Master Your Small Space, Think Beyond the Basket.
PreparednessMama conducted a survey earlier this year and asked readers their number one preparedness challenge. Their overwhelming response – how to store preparedness items when you are small space living.
I get the frustration. Not too long ago we spent 9 months living with family and most of our possessions were in storage. When you live an area the size of a master bedroom, you look for small space storage ideas everywhere.
Many people believe that they can’t have a good supply of food storage and preparedness items because they live in an apartment. I say small space living is a challenge that can be overcome with good organization and a few tricks.
If you are struggling with creative ways to get the maximum amount of food storage and emergency supplies in your small space take a look at these ideas from other sites. While they may not all address emergency storage, you will find that they help you to think about your limited space in a new way.
Is There More to It Than Utilizing Organization Techniques?
Not really. Organizing is the key to making space for your preparedness storage. The better you get at looking at these ideas in a fresh way, the more you will be able to store. When you live in a small space you need to look at every corner and shelf in a new way.
It’s surprising the number of things you can store creatively when you are determined to be prepared.
Begin by Assessing Each Room
Look for areas that are underutilized. Do you have a chest of drawers that could be cleaned out to free up some additional room? Verify that each shelf and cabinet holding the items that you really need, or do you need to declutter and make a donation?
What areas of dead space can you find? Is there available space under beds, couches, chairs and dressers?
The trick is to be creative with the space you already have, and think of it in a new way. If you can free up a dresser drawer to hold little-used dishes and linens, you’ll have more room in the kitchen for food storage.
Adding Space to Overlooked Areas Around Your Home
These clear shoe hangers are perfect for storing small preparedness items. Put one in the bathroom for your first aid supplies. If you need to leave in a hurry it can be rolled up and taken with you. Place another on the pantry door for condiments and spices. You’ll free up precious shelf space for bigger items.
Do you have stairs in your house? If I did, I certainly would take a look at adding these pullouts.
Find out more at http://fosterhill.com/
Click here to view original article at diyprojects.ideas2live4.com
These in stair drawers take it to another level altogether. Just think of all the preparedness supplies you could store in there!
Click here to view original web page at www.apartmenttherapy.com
Perhaps you have an empty or underutilized nook that can become an office or play space. Use the old space for more preparedness storage.
I thought this project was genius! If your home has high ceilings in the entry way you can convert it into a small office or storage area. Follow the link to see the room that they created.
Click here to view original article at www.apartmenttherapy.com
Add corner shelving to move display items that would typically be in cupboards. Use the freed space for food storage.
Click here to view original web page at www.listotic.com
Add shelves up high or around doorways. This works especially well for items that you don’t need to access frequently.
Adding space in the kitchen
Add an extra shelf inside of your cabinets without using power tools. This video shows you how to do it with a 1×3 and glue dots. Use this to add extra storage area in the spice cabinet, at the back of the drinking glass cabinet, and in your pantry. It’s easy and inexpensive. Get Glue Dots Craft Roll 
@ Amazon.
Is there space above the kitchen cabinets that you can use to store drinking pictures, serving bowls, and baskets? Free your cabinet space for items that are not display-worthy.
Add dining nook storage in bench seating.
Click here to view original web page at diningroom.sperryjuiceplus.com
Make your pantry shelves super efficient with this DIY idea
View the original article at ckandnate.com
To maximize my kitchen shelf space I use expandable shelf racks which let me double the storage space in any cabinet area. Try them under sinks in the kitchen and bathroom too. You can get a surprising amount of canned goods and toilet paper in a cabinet when you stack things this way.
If you have dead space between the refrigerator and wall make a rolling pantry cabinet.
Click here to view original web page at www.diypassion.com
Add toe kick drawers under your kitchen cabinets. These have the potential for hiding a lot of stuff!
Click here to view original web page at www.instructables.com
Use a metal magazine rack inside cabinet doors to hold container lids, towels, and aluminum foil boxes.
Click here to view original web page at www.improvenet.com
If you have wasted or hard to get to corner storage you can make your own Lazy Susan turntables.
Click here to view original web page at www.iheartorganizing.com
Add Space in the Livingroom
We have old steamer trunks that store our emergency supplies and double as end tables. It works great as long as you like the “rustic” look. This particular trunk has extra candles, flashlights and batteries, plus a few MRE’s, extra toilet paper, and 3 gallons of water. It’s a big, easy to access emergency kit, but it’s not easy to move. If the power goes out we go to this trunk, it has everything we need.
If you have your couch against the wall, consider making a shelf for additional storage. This is really ingenious. Not only will you be able to display items, but if you build shelves inside you can use the space to store additional food storage or supplies. All you have to do is pull out the couch to get access.
Click here to view original web page at keepsonringing.wordpress.com
If there is room under the furniture, use a trundle drawer or plastic storage chest.
Adding Space in the Bedroom
Utilize under the bed containers
Click here to view original web page at www.remissionrun.org
Add Adjustable Bed Risers 
for deeper under bed storage space Underbed Storage Chest
Add a corner storage cabinet and side table
Click here to view original web page at www.addicted2decorating.com
Adding Space in the Bathroom
The bathroom is traditionally a storage challenged area. We have small items all clamoring for a spot. Use the area above the door to add a shelf for extra towels. This frees up under sink cabinets for personal items.
Click here to view original web page at www.listotic.com
Over the toilet cabinets may seem old-fashioned but they are terrific for storage. Move your linens out in the open and use a cabinet for the things you don’t want seen.
Try these under cabinet storage ideas and see another over the door shelf project.
Click here to view original web page at www.mysocalledhome.com
Add narrow storage cabinets
to a corner of the bathroom. I have a red one.
Add a skirt around a pedestal sink for additional storage
Click here to view original web page at bumblebeelinens.com
Add Space in the Garage, Attic, or Shed
Consider adding shelving by the garage door leading to the house. This would be a terrific space to organize your go bags and emergency supplies.
Click here to view original web page at simplybeingabby.com
We all have underutilized attic storage space. Add shelves to the eves for simple organization.
Click here to view original web page at www.iheartorganizing.com
We recently built shelves in our shed to increase the storage area. I have emergency supplies that can withstand the hot Texas summers in this area.
Adding Space in Closets
There are volumes that have been written about closet organization. I’m sure you can find hundreds of ideas to free up space in a closet. I’ve chosen a few that are easy to implement.
I have several 5-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizers
. They offer as much space as a set of dresser drawers and work great for sweaters. My dresser is then used for other items that are too heavy to store in the organizer.
If you have high ceilings, add additional shelving to store out of the way things.
If you are struggling with creative ways to get the maximum amount of food storage and preparedness supplies in your small space, take a look at these small space storage ideas. You’re sure to find an idea (or five) that will work for your situation. There are affiliate links in this post. Thanks for supporting PreparednessMama in this way.
I love the idea of the steamer trunks! I have used smaller trunks in the past as coffee tables (actually am currently) but I usually just keep spare blankets there. I am not extremely limited in space, nor do I have a ton, but I do have an non preparedness minded significant other who’s eyes get wide every time he sees my growing supplies…maybe I’ll try to spread the love around the house a little more 🙂 and start with something like this.
Yes Caitlin, steamer trunks are a great way to “hide” your growing preps. We keep a mini evac kit in ours.