A place for everything and everything in its place.
It’s an old saying, but there’s no doubt it’s the key to small space living. When space in your home is at a premium, you’ll need to think carefully about what you have in it and how it is organized.
1. There’s no place for excess. The more you can trim your possessions, the more spacious your accommodations will feel. Be strict about the "one in, one out rule" or "one in, two out rule." Only buy items when you have created space for them.
2. Beware of gadgets. They promise an easier life and end up taking up a lot of room. Do you need a blender, a mini processor, and a smoothie maker? How often will you use the electric carving knife or antique weighing scales? Choose your tools to fit your space and everyday needs.
3. Make use of wall space. Command strips and Command hooks make it easy to hang full-length mirrors, robes, hats, umbrellas, framed photos,
etc. without these items taking up surface space. And they don't require you to put holes in your walls which many landlords, if you live in an apartment, do not allow. 4. Choose furniture wisely. Size matters when space is tight. Go for smaller pieces and those that fold or stack,
such as nesting tables, a shelf that flips up when not in use, or stools that fit under a surface.
6. Use baskets and fabric boxes, either on surfaces or inside cupboards and closets. They tidy and hide smaller items keeping spaces neat. Plus, those with lids stack, helping to save more surface space. Use them in
the bathroom for bottles and lotions or in your wardrobe for belts and scarves.
7. Box up and store seasonal items. Vacuum pack them to minimize bulk. Space-saving vacuum bags can help tremendously with reducing bulk and requiring less room to store. Utilize spaces under furniture (the bed or the coffee table for example) to stash these away. 8. Create an illusion of space with well-placed mirrors and careful color choices. Neutral or light color "push" the walls back. Add to the visual effect by keeping the floor clear. Stacking storage vertically helps too.
9. Be tidy. Messes makes rooms look smaller so keep the area tidy. Hide cables and cut messy tangles by using cable ties to hold them neatly together.
10. Switch over to eBooks.
Regular printed books take up a ton of space. You can have around 300 eBooks on a Kindle. Alternately, borrow books from your
library instead of buying them. This way, you won't need a whole lot of book storage space in your home. 11. Organize household chores to keep on top of them. Put laundry away as soon as it’s ready. Wash dishes and put them in their place. Nothing can shrink a room visually
more than clutter.
12. Be organized. Ultimately, the best tip of all is to be organized. Keeping your home orderly will make it feel more spacious and more pleasant to be in.
