The small apartment essentials our experts swear by

Our new favorite storage solutions

View in browser August 19, 2025 Small space? No problem. NYT Wirecutter If you live in a small space, the right design choices can transform your home from chaotic and cramped to peaceful and expansive. Over the years, Wirecutter's experts have put hundreds of home decor and organizing products to the test in our own small spaces: We've "jiggle-tested" shelves full of footwear to find the sturdiest shoe racks. We've slung heavy tote bags, jackets, and umbrellas onto hooks to identify the best coat racks. And we've stuffed thick towels and jeans into drawers to test underbed storage options. After all that, we've landed on some all-time favorite organizers, furniture pieces, and more for making small spaces feel bigger — including a sleek nightstand, the very best over-door shoe rack, and a beautiful bathing lady dish that stores your knickknacks. How to take advantage of every nook and cranny in your home→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more › Plus: Who needs walls, anyway? Akira Nakamora In smaller homes, one room typically wears many hats. Bedrooms serve as offices, kitchens become dinner-party venues, living rooms turn into makeshift guest bedrooms. But the right decor hacks can work wonders in turning one chameleon-like space into livable, workable, and distinct zones. We rounded up some of the best tips for making one room into many — including a great standing room divider to help elegantly partition space and how to place a rug or pendant light to delineate between areas. Limited space demands unlimited creativity→ More for getting organized The best storage containers After years of testing, these seven storage bins, boxes, and totes are our favorites for keeping stuff sorted, clean, and dry→ The Japanese brand our organizing experts swear by Designed with compact homes in mind, these no-frills items are functional yet still pleasing enough to keep in plain view→ Our new favorite storage benches Our favorite two-for-one finds include a roomy trunk with clean, modern prints and a solid wood option with refined craftsmanship→ Your daily deal: A surprisingly soft and versatile jute rug Sturdy but soft underfoot, this rug is great for high-traffic areas in your home. Unlike thicker and bumpier jute rugs, it has a more delicate, flat appearance — and it barely sheds. Use promo code WCJUTE30 for 30% off. Get the deal→ MORE VERY GOOD DEALS 15 handpicked deals on Wirecutter favorites→ One last thing: Your newsletter editors would like these cute striped storage canisters, please and thank you Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Small entryways are particularly prone to the chaos of clutter, so finding the right, good-looking organizational gear is paramount. We're all currently coveting these striped Dusen Dusen containers, which come in various sizes and would be perfect for prettily hiding away everyday carry items: sunglasses, dog treats, sunscreen, and more. The best ways to style and organize small entryways→ Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can't always respond, but we do love to hear from you. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018