Decluttering a small space can seem daunting, but with some planning and commitment, it is very achievable. Here are some tips for effectively decluttering your small home or apartment.
Take Inventory and Prioritize
Before you start decluttering, take an inventory of all your belongings and categorize them. Make a list of items you absolutely need, items you could donate or sell, and items to throw away. This helps you prioritize what to tackle first when decluttering.
Focus first on decluttering items you don’t need or use often. Get rid of these things first to clear space fast.
Declutter Room by Room
Don’t try to declutter your entire home at once. This can get overwhelming. Work room by room to maintain focus and momentum.
Start with high priority rooms like the kitchen and bedroom where clutter builds up quickly. Once you finish a room, avoid backtracking to declutter it again.
Use Vertical Storage
In small spaces, unused vertical space is prime real estate for storage. Install shelves high up on walls, vertical shelving units, hanging rods, and racks to store items up and out of the way.
Mountables like magnetic strips, hooks, and racks let you store kitchen tools and utensils on walls to save counter and cabinet space. Utilize the backs of doors with over-the-door hangers.
Get Creative with Storage Furniture
Multifunctional furniture with storage built in helps maximize every inch of space. Look for furniture like storage ottomans, benches, beds with drawers underneath, and shelving units that double as room dividers.
When choosing new furniture, opt for taller and narrower pieces that take up less floor space. For example, a tall, thin bookcase takes up less space than a short, wide one.
Keep Surfaces Clear
Too much stuff piled on tables, countertops, and other flat surfaces makes a home feel cluttered and smaller.
Keep surfaces like counters, coffee tables, and nightstands cleared except for a few essential decorative items. Store things like small appliances inside cabinets and put away papers into files, folders or bins.
Purge Ruthlessly
Be disciplined about only keeping belongings you really need and use. If you haven’t used something in over a year, toss it or donate it.
Clothes that don’t fit or aren’t your style should be donated so you have room for ones you actually wear. Go through pantry items and toss expired or unneeded food to free up shelf space.
Maintain the Decluttered State
To avoid clutter accumulating again, adopt new habits like putting things back right after using them.
Do a quick 10 minute tidy of the space at the end of each day to return items to their designated spots. Regularly purge belongings again each season to keep your space decluttered long-term.
In summary, decluttering a small home is very doable with some advance planning and commitment. Focus on one room at a time, utilize vertical storage well, invest in multifunctional furniture, keep surfaces clear, purge ruthlessly, and maintain the decluttered state for lasting results. With some effort, you can create a clutter-free oasis in your small home.
