Organizing Small Spaces
You don’t need a lot of space to have a beautiful, functional home
In my consultations with clients, I often hear people say that organizing would be easier if they just had more space. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need another bedroom, additional closet, or a finished basement to get your home in order. The key to getting organized is two-fold: downsize your belongings to what you really need and maximize the space you have available with systems that work for your lifestyle.
The Decluttering Mindset
There’s no magic formula or one-size-fits-all solution for how much stuff you should have. The things that you have in your home will reflect who you are, your family structure, your climate, and your interests. Every household is unique.
That said, it’s important to understand what your needs and limitations are when you are thinking about how much stuff you really should have. That’s why when I am working with clients, getting to know them and their unique needs is the first order of business.
I discourage my clients from aspirational living and help them to organize to the lives they are actually living. For example, if you are a person who holds on to magazines because you’d like to get to them or if you have three sizes of clothing in your closet because things might fit again some day, I would encourage you to let unused things go and make sure your belongings reflect your reality.
Aspirational belongings become physical and emotional baggage that can stop you from being organized and fully enjoying your living space. The decluttering mindset is not about throwing everything away; it’s about making sure that you are using and enjoying the things you keep in your home.
Maximizing What You Have
Once the hard work of decluttering is done, it’s time to move on to the fun part: creating organization systems. If you live in an apartment, the maximizing your space part can seem like a real challenge. One of my top tips for small spaces is to look up! In other words, maximize your storage by utilizing the vertical space you have available.
In your kitchen or master bedroom closet, for example, consider adding shelving to give you extra storage. If your landlord won’t allow you to install drill into the walls, using shelf dividers within existing cabinets and pantries can sometimes double the amount of storage space you have. In closets, try clear stackable bins either on the floor or on an existing shelf: they can be a great way instantly add storage space for shoes, accessories, and seasonal items.
More Storage Tips
If you are looking for more tips for apartment living or small spaces, I was recently featured in a Redfin article all about how to keep a one-bedroom apartment clutter free. Organizers from all over the country shared amazing tips on how to maximize storage and minimize clutter when living in smaller spaces. You can read the entire article here: How to Organize a One-Bedroom Apartment: Keep the Clutter Out of Your Sleep Space.
If you need help getting started with decluttering and organizing, I am here to help! Investing in a professional organizer can be a great way to stop putting off getting your home and life in order. Send me and inquiry via my Contact page today, and let’s get started on the path to the home of your dreams.