One of the most common reasons people give for not prepping is space. “I rent.” “I have a tiny kitchen.” “There is nowhere to store anything.”
This guide is for those people. And it is going to show them that everything they think is true about space and prepping is wrong.
A complete two-week emergency supply for one to two people fits in less space than you probably think. Here is exactly how to do it.
The Reality of Space Requirements
Let’s start with actual numbers. A complete two-week supply for two adults includes:
Water (28 gallons for two people for 14 days):
- 4 x 7-gallon water containers stacked = approximately 24″ x 18″ x 18″ of floor space
- Alternatively: 56 x 2-litre bottles stored flat under a bed
Food (two-week supply for two people):
- One large plastic storage bin (60 litre) for dry goods
- One large plastic storage bin for canned goods
- Combined footprint: approximately 24″ x 18″ x 18″
Total space required: roughly equivalent to two large suitcases. That fits under a bed, in a bottom-of-wardrobe corner, behind a sofa, or in a spare kitchen cabinet.
Water Storage in a Small Space
- WaterBOB Bathtub Bladder ($25-35): Fills your bathtub with up to 100 gallons at the first sign of an emergency. Stores flat in a small box. Takes up zero everyday space.
- Stackable 7-gallon containers: Stand upright or stack two high. Four containers stack into approximately 24″ x 18″ of floor space.
- 2-litre bottles: Fill with tap water, add 8 drops of unscented bleach per gallon, store flat under beds.
- Filter straw: Vital backup but not a primary storage solution.
Food Storage Without a Pantry
- Under-bed storage boxes ($15-25 each): The most underused storage space in any apartment. One queen-bed-sized space holds a complete two-week food supply for two people.
- Top-of-wardrobe space: The space above hanging clothes is usually wasted. A waterproof storage bin on top holds a complete dry goods supply.
- Back-of-wardrobe corner: Stack flat-sided storage bins here.
- Vacuum storage bags: Compress bulky items like sleeping bags, freeing up space for supplies.
Renter-Friendly Prepping Rules
- No damage to walls or floors: Everything in this guide is freestanding and entirely renter-friendly.
- Landlord concerns: Your emergency supplies are in bins, under beds, and in wardrobes. There is nothing to see.
- Shared buildings: Know two ways out of your floor. Know where the building’s emergency assembly point is.
- No outdoor cooking space: Design your emergency food supply to be entirely edible without cooking. Never use a camp stove without ventilation.
Your Apartment Prep Storage Map
- Under bedroom bed: water storage containers or bottled water
- Bottom of bedroom wardrobe: food storage bins (dry goods and canned)
- Top of bedroom wardrobe: sleeping bag, warm clothing, blankets (vacuum-sealed)
- Kitchen drawer: emergency lighting kit (headlamp, candles, matches)
- Kitchen cabinet (bottom): emergency cooking supplies
- Hallway cupboard: bug-out bags for each household member
- Lockbox under bed or in wardrobe: cash, document copies
- Bathroom cabinet: first aid kit
The One Thing Apartment Preppers Often Forget
Communication planning. Know two exit routes from your floor, your building’s assembly point, and which neighbours may need help. Know the phone number for building management. This costs nothing and takes 20 minutes — and is more valuable than most physical supplies.