Easy Solutions To Decorate A Small Space 2013 Storage Ideas

What can you do with just 600 square feet? An super efficient floor plan containing a great room, bedroom, and full bath, cleverly constructed cabinets, and multifunctional furniture makes this small one-story home live large.

Decorated in crisp white and blue with pops of spring green, the inviting open living area not only serves as living, dining, kitchen, and work space -- it can also host up to three guests thanks to a trundle bed/bench squeezed into a window niche and a traditional pullout sofa. An ottoman serves as a coffee table with hidden storage beneath its upholstered lid.

Drawers pull out from under the daybed to reveal clever storage for games when the homeowner is entertaining. Store items near the place you are most likely to use them for an easy and convenient way to stay organized.

A wall-hung TV frees up space for media equipment on shelves below. Storage baskets mix the room's color palette  green and blue  and add more pattern, playfulness, and storage to the room.

With the help of wall-mount file pockets and a portable file box, a small table in a corner of the living room easily goes from dining to an impromptu office. Swivel stools tuck neatly under the table when not in use, saving space in the small quarters.

Hallways are for more than navigating through a space. By borrowing just a little square footage from surrounding rooms and making the hallway wider, you can greatly multiply storage options. Here, floor-to-ceiling shelves line the walls surrounding the curtained bedroom entry. Or, if you already have a wide hallway, consider adding banks of shelves around the doorway or at the end of a passageway. Add cabinet doors to lower shelves for hidden storage.

The petite bedroom features two skinny closets that flank the entry and four deep drawers below the bed. A bounty of baskets and boxes adds another layer of shipshape organization to this miniature marvel.

A nightstand-headboard at one end of the bed packs extra storage under the eaves, while four drawers built into the base of the bed store folded clothes and shoes without taking up additional floor space.

A pair of narrow closets provides ample storage for clothing and shoes. Baskets corral socks and shoes, while hooks for laundry and tote bags maximize back-of-the-door space.

Don't skimp on style when outfitting a small space with storage. Find solutions that blend beauty and function. In the bathroom, a vanity features storage for bath items in the cabinet and on an open shelf below. A pair of pretty glass canisters house cotton balls and swabs.

Cabinets in the hallway near the kitchen house office supplies. A bamboo stationery holder, stacking flip-top bins, and an acrylic organizer stash small items such as paper clips, pens, and computer cords, while larger canvas bins hold notepads, printer paper, file folders, and gift-wrapping supplies.

Open shelving, small scale cabinets, and a slender pantry work together to create an efficient galley kitchen featuring a two-burner cooktop and a sink. Baskets hold bulk items and take advantage of the extra space near the ceiling, while boxes above the cooktop contain dish towels and napkins.

The pantry keeps the microwave and toaster ovens hidden yet accessible. Baskets and wooden bins hold packaged food and beverages on adjustable shelves; clear acrylic canisters provide airtight storage for snacks. Sets of canisters come in uniform sizes so they can stack together nicely, the way a hodgepodge of food packages often don't.