiding behind the toilet,"wroteAT contributor Amy of her own buy. "It’s all here in one little compact, discreet package that looks modern and stylish."

7/7
Amazon
$55.99
was $59.99

Thistiered bamboo shelfadds so much extra storage space — and looks chic doing it. Writer Olivia loves its low price and ample surface area, among its other good qualities. "I still do find myself rearranging products and storage containers on the shelves every couple weeks, but for the most part, it’s exactly the organization solution I needed," shewrote. "Plus, the shelves looka lotbetter than staring at a pile of products on the floor every day, trust me."

Closet

1/5
Amazon
$37.99
was $39.99

It can be a hassle to find storage solutions that aren't a total eyesore, but Blair managed to findthese bins, which she describes as deceptively spacious and stylish, to boot. Each bin has a transparent window, so you can easily see what's inside without having to unzip it. "The 75-liter capacity can hold up to 35 pieces of apparel, according to the Amazon listing, as well as the equivalent of three king-sized comforters or six blankets," shewrote. "Oh, and rest assured that the (surprisingly durable-feeling) outer canvas — made from 90 percent cotton and 10 percent polyester — combined with the waterproof laminate interior help safely protect your blankets, extra towels, winter sweaters, and more."

2/5
Amazon
$24.99
was $35.99

If you're using regular hangers to hang pants, you're doing it wrong. Instead, you might consider these five-in-onetiered hangers, which come in a set of two. Alicia strongly recommends them for people who are short on shelf space and says they practically transformed her own closet. "With the two-pack, there are 10 hangers for pants or scarves," shewrote. "I personally doubled up some of my leggings, because they were so lightweight. I have a total of 14 pairs of pants and leggings hanging in my closet, which freed up an entire column of storage space on my shelf." Affordable and functional? Sounds downright enticing.

3/5
QVC.com
$36.73

Most closet organizers give the option of either increased shelf space or extra garment rod space, but this one lets you have both! That's because theWhitmor closet organizercomes with a built-in garment rod in addition to four spacious shelves. Tamara says this brilliant find instantly cleared up the clutter in her wardrobe. "I currently am using a good chunk of the cubes for seasonal attire like bathing suits and sunglasses, but come fall and winter, I’ll use the space for sweaters, scarves, beanies, and sweatpants," shewrote. "It’s also the perfect place to display a couple of pairs of my prized shoes that don’t fit on my other shoe rack."

4/5
QVC.com
$31.99

如果你住在一个城市作为craz租赁市场y as NYC's, you have to be prepared to move around a lot. Because of this, Alicia only uses organizers that are collapsible. It was only natural, then, that she'd love thesefolding storage bins, which are actually similar to the CHICVIE bins. "What I love so much about these bins is that they have the zippable window," shewrote. "When it’s time to put away clean laundry, I can easily put my folded stacks of clothes into the bag and then zip it up." The window also lets you keep an eye on what's inside at all times, making these roomy but collapsible bins highly convenient regardless of whether you keep them in your closet or under the bed.

5/5
Amazon
$9.99

If you're in need of more storage space, one place to check is under your bed. This often-underutilized area is the perfect place to keep seasonal clothes, extra bedding, shoes, and other belongings that the rest of your bedroom (or home) simply doesn't have room for. Alicia has been using theseZiploc storage bagsfor 10 years and found them to be extremely durable, largely because they're flexible. She appreciates how versatile they are,writing, "The way I used these totes changed from apartment to apartment. In one apartment, I stored extra pillows and bedding and stacked two totes on top of each other on my closet shelf. In my current one, I filled them halfway and shoved them under the bed with my out-of-season clothes. They also fold nearly flat, so when they aren’t in use, they’re easy to hide out of sight."

Living Room

1/7
CB2
$104.30
was $149.00

Chunky lamp bases can take up half of your side table, so opt for something slimmer, likeCB2’s black slight table lamp, instead. After buying a new couch, Blair was inspired to redesign her living room and instantly fell in love with this sophisticated accessory. "I bought a pair of these on sale around Fourth of July, and they couldn’t be more perfect for the mini rattan side tables bookending my sofa," shewrote. "The compact base takes up minimal surface area, and they’re actually fairly tall — 28 inches, to be exact. Paired with the textured shade, these lights add much-needed height and modernity to my teeny space.”

2/7
Amazon
$34.99
was $42.99

Side tables are all well and good, but the wrong one will not only make your space feel cramped, but it might also conceal your power outlets. This compact littleside tableprevents both problems. Alicia says its built-in charging station is nothing short of game-changing. "The side table comes with two outlets and two USB chargers, which means that my boyfriend and I no longer jostle over the two available outlets," shewrote. "We now have a total of six — we more than doubled our charging space." You'll also be happy to learn that this table is a breeze to assemble, even for those who aren't normally skilled in that department.

3/7
Castlery
$2699.00

Yes, it's possible to fit a sectional into a modestly sized living room, just ask Ian, our sister site's senior commerce editor, who got thisCastlery sofainto his apartment without a hitch. "Setup was a breeze," hewrote, adding, "The thing I love most about the Owen is that it feelsbig...However, it’s actually pretty compact for a sectional, and it doesn’t take up our entire living room." What's more, the sofa looks incredibly stylish and even has room for storage underneath its raised legs.

4/7
Amazon
$74.99

No central heating? No problem! ThisDreo space heaterworks like a charm and isn't bulky by any means. When Alicia received hers, she was actually surprised by how well it worked considering its teeny size. "Eco mode is powerful enough to raise my living room temperature by two degrees, according to my thermostat," shenoted. The heater is quiet, too, so you won't have to raise the volume on your TV.

5/7
Lovesac
$787.50
was $875.00

Maybe you've already found your dream couch and would like some additional seating, but you have no room for a loveseat. Not to worry — try theLovesac! Filled with shredded Durafoam that provides plenty of support, it's the elevated version of a beanbag. Best List editor Brittsaidhers is "infinitely more comfortable and less noisy," plus its washable cover is easy to slip on. The seat also comes in five different sizes.

6/7
Amazon
$44.95
was $55.99

The right table lamp makes all the difference in the world when you're trying to unwind after a long day and need a gentle, easily-accessible light that also looks good in your space. Alicia found this stylish lamp, designed by the Novogratz family, to be perfect for reading in bed and likes how the pull chains let you easily adjust the brightness. "If you’re looking for an affordable way to change the vibe of your space, I think theGlobe Electric x Novogratz 2-Light Table Lampis the perfect way to do it,"she wrote. Of course, it would look equally as stylish in the living room next to your favorite lounging spot.

7/7
Amazon
$99.99

If you're a pet owner whose out for much of the day, a little security camera likeGoogle's Nest camwould make a stress-reducing addition to your living area. Both Tamara and Charli, AT's executive lifestyle director, said theirsgives them peace of mind当他们不在家的时候与他们的宠物。“当我的体育t enters the room, the app sends me an alert telling me that there was 'an animal seen,' which is so helpful when I’m not at home and trying to keep an eye on them," Charli said. "The zoom and camera quality is unmatched. I don’t just see them, I can see how they’re doing/feeling. One camera covers a very wide space. I’m able to see our living room, den and the entryway just by having one sitting on the fireplace mantle.” Plus, the camera is so small, you'll barely notice it's there!

Kitchen & Dining Room

1/7
Williams Sonoma
$149.95

You can'tnotconsider kitchen tools and appliances when buying items that'll fit into your space without making it feel cramped. As far as electric kettles go, this one is a splurge, but Alicia says it's worth every cent. "The Smegheats up in less than three minutes, holds enough water for my boyfriend’s oatmeal and my morning cup of coffee, and is easy to maneuver," shewrote. "Our commerce managing editor, Tamara, owns the larger Smeg Kettle and says that she wishes she got the Mini because it’s too big. So if you’re debating between the two sizes and are heating up water for one or two people, we say go smaller." And, of course, you can't ignore the kettle's stunning design!

2/7
Le Creuset
$22.00
was $32.00

Who doesn't love a good Dutch oven? The only issue with this cookware staple is that most Dutch ovens aren't exactly compact. To get the same effect while also saving on cabinet space, grab amini cocotteor two from Le Creuset. Ian uses his for a wide variety of meals, noting that the adorable little pots come in handy on a daily basis. "For serving, these can function as mini soup bowls, containers for single-serving desserts, ice cream bowls, cereal bowls, and more," hewrote. "In the kitchen, you can use them to make mini pot pies, cook gratins; bake souffles; and whip up single brownies, cookies, crème brûlées, and more." You can even use the cocottes outside of the kitchen as makeshift trinket trays!

3/7
Amazon
$19.99

It's only natural to accumulate an inordinate number of water bottles over the years, and it goes without saying that storing them is no easy feat. Because of that, Sarah recommends thishorizontal organizer, which you can stow away neatly inside any cabinet. "With this organizer, I’m now able to see every bottle in my collection at onceandreach it with ease," shewrote. "The best part? Because of its two-shelf design, I can actually take advantage of the open space at the top of my cabinet and stack bottles on top of each other. Yep — this organizer created evenmorestorage space!" Use it for your water bottles, travel mugs, Stanley quenchers, and whatever else will fit.

4/7
Yamazaki Home
$48.00

If you've run out of cabinet and shelf space in your kitchen, it might be time tocreatesome on your fridge. Thismagnetic basketfrom Yamazaki simplifies the process; all you have to do is stick it onto the side or the door of the fridge and pack it with spices, condiments, and whatever else needs a new home. "What I love about this organizer is that while my kitchen tends to look chaotic with various storage units and wall racks, this sleek white steel shelf doesn’t add to the noise,"wrotecontributor Erin after testing the basket. "Instead, it looks clean and simple attached to my fridge, no matter what it’s holding."

5/7
Levity
$799.00

We understand that some apartment renters might not haveanyextra space for a dining table, but if you do have a couple square feet to spare, thisround tablefrom Levity would make a great addition. Ian described his as the perfect size for when friends come over, but not too big to block his living room walkway. "The coolest part of the table, though, is that it comes with a Life-Proof coating that protects against heat, water, and game night messes,'" headded. Consider us sold!

6/7
Yamazaki Home
$27.00

Most people probably no longer buy single-use coffee filters, but for those of you who still prefer to brew the old-fashioned way, thisYamazaki filter casewill definitely come in clutch. It saves space by attaching directly onto your fridge (or any other magnetic surface), and Tamara loves how easy it is to grab a filter right out of the case instead of rummaging through her cabinets. "Yamazaki’s sleek and durable coffee filter case has completely eliminated that stressor, so my mornings can run smoother," shewrote. "I also love that it keeps my filters nice and crisp — because there’s nothing worse than wrinkled filters." Most importantly, the case won't damage your fridge.

7/7
Amazon
$26.99

One of the downsides of sharing a tiny kitchen with roommates is the lack of cabinet shelf space. Because the lower shelves were already taken when I moved in, I have to store my plates and cookware on a higher, hard-to-reach shelf. Whereas I used to struggle with this on a daily basis, I now just pull out thiscollapsible step stooland grab whatever I need with ease. It's super lightweight and portable, and when I'm done using it, I just fold it flat and stick it into one of those tight spaces between furniture. It's like the stool isn't even there!

Cleaning & Laundry

1/4
The Container Store
$24.99

As you can imagine, Britt has tested许多洗衣篮, but she said this is the one she uses the most. This handy,portable basketis perfect for those who lack in-unit laundry; its long handles allow you to easily carry it to the nearest laundromat without a hitch. "It can hold SO much!" Brittwrotein her review. "I once dumped the clothing from my almost-full 72-liter hamper into the basket, and nearly everything fit into the Lustroware basket without it spilling over." Clearly, the tote's small size doesn't impede its impressive storage capacity.

2/4
QVC.com
$41.98

You can't go without cleaning supplies, but the sad truth is that many of them are needlessly bulky. That's not the case, however, with thiscollapsible mop kit, which Blair says remains compact even if you don't flatten the included bucket. What's more, it'll leave any room of the home spotless. "For just $41.98, you essentially get seven tools, an easily-transportable storage bucket, and an all-around cleaner space — win-win-win," shewrote. The mop is easily her most used product, and Blair added that it's now her go-to when deep-cleaning the bathroom.

3/4
Amazon
$49.80
was $59.99

Small spaces need small vacuums, andthis handheld modelfrom Black+Decker is a hardworking and affordable machine that makes keeping your home clean easy. It charges fully in four hours and lasts long enough to do a once-over of your entire place before needing to go back to the charging dock. Britt has been using this vacuum for years and swears by it,writing, "This vacuum literally lasts foryears并且能这么好当我第一次received it. Reliable is an understatement when it comes to this vacuum, it’s a dependable must-have."

4/4
Walmart
$24.76

Not only do apartments often lack in-unit dryers, but many also lack the square footage for a drying rack. With thisover-the-door find, though, you don't need to make room on your floor. Simply hang it up, and place your damp garments on it. Sarah loves hers,writing, "If you’re tired of not having a dedicated space to dry your delicates but don’t want something big and bulky taking up room in your tiny space, this is the answer you’ve been looking for." And it's so inexpensive!