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How to Store a Vacuum, Tools, Luggage, and Decor in a Small Apartment

Keeping a small apartment organized is a feat of willpower and creativity. The more creatively you use your storage spaces, the more you can stow in a tidy, visible, and accessible way. This works for the pantry, linen closet, bedrooms, and more. But what about those big, clunky items that can't be tidied into small boxes and vertical canisters? Four of the most challenging things to store in a small apartment are the vacuum, tools, decorations, and suitcases.
We have a few helpful tips drawn from organization best practices, personal experience, and a dash of Marie Kondo storage magic to help you stow away these bulky yet necessary items.

Where to Store a Vacuum in a Small Apartment

First, where do you put the vacuum? It needs to be accessible but also out of the way when you're not actively cleaning. Vacuums tend to live best in odd little nooks created by the apartment's architecture or furniture arrangement. If you have a weird space that doesn't have a better purpose, try tucking the vacuum in it.

Smaller vacuums can be hung on the wall, and some wireless vacuums are designed to have a wall-mounted charging port. Slender vacuums that can collapse flat may even fit under the couch. But bulky full-sized vacuums work best in the linen closet (if possible), in the laundry nook, or possibly between the couch and wall.

two brooms and a mop and a scoop of wool

How to Store Tools in an Apartment

What about tools? If you're handy, keeping your tools somewhere useful and out of the way is essential. Everyone needs a few screwdrivers and pliers, but you might have a full collection of tools for things like carpentry, plumbing, automotive work, and more.

The traditional method would be to mount them on a pegboard, but this may not be an option in an apartment. Instead, consider an under-bed toolkit that you can roll out when it's time to build or repair something. You can also lay your tools out in trays and stack them in lower drawers in the kitchen or bathroom. If you have a patio, a sealed outdoor tool chest might be the best answer, depending on the size of your collection.

If you have a small number of often-used tools, try storing them like office supplies instead. Keep a jar of screwdrivers and small wrenches on the kitchen island or on a bookshelf so you can grab them and put them away on a whim.

a desk with pens and pencils on it

Where to Store Suitcases in a Small Apartment

What about suitcases? Suitcases are bulky by nature, but they are also empty when not in use. The Marie Kondo method of using household items and saved boxes for organization offers the following answer: Nest suitcases inside other suitcases. This minimizes the total bulk you need to store.  You can also roll up backpacks and duffel bags to store them inside your suitcases, as well.

Then, you can store the largest cases (full of other luggage and bags) under your bed or on an upper closet shelf, where they will wait until needed. For suitcases that don't nest easily, like unusually shaped or shell cases, you can fill them with seasonal clothing and keepsakes instead. This provides extra under-bed or tidy top-shelf storage so your suitcases are useful while they are stowed away.

Apartment Storage for Seasonal Decorations

Storing seasonal decor is another interesting challenge in a small apartment. This is especially true if you love to go all-out with decor. Most people have a box or two of decorations for lights and wreaths and maybe another tote of Halloween stuff. You might even have special decorative items for every season. But where can you store it?

One option is to hide your seasonal decor in plain sight. Storage furniture like chest benches and cabinet coffee tables can provide a couple of boxes' worth of hidden space in your apartment. You can also place one box on the floor of each closet and use the top as a lower shelf for shoes and small items most of the year. If there is a space between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, this is also a great place for rarely-accessed seasonal decor storage.

a closet filled with clothes and hangers

Apartments with Great Storage in Longview, TX

If you are looking for a Longview, TX, apartment with plenty of room for storage, you've found us. Check out Summer Brook Apartments and discover the joys of spacious rooms with 9-foot ceilings and oversized closets to ensure you have plenty of room for personal items, seasonal items, and bulky necessities. You can make wonderful use of vertical space and keep your storage out of the main rooms by maximizing large closet storage spaces with clever organizational solutions.

Whether you love seasonal decor, cleaning supplies, travel luggage, or have a big collection of personal tools, we've got you covered. Contact us today to inquire about availability and book a tour of our spacious apartments at Summer Brook.

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