12 Vertical Storage Ideas to Make Your Space Feel Less Cluttered

The start of the new year always brings with it the desire for change around our homes. For some, that means laying down a bright new rug or rearranging the bedroom. For others, it signals the opportunity for an audit of belongings and a thorough organizational refresh. While many people tend to focus on tidying up the big things (like stashing holiday decor in the attic or storing out-of-season clothes in the basement), they often overlook the more bite-sized, day-to-day organizational opportunities that can really transform the way you live (and function!) in your home.

If you feel like you're constantly surrounded by clutter, don't have anywhere else to put your things, and have run out of empty surfaces in your home, then you could probably benefit from some more vertical storage. While decluttering your house is always a good start, sometimes it's not about how much you have, as it is about how much space you have to store it. And that's when you really need to think vertically and take advantage of all the negative space in your home. Below find 12 of the most innovative, functional, and genius vertical storage products on the market, which are sure to help you make sense of every inch in your space.

Magnetic Kitchen Supplies Holder

This clever shelf is about as renter friendly as it gets, with a strong magnetic backing that allows it to stick to the side of your fridge or any other metal surface. Use it to keep your kitchen counters blissfully free of clutter—it has spots to house frequently used spices and oils, cooking utensils, and even a roll of paper towels. 

Wall-Mounted Hat and Coat Rack

Not every home is lucky enough to have a mudroom—and even if your dwelling does boast a dedicated drop zone, you could probably still benefit from some added organization (and wiggle room) in it. Our advice? Invest in this wall-mounted coat rack. With six sturdy hooks, it will act as a handy spot to hang outdoor gear without taking up any additional floor space. 

Hanging Produce Hammock

Instead of housing your week’s fruit in a bowl on your counter, give it a place to hang—literally—with an under-cabinet macrame shelf. Not only will this fruit hammock keep your produce at eye level and make you more likely to eat it, but it will also free up more counter space for other kitchen necessities. 

Under-Cabinet Hooks

If you constantly find yourself rummaging through numerous drawers just to find a slotted spoon or spatula, you need these clever hooks. They attach securely to the underside of a cabinet using a strong (but removable) adhesive that makes them a great option for renters. The six prongs are sturdy enough to hold up to 4 pounds of weight and they rotate 360 degrees, so all it takes is a single spin to fetch the tool you need.

Blanket Ladder

For a stylish spot to stash your favorite cozy throws, look no further than this wooden ladder from Target. It’s a great way to keep your blankets handy while allowing you to display your favorite styles (like the vintage Pendleton that always reminds you of summers at the lake) instead of piling them into an overflowing basket. The best part? This smart design comes with a wall anchor that lets you securely attach the ladder to the wall to keep it in place. Genius!

Office Wall Organizer

When it comes to smart organizational solutions, some of the best products often have very utilitarian roots. Take this metal grid for example. Upon first glance, it looks like something more suited to a restaurant kitchen or automotive garage than the interior of your home. But, when realized in a gleaming gold finish and paired with smart shelving accessories, it becomes a modular way to tailor storage to exactly your needs in an office, playroom, or even kitchen.

Vertical Baskets

Oh, the many lives this tiered vertical organizer could lead. The roomy baskets—made from durable water hyacinth—are perfect for storing everything from cold weather accessories in the mudroom to magazines and books in the living room to kiddos' toys in the playroom. Did we mention how good it looks, too?

Rolling Cart

Think of a rolling cart as the blue jeans of your organizing arsenal—it’s just that classic item that goes with everything. This industrial-but-better design—which comes in eight stylish hues—boasts three roomy mesh metal shelves and sturdy castor wheels, which allow you to transport it anywhere around your home with just a gentle push. Each shelf can safely handle up to 6 pounds, making them a great place to store craft supplies, cleaning necessities, bathroom essentials, laundry room requirements, and more.

Broom Holders

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 genius accessory, which acts like a claw clip for the handle of your cleaning supplies, securely attaching them to the wall in an upright position. The strong adhesive backing will stick to everything from smooth tile and wood to glass, marble, and drywall, meaning you can use them in practically any room in your home to corral brooms, brushes, shovels, mops, and more. 

Over-The-Door Storage Rack

When it comes to assessing the vertical storage opportunities in your home, there is one spot that definitely shouldn’t be overlooked: the backs of your doors. This sneaky space offers up tons of room for storage, especially if you have a great vertical organizer on your team. Our pick? The Container Store’s Elfa system, which has all the features you need (and none that you don’t) for corralling pantry goods or extra household necessities in a tidy and streamlined manner.

Under-Shelf Sliding Baskets

If you’re bummed about all the wasted room in your cabinets, you’re not alone. Make the most of all that “air space” above your dishware collection with these clever under-shelf baskets from mDesign. They’ll easily slide over the existing shelves to provide you with handy “drawers” below where you can keep extra table linens, serving utensils, pantry goods, and more. 

Functional Room Divider

Part decor, part organization, this room divider seamlessly lends itself to small spaces and works double (or even triple) duty. Designed to mimic the function of a pegboard, this foldable screen is a great way to separate an unsightly space while providing a convenient place to hang lightweight items, like fashion accessories or small decor. The product doesn’t come with hooks, but will work with any standard-size pegboard hook.