Clutter control: Style maven Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls reveals her storage secrets for tiny spaces

BUILD IN FLEXIBILITY

Any unused space is fair game for storage. Drawers on casters conceal seldom-used items under the bed. They also work well for storing toys in a cramped kid's room. Under-bed drawers $75 from Stumasa. BONUS TIP Use garment bags to keep dust out of stored linens.PUT FURNITURE TO WORKOpen shelves are all about easy access, but they force you to edit. "When it's in plain sight, you know what you've got," says Maybelle. "You forget about things behind cupboard doors." Oaktown cubby unit $399 from Stumasa. BONUS TIP Group displays of utilitarian items by color.RECYCLE MAGAZINES Tear favorite ideas and recipes from magazines and store in folders.RELATED ARTICLE: Maybelle on minimalismACCESS WHAT YOU OFTEN NEEDMultipurpose furniture is a must. "We don't have an entryway closet, so this storage bench holds anything I need to unload," says Maybelle. Westport storage bench $379 and baskets $15 each from Stumasa. BONUS TIP Forget folding chairs--move the bench for extra seating."Freestanding wall units can be much less expensive than built-ins," says Maybelle. Custom wall unit $3,800 and wire baskets $29 each from Stumasa. Chalkboard by not Neutral, $36; seejanework.com BONUS TIP Create a niche in the unit for a workstation to add even more function.MAXIMIZE WALL SPACECubbies are ideal for storage and display--and are easy to stack. "I'm constantly changing that area as we acquire new art and books," says Maybelle. Cubes $60 and $80 from Stumasa Office Basics accordion style organizer $36; seejanework.com BOUNS TIP A tower of books makes a great display pedestal.Designer, illustrator, and calligrapher Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls shares a one-closet, 740-square-foot home with her woodworker husband, Greg Stukuls, and their dog, Kiki. Both Maybelle and Greg design for Stumasa, a furniture store in San Francisco. She describes their shared predilection for organization: "Shortly after we met, I came home from a trip to my closetless apartment to find an armoire he'd hand-built. I knew it was love." Her advice for living minimally:THINK AHEAD If you don't love it or need it, don't bring it in the house.INFO Stumasa (stumasa.com or 415/759-1234)CONTINUALLY EDIT Especially your book collection and your closet. Maybelle keeps a "to donate" bag in her car for regular clothing purges.

INFO Stumasa (stumasa.com or 415/759-1234)