10 home essentials every renter needs for a tiny apartment

Wall storage for pots and pans

Kitchen storage always feels limited in a small space, and finding a place to store larger kitchen necessities like pots can sometimes feel impossible. Enter the pot rack that mounts to your wall or ceiling. It looks cool, plus it keeps your pots organized and out of the way.

Wall-mounted pot rack with grid, $143, wayfair.ca.

Over the toilet storage

Where do you store your toiletries when you have one bathroom cabinet that barely fits your toothpaste? Enter these genius ladders that sit over your toilet. Add baskets and store things like toilet paper, soap and towels. The best part? No install necessary — just lean it against your wall.

Godbey over the toilet storage, $228, wayfair.ca.

Decorative wall hooks

Decorative hooks are your secret to a stylish space with ample storage. Hang them in a cluster on a blank wall to create a decorative focal point and as a place to hang accessories like jackets, bags and hats. You’ll keep things off the floor, and look good doing it.

Facture Goods hook, $38 US, anthropologie.com. 

Mirrors

In a tiny apartment, you want all the light you can get. If you can, hang a mirror across from a window so the light reflects off of it and brightens your space. Bonus — it can make the space look bigger, too.

Pointed raised design frame mirror, $129, zarahome.com. 

Sneaky entryway storage

In a tiny space, it’s nearly impossible to cover up clutter, especially when it comes to shoes in an entryway. Invest in wall shelves like these that don’t take up a lot of room, but open up to reveal a lot of storage.

Shoe cabinet with 2 compartments, $169, ikea.ca. 

Two-in-one storage

Look for furniture that does double duty, like this media console that has a ton of compartments for books.

Lapland tv storage unit, $249, ikea.ca.

Baskets

Decorative baskets are your key to an organized small space. They look beautiful, plus they’ll hide things you need to store but don’t want on display.

Pompom baskets multi-coloured, $58, babasouk.ca.

Plug in wall lighting

Light is so important in a small space to make it look bigger and more inviting. Save on the floor space with a plug-in wall sconce that can look like a piece of art while acting as a functional source of light.

Simone double plug-in sconce, $399, schoolhouse.com. 

Foldable drying rack

Add function to the back of doors with a foldable drying rack for wet towels and laundry. When you’re done using it, just fold it up — you won’t even notice it’s there.

Greenway stainless steel over-the-door drying rack, $40, walmart.ca. 

Smart kitchen storage

If you’re lacking cabinet and counter space (we feel you), look for solutions that hang on the wall — like this utensil holder that keeps daily items in easy reach while also freeing up limited drawer space.

Float utensil holder, $20, umbra.com.