You don't need a garage — or a bunker — to be prepared. With the right gear, you can build a fully functional emergency kit in a small apartment. Here's how.
Quick Comparison
Core Strategy: Compact + Multi-Use
Every item in a small-space kit needs to earn its footprint. Focus on gear that solves multiple problems, stores flat or small, and doesn't require dedicated cabinet space.
Smart Storage Ideas
- Under-bed bins — the most underused storage in any apartment
- Closet shelves with stackable containers
- A packed go-bag that doubles as your 3-day kit
- Furniture with hidden storage (ottomans, bed frames)
Sterilite Under-Bed Storage Bins
Low-profile, stackable. Fit 3-4 under most beds.
Water (3-7 Days)
WaterBrick 3.5-Gallon Containers (2-pack)
Stackable bricks that store in closets, under beds, or in corners. Two handles 7 gallons.
Collapsible Water Jug (5-Gal)
Stores flat when empty. Fill from tap before an emergency.
Food (3-7 Days)
Shelf-stable foods you already eat are the easiest to store and rotate. Canned goods, nut butter, oats, and rice take up minimal space and last 1-3 years.
Datrex 3,600 Cal Emergency Ration
One bar per day. Compact, no prep, 5-year shelf life.
Emergency Radio
Midland ER310 Emergency Radio
Solar, hand crank, battery. NOAA alerts, USB charging. Compact enough for any shelf.
First Aid
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight 3.0
Compact and comprehensive. Fits in a drawer or the front pocket of your go-bag.
Light + Power
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Rechargeable, waterproof, 400 lumens. Compact enough to keep in a nightstand.
Anker PowerCore 26800 Battery Bank
High capacity, multi-port. Keeps phones and small devices running for days.
Shelter and Tools
SOL Escape Bivy
Emergency sleeping bag. Weighs 3.8 oz, stores in a fist-sized pouch.
Leatherman Wave Plus
Replaces a dozen tools in one palm-sized package.
Don't overbuy bulky gear you can't store. Preparedness isn't about space — it's about smart prioritization.
Build your kit step by step in +MAP.
+MAP's Basic Preparedness checklist is designed for any living situation — so you can make progress whether you have a garage or just a closet.
Join the waitlistThe guides are free. The platform makes them stick.
Most groups download a checklist and nothing changes. MAP gives your group the infrastructure to actually act on it — skill tracking, task assignment, event coordination, and a shared knowledge base your members can find offline.
- No more tracking member skills in a spreadsheet
- No more losing resources in group chats
- No more showing up to a crisis figuring it out for the first time
No spam. No pressure. Early access when we launch.