As someone who has spent years navigating the challenges of living in small spaces, I’ve learned a thing or two about making the most of every inch. From our first cozy one-bedroom apartment to our current three-bedroom townhouse, I’ve experimented with all sorts of tricks and strategies to keep the clutter at bay and maintain a sense of order and calm.
Declutter First, Organize Second
The key to staying organized in a small home is ruthless decluttering. It’s all too easy to accumulate stuff, especially when you’re short on space. But the truth is, the problem isn’t always the size of your home – it’s the sheer volume of stuff we insist on keeping around “just in case.”
I’ll admit, I used to be a bit of a hoarder. I held onto binders filled with my college notes for seven years after graduating, convinced I might need them someday. But you know what? I never did. In fact, there hasn’t been a single item I’ve decluttered that I’ve truly missed or desperately needed later on.
Once you can push past that mental block and let go of the fear of getting rid of things, the freedom is truly incredible. I’ve found that every inch of space in a small home needs to be used thoughtfully and intentionally. And that means being super selective about what we bring into our lives in the first place.
Create Zones Within Rooms
One of my favorite strategies for staying organized in a small space is to create zones within each room. Rather than just throwing everything together, I like to define the purpose and function of different areas.
For example, in our main living space, we have a dining zone, a TV/hangout zone, and a toy zone for the kids. This helps keep the space feeling intentional and prevents it from becoming a cluttered catchall. Even if you don’t have the luxury of dedicating a whole side of a room to a specific function, you can get creative. My friend Chelsea was able to carve out a cute little toy zone for her daughter in a cozy corner.
When it comes to small space living, every inch counts. Using vertical space, rolling carts, and repurposed furniture can all help you maximize your square footage. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use a space for something other than its intended purpose. We’ve turned a little 8×8 area in our basement into a workout room and even moved my husband’s office into that space when our son was born.
Keep the Floor Clear
One of the best pieces of advice my husband ever gave me about organizing a small space is to avoid putting stuff on the floor whenever possible. It’s so easy for the floor to become a dumping ground, and before you know it, the room feels cluttered and chaotic.
We’ve found this to be especially true in the kids’ toy zone. By adding some simple shelving units, we were able to get all the big toys up off the floor and create a much calmer, more organized feel in that area. The same goes for our master closet – getting our shoes up off the floor and into some inexpensive bins made a huge difference.
Maximize Vertical Space
When square footage is limited, it’s crucial to make the most of your vertical space. In our house, we’ve done this in a few key ways:
- Raised the kitchen cabinets to the ceiling to gain extra storage
- Swapped a wide dresser for a tall armoire in the bedroom
- Installed wall-mounted bookshelves and pegboards to keep surfaces clear
The principle is simple: go up, not out. Every inch of vertical space is precious real estate in a small home, so be sure to utilize it to the fullest.
Be Selective with New Purchases
One of the biggest challenges of living in a small space is resisting the urge to bring in new stuff. Whether it’s well-meaning friends and family, your kids’ latest obsession, or your own wandering eye at the store, it’s easy to end up with more than you have room for.
That’s why I’ve learned to be incredibly selective about what I allow into our home. Before making a purchase, I ask myself where it will go and whether it will truly serve a purpose or just end up as clutter. And whenever I do bring something new in, I make sure to get rid of something else to maintain that decluttered feel.
This is especially important when it comes to toys. Kids have a way of accumulating an endless array of gizmos and gadgets, and it’s up to us as parents to be the gatekeepers. I try to be ruthless about purging old toys before new ones come in, and I’m not afraid to say no to the latest must-have item if I know we simply don’t have the space for it.
Living in a small home can certainly present its challenges, but with the right mindset and strategies, it’s more than possible to create a calm, organized, and functional space. By decluttering regularly, defining zones, maximizing vertical space, and being selective with new purchases, you can turn your cozy abode into a true oasis of tranquility.
And who knows, you might even discover some unexpected perks to small-space living, like more quality time with your family or less time spent cleaning. The key is to embrace the limitations and get creative – because when it comes to making the most of your home, the possibilities are endless.
