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These clever solutions take your storage to the next level – literally.
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Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images
The beginning of the new year always brings with it the desire for change around our home. For some, that means laying out a bright new carpet or redecorating the bedroom. For others, it signals the opportunity for a property review and a thorough organizational refresher. While many people focus on tidying up the big things (like stashing Christmas decorations in the attic or storing off-season clothes in the basement), they often overlook the more bite-sized, mundane organizational opportunities that can entail Yes, really transform the way you live (and function!) in your home.
If you feel like you’re constantly surrounded by clutter, have nowhere else to put your stuff, and are running out of empty spaces in your home, then you could probably benefit from a little more vertical storage. While tidying up your home is always a good start, sometimes it’s not about how much you have but how much space you have to store it. And then you really have to think vertically and utilize all the negative space in your home. Below are 12 of the most innovative, functional and ingenious vertical storage products on the market that will help you use every inch of your space wisely.
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Magnetic kitchen accessory holder
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This clever shelf is as renter-friendly as it gets, with a strong magnetic backing that allows it to stick to the side of your fridge or any metal surface. Use it to keep your kitchen countertop clutter free – it has room for commonly used condiments and oils, cooking utensils and even a roll of paper towels.
Wall mounted hat and clothes rack
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Not every house is lucky enough to have a mud room – and even if your apartment has a dedicated drop zone, you could probably still benefit from some extra organization (and latitude) in it. Our advice? Invest in this wall wardrobe. With six sturdy hooks, it serves as a convenient place to hang outdoor gear without taking up additional floor space.
Hammock for hanging products
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Instead of keeping your week’s fruit in a bowl on your counter, give it a place to hang — literally — with a macrame shelf under the cabinet. Not only does this fruit hammock keep your produce at eye level and increase the likelihood that you’ll eat it, but it also frees up more counter space for other kitchen essentials.
cabinet hooks
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If you’re constantly rummaging through numerous drawers just to find a slotted spoon or spatula, you must these clever hooks. They attach securely to the underside of a cabinet with a strong (but removable) adhesive, making them a great option for renters. The six tines are strong enough to support up to 4 pounds of weight and they rotate 360 degrees so you can get the tool you need with just a single twist.
ceiling ladder
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Look no further than this wooden ladder from Target to store your favorite cozy throws in style. It’s a great way to keep your blankets to hand while also showcasing your favorite styles (like the vintage Pendleton that always reminds you of summer by the lake) rather than piling them in an overflowing basket. The best part? This smart design comes with a wall anchor that allows you to securely attach the ladder to the wall to keep it in place. Genius!
Office Wall Organizer
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When it comes to intelligent organizational solutions, some of the best products often have very useful roots. Take this metal grille for example. At first glance, it looks like something more suited to a restaurant kitchen or auto repair shop than the interior of your home. But when executed in a lustrous gold finish and paired with smart shelving accessories, it becomes a modular way to tailor storage to your precise needs in an office, playroom or even the kitchen.
Vertical baskets
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Oh how many lives this tiered vertical organizer could lead. Crafted from durable water hyacinth, the spacious baskets are perfect for storing everything from cold-weather accessories in the mud room, to magazines and books in the living room, to children’s toys in the playroom. Did we mention how good it looks?
trolley
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Think of a trolley as the blue jean of your organizational arsenal – it’s just that classic item that goes with everything. This industrial-yet-better design – which comes in eight stylish shades – features three roomy metal wire shelves and sturdy caster wheels, allowing you to transport it anywhere in your home with just a gentle nudge. Each shelf can safely support up to 6 pounds, making it a great place to store craft supplies, cleaning supplies, bathroom essentials, laundry room supplies and more.
broom holder
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Good news: your days of defensively swinging at the handles of mops and brooms that attack every time you open your pantry door are officially behind you. Enter: This ingenious accessory that acts like a claw clamp to grip your cleaning supplies and securely fastens them to the wall in an upright position. The high-tack adhesive backing sticks to everything from smooth tile and wood to glass, marble and drywall, meaning you can use it in virtually any room in your home to lock up brooms, brushes, shovels, mops and more.
Over-The-Door Storage Rack
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When it comes to assessing the vertical storage options in your home, there is one point that should definitely not be overlooked: the back of your doors. This sneaky space offers tons of storage space, especially when you have a great vertical organizer on your team. Our choice? The Container Store’s Elfa system, which has all the features you need (and none you don’t need) to organize pantry supplies or extra household needs in an orderly and streamlined manner.
Undershelf sliding baskets
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If you’re frustrated with all the wasted closet space, you’re not alone. Make the most of the “air space” above your crockery collection with these clever under-shelf baskets from mDesign. They slide easily over the existing shelving to give you convenient “drawers” underneath to store extra table linens, serving utensils, supplies and more.
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Functional room divider
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Part decoration, part organization, this room divider fits seamlessly into small spaces and works double (or even triple). Designed to mimic the function of a pegboard, this folding screen is a great way to separate an unsightly space while providing a convenient place to hang lightweight items such as fashion accessories or small decorations. Product comes without a hook but will work with any standard sized pegboard hook.
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