9 Clever Storage Tips for a Small Apartment with Pets That Save Space and Sanity

You love your dog or cat more than just about anything. But when you're living in a 600-square-foot apartment, their stuff—the food bag, the toys, the leash, the litter box—can quickly make your home feel like a pet supply warehouse.

I’ve been there. My beagle, Olive, came with a giant crate, a bag of kibble the size of a toddler, and enough squeaky toys to fill a toy store. My living room started looking like a pet store exploded. That’s when I went on a mission to find storage hacks for a small apartment with pets proven to Work—without making my home look like a kennel.

Here’s the good news: you can have a tidy, organized home AND a happy pet—even in a small space. Let me show you how.

Why Pet Stuff Takes Over (And How to Stop It)

Before we jump into the hacks, let’s talk about why pet clutter is so sneaky. It’s not just the big items like crates and beds. It’s the little things: the leash that lives on the doorknob, the poop bags that fall out of your coat pocket, the half-chewed bully stick that ends up under the couch.

In a small apartment, every square inch matters. When pet items don’t have a designated home, they spread like wildfire. The solution isn’t to buy less stuff for your pet—it’s to give every single item a place that’s convenient for you and invisible to guests.

These storage hacks for a small apartment with pets are designed to maximize vertical space, hide unsightly gear, and make your daily routine faster. Let’s dive in.

Hack #1: Use Vertical Space for Pet Food and Bowls

The floor is prime real estate in a small apartment. Don’t waste it on a giant bag of dog food. Instead, go vertical.

I use a rolling utility cart (the kind you see at IKEA or Target) in my kitchen corner. The top shelf holds my dog’s elevated bowls—keeps them off the floor and saves bending over. The middle shelf holds a Vittles Vault pet food container (the 40-pound size is about $40 on Chewy) for kibble storage. The bottom shelf stores treats, poop bags, and a spare leash.

If you have a cat, a wall-mounted feeding station is a game-changer. You can install a floating shelf just for their food and water bowls. It keeps them away from the floor mess and frees up counter space. Pro tip: Use a silicone mat underneath to catch spills and crumbs—easy to wipe clean.

For kibble, don’t just toss the bag in a cabinet. Transfer it to an airtight container like the IRIS Airtight Pet Food Container (about $25 on Amazon). It keeps the food fresh, prevents ants and mice, and stacks neatly on a shelf. The 35-pound version fits perfectly on a standard kitchen shelf.

Hack #2: Hide the Litter Box in Plain Sight

The litter box is the single biggest eyesore in a cat owner’s small apartment. You don’t want it in the living room, but you don’t have a spare bathroom. What do you do?

The answer: disguise it as furniture. There are amazing litter box enclosures that look like end tables, planters, or even bookshelves. My favorite is the Molly and Myrrh Litter Box Enclosure (about $130 on Petco). It looks like a stylish wooden cabinet with a cat-sized entrance on the side. You put the litter box inside, and the top surface becomes a side table for your coffee mug.

If you’re on a budget, you can DIY this. Grab a cheap IKEA Kallax shelf unit (about $40). Remove one of the bottom cubby doors, flip it sideways, and attach a cat flap to the opening. The litter box goes inside the cubby. The other cubbies hold books, plants, or cat toys. It looks intentional and chic.

Another trick: use a large storage ottoman with a cut-out hole. You can find these on Amazon for around $70. The ottoman doubles as a seat or footrest, and the litter box lives inside. Just make sure the ottoman is tall enough for your cat to stand comfortably.

Hack #3: Command Hooks—The Unsung Hero of Pet Storage

If you own a dog, you own at least three leashes, a harness, a collar, and probably a raincoat. These things end up on the floor, the doorknob, or lost under the bed. The solution is Command hooks. They’re cheap, renter-friendly, and instantly transform any wall or door into storage.

Here’s how I use them:

• Inside the front door: Two large Command hooks for leashes and harnesses. One small hook for poop bag rolls.
• Inside a closet door: One hook for your dog’s raincoat or sweater. One for their towel (for muddy paws).
• On the side of a bookshelf: Hooks for hanging collars, bandanas, or a spare leash.

You can also use over-the-door shoe organizers. Hang one on the back of a closet door or pantry door. The clear pockets are perfect for storing treats, toys, grooming tools, and poop bags. Everything is visible and easy to grab. I paid $12 for mine at Target, and it holds about 20 pet items.

For cat owners, attach a few small Command hooks to the wall near your cat’s favorite window. Hang their wand toys or a dangling toy from the hook. It keeps the toy off the floor and gives your cat a fun, interactive play station.

Hack #4: The Crate as a Dual-Purpose Storage Unit

If your dog uses a crate, you already have a giant piece of furniture. Why not make it work harder? A dog crate can double as a side table, a TV stand, or even a plant shelf.

I use a wire crate with a fabric cover. On top of the crate, I placed a wooden tray from IKEA (about $10). On the tray, I keep a plant, a coaster for my coffee, and a small basket of dog toys. The crate itself is my dog’s den. The top is functional storage and decor.

If you have a furniture-style crate (like the ones that look like wooden end tables), you’re already winning. These crates often have a flat top perfect for a lamp, a stack of books, or a decorative bowl. I’ve seen people use them as nightstands in a bedroom.

For storage inside the crate: keep a small bin or basket inside the crate for your dog’s favorite toys. When guests come over, you can toss the toys into the bin and close the crate door. Instant tidy-up.

If you don’t use a crate, a pet bed with built-in storage is a great alternative. Brands like PetFusion make memory foam beds with a hidden storage compartment underneath for toys and blankets. It’s about $100 on Chewy and saves a ton of space.

Hack #5: Go Undercover with Under-Bed Storage

The space under your bed is prime real estate for pet storage—especially if you have a platform bed with drawers or clearance. Use low-profile under-bed bins to store bulk pet supplies.

I use two large Sterilite Clear Under-Bed Boxes (about $10 each on Amazon). One holds backup bags of dog food (I repackage the kibble into gallon Ziploc bags to save space). The other holds a year’s supply of poop bags, a spare leash, a travel water bowl, and a first-aid kit for dogs.

You can also store extra pet beds under the bed. If you have a cat, a soft, foldable cat bed can be stored flat under the bed and pulled out only when your cat wants to use it.

Pro tip: Label your bins clearly. I use a label maker, but a piece of masking tape and a Sharpie works fine. When you need a new bag of treats at 9 PM, you don’t want to dig through three bins.

Hack #6: Use a Pegboard for Pet Gear

Pegboards aren’t just for garages and workshops. They’re a brilliant solution for pet storage in a small apartment. A small pegboard mounted on a wall can hold leashes, collars, grooming brushes, nail clippers, and even toys.

I installed a 12x24-inch IKEA Skadis pegboard (about $15) on the wall next to my front door. I added hooks for leashes, a small shelf for treats, and a cup for poop bags. Everything I need for a walk is right there. No more searching for a leash under the couch.

For cat owners, mount a pegboard near your cat’s feeding station. Hang their food and water bowls on hooks (elevated bowls are better for cats too). Hang a toy wand or a feather teaser on a hook for easy playtime access.

Pegboards are renter-friendly—just use Command strips or removable adhesive hooks instead of drilling into the wall.

Hack #7: The Magic of Baskets and Bins

You can never have too many baskets in a small pet-friendly apartment. Baskets hide clutter and add texture to your decor. They’re also easy to grab and go.

I keep a large woven basket (about $25 from Target) next to my sofa. Inside: all of my dog’s toys. When guests come over, I toss the toys in the basket. It takes five seconds and the living room looks clean instantly.

Use a smaller basket on a bookshelf for grooming supplies: brush, comb, nail clippers, and ear cleaner. Use a basket in the bathroom for pet towels and a spare bottle of shampoo.

For cat owners, a basket near the window can hold your cat’s favorite toys and a small blanket. Cats love to nap in baskets too—so it’s a two-for-one: storage and a bed.

I recommend seagrass or rattan baskets because they’re durable, washable, and look natural. Avoid fabric baskets if your dog likes to chew them.

Hack #8: Wall-Mounted Collapsible Bowls

If you’re really short on floor space, consider wall-mounted collapsible bowls for food and water. These are especially great for small kitchens or bathrooms.

I use a wall-mounted stainless steel bowl system from Pioneer Pet (about $20 on Chewy). It attaches to the wall with adhesive strips (no drilling). The bowls are removable for easy cleaning, and they fold flat against the wall when not in use. It’s perfect for a tiny apartment where every inch of counter space matters.

Another option: collapsible silicone travel bowls that you can hang on a hook. Keep one on a Command hook near your front door for water on the go. It takes up zero space when folded.

Hack #9: Multi-Functional Furniture Is Your Best Friend

The most powerful storage hacks for a small apartment with pets involve furniture that does double duty. Invest in pieces that serve you and your pet.

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