Also, maybe it's just me, but I found that because it was so easy to toss stuff inside, it quickly became a black hole of random items—out of sight, out of mind, right? Eventually, I ended up wit...
I get where you’re coming from with the “black hole” effect—storage ottomans can definitely become a catch-all if you’re not careful. But I’ve actually found that using small bins or dividers inside makes a huge difference. Instead of just tossing everything in, I assign each bin for a specific category (like remotes, magazines, blankets). That way, it’s less overwhelming to find stuff later.
About the surface issue, have you tried those ottomans with a reversible lid? Some flip over to reveal a hard tray side. It’s not quite the same as a coffee table, but it’s a decent compromise if you’re tight on space. Not perfect, but it worked for me when I lived in a tiny studio.
storage ottomans can definitely become a catch-all if you’re not careful
That’s such a common trap, isn’t it? I’ve had the same thing happen—one minute it’s organized, next minute I’m digging through a pile of random stuff. The bins idea is smart. Have you noticed if it actually helps you keep less stuff overall, or does it just make the chaos more organized? I always wonder if these storage solutions encourage us to hold onto things we don’t really need. Still, anything that helps keep things out of landfills is a win in my book.
I always wonder if these storage solutions encourage us to hold onto things we don’t really need.
That’s exactly what I worry about too. I started labeling bins by category, but sometimes it just means I have a “random cables” bin instead of actually getting rid of them. Do you ever do a regular purge, or just organize what you have?
Funny you mention the “random cables” bin. I swear those things multiply when you’re not looking. I’ve got a whole drawer that’s basically a graveyard for old phone chargers and adapters for devices I don’t even own anymore. Every time I try to organize it, I just end up shuffling stuff around and convincing myself I might need a mini-USB cable someday. Spoiler: I never do.
I actually do a purge every six months or so, but it’s not as ruthless as it probably should be. There’s always that little voice saying, “What if you suddenly need this?”—especially with tools or weird hardware bits. I think there’s a balance between being prepared and just hoarding. In my experience, once you get into a habit of regularly tossing out what you haven’t used in a year, it gets easier to let go.
Visualizing the apartment layout helped me realize how much space was being wasted on stuff I never touch. When you see it mapped out, it’s kind of eye-opening—like, why am I dedicating prime real estate to a box of tangled cords? At the same time, some storage solutions are just clever ways to hide clutter instead of dealing with it.
I’m all for smart storage, but sometimes you gotta ask yourself if you’re just organizing junk. It’s tough, though—especially if you grew up with that “might come in handy” mentality. Still, nothing beats the feeling of clearing out a closet and realizing you’ve actually got room for things you use daily... or at least room to walk without tripping over an old router from 2012.
FINALLY VISUALIZED MY APARTMENT LAYOUT AND IT CHANGED EVERYTHING
- Totally get what you mean about the “random cables” bin. I had a whole moving box labeled “Tech Stuff (???)” when we moved into our new place. Half of it was mystery adapters and wires for gadgets I don’t even remember owning.
- That “what if I need this?” voice is real. I kept a VGA cable for years, just in case. Spoiler: I haven’t owned anything with a VGA port since college.
- Visualizing the space really does make a difference. When we were planning our custom build, seeing the floor plan made me realize how much space I was wasting on storage for stuff I never used. It’s wild how much “prime real estate” gets eaten up by things like old routers or boxes of screws.
- I’m with you on smart storage vs. just hiding clutter. There’s a fine line between being organized and just shuffling junk around. I tried those fancy bins and organizers, but honestly, it just made it easier to forget what was in them.
- One thing that helped me: setting a “quarantine box.” If I think I might need something, it goes in the box with a date on it. If I haven’t touched it in six months, out it goes. It’s ruthless, but freeing.
- The “might come in handy” mentality is hard to shake, especially if you grew up watching your parents save every screw and cable “just in case.” But honestly, there’s a point where it’s just clutter. I had to remind myself that if I really need a weird cable down the line, Amazon can get it to me in two days.
- Nothing beats the feeling of actually having space to move around. After our last big purge, I found room for a reading chair I’d wanted for ages... way better than a pile of tangled cords.
- Still, I’ll admit—there’s always one or two things I regret tossing. But for every one of those, there’s a dozen things I never think about again.
It’s a process, but seeing your space mapped out really does help you get honest about what’s worth keeping.
