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19 Ideas for Organizing Small Homes

Here is some advice on how to organize your home and make it more functional with these storage ideas for small spaces.

13/09/2022

It shouldn't be a problem for you to meet your storage needs even if you live in cramped quarters. If you follow the right strategies, you can live small and keep your things well organized at the same time. We will show you how to organize your home and make it more functional with a wide array of storage ideas for small spaces.

1. Make use of closet space as a substitute

There is often insufficient closet space in small homes, which makes entryway storage particularly challenging. Creating a customized drop zone around your front door can make up for the lack of storage around the door. Sort belongings by family members or items on the shelves, using bins or baskets to keep them organized.

Slimline storage situated close to the entrance of the home lets you have a central point from which clutter can be organised and placed where it is supposed to go.

2. Make Your Storage Discreet

Since all items aren't pretty enough, they can't be kept in clear view. Keeping things out of sight but still accessible with hidden storage will maintain a cleaner look. You can hide items you'd rather not display with furniture tricks, like flip-top upholstered storage bench.

The empty space under a window provides the perfect spot for a storage bench, and if you are renting, you can make it a freestanding unit that can easily be removed.

3. Increase storage by adding incrementally

If you want more storage out of a small space, consider adding simple add-ons to basic storage solutions—for instance, a narrow shelf addition. A small, notch-back shelf provides just enough space to store frequently used items in glass canisters.

Ditch the bulky bed base that takes up space and replace it with a storage base that you can make yourself.

4. Mini storage is a must-have

It is common to worry about ruining cherished possessions or misplacing documents in small spaces. If you need a safe place to store your documents or valuables, rent a mini storage unit. These weather-controlled, cost-effective units will keep your belongings safe for as long as you want them to be. Furthermore, you will not have to worry about misplacing and damaging your precious possessions if you invite guests and children into your house.

Never overlook the potential space-saving value of alcoves and corners - these make for valuable storage areas.

5. Ignore nooks at your peril

A shelf does not need to occupy much horizontal space to be useful. When it comes to small spaces, a short shelf length can be an efficient way to store things. Dishes and cooking essentials are easily accessible on a narrow wall with open shelves.

6. Remove all debris from the floor

It can be difficult to keep your small rooms clean and clutter-free, but clever storage solutions can help. Try mounting small cubes or rectangular shelf units on the wall for open storage to gain valuable storage spots for essentials. Since the units do not have doors that need to be opened and closed, you do not have to leave extra clearance space around the units. With the help of a wall-mounted light fixture, a tabletop surface is ideal for displaying books, glasses, and other items.

Put your DIY skills to good use and make storage cubes that can be stacked for a pleasing display and extra storage.

7. Stack shelves in staggered rows

Having uniform and boxy shelving units in a small room can overpower the room and make it seem smaller than it actually is. Instead look for ladder-style pieces, ones with narrower shelves at the top. In addition to helping to lighten up a room, it can also provide useful storage for items of various sizes, which can be a very useful feature.

8. Adapt shelves to a smaller space

When it comes to small spaces, especially small bathrooms, there isn't a lot of space for overly large furniture. Choose pieces that are sized down, like an open three-shelf unit, that still offer plenty of storage space. I will give just enough room for extra towels and toiletries and a pretty display area for the items to be displayed.

9. Incorporate open-air storage

A closed door or drawer isn't the only way to safely store items. When there is a limited amount of space, you may have to use spots that are easily visible to everyone. It is a good idea to group similar items of the same size into a decorative piece of storage that blends with the style and colour of the room, such as a roll of kitchen paper and wraps. A mesh file makes it easy to store aluminum foil, parchment paper, and other cooking items.

Be creative when planning for storage, sometimes you can use items for purposes other than which they were intended for.

10. You can rely on double-duty furniture

Storage pieces with multiple uses are a great fit for small spaces. Home offices can be hard to create with limited sq. ft., but strategically placed bookshelves create a desk area and storage space. To add a stylish touch to your desk, tuck an ottoman under the work surface and organize necessities with baskets and tiny bins.

11. Find out what add-ons you might find useful

Cleverly designed products can solve various storage woes and work wonders in keeping clutter at bay in small areas. Investing in single-storage items will allow you to find a home for things you use almost daily, which can be kept out of sight if stored. The mounting of hairdryer holders inside cabinet doors and special clothes bins are just a few examples of how you can optimize your cabinet space.

12. Combining cabinet types

Every type of storage serves a different purpose: Cabinets, drawers, and open shelves each hold a different type of item. The more options you have when storing things, the more effective they can be, especially in areas with a lot of traffic, such as kitchens and toilets. Making the most of every inch of space in a small space means varying your storage solutions.

13. Make use of vertical spaces

A smart solution for tight quarters is to utilize vertical space, such as behind-the-door storage. You will be able to make the most of those precious square feet if you use them well, especially for storing small items that would otherwise clutter up the room. Gift-wrapping essentials are stowed away in slim wire baskets that line the back of this door, which is a better way to keep the contents in view.

14. Cut down on the number of things

When you live in a small space, you often get back to basics and simplify your life. The fewer items you have to store, the less overcrowding you will experience, and the better you will be able to use your limited space. You can declutter your home by keeping only what is necessary for your family, such as a few towels, and replacing worn or damaged items. If you decide to keep items, make sure to subdivide open spaces to make them easier to access.

Where there is no available wall space, consider suspending shelves from the ceiling. This solution provides handy storage without taking up valuable space.

15. Increasing storage space

There may not be room for cabinet doors in a small space since they take up space in square feet. Open shelves are a good option for storing frequently used items, such as plates and glasses. Make sure you store items strategically on the shelves and leave plenty of open space between stacks to keep them looking tidy.

16. Organize your jewellery smarter

Keeping small items, such as jewellery and makeup, in a larger space can be challenging. An organizer with uniformly sized compartments may not be the best solution since these items typically include a range of pieces in various sizes. Consider using the walls as additional storage space instead of drawers and shelves. Use pins or hooks to hang necklaces and bracelets on an empty frame by covering it with cork or metal sheeting with decorative holes. A framed magnetic board can store makeup products vertically by attaching magnets to the back.

Wire racks and baskets can be secured on cupboard doors or inside doors to keep all your fashion accessories organised.

17. Keep Potential Storage in Mind

Choosing furniture pieces that offer hidden storage in unexpected ways is a great way to maximize storage space in a small room.

Did you know there is more to a bathroom stool than a place to sit? You can use it as a counter. A bottom drawer can hold additional towels, washcloths, and bath products when the drawer is pulled out.

18. Keep electronics hidden

Countertop and work surface space are limited in small houses, so store items strategically instead of hiding them. When stored on the counter or desktops, it can be hard to find space for large tech pieces like printers and scanners. Keep these electronics in the right-sized drawers until you need them to keep them out of the way.

Be on the lookout for furniture that not only looks good but it great for keep all your electronics, cables and wires out of sight.

19. Make the most of your windows and sills.

Natural light can brighten dark corners and make small rooms seem larger. However, windows can also take up valuable wall space that could otherwise be used to store things. Keep pots, pans, and everyday dishes accessible by hanging shelves or racks across windows. This will maximize light and storage capacity.

Put the above steps into action and you will soon realise that it doesn't take that much to corral all the stuff in your home and be more organised and to have more living space.

Conclusion

Many people live in small houses and manage to keep them organized. How? It's not difficult at all. Keeping your disposable items out of your home and avoiding clutter seems like a good first step. Next, make way for all the valuable items by designing storage spaces in your house. If you need tips on how to best maximize space in your house, consult this article for creative storage ideas.

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