Creative Ways to Maximize Small Spaces With Inexpensive Items

When you're living in a small space, every inch counts! That's why our buddy and professional organizer Peter Walsh insists on keeping only what’s necessary — and storing it ever so strategically.

RELATED: How to Give Your Small Space a BIG Makeover

But because that tends to be easier said than done, when Peter stopped by, he brought with him four ingenious ways to maximize space.

TIP NO. 1: HANG MULTIPLE WICKER BASKETS IN YOUR BATHROOM

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If you have a lot of people using a small bathroom (like your kids!), hang wicker baskets on the wall with self-adhesive hooks (The Container Store, $15 each) and give everyone a designated one to put their towels and other items inside.

We LOVE that.

Editor's Picks:

Water Hyacinth Storage Cubes With Handles (The Container Store, $20–$30 each)

The Container Store

2-Pack Hand-Woven Water Hyacinth Baskets (Home Depot, $25)

The Home Depot

StorageWorks Hand-Woven Rectangular Baskets, Set of 3 (Amazon, $50)

Amazon

TIP NO. 2: HANG APPLIANCES ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR BATHROOM CABINET DOOR

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It's never smart, safe or space-savvy to leave appliances like hairdryers and curling irons on countertops in your bathroom.

Instead, apply self-adhesive hooks (Amazon, $10 for 6) to the inside of your bathroom cabinet door — and hang the appliances there!

RELATED: 10 Brilliant Tips to Permanently Declutter Your Car

TIP NO. 3: CREATE HANGING SPICE RACKS WITH PENCIL CASE BASKETS

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Make room in your pantry by hanging your spices! Just attach pencil case baskets (Amazon, $8.50) on the cupboard walls and put shorter spices in there so there’s more room for the taller ones at the base of the cabinet.

Pro tip: Peter likes to keep spices that he often uses at the same time (like those used in his favorite molasses spice cookies) together in one basket for efficiency.

Genius!

TIP NO. 4: USE HANGING SHOE ORGANIZERS TO STORE PAPER TOWEL ROLLS

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Forget shoes (just kidding, NEVER)! Use those famous hanging organizers (The Container Store, $15 each) to store paper towel rolls in your kitchen or toilet paper rolls in your bathroom.

This way, you’re never scrambling to get a new roll from the garage or elsewhere!

For more nifty tips from Peter, watch the video below to see him help a boat owner declutter his limited space (using his "F-A-S-T" method)!

Prices listed are subject to change by the retailer.