Raise your hand if you struggle with apartment storage.
When I moved into a one-bedroom in NYC two years ago, I sacrificed significant space so that I could stay on budget. Although I got lucky with decent-sized closets, I needed to be creative if I wanted to maximize the area, especially when my boyfriend moved in with me one year later. Double the clothes, double the work supplies and half the room.
To successfully keep things clean, we needed closet dividers, small armories in the bedroom and thin hangers (not holding onto the clunky ones the dry cleaner gives you).
I binge-watched “The Home Edit” over the pandemic and learned the importance of editing, categorizing, maintaining and containing when organizing the space. Cleaning expert Christine Bou Kheir confirmed that decluttering is a key step before buying new organizers.
“Start with duplicates, things you don’t use, and items you’re keeping ‘just in case,'” she recommended. “You don’t want to spend money or time finding storage for things you no longer need.”
Then, look for unused space within your existing storage. Kheir called out the gap above mugs inside a cabinet, the back of a door and the space under your bed.
The final step: organizing around your daily routine and leaving some breathing room in the process.
“Keep everyday items easy to reach, and put seasonal or rarely used items higher up or under the bed,” said Kheir. “The goal is a system you can keep up with, rather than fitting something into every inch. A system that works on a busy week is the finish line of the whole process.”
Below, we gathered some of the top organizers that make for quick and simple home improvements, per cleaning experts.
Ebern Designs Under Bed Shoe Storage Organizer
Sneakers, boots and slippers are all fair game this fall and winter — but how do you store so many options? Professional organizer Alexis Lombardo recommends keeping those you don’t need every day under the bed, and she even encourages her clients to take photos so they remember where they’re located.
“These under the bed shoe organizers from Wayfair have handles on all four sides, hold a variety of shoe types and have a clear lid, which makes it easy to see what’s inside at a quick glance,” she explained.
The Container Store Long White Mesh Stackable Shelf
This small shelf requires no assembly and can hold up to 11 pounds of weight, whether you seek to store pots, shoes or pantry items.
“Many closets have storage space up high that feels unusable. This is where a shelf riser, like these stackable shelves, is priceless,” explained Lombardo. “It creates more shelf space, which is good for items you don’t need every day. Think extra pillows, blankets and off-season clothes.”
Classic by Elfa Mesh Over the Door & Wall Rack Graphite
The back of the door is a storage solution that often goes unnoticed. This wall rack includes two small baskets, two large baskets, one standard basket and a set of over-the-door hooks — all in one.
Lombardo suggests the product for kids’ rooms, laundry spaces, bathrooms, closet doors and kitchens.
Simple Houseware Expandable Stackable Kitchen Counter Shelf Organizer
In my opinion, kitchens are one of the toughest spaces to organize. Snacks pile up, expired items go unnoticed, and you catch yourself collecting one too many spices.
Kheir says to use the empty height inside the cabinet to create another level for mugs, bowls or pantry items, making them easier to reach without building tall stacks. This organizer extends and overlaps, making for an efficient kitchen system.
SPACEKEEPER Slim Rolling Storage Cart
Finally, a place where you can keep beauty products tidy, not collecting dust on a single shelf. This product is easy to glide around the house and has four tiers of storage (although it can also be adjusted to two or three shelves).
“A narrow rolling cart can turn an otherwise unused gap into storage for small kitchen or bathroom essentials. I like that you can pull it out to access things,” said Kheir.
Criusia Closet Organizers Bins (4 Pack)
I can’t count the number of times my clothes have gotten stuck behind a drawer, resulting in me fishing them out with a hanger. Placing your items into bins helps items remain tidy while also keeping you in check (an overloaded bin is a sign to do a closet clean-out).
“Pull-out baskets are useful for deeper cabinets where items disappear at the back. I like this approach because you bring the contents toward you instead of moving everything in front to reach one item,” said Kheir.
Iris Under Bed Drawer
Got space under the bed? These gliding, slide-out drawers make it easy to access shoes, clothing and accessories that aren’t necessarily for everyday use.
Classic by Elfa Narrow Drawer Solution
If you have extra clothing, kitchen or bathroom supplies lying around, cleaning up is made simple with a compact drawer solution.
“These customizable drawer sets are incredibly sturdy and will last you through all of your changing needs,” said Lombardo. “They can be small enough to fit under your bathroom sink, or large enough to be placed in a closet to ‘offload’ sweaters, socks, workout clothes-whatever isn’t fitting someplace else.”
The Container Store Overdoor 5-Hook Rack
Sometimes, all it takes are extra hooks to remove some of the junk off the floor.
“I have a motto: ‘The more you hang, the less you have to store,'” Lombardo added. “These hooks are very helpful. Storing sweatshirts on a hanger or folded takes up a lot of space. The single hooks are also a great option, especially for bathrobes, towels or your work bag.”
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This article was written by Carrie Berk, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Carrie specializes in New York City-ready fashion finds for every style, age and budget. Combing the internet’s sale sections, brand collaborations, seasonal trends, timeless staples and lookalike styles, she makes recommendations that stand the test of time in your wardrobe – without breaking the bank. Before joining The Post full time in 2026, her work appeared in HuffPost, Women’s Health, Newsweek and more.