One question we’re frequently asked is if tiny homes have enough storage for everyone’s clothing items.
The answer is yes, but only if you make good use of your tiny space and cut back on unnecessary clothes.
You need to be aware of how much space you can really dedicate to your clothes, as well as how you can store them more effectively.
That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this article.
Stay tuned for five clever tiny house clothing storage ideas as well as ways to maximise the amount of clothing you can keep.
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Do tiny houses have clothes storage?
When you move into a tiny home, you’ll first notice the lack of storage space, including minimal space to house your every day belongings such as clothes. But thanks to the rise in tiny houses and off-grid living, many people have come up with ingenious solutions for storing your clothes.
You might not have the same luxury of a walk-in wardrobe as a larger house might have, but you can still accommodate a sufficiently sized wardrobe and other clothes storage options.
How much clothing can you fit in a tiny house?
Most tiny houses are less than 400 square feet, so your storage space is minimal, and you have to get creative if you want ample storage room.
If you’re used to living in a larger house, you’ll no doubt need to downsize your wardrobe, but you can still make space to house all of your essentials. If you’re smart, you should be able to house around a two-week rotation of clothes, a couple of dressy outfits for going out, loungewear, and accessories.
Before you move, sort your clothing into essential and non-essential items. Ask yourself – have I worn this in the last 12 months? Is it comfortable, and do I get joy from wearing it? Would I Miss this if I got rid of it?
You can create ample storage space to accommodate your clothing in a tiny home. Still, in a house with limited storage, there is no point hanging onto things you no longer need.
Where are clothes stored in tiny homes?
Under stair storage
If there’s a staircase in your tiny home, don’t underestimate how much stair storage space you can create from the area underneath. Considering that many tiny house staircases reach heights of 7ft (83 inches) at their highest point, this is a great area to hang your dresses and other long items. Shirts only require about 30 inches of height, so they can be housed beneath a lower step.
And it’s not just hanging space that you can utilize; the lower steps are the perfect place to fit drawers or shelves for any foldable clothes, underwear, socks, and accessories. If you’re smart in your design, you can fit an entire wardrobe in the space under your stairs.
Check out this design by Indigo River Tiny Homes, which utilizes storage space under the stairs and toe kick drawers to maximize all available space in the house.
Wall space
Every inch counts in a tiny home, and wall space is dead space. You may not have room for a full-sized wardrobe in your bedroom, but most likely, you’ll have some spare wall space where you can install a shelf or two. While the shelf is ideal for pants and shorts, you can fix a towel rail underneath to hang a selection of your shirts and tops.
Not only that, but several other smart devices – such as S hooks and dowel rods – can be used to hang bras, belts, ties, and other smaller items.
Alternatively, you could create floor-to-ceiling shelving to house a wide range of clothes. For easy access and crease-free clothing, try rolling each item of clothing before you stack it on the shelf. Not only is this practical, but it is far more visually pleasing than messy piles of clothing.
Casita Azulita by Indigo River Tiny Homes makes the most of the available wall space with cupboards above the bed and shelving above the bathroom sink. In addition, the property uses the remaining wall space to house an array of shelves and cabinets.
The Cocoa tiny house by Modern Tiny Living has a dedicated tiny house closet that uses a space in the wall between the bathroom and the living area and below the loft.
Inside wall studs
It’s not just the space on the walls that you can use to store your clothes, but the space inside them too. Start by locating your wall studs, then strip the finish from an area between these studs, exposing the space between the walls.
This space will only be a few inches deep, but it is sufficient for ties, belts, or other small items.
Underneath your bed
Whether or not there’s space underneath your bed depends on your bedroom’s dimensions. Still, you’d be surprised how much space is available, even underneath a low bed. Here, you can opt for drawers or a lift-up bed that allows you to utilize all the space underneath your mattress.
Ceiling or floor space
Don’t underestimate the space in your ceiling or floor space. The only disadvantage to these areas is that they can be more difficult to access; it’s not ideal to pull your floor apart each morning to retrieve your clothes for the day.
However, this space is perfect for storing your summer or winter wardrobe for the seasons when you no longer need them.
The Millennial tiny house by Build Tiny uses under-floor storage space.
How to increase your tiny house clothing storage
Once you’ve found an area to use as wardrobe space, there are several smart accessories and innovative ideas you can use to maximize the space available.
Collapsible storage bags store clothes using the least amount of space possible and can be stored wherever suits you. These fabric containers are perfect for under-the-stairs storage, cupboard organization, and stacking. Plus, the see-through design lets you quickly see what items are held in each one.
For easy access to your favorite items, try wardrobe organizers, which allow you to compact your clothes into a small space while maintaining easy access to each item.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one unit, try a space-saving organizer, which is portable and easy to store. This type of unit allows ample room for larger and longer garments, while shelving provides space for you to house smaller items. And the curtains pull across to keep your area tidy and clutter-free.
If you opt for a wardrobe, invest in space-saving hangers, saving up to 80% more space in your closet by holding five items on one hanger. Their innovative design is lightweight and sleek while maintaining sufficient sturdiness and non-slip function.
Make the most of dead space in nooks and crannies with mounted hangers that are non-invasive and look sleek.
For out-of-season clothes, try using vacuum packs, which will shrink your clothes to three times smaller, meaning that you can store three times the amount of clothes in the same space. This is not suitable for the clothing your need to use every day but is excellent for seasonal wear.