Bathrooms are often the smallest rooms in already-tiny NYC apartments. And, in a cruel twist, they’re also the one room whose contents are totally un-storable. What, are you going to put your toothbrush in storage? Sure, we’d love to see you twice a day and after meals (or as directed by a dentist) but that wouldn’t be very convenient for you.

Here’s how to make your bathroom seem a little less Lilliputian:

1. If you’re lucky enough to have drawers and cabinets in your bathroom, go through those first. Throw out anything you don’t need or haven’t used in over 6 months.
2. Move on to the rest of the bathroom. Do you have like, ten bottles of nearly empty shampoo on your bathtub ledge? (Just us?) Throw ‘em out!
3. Store as much stuff as you can in those now-clean drawers and cabinets. Drawer organizers and baskets can help keep things neat.
4. No cabinets? Try creative storage solutions: rolling carts, over-the-door racks, over-the-toilet shelves, and shower caddies.
5. Now it’s time for visual trickery. If you’re allowed to paint, re-do the bathroom in a light color – plain white can be too stark, so go for something with a little tint.
6. Adding light can also make your bathroom feel less cramped. Installing new lighting can be expensive, of course, and a lamp can take up counter space and precious outlets, but they’re great solutions if you’re able. If not, try just replacing your lightbulbs – many renters don’t bother installing new lightbulbs when they move in, and you may be surprised how much less dingy the space looks with a brand new bulb.
7. Lighter floors will also help your bathroom look less teeny. We know you’re not going to rip up the tiles in your rental, so add a big, light-colored bathmat instead. White might be a better choice here than anything else – you can always throw it in the wash with bleach.
8. Avoid visual clutter. If you have lots of little photos on the wall, replace them with one large photo.

Oh, and did we say bathroom stuff is totally un-storable? We lied! If you’re a Costco addict with nowhere to store those extra 60 rolls of toilet paper, store ‘em with us! We’ve got self-storage locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and New Jersey.

Let’s face it: living in a dorm can be tough. Dorm rooms are even smaller than the average NYC apartment, which means you’ve got to work extra hard to make space. But don’t worry! We’ve got enough space-maximizing tips to make you feel like you’re living in the Taj Mahal (or, okay, just a really big dorm room):

• Share with your roommate. Find out if you’ve got duplicates of stuff before you move in. You don’t need two TVs or two microwaves.
• Make space! Use bed risers to free up that space under your bed, where you can store out-of-season clothes, books and other stuff. (If you’ve got suitcases, go ahead and use them for storage!)
• Try over-the-door shoe organizers and hanging racks to get more space out of doors.
• Adhesive hooks can be used to store jewelry on the walls or a closet door.
• Putting a corkboard or whiteboard up on the wall or door can help you stay organized.
• Get a pop-up hamper – it’s easy to carry to the laundry room, and folds flat when you’re not using it.
• A shower caddy is a great way to store all your shower stuff, especially if you’ve got to carry it to a communal bathroom.
• Dairy crates look cool and are the perfect size for storing books, vinyl records, or anything else.

And if you still don’t have enough space for all your stuff, Tuck-It-Away at one of our 13 NYC storage facilities, including six Bronx self-storage locations.

We’re not just about storage space here at Tuck-It-Away. We’re about helping you get your life as organized as possible. And why not start with your kitchen?

The kitchen can be one of the smallest rooms in any New York City apartment, and one of the most prone to clutter. Thankfully, there are some easy organizing solutions:

1. Figure out what you actually use every day

Things you use every day—like pots, pans, utensils, and dish towels—should be within easy reach. Things you use less frequently—like brooms, cleaning supplies, etc—should be stored out of sight, but still easily accessible. Things you use once in a while—like anything you ordered from a late-night infomercial—can be stored on high shelves.

2. Add space with storage solutions

Adding an over-the-door spice rack to a pantry door can create more space for spices and other small items. Installing a paper towel rack leaves more space on the counter. Rolling carts, while usually used in bathrooms, can work great as next-to-the-stove storage.

3. Get creative

Mixing bowls, baskets, mugs, and other kitchen items can be used to store towels, utensils, and other everyday items. Mason jars are another cheap, decorative storage solution—or rinse out your jam and sauce jars as you use them.

4. Put things back where they belong!

Your mom probably told you this more than once as a kid, and it’s still great advice. There’s no point in getting everything neatly organized if it doesn’t stay that way. Putting things back right after you use them will keep your kitchen looking spacious, and make it easier to cook your next meal—or eat take-out.

And if you still don’t have enough space, you can always Tuck-It-Away (shameless plug)! Store the kitchen stuff you only use once in a while—like the “good china,” the breadmaker, and holiday paraphernalia (roasting pans, Thanksgiving cornucopia centerpieces, whatever). We’ve got self-storage units for rental in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, NY and New Jersey.

With our low rates, free moving, and secure storage facilities, there’s no excuse not to get organized. Click here to find the perfect self-storage unit to de-clutter your kitchen (at an exclusive online-only discounted price).