Thanks to our gadgets, our homes are getting more and more compact. In fact, one of the biggest problems we usually end up having is where we could keep our things without turning our homes into a storage area.

Actually, there are a number of very clever ways for us to utilize conventional household furniture to store our stuff. Let us look at some of them.

Storage Behind Mirrors

Add a secret area behind a mirror to make some space for a number of useful items. You can store makeup or other accessories in the space, making last-minute touch-ups a breeze. A coat rack at the bottom of the mirror also serves as a good place to store hats and wipes.

Coffee Table Chest

When you have kids, one of the things you will struggle with the most is where you can keep all their toys. Since kids love playing in the living room, embrace their mess and store their toys in a drawer hidden under the coffee table, according to Woman's Day. Guests would never expect their drinks to be sitting on top of a bunch of Happy Meal Minions and Baymax collectibles.

Picture Frame Key Holder

If you are prone to misplacing your keys, try storing them behind one of the picture frames hanging in the walls of your house. This way, you'll always know where they are placed, and they will be quite safely hidden from unwanted visitors as well.

Real Rock Hide-A-Key

Hollowed-out rocks for hiding your spare keys are actually sold, but you don't necessarily have to spend money for it. Simply glue a real rock on top of a small plastic bottle and place your key there. After that, bury the bottle with only the rock showing, DIY & Crafts suggests. What's cool about this is that even burglars will be fooled, since you're using a real rock. 

Trash Cans In Drawers

Get one of those old dressers and place them in the kitchen. Then, have the bottom shelves hollowed out until they are spacious enough to hold a garbage can. This makes your kitchen extremely neat and look garbage-can free.

Who says that having a small house is a big problem? With these, you can maximize your space, keep your belongings safe, and most of all, keep your house relatively clutter-free.

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