Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Home
  3. Home Decor Ideas
  4. Small Space Organizing Tips

Small Space Organizing Tips

By Sarah Latta
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
FB
Wooden Desk with Blue Striped Chair
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
We enlisted our own Style Director Heather Chadduck Hillegas to show us how to transform functional spaces into high-style moments.
Start Slideshow

1 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

At the Desk

Wooden Desk with Blue Striped Chair
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: If you don't have a dedicated home office, imitate the idea by carving out a small workspace in a sitting room or guest bedroom.

The Space Saver: A long, deep desk drawer stashes a laptop and keeps mail out of sight, making room for pretty desk accessories.

The Styling: Heather placed stationery in a clear glass box and employed decorative containers to hold pencils, stamps, paper clips, and other office supplies.

The Unexpected: A vintage garden stool ups the sophistication factor and offers additional surface space.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

In the Linen Cabinet

Stocked Wooden Linen Cabinet
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: A closet with tall shelves works best. The height keeps bedding in plain view.

The Space Saver: Increase your home's storage square footage with a freestanding linen closet.

The Styling: Color coordinating sheets to indicate size (royal blue for king, beige for queen, etc.) takes the guesswork out of searching for bedding. Assigning a shelf for each room also helps.

The Unexpected: Tired of folding fitted sheets? Wrap each one inside its coordinating flat sheet for crisp, finished stacks.

2 of 10

3 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

By the Back Door

Mudroom with Leopard Cushion
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: Carve out an unused corner or nook at the top of your basement stairs for a convenient storage spot. Simple, flat molding adds interest to the interior when painted a crisp white.

The Space Saver: Baskets store out-of-season accessories.The lined wire baskets hide clutter and keep the space looking tidy.

The Styling: A leopard-print cushion and bold accent pillow create a cozy spot for taking off and putting on shoes.

The Unexpected: Try hanging photos of the children over the hooks to designate a space for each one's belongings.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Next to the Stove

Stove with Blue Pot
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: First things first: Clear off those two tiny spaces flanking your stove so you can work with a clean slate.

The Space Saver: A countertop lazy Susan keeps cooking essentials under control and in one place.

The Styling: Choose your cooking staples wisely. Our Test Kitchen staffers, who suggest including sea salt, a pepper grinder, olive oil, plenty of wooden spoons, and a jar of your favorite herb.

The Unexpected: On the other side of the stove, everyday drinking glasses filled with water hold fresh herbs for easy picking. A wicker demijohn filled with oil provides convenient storage and also makes for a pretty decorative element.

4 of 10

5 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

On the Vanity

Chinese Chippendale Table
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: A dressing table is best, but any free surface—from a dresser to a nightstand to a small console table—will do.

The Space Saver: Start with a silver tray.. The tray's contained setting makes the mixed collection of glassware and dishes look more organized.

The Styling: Reinvent unused items as unique jewelry holders. Glass jars and a crystal decanter serve double duty as necklace and bracelet stands.

The Unexpected: We were thrilled to discover that a plastic water bottle fits perfectly inside a woven pencil holder! Let the rattan sleeve pretty up this basic item on your vanity or bedside.

5 of 10

6 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

By the Sink

Wall-Mounted White Sink
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: A wide but shallow wall-mounted sink preserves square footage and doubles as a towel rack.

The Space Saver: Heather retrofitted this existing medicine cabinet, removing the wood shelves and adding glass ones for a cleaner look. She then substituted a larger mirror for the existing one.

The Styling: On the sink surface, try stacking both light and dark washcloths so you can wipe off makeup without leaving stains.

The Unexpected: A piano hinge, also known as a continuous hinge, lets the mirror lie flush against the wall.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

In the Laundry Room

Laundry Room with Blue Doors
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: No laundry room? No problem. House a front-loading washer and dryer in a former coat closet. Painted louvered doors can close at any time to conceal the dirty work.

The Space Saver: A deep-set hanging rack and white cubed shelves take advantage of vertical space.

The Styling: Pour powdered detergent into a pretty glass jar, and add a silver scoop. The green pail is a handy catchall for dryer sheets and wayward socks.

The Unexpected: Imitate the look of a separate room by installing white subway tiles along the back wall.

7 of 10

8 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

By the Television

Wooden Armoire with Glass Shelves
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: Lighten up an old wood armoire by painting the inside a soft blue (Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball) and mounting a TV at eye level.

The Space Saver: Swapping out the original wood shelves for custom-fit glass ones allows light to easily pass through, creating the illusion of space.

The Styling: To make the space feel less tech-focused, stack colorful books in orderly groupings. Other unsightly items are hidden away in pretty decorative boxes.

The Unexpected: Because most TV cabinet doors stay open all the time, Heather flipped hers so the fronts face the sitting area.

8 of 10

9 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

In the China Cabinet

China Cabinet with Striped Fabric
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: Forever banish the rattling noise your china cabinet makes when someone walks through the room by upholstering the inside with fabric and a light batting underneath.

The Space Saver: Inexpensive acrylic plate stands empower platters and other large silver pieces to stand tall, making room on shelves for other wares.

The Styling: To create a balanced appearance that doesn't seem too staged, mix glass, silver, and china in various locations on each shelf.

The Unexpected: Stack extra fabric, left over from the upholstery, between china plates for further protection.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

At the Front Door

Font Door with Demilune Entry Table
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Space: To help a hallway hold its own, cover the walls in a blue-green jute grass cloth wallpaper.

The Space Saver: With its curvy, inviting edges, a demilune table bears plenty of surface space but also stays comfortably out of the way. A bamboo hat rack is petite yet practical, imparting a cool vintage touch.

The Styling: A hand-carved wooden box holds car and house keys. A table lamp illuminates the hallway at night, and a bamboo tray serves as a catchall for mail and other belongings.

The Unexpected: An umbrella stand might seem like a thing of the past, but here it adds whimsy and practical storage.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sarah Latta

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10 At the Desk
    2 of 10 In the Linen Cabinet
    3 of 10 By the Back Door
    4 of 10 Next to the Stove
    5 of 10 On the Vanity
    6 of 10 By the Sink
    7 of 10 In the Laundry Room
    8 of 10 By the Television
    9 of 10 In the China Cabinet
    10 of 10 At the Front Door

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Small Space Organizing Tips
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.