You go in for the Christmas decorations and end up dragging half a bike out into the hallway. Knowing how to organise a small storage room isn’t about buying more boxes; it’s about making the most of the height, keeping a clear path and storing only what can cope with being in there. Here’s how to divide it up according to its size, how to set up a storage room with shelving (or without it) and what to do about damp.
- Before you start: empty, decide and measure
- How to divide it up according to its size
- With shelving
- Without shelving
- What to store and what not to
- How to avoid damp
- Frequently asked questions
Before you start: empty, decide and measure
Tidying with everything still inside only moves the problem around. Set aside a morning, take everything out and make three piles: keep, give away or sell, and throw out. If something hasn’t been used in two years and has no sentimental value, you’re very unlikely to miss it.
With the storage room empty, clean the floor, look for damp patches and measure the width, the depth, the clear height and the space the door takes up when it opens. Those four measurements will save you from buying shelving that then doesn’t fit.
How to organise a small storage room according to its size
As a guide, leave a path about 60 cm wide:
| Size | How to divide it up |
|---|---|
| 3 m² | Shelving on the longest wall and hooks on the one opposite. Bulky items at the back. |
| 4-5 m² | L-shaped shelving and a bike or ladder hung on the free wall. |
| 6-7 m² | U-shaped shelving with the walkway in the centre, and a free section for dismantled furniture, stood upright. |
Then arrange things by how often you use them:
- Next to the door and at mid-height: what you use every month.
- At the back: what you take out once a year, such as large suitcases.
- On the top shelves: light, seasonal items, such as Christmas decorations.
- On the bottom shelves: heavy items, such as books or tools.
How to organise a storage room with shelving
In a small space, floor space soon runs out; wall space doesn’t. Metal shelving with adjustable shelves is usually the most practical option, because it adapts to what you store and copes with damp better than chipboard.
- A depth of about 30 to 40 cm. Any deeper eats into your walking space and hides things behind other things.
- Fixed to the wall. A tall, loaded shelving unit can tip over. Stick to the load stated by the manufacturer and, if the storage room is rented, ask for permission before drilling.
- Matching boxes with lids. They stack better and make the most of each shelf. Label them in detail: “Christmas: lights and baubles” works; “Miscellaneous” doesn’t.
If the storage room is small and tall, keep the top part for what you hardly ever touch and store a folding ladder inside.
What hangs doesn’t take up floor space: bikes, ladders, shovels, extension leads or folding chairs can go on hooks or on a wall panel.
How to organise a storage room without shelving
If you can’t drill or would rather not spend the money, you still have options:
- Use stackable plastic boxes.
- Raise anything that sits on the floor on a pallet or some wooden battens.
- Make use of a wardrobe or chest of drawers you no longer use at home.
- Store small things inside big ones: empty suitcases work for blankets or clothes from another season.
What you can keep in a storage room and what’s best left out
A storage room is a good place for suitcases, decorations, tools, sports equipment and dismantled furniture. Before storing textiles, wash them and dry them thoroughly, and follow the steps for storing seasonal clothes. For blankets and pet beds, run a reusable pet hair roller over them first, because hair can attract moths.
It’s better to leave out the following:
- Gas bottles, petrol and solvents: they pose a fire risk.
- Food: it attracts mice and insects.
- Documents, photos and delicate electronic devices: damp damages them without you noticing.
Many building management rules and rental agreements also limit what can be stored, so it’s worth checking.
How to avoid damp in a storage room
In autumn and winter, and especially in basements, damp is what does the most damage to stored items.
- Keep shelving and boxes a few centimetres away from the wall so that air can circulate.
- Keep the bottom shelf about 10 cm off the floor.
- Choose plastic boxes with lids rather than cardboard, which absorbs moisture.
- Put out moisture absorbers and replace them when they fill up.
If a hygrometer shows that humidity often goes above 60%, it’s best not to store clothes or paper there. If you see leaks or a patch that’s growing, absorbers won’t fix the source: let the building management or the landlord know. There are more tips in the guide to getting rid of damp in your home.
To keep it organised, go through the storage room every six months and apply one simple rule: if something comes in, something goes out. And if you’re still getting your home in order, there are more guides on the Velia Select blog.
Frequently asked questions
How do you organise a small 3 m² storage room?
Put shelving up to the ceiling on the longest wall, hooks on the one opposite and bulky items at the back. Keep the path from the door clear.
How do you tidy a narrow storage room?
Put shallow shelves on one wall only and use the other for hanging things. That way you keep a clear path and can reach the back without moving anything.
How do you remove damp from a storage room without electricity?
Use moisture absorbers, keep boxes off the wall and the floor, and air the room when you can. If there are leaks, the source has to be fixed first.