How to Store Your Kick Mats Efficiently: 5 DIY Solutions for Small Spaces

If you’ve ever tripped over a rolled‑up kick mat while reaching for a dumbbell, you know the frustration of a cluttered workout corner. A tidy space not only looks better, it keeps you safe and makes you more likely to stick with your routine. Below are five simple DIY ideas that fit even the tiniest apartments.

1. The Wall‑Mounted Roll‑Up Rack

What you need

• Two 2‑by‑4 lumber pieces (about 3 ft long)
• Two sturdy brackets
• A few zip ties or Velcro straps
• Drill and screws

How to build it

1. Cut the lumber to the length of your longest kick mat.
2. Attach one bracket near the top of each board; the brackets should face outward so the mat can roll over them.
3. Screw the boards to a sturdy wall stud, making sure they are level.
4. When you finish a session, roll the mat and slide the ends onto the brackets. Secure with a zip tie or a Velcro strap.

Why it works

The rack uses vertical space you normally ignore. Because the mat rolls over the brackets, you never have to lift heavy rolls off the floor. I installed one in my hallway closet and now the mat is out of the way while my shoes stay where they belong.

2. The Under‑Bed Pull‑Out Drawer

What you need

• A shallow plastic storage drawer (about 12 in high)
• A set of low‑profile rollers
• A piece of plywood cut to the width of your bed frame

How to build it

1. Attach the rollers to the bottom of the drawer.
2. Slide the plywood onto the bed frame rails; this creates a smooth track.
3. Pull the drawer out, lay the rolled mat inside, and push it back under the bed.

Why it works

Most people forget the space under the bed is a gold mine for flat items. The drawer glides in and out, so you can grab the mat without crawling on the floor. I love that I can hide the mat while still keeping the bed’s legs visible – no awkward gaps.

3. The Closet‑Side Hanging Pocket

What you need

• A heavy‑duty fabric tote or canvas bag (large enough for a rolled mat)
• Two S‑hooks
• A sturdy closet rod

How to build it

1. Thread the S‑hooks through the tote’s top handles.
2. Hang the hooks on the closet rod, letting the tote hang down the side.
3. Roll the mat and slide it into the tote.

Why it works

The tote protects the mat from dust and keeps it from rolling away. It also adds a splash of color to an otherwise bland closet. I once used an old gym bag for this purpose and it turned my closet into a mini‑storage showcase.

4. The DIY PVC Pipe Roll Holder

What you need

• Two 1‑inch PVC pipes (about 4 ft long)
• Two PVC end caps
• A piece of plywood or a sturdy board (12 in × 24 in)
• Screws

How to build it

1. Cut the PVC pipes in half, giving you four 2‑ft sections.
2. Attach two end caps to the outer ends of each pipe pair.
3. Drill two holes in the board, space them about 18 in apart, and screw the pipe pairs through the board so they sit parallel.
4. Roll the mat and slide it onto the pipes; the board keeps the pipes from moving.

Why it works

PVC is cheap, light, and strong enough to hold a heavy mat. The board can sit against a wall or sit on a shelf, turning an empty surface into a dedicated roll station. I built one in my laundry room and now the mat lives right next to my folding table – no more hunting for it after a cardio session.

5. The Fold‑Down Shelf with a Hidden Compartment

What you need

• A sturdy wall‑mounted shelf bracket (flip‑down style)
• A thin piece of plywood (about 1 in thick)
• A few small hinges
• A magnetic catch or a simple latch

How to build it

1. Attach the hinges to the underside of the plywood and the shelf bracket, allowing the board to flip down.
2. Install the magnetic catch on the back edge of the board to keep it closed when not in use.
3. When you need the mat, flip the board down, roll the mat onto the board, and secure it with a strap. Flip the board back up to hide the mat.

Why it works

The flip‑down shelf doubles as a regular shelf when closed, so you can store books, plants, or a water bottle on top. When you need the mat, the board becomes a rolling platform. I love the “secret” feel of it – it’s like a hidden gym in my living room.

Putting It All Together

You don’t have to pick just one of these ideas. In my own apartment, I use the wall‑mounted rack for my daily training mat, the under‑bed drawer for a spare mat, and the PVC pipe holder for my kids’ mini‑kick mats. Mixing and matching lets you adapt to any layout, and each solution costs less than $20 in materials.

A tidy space is a happy space, and with a little DIY spirit you can keep your kick mats out of the way without sacrificing style. Remember, the goal isn’t just to hide the mat; it’s to make it easy to grab, roll, and store again.