6 Storage Secrets From Tiny House Dwellers

We asked tiny home residents and designers how they squeezed as much storage as possible out of their ultra-petite pads. Steal their ideas to maximize your own space.

Toybox Home Kitchen

Hidden Storage in Tiny Toybox Home Kitchen

Instead of visible cabinets for additional storage, the home has a deeper wall between the bathroom and the kitchen area. This wall hides extra cabinet space and reduces the appearance of clutter.

Photo by: Mieke Zuiderweg

Mieke Zuiderweg

Every day we hear chatter from people talking a big game when it comes to living tiny. One of the biggest concerns is deciding what to do about all the stuff and where will it go? Just because you are living in a box it doesn’t mean that you have to think inside one. We sought creative yet practical advice from minimalist pros, Airstream dwellers and designers who have some big ideas on tiny home storage. 

Paring Down

When Frank Henderson decided to go small, he sought the advice of Chicago-based designer Paul Schultz. Together they assessed what Henderson’s storage requirements would be, concentrating on wants versus needs — without sacrificing style. Schultz suggested that Henderson categorize his possessions into three lists: essentials, non-essentials and shared items. From there they were able to customize his new digs, dubbed the Toybox Home. 

Tour the Toybox Home

See All Photos

Shop This Look

“After completion of the three lists, minimum quantities were assigned to each item,” says Schultz. “Four plates, 10 shirts, 20 books and so on.” 

Then they had to decide where it would all go. 

Multiple Personalities 

Versatile Sofa With Storage Inside

Versatile Sofa With Storage Inside

The versatile sofa boxes in the tiny Toybox Home double as storage containers.

Photo by: Mieke Zuiderweg

Mieke Zuiderweg

To open up space and avoid the cramped and cluttered experience associated with many tiny home designs, furniture in the Toybox Home doubles as storage and/or has multiple uses. For example, the sofa boxes double as storage containers and can be rearranged to serve multiple functions. 

“The kitchen table quickly transforms from meal mode to work mode to sleep mode, and the utility closet in the bathroom doubles as a clothing closet,” explains Schultz. 

Jamie Mackay, founder and CEO of Wheelhaus, also recommends making your furniture work a double shift. 

“Buy a coffee table that offers storage inside; get a bed with dresser drawers underneath; decorate with gear; hang skis and bikes like art,” says Mackay.

In EcoCabins, built-in seating benches double as storage trunks.

Lofty Goals

Staircase and Window Seat in Tiny Home

Staircase and Window Seat in Tiny Home

Designed by Andrew and Gabriella Morrison for EcoCabins, the “hOMe” boasts a unique staircase with built-in storage that leads to a heavenly master sleeping space.

Photo by: EcoCabins

EcoCabins average a little less than 200 square feet, yet they use every single inch in an economical fashion, hence the company’s name. 

“Adding a sleeping loft seems obvious but is often overlooked,” says Kellie Smith, product coordinator at EcoCabins in Colorado Springs, Colo. “Also, put storage under the stairs that lead to the loft.” 

Diane Graham of Sprout Tiny Homes endorses loft stairs with built-in drawers, along with a space underneath for hanging clothes. 

Murphy’s Law

Under-the-Bed Storage in Tiny Airstream Home

Under-the-Bed Storage in Tiny Airstream Home

Photographer Monica Bennett takes her scrappy dog Oliver wherever she goes in her tightly packed Airstream, which has hidden storage underneath the bed and a place for Oliver when he is road weary.

Photo by: Monica Bennett, Just5MoreMinutes.com

Monica Bennett, Just5MoreMinutes.com

When Claudia Pennington and her husband Garrett of Pennsylvania shrank their footprint by 1,000 square feet, storage was at a premium. They found that beneath the bed was prime real estate. 

“We use this space to store a lot of stuff, including shoes and our clothes drying rack when not in use, of course,” says Pennington. 

Photographer Monica Bennett spends much of her time in a 31-foot Airstream with her husband and scrappy dog Oliver. The entire top of her bed lifts up with hydraulic arms and exposes a huge area for storage underneath. 

“At the foot of the bed, there is a little door that lifts down, and I put Oliver's blanket and toys in there,” Bennett explains. ”It serves as his little den while we all hang out in the Airstream; he really likes it.” 

Graham votes for a Murphy bed. 

“It turns your sleeping space into a living space and you don’t even have to make the bed every day,” she laughs. 

Now We’re Cooking

Toybox Home Kitchen

Food Storage Cubes in Tiny Toybox Home Kitchen

The need for a pantry was reduced by creating a food cube shelf that not only holds 18 cubes of food, but also houses the kitchen's electrical outlets and LED strip lighting. Kitchen appliances, including the stovetop, are all plug-in and can be stowed away, leaving more open counter space.

Photo by: Mieke Zuiderweg

Mieke Zuiderweg

The custom-built Toybox kitchen is one of the smartest uses of space we’ve ever seen. The need for a pantry was reduced by creating a food cube shelf that not only holds 18 cubes of food, but also houses the kitchen's electrical outlets and LED strip lighting. Kitchen appliances, including the stovetop, are all plug-in and can be stowed away, leaving more open counter space. 

Instead of visible cabinets for additional storage, the Toybox home has a deeper wall between the bathroom and the kitchen area. This wall hides extra cabinet space and reduces the appearance of clutter. 

Though a lot of tiny home companies will customize your new home, not everyone is working with their own designer, which will require you to get creative. 

“Hang appliances under cabinets to free up counter space beneath,” recommends Mackay.

Smith recommends simple solutions such a lazy Susan in the pantry, along with retractable pantry drawers to store small appliances (toaster oven, griddle, etc.), which will free up counter space. The space will also feel less cluttered. 

And we love Smith’s idea of installing drawers in the kick plates of your kitchen cabinets — completely dead space that would otherwise go unused. 

Looking Up

Tiny Airstream Kitchen

Tiny Airstream Kitchen With Smart Storage

Spices, utensils, potholders and more are stored on the walls of this tiny Airstream kitchen, freeing up the limited counter space.

Photo by: Monica Bennett, Just5MoreMinutes.com

Monica Bennett, Just5MoreMinutes.com

Smith says that it’s important to use all your wall space as high as you can. 

“Build storage cabinets and shelves up high near the ceiling,” advises Smith. 

Mackay agrees. 

“Don’t be afraid to go vertical to find some available storage space,” he says. 

Cool Tiny Houses on Wheels

See All Photos

Shop This Look

Next Up

16 Gadgets and Accessories Perfect for Small-Space Living

When it comes to these small-space game-changers, it's true — good things come in small packages.

10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen

An organizing expert offers expertise for kitchen organization and storage solutions.

43 Best Storage Ottomans in Every Size and Shape

Add extra storage, seating and style to your small space with these multifunctional pieces.

13 Garage Bike Storage Ideas

Store your bikes safely and create more available space in your garage with these bike storage solutions you can DIY or buy.

40+ Best Kitchen Cabinet Organizers and Clever Storage Solutions

Maximize every nook and cranny with these clever products.

7 Creative Ways to Store Table Linens

A beautiful tablecloth, place mats and napkins add pizzazz to a dinner party, but finding a spot for them when not in use can be challenging. Here are seven clever storage solutions for your table linens.

The Best Laundry Baskets and Hampers That Are Stylish and Functional

Stay on top of the endless task of laundry with hampers and baskets that add function and style to your home.

25 Functional and Attractive Shoe Storage Ideas

Shop our favorite shoe storage ideas, from over-the-door organizers to chic entryway benches.

17 Smart Kitchen Storage Ideas You'll Want to Try ASAP

Stop (unknowingly!) wasting space and create a storage-packed kitchen with our clever solutions for your cabinets, drawers, island and pantry.

Help for the Kitchen Organizer

Make your kitchen more efficient with these clever storage products.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.