The number one storage solution is shelves. The ubiquitous bookshelf is everywhere - and can really affect the look of an apartment or a room.

Either invest in attractive shelves or be willing to break out the paint, because shelves are such an anchoring piece of furniture. What you do with them can really set the mood of the room. Basic black is always a good place to start, but in small rooms with lots of shelves, it can make you feel like you live in a postage stamp.

However, even cinderblocks and board can be made attractive. Spending $10 on paint and brushes and you can turn boring bricks and boards into an industrial masterpiece. Paint the bricks silver and the boards a glossy black.

Got a little more time on your hands? Grab some upholstery tacks (or flat silver pushpins), a ribbon, and a hammer. The ribbon should be the width of the edge of a shelf and in a contrasting color. Tack the ribbon along the edges. More time and more creative energy to burn? Stencil the bricks with celtic knotwork or roses or whatever design you like. (note: Melamine finishes on shelves are really common, are require extra steps-mainly sanding-which can be very messy and very very time consuming. Lots of shelves to do? I recommend a random orbital sander and lots of drop cloth. Best $40 you can spend.)

Hiding clutter on shelves only moves the clutter to the shelves! So just cover the shelves for deeper hiding. You can hang fabric from the top of whatever shelf you want to start covering. Lay the fabric over the top, cover with a ribbon, and attach with upholstery tacks or pushpins. You an attach cuphooks on the side of the shelves to hold back the curtains when rummaging. And if you check out fabric stores right before or after Halloween, they typically have 'spooky' fabrics on a sharp markdown. If you cover a whole tall shelf, you can overcome not being able to paint your walls. Just try not to let the fabric been so busy that no one notices the rest of your home!