People will often say to me, "I really can't get organized. My home is too small" or "I live in a tiny apartment with no storage space. That's why my space is so
messy."
Being in the organizing profession for more years than I'd like to admit, I'm going to tell you something that may blow your mind:
The size of your space has zero influence on how organized (or disorganized) it can be.
I've seen teeny-tiny homes and one-room studio apartments with very limited square footage that are super well-organized.
I've also seen gigantic homes that could be featured on episodes of Hoarders.
Very often, the more space people have, the more clutter they accumulate. Obviously, they have a whole lot of space for a whole lot of stuff.
The application of good organizing habits, when living in a small space, can positively
equate to an organized, comfortable, functional space. Whether you're living in a small home (or an apartment, a dorm room, etc.), or simply hoping to maximize storage space in your living space, here are four tried-and-true baseline tips:
1) Purge daily and ruthlessly. Clutter makes a
small space feel even smaller. Get rid of anything that is not serving you...meaning you don't use it and/or you don't love it.
Don't worry. You don't have to do this in a day. Take your time. Every evening, before you go to bed, choose one area of your home (that area could be as small as a drawer or a
cabinet). Ask yourself if the items in that area are truly serving you or just taking up valuable space.
Rule of thumb: With most items, if you haven't used it in the past year or two, say
goodbye. Try to let go of a few items (even just one item) every single evening. Put it in a donation box or bag...and drive that bag over to your local charity once a week.
Doing this before bed can make you feel lighter and sleep easier.
2) Use wall space. In a small space, every inch counts. Don't make the mistake of missing out on valuable wall space.
Make use of hooks.
Items like bikes, pots and pans, mops, and so much more can be hung to free up floor and surface space.
Use a pegboard to hang hammers, screwdrivers, and tools... or craft supplies. A hanging over-the-door shoe organizer can store small items like jewelry or bathroom
toiletries (like cotton balls, Q- tips, etc.).
Install a tension rod under your sink to hang cleaning supplies by their handles; yes, even the walls inside a cabinet can help you save
on space!
3) Going furniture shopping? Think dual-purpose. Furniture that can serve multiple functions rocks in a small space. Look for pieces like a storage ottoman that doubles as seating, a coffee table that converts into a desk, or a nightstand with cabinet
space.
Consider yourself to be a creative person? If so, think up and make your own dual-purpose furniture, like using stacked vintage suitcases as a bedside table. You'll have the
surface of those suitcases, along with storage inside each of them.
4) Use the space under the bed. If you have space under your bed, you have prime storage real estate. Don't just stuff it under there. Use under-bed storage containers. They're perfect for storing out-of-season clothing, extra bedding, and more. 5) Get clever with small space solutions. For instance:
a. Hang a tension rod in your shower, add some "s"
hooks, and you now have the perfect hanging storage for your loofah, scrub brush, and shower cap.
b. Add an over-the-toilet rack for instant storage space
for towels and toiletries. (Slightly off topic: By the way, always put the toilet lid down before you flush.)
c. Use space-saving hangers in your clothes closet.
With a little bit of organizing know-how, you can turn even the smallest of spaces into a cozy, inviting, organized
oasis.
