When you’re moving into the first place of your own – whether it’s an apartment or a house – you probably don’t have a lot of extra money to spend on expensive storage furniture and organizational solutions.

We’ve put together a list of a few multipurpose and affordable pieces that will help you furnish your new home with style and functionality.

When cube storage looks like furniture, it can feel right at home anywhere.

Cube Storage

Today’s cube storage is attractive enough to have on display in your living room. Mixed Material Cube storage comes in three contemporary finishes – Apple Walnut, Gray Furniture and Wheat – and five sizes (from two to nine cubes) to suit any décor or space. Insert coordinating fabric bins to increase the storage capabilities and give it some color.

Store books, paperwork and small games inside the bins and showcase photos, decorative objects in the open cubbies. Use the top of the unit to hold a lamp, a clock or a bowl for keys and other everyday necessities.

A six-shelf hutch adds architectural interest to a room as well as storage.

Bookcases

Not just for your favorite reads, bookcases can accommodate an array of items – from your high school diploma to a potted succulent.

If you live in a modest-sized apartment, go with one bookcase that complements your other furniture. Have a larger area to fill? Create a built-in library effect with a few bookcases in the same finish. Decorate the shelves with a mix of books, plants and favorite art pieces. Don’t be afraid to go maximalist, if that’s your style.

Don’t let the floor and shelf in your closet go to waste. Mix and match organizers to hold your shoes, throws and whatever else.

Clothing and Accessories Organizers

Storage space is often lacking in apartments and rental houses so you need to make the most of every inch you have.

You probably can’t install anything if you’re renting, but there are solutions that don’t require drilling holes into walls or doors.

The Closet Maximizer fits in any closet that’s at least 4 feet wide and it expands the storage capacity with three shelves and a hang rod. Simply clip the Closet Maximizer onto the existing wire or wood rod.
Make room for handbags, hats and umbrellas – anything that can be hung up – by slipping over-the-door hooks onto your closet door, bathroom door or bedroom door.

Shoe racks also help you affordably organize your accessories and you can take them with you when you move out.

Make your first place feel like home with these budget-friendly storage ideas.