How to Organize (and Maintain) a Small Space
Two years ago, I made an Instagram post that included four tips for organizing a small space. I really wanted to expand on that topic, but Instagram posts only have so much space (pun intended). Now I can finally get more detailed about how to maintain organization in a space with a smaller footprint. When I say small space, I mean apartments, tiny homes, dorm rooms, and single family homes mostly less than 1200 square feet. However, anyone can benefit from this information.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with small spaces. Here are all the small spaces I have lived in: I shared a single dorm room with a roommate, shared a 2-bedroom apartment with a roommate, lived in my own 1-bedroom apartment, shared a 2 bedroom apartment with 2(!) other roommates, and shared a house with 2 other roommates where my bedroom was really a glorified office, at just over 10′ x 10′. Talk about a squeeze! I had to make sure that the items I had were ONLY the things I loved and needed. I didn’t have room for anything else.
None of this information is new, but I hope that by presenting it in my own way, I can give you some inspiration to work towards your ideal space.
Tip #1: Purge often and much
Purging, or getting rid of stuff, isn’t something that comes naturally to people. We tend to hold on to our stuff for many different reasons, and we never consider that things have outlasted their usefulness to us. Stuff comes in day to day, it stays, and we don’t ever get rid of it. Eventually the stuff just blends into our environment. Here I’m really not talking about sentimental items, but just everyday, normal items in our homes that take up space without providing a service to us in return. When space is at a premium, the things you own need to be earning their keep by providing you with a practical use AND/OR enjoyment. Consider this: how much is your rent or mortgage payment? And how much of your space are you using like a storage unit?
It’s key to change the way you think from “I don’t have enough room,” to “I have too much stuff.” Take a good look at what is taking up physical space between the walls in your home. Every little bit, from the bottom of the cabinets and back of the closets, to the highest shelves on the wall. Do you enjoy each item? Have you used it recently? If not, will you ever use it again? Is the effort of having to maintain it or clean it worth losing the space it takes up in your home? Sometimes, it’s just not worth it. Things we own shouldn’t be a burden on us.
Letting things go, either by donating, selling, or trashing, reduces the number of things you are responsible for. And I want you to to be realistic about the value of your stuff. We tend to overvalue our stuff simply because it belongs to us. If you are intent on going through the selling process by listing items online, or having a yard sale, I want you to consider whether your precious time is worth the amount of money it will bring. Often it’s not. Making a charitable donation is the easiest option for removing items from your home that are unneeded and still in good condition. Also, don’t donate something if you wouldn’t buy it in that condition. Non-profit organizations that accept donations also have huge trash bills due to large amounts of garbage that is donated.
Clutter affects more than just your physical space. I have been using the term “brain space” to mean your mind’s ability to be attentive and focus when in a cluttered environment. You may not realize it, but physical clutter and mental clutter are wholly intertwined. *Every single thing* in your home takes up a small part of your brain. You may not be actively thinking about your clutter, but you are likely wasting “brain space,” and maybe feeling negative emotions, by delaying the decision of what to do about it. You probably do this whether you realize it or not because clutter is often defined simply as delayed decisions. When you finally make a decision, act on it, and clear the physical space, you clear your mind too.
Tip #2: Be mindful and aware of what is coming into your home
Prevention of clutter is arguably the most important tip I have. And it is especially important in a smaller space. The key is to be very selective about the things that enter your home, because as soon as it comes into your home, the item’s existence becomes your responsibility and your burden. We bring so many things into our homes automatically without thought. What would happen if you considered that you really don’t need a lot of the stuff that you bring in?
If you are shopping, take a list and stick to it. You should *never* shop just for fun or when you’re bored because you will bring things home you don’t need. If you do find an item you like or need while you are shopping, take a moment to define in advance, very specifically, where the item would go. If you can’t make a quick decision about where to put it, it might be best to put it back. To some people this may seem obvious, but to others, this little bit of preemptive mindfulness could be a huge reason they are able to slow the accumulation of stuff into their small spaces.
The exact same process should be applied to any object (or paper) you are considering bringing into your home. For example, free things or “bargains” are irresistible to many people. If your default mode is to accept offers of stuff from friends and family without question, I challenge you to make “No, thank you” your default answer. Make acceptance be the exception, not the rule. Have you considered that the other person just wants a guilt-free way to get rid of their own stuff? When you are mindful and realistic about the realities of your space, you’re less likely to be tempted.
Parents, just a reminder that you are in control of the things that come into your home related to your child(ren). You have complete control over the volume of toys and the volume of other kid stuff that often takes over. Children can get overstimulated by a high volume of toys, so being choosy about toys allows everyone to feel more calm in a small space.
Tip #3: Use “zones” to divide areas for different uses.
Do you remember the activity stations in your elementary school classrooms? With color-coded and labeled storage for everything you needed at that station? It sounds silly to apply the same organization tactics to adult activities, but imagine if you had an “activity station” for your current hobby. How amazing would it be? When you can begin an activity (creating, reading, or even eating) with everything you need within reach, it’s a game-changer for productivity and enjoyment. Small spaces are no different. When we define storage zones for different activities in one area, we can create a useful, multi-functional space.
Small spaces often have to serve multiple purposes, so I recommend setting up storage “zones” when a space has to serve dual (or more) functions. For example, your dining table might also have to be the homework spot or the crafting space. Near the table could be a rolling cart or a wall organizer that holds supplies so they can be put away quickly when it’s time to eat. Furniture can also be used to create larger zones inside a room. If your living and dining rooms are together in one space, you might arrange the furniture in a way that the dining area and the living area are each clearly defined. If your “office” is also your living room, a desk and chair can define your work area. These are fairly broad examples, but the goal of defining zones in a room is to have what you need where you need it. Apply that notion however it works for you in your home.
Tip #4: Use vertical space whenever possible.
When you can’t go out, go up! When you’ve physically used up as much of the available floor space as you can, take advantage of the space between your stuff and the ceiling. Often there is MASSIVE amounts of space here just being wasted because there is no infrastructure in place to hold anything up off the floor. Wall shelving or cabinets is an obvious answer, as well as standing shelving units like bookcases or tall chests of drawers. My personal favorites are floor to ceiling stacked cabinets or tall, pantry-style shelving units with doors that close to hide the visual noise of its contents. Those are all fairly large investments that may require attachment to the wall, but if you are renting or need a more economical option, basic bookshelves, cube units, and coat racks are all great options for keeping stuff off the floor.
Over-the-door, clear, shoe pockets are another great way to utilize often unused space. They aren’t limited to closet doors; think about putting one behind your bathroom door or in your linen or utility closet. I recommend the clear pockets so you can see at a glance where everything is. Hooks and small shelves (think spice racks) mounted inside a small closet also help use some of the vertical wall space inside.
An attractive option for a small front entryway may be a shallow, wall-mounted shelf, perhaps with open cubbies or small drawers. Bonus points if it has hanging hooks underneath that could be useful for keys, hats, or jackets. This is a great option that takes up nearly zero floor space for narrow entryways and halls.
When space is really limited, your furniture choice also becomes very important. Furniture that has storage built in is a great way to expand the capacity of your home without taking up more floor space. Avoid oversized furniture if possible, and consider if you have more furniture than you need in your space (I’m thinking about those small side tables, benches, and other mostly decorative pieces that are taking up room more than they are being useful). If there is room for a coffee table or end tables, choose pieces that have extra storage.
The following are some vertical storage ideas for your kitchen: Hanging pot racks, hanging or wall-mounted fruit or veggie baskets, wall-mounted shelving that holds wine bottles, glasses, or coffee mugs, magnetic knife holders instead of a knife block on the counter, a CommandTM hook on the side of a cabinet can hold a hand towel, and a CommandTM clip on the inside of a cabinet door can hold rubber cleaning gloves to dry.
I could keep going, but this post would be a mile long. I really hope this give you some inspiration for how to maximize the storage in your small space. Do you have another tip for small space organization? Please let me know!