Small-Space Storage for NYC Studio Apartments
In a studio, every surface is doing double duty, and the closet is usually the size of a phone booth. The trick is to use the space you’re already ignoring: under the bed, behind the door, and the narrow gaps between furniture.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links in this post are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Our quick picks (tap a name to jump to it)
- IRIS USA 27 Qt Under-Bed Storage with Sliding Drawers (4-pack): Beds with low clearance
- Sterilite 56 Qt Wheeled Latching Box: Bulky off-season clothes and extra linens
- SpaceAid Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags: Comforters, puffer coats and spare bedding
- Bed risers: Creating storage that wasn’t there
- Storage ottoman: Studios with no room for a coffee table and a blanket chest
Start by measuring under the bed
Measure from the floor to the lowest part of the bed frame. That number decides everything: under 6 inches, use slim drawer bins or vacuum bags; around 7 inches or more, wheeled boxes fit; not enough either way, add risers first.
The storage picks, in detail
IRIS USA 27 Qt Under-Bed Storage with Sliding Drawers (4-pack)
Best for: Beds with low clearance
Shallow bins, about 6 inches tall, with drawers that slide out so you don’t have to pull the whole box out and lift a lid.
Sterilite 56 Qt Wheeled Latching Box
Best for: Bulky off-season clothes and extra linens
Roughly twice the space of low-profile bins, with wheels and latching lids. Needs about 7 inches of clearance, so pair it with bed risers if your bed sits low.
SpaceAid Jumbo Vacuum Storage Bags
Best for: Comforters, puffer coats and spare bedding
Compress soft items flat so they fit under a bed with very little clearance or on a high closet shelf.
Bed risers
Best for: Creating storage that wasn’t there
Adds 3 to 8 inches under the bed frame, which is often the difference between no storage and a full row of bins.
Storage ottoman
Best for: Studios with no room for a coffee table and a blanket chest
Seating, a coffee table with a tray on top, and hidden storage in one piece of furniture.
Small fixes that add up
- Over-the-door organizer for shoes, cleaning supplies or pantry overflow. Find on Amazon
- Slim rolling cart for the gap beside the fridge or the toilet. Find on Amazon
- Closet rod doubler to turn one hanging rod into two. Find on Amazon
Need furniture that does double duty? Raymour & Flanigan carries storage beds and ottomans with delivery around the New York area.
When it still doesn’t fit
Tribesigns makes desks, bookshelves and storage pieces sized for small rooms. And for seasonal gear, bikes or the furniture that didn’t make the cut, a nearby storage unit can be cheaper than a bigger apartment.
More small-space ideas are on the checklist. See the full NYC Move-In List.