A studio apartment is many renters’ first taste of solo, city living. While the freedom of having your own space is great, the size of a studio may be smaller than what you’re accustomed to. If you’re having trouble finding room for all of your belongings – and you’ve already parted with everything you can bear to live without – try some of these simple storage solutions:

• Maximize your closet space: A lot of studios come equipped with one giant closet designed to fit everything from your clothes to your vacuum cleaner. In order to use every inch of this space to its full potential, you’ll need to look beyond the preinstalled rod. Buy some storage cubbies, shoe racks and a compact hamper for dirty clothes to make the most of the floor space. In addition to regular hangers, add hanging shelves for things like tank tops, hats and belts. And, don’t overlook the door – you can get a multipurpose hanger for sweatshirts on one side and a hanging shoe organizer for the other.

Source: BHG.com

• Use the walls: Shelves are pretty easy to install and the perfect place to store and display books, photo albums, records, knickknacks and even food. Put shelves up above the TV for DVDs, in the bathroom for toiletries, in the kitchen for spices, and next to the bed for books and family photos. However, make sure the hardware you’re using has been approved by the leasing office to ensure you do not damage the walls.
• Bathroom space-savers: Over-the-showerhead shelves, one of the best inventions ever, can hold everything from shampoo to washcloths to soap. Look for one that has adjustable shelves, hangs freely and doesn’t need to be installed. For toiletries and towels, get a cabinet or shelving unit designed to fit over the toilet; just be sure to take measurements before you buy one.
• In the kitchen: Most of these tips for creating more counter space apply to studios as well; especially useful are cutting boards that fit over the sink, wire shelves for inside cabinets and using the space above the cabinets for small appliances. Skip the kitchen table and get an ottoman or side table for the living area that can double as everyday dining space for one.
• The bedroom: The space under the bed was made for storage. Many stores sell drawers and plastic bins specifically designed to fit underneath the bed. You’ll be able to fit even more stuff by putting specially designed lifts under the bed’s legs. Use this space for out-of-season clothes, sheets and comforters, and other things you don’t need to access every day.
• The living room: There are lots of opportunities for storage in this part of your studio. Buy a coffee table with built-in, deep drawers, or an ottoman that doubles as a storage bin for DVDs, video games and workout equipment. You can also save floor space by mounting your TV on the wall, or opt for a TV stand that has plenty of drawers and shelves.

How do you create storage in your apartment?