Mastering Small Spaces: 6 Practical Tips for Decluttering and Organizing Your Home
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Time to read 5 min
Living in a small space can feel overwhelming, especially when clutter starts to pile up. Whether you’re in a small house, apartment, or any other compact living arrangement, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in stuff with nowhere to put it. However, there are practical solutions to keep your space organized and clutter-free. Here are some tangible tips to help you maximize your space and keep your home below your personal clutter threshold.
- Declutter Regularly | The first step to managing a small space is to reduce the amount of stuff you have. Here are some decluttering tips:
- Follow the 1-Year Rule: If you haven’t used an item in the past year, it’s time to let it go.
- Donate or Sell: Give away items you no longer need or sell them online.
- Use the Four-Box Method:Label four boxes as Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. Sort items accordingly.
- 3 Question Rule: Ask yourself, do I like it? Do I use it? Would I buy it again if I lost it?
- Use Multi-Functional Furniture | Invest in furniture that serves more than one purpose. This not only saves space but also reduces the need for extra storage units.
- Storage Ottomans: These can be used as seating, a coffee table, and storage for blankets, toys, or magazines. (CAN Link, US LINK)
- Sofa Beds: Perfect for guests and everyday use, these can transform your living room into a guest room. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Murphy Beds: These fold up into the wall when not in use, freeing up floor space.
- Maximize Vertical and Wall Space | When floor space is limited, look up! Vertical storage can significantly increase your storage capacity.
- Shelving Units: Install shelves on walls to store books, decorative items, or kitchen supplies. (CAN Link , US Link)
- Pegboards: These can be used in kitchens, garages, or offices to hang tools, utensils, or supplies. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Hanging Storage: Use hooks and hangers to store items like bikes, bags, or coats on the walls. (CAN Link , US Link)
- Optimize Closet Space | Closets are often underutilized. Maximize their potential with these tips:
- Closet Organizers: Invest in shelves, hanging organizers, and shoe racks to use every inch of your closet. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Double Hanging Rods Add a second rod below the main one to double your hanging space. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Over-the-Door Organizers: Use the back of the door for extra storage, perfect for shoes, accessories, or cleaning supplies. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Utilize Under-Bed Storage | The space under your bed is prime real estate for storage:
- Storage Bags: Use clear bins and bags to store off-season clothing, shoes, or extra linens. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Bed Risers: Raise your bed a few inches to create more storage space underneath. (CAN Link, US Link)
- Keep Surfaces Clear | Clear surfaces can make a room feel larger and more organized:
- Daily Clean-Up: Spend a few minutes each day putting items back in their designated places.
- Systems: Use decor boxes trays to corral small items like keys, mail, and remote controls. (CAN Link, US Link)
Living in a small space doesn’t have to mean living in clutter. With a few strategic adjustments and regular maintenance, you can create a functional, organized, and comfortable home. Embrace multi-functional furniture, maximize vertical space, and stay vigilant about decluttering. By identifying and respecting your personal clutter threshold, you can prevent overwhelming clutter from taking over. Remember, a well-organized space is not about how much room you have but how effectively you use it!
We often hold onto items out of guilt, whether because they were gifts or investments of our time and money. It's helpful to reframe these feelings, shifting from guilt to acceptance. This psychological release makes it easier to part with items without feeling like we are dishonoring the past.
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Steps to Follow
- Declutter Regularly: Use the 1-year rule, the four-box method, and the 3 question rule to help you reduce the amount of stuff you have.
- Use Multi-Functional Furniture: Invest in furniture that serves more than one purpose - storage ottomans, sofa beds, and murphy beds are a good place to start.
- Optimize Closet Space: Use closet organizers, double hanging rods and over-the-door organizers to make use of every inch of your closet
- Maximize Vertical and Wall Space: Vertical storage increases your storage capacity in a significant way. Use shelving units, pegboards and hanging storage.
- Utilize Under-Bed Storage: Make use of the space under your bed for storage bags and bed risers. You can store off-season clothing, shoes, or extra linens.
- Keep Surfaces Clear: Every evening, spend a few minutes tidying up and putting your stuff back where it belongs. You can use decor boxes or trays to gather small items.
- Maintain Momentum: Decluttering is an ongoing journey. Regularly check-in with to maintain progress and address any new emotional attachments that might arise.
⚡⚡ Pro-tips
Set Clear Intentions: Before you begin decluttering, think about your goals. Are you aiming to clear space, reduce anxiety, or simply feel more in control? Clear intentions help guide decisions and keep the process focused.
Start Small: Begin with less sentimental items to build momentum. This approach helps ease into the decluttering process without feeling overwhelmed by deep emotional ties.
Use the “Permission Phrase”: Create a simple permission phrase that resonates, like “It’s okay to let this go,” or “You don’t need this to remember.”
Take Breaks and Reflect: Decluttering can be emotionally exhausting. Plan short breaks to reflect on the progress made, celebrate small wins, and acknowledge any feelings that arise.
Create a Let-Go Ritual: Establish a small ritual when letting go of particularly sentimental items. This could be as simple as taking a photo, writing a short note, or sharing a memory before saying goodbye to the item.
Establish Boundaries with Sentimental Keepsakes: If certain items are too hard to let go of, place them in a “maybe” box. Revisit this box in a month with your trusted person and reassess whether you’re ready to let go.
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Megan Golightly, Professional Organizer and Founder of Simplifed
Known for her popular Instagram handle @gosimplified, Megan Golightly has been inspiring people to declutter, organize, and simplify their lives since 2008. Megan and her dedicated team tackle organizing projects of all sizes, transforming homes and empowering families along the way. With a background in psychology and a keen interest in neuroscience, her innovative tips, practical guides, and impressive before-and-after transformations have captivated an online community of hundreds of thousands of followers, all eager to embrace a simpler, more organized life.
