Small apartment living is the reality for millions of Australians in 2026 — and storage is almost always the first tuckara.com/post/30-day-no-spend-challenge-australia" title="30-Day No Spend Challenge — The Australian Edition (With a Weekly Plan That Actually Works)">challenge. These solutions are ordered by room, all cost under $50 each, and all come from mainstream Aussie retailers.
Kitchen Storage
Over-the-Cabinet-Door Organisers — $12–$25 (Kmart, Target)
These hook over cabinet doors and create storage for cleaning products, foil and glad wrap, cutting boards, or anything else cluttering your benchtop. The back of cabinet doors is some of the most underused storage in any kitchen. Kmart has several options from $12.
Stackable Pantry Bins — $8–$20 each (Kmart, IKEA)
Loose cans, packets, and jars jumbled in a pantry make it feel fuller than it is and make things impossible to find. Stackable clear bins or pull-out drawers transform a pantry. Decant pasta, rice, oats and legumes into clear containers — you'll see what you have, use things before they expire, and the pantry will look ten times better.
Magnetic Spice Rack — $20–$35 (Amazon AU, Kmart)
A magnetic spice rack on the fridge or a magnetic strip on the wall keeps spices accessible and off the precious bench. Particularly useful in galley kitchens where bench space is minimal.
Tension Rod Under the Sink — $6–$12 (Bunnings, Kmart)
A tension rod across the inside of the under-sink cabinet lets you hang spray bottles — which otherwise clutter the floor of the cabinet and make it impossible to reach things at the back. This is a $6 fix that makes a real difference.
Bathroom Storage
Over-the-Toilet Shelf Unit — $40–$80 (Kmart, Target)
The space above the toilet is almost always wasted. A freestanding shelf unit that fits over it provides significant storage for towels, toiletries, and bathroom supplies without touching the walls. Kmart has a popular white one for around $45 that looks much more expensive than it is.
Shower Caddy (Tension Pole) — $25–$45 (Target, Amazon AU)
A tension pole caddy stands between floor and ceiling (no drilling) and provides multiple shelves for shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Infinitely more functional than a shower shelf that only holds a couple of things and rusts over time.
Door-Mounted Mirror Cabinet — $40–$80 (Kmart, IKEA)
If your bathroom doesn't have a mirror cabinet, a door-mounted or wall-leaning option that combines mirror and storage solves two problems at once. Kmart has several options.
Living Room Storage
Storage Ottoman — $40–$90 (Kmart, Target)
The storage ottoman might be the highest-value piece of furniture in a small apartment. It acts as a coffee table, extra seating, and a storage box for blankets, remotes, chargers, and anything else that usually ends up on surfaces. Kmart and Target both have good options from $45.
Floating TV Unit — $40–$120 (IKEA, Kmart)
A wall-mounted floating TV unit replaces a floor-standing unit and frees up visible floor space — which makes the room feel bigger. Store the router, remotes, and media equipment inside and the room looks much calmer. IKEA's Besta range is the go-to.
Wall-Mounted Magazine/File Holder — $15–$30 (Kmart, IKEA)
A wall-mounted organiser for mail, notebooks, remote controls and other flat items keeps surfaces clear. In a small apartment, clear surfaces are everything.
Bedroom Storage
Under-Bed Storage Bags — $15–$30 for a set (Kmart, Target)
Vacuum storage bags compress bulky items — spare duvets, seasonal clothing, extra pillows — to a fraction of their size and slide under the bed. The under-bed zone is the most underused storage in most bedrooms.
Back-of-Door Hooks — $8–$20 (Kmart, Bunnings)
An over-the-door hook rack on the back of the bedroom door holds bags, dressing gowns, tomorrow's outfit, belts and anything else that would otherwise end up on the floor or on a chair. $8 from Kmart, zero wall damage.
Wardrobe Organisers — $20–$45 (Kmart, IKEA)
Hanging wardrobe organisers — for shoes, handbags, folded jumpers — double or triple your wardrobe's usable space without any installation. If your apartment doesn't have enough wardrobe space (which is most apartments), a hanging organiser is the first thing to add.
How do you add storage to a small apartment in Australia without drilling?
The best no-drill storage solutions for small Australian apartments include over-the-door organisers, tension pole caddies, over-the-toilet shelf units, storage ottomans, under-bed storage bags, hanging wardrobe organisers, and Command strip-mounted shelves. All are available from Kmart, IKEA or Target.
What is the best storage solution for a small apartment bathroom in Australia?
An over-the-toilet shelf unit ($40–$80 from Kmart) is the highest-impact storage addition for most small apartment bathrooms — it uses completely wasted vertical space. Pair with a tension pole shower caddy and over-the-door hooks for a complete solution without any wall drilling.
Where is the best place to buy apartment storage in Australia?
Kmart is the best starting point for affordable apartment storage — their range is wide, prices are low, and quality is reasonable for everyday use. IKEA is better for modular systems and anything you want to last longer. Target fills the gap with slightly more elevated options at similar prices to Kmart. Amazon AU is useful for specific items that the others don't carry.