Found Space: 3 Options for Wall Storage

Every apartment has walls in abundance—sometimes more wall space than floor space, it might seem. Learn how to take advantage of these vast expanses and use them for storage. You can even mount large items on your wall if you’re up for it!

Tackle that TV

Lucky enough to have a gorgeous flat-screen TV but not sure where to position it in your home? If you have the tools, skill, and gumption, you may be able to mount it on the wall with just a little preparation and a bit of heavy lifting! If you’re not very carpentry-inclined, you may want to have a professional install the TV, for safety’s sake. If you feel competent, though, have at it—provided your landlord won’t have a fit about the possible damage!

First, check that your TV is capable of being mounted. If it’s “VESA compatible,” you can mount it using any VESA mount. (If it’s not compatible, you may still be able to mount it, but you may need to do a little more research into mounts and standards.) You’ll have to select the mount based on the size of your TV, so shoparound to see what the best option might be. When planning your wall mount, keep in mind that it’s best to choose an interior wall to mount your television on, as exterior walls may contain special braces that will complicate the process.

n order to mount your TV you’ll need (at a minimum) a tape measure, a level, a pencil, finishing nails and a hammer, a socket-wrench set, a screw gun with a Philips head, and a stud finder. Thesegreatguides give a complete description of the mounting process, so check them out for detailed instructions. There are just two essential components to the process: the aesthetic and the practical. To make sure your wall mount will look perfect, check how your TV relates to the mount before securing it. Be sure to take into account the mount may hang the TV lower or higher than you anticipated. The biggest practical concerns in the TV-mounting process are making sure to anchor the mount on at least one (preferably two, and definitely two if your TV is of a certain size) wall studs and checking that the mount is level before securing it with bolts.

You may not have considered that wall-mounting a TV could involve electrical work. However, most people wish to run electrical wires and cables into the wall when mounting a flat-screen TV, as this allows the TV to have a cleaner look on the wall. If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, enlist the help of a professional.

Shapely shelving

After your TV is up and running, you can plan the rest of your wall storage around it (it’s always a good idea to get big items in place first, and work smaller, more maneuverable items in later). Depending on your storage needs, you can go big or small with your wall shelving. Choosing an odd-shaped geometric shelving unit can help add interest to your walls. Even though storage units take up some floor space, it’s a worthwhile sacrifice to make in the interest of getting some vertical storage taken care of. And even shelves that you hang on your wall will occupy horizontal space. Hanging shelves may be necessary if you need to put a furniture item underneath your shelf space, or if you just want a more elevated look for your storage area. Keep in mind that shelves don’t have to be boring old wood or hard to install—these great Rezzo shelves are both stunning and easy to affix to your walls.

Helpful hooks

Hooks are always a functional way to get items up on your wall. Most often used in the kitchen or closet, hooks can also be great for bathrooms, entryways, or garages (if you have one). Whether you’re hanging pots, mugs, towels, clothing, or power tools, hooks are definitely your friend when it comes to wall storage!

In sum, wall-mounting big items like the TV and surrounding your main wall-mounted focal point with clever shelving or hook storage is a great way to stop scattering your belongings and start storing them properly!