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Despite the hundreds of product pages you’ll find on Target or Crate & Barrel’s websites, there are limits to shopping at major furniture retailers. Sometimes, we need a solution that is so specific—a bathroom shelf that’s a mere three inches deep or a folding dining table that can live in a closet when not in use—that there is only one final place to look: a marine supply store.
Yes, you read that right. Companies like Defender, Overton’s, and West Marine sell gear that’s meant to withstand the high seas and fit in tight quarters, so they are actually the perfect places to source small-space solutions. Plus, a lot of the stuff is built from teak, which is not only pretty to look at, but moisture-resistant. Just take it from designer Rachel Allen’s chic houseboat (pictured above): what works in open waters can work even better on land.
You can’t waste precious cabinet space on wine glasses in a galley, and you don’t have to in your home kitchen either—hang them underneath your upper cupboards instead.
Rain or shine, you can leave this durable folding table outside (and then stow it away in a sliver of empty space when the seasons change).
These racks are meant for holding maps, but who is to say they can’t be used for corralling wine bottles, gift wrap, or even scarves?
Most floating nightstands won’t hold your books upright—this seven-inch-long rack will.
No office, no problem. Mount this little pencil holder anywhere in your home you always find yourself in need of a pen (psst: the pantry is a good spot if you still jot down your grocery list).
With space for four drinks and a snack, this clever dining station lets you enjoy your afternoon pick-me-up—or even a full-blown meal—in the tightest of spaces, including next to your bed. When not in use, the tray hangs out of the way on a set of hooks.