Small Space Organization and Storage Ideas
Small homes with small spaces is a major pain point for many. Someone who is living in a small space knows that it’s not just about letting go and decluttering. The space challenges require them to be extra creative and inventive to utilize their usable space in the most functional and value added way possible. It’s a dual challenge that causes an extra dose of frustration and overwhelm that usually results in upgrading or upsizing to a bigger home, if the budget allows.
This post is dedicated to sharing my small space organization and storage ideas for those who are working with a limited space and budget and are planning to stay put in their small homes for at least a little while longer.
Creativity for Multi-functional Spaces
Small spaces do not have the luxury of being just a kitchen or just a bedroom. These spaces need to double or triple up the functionality of the space by wearing multiple hats so to speak. A kitchen table can function as a dining table and as a work surface. Select a table that has built in drawers for extra storage of supplies.
When trying to make a small space work for you and all the needs of a household, creativity is key. A door no longer becomes just a door that shuts a cabinet or closes off a room. We will use the door as additional vertical storage space. If you don’t cook, your kitchen can be used for additional storage. For example, your oven can store items that wouldn’t normally be stored in an oven.
Select furniture that will work extra hard for you by serving multiple purposes. Instead of opting for a clear coffee table, purchase one with additional storage drawers built in. The same can apply to ottomans that can double as seating and contain extra storage.
Budget Constraints
No matter the size of the project, there is usually a budget. The budget may be small or large with or without wiggle room, but there’s always a budget. In this case if you’re working within some financial boundaries, we want to utilize existing items to repurpose in different and creative ways. Consider retaining structured and sturdy boxes to use as organizational bins. With not added cost, you can create the structure that is needed in many areas of your home. For example, boxes are useful in dresser drawers to keep socks and underwear neat and separate. Boxes also can be heavily utilized when attempting to contain any like kind item. This could be spices, cooking oils and toiletries and bathroom products. Read more about how useful boxes are for organization in this post.
Go Vertical
If square footage in a home is limited, I recommend going vertical and tapping into the unused height of a room. When we store items on the floors, it can tend to make a room smaller and also take up space that simply doesn’t exist. Installing a wall structure is a great way to remove items from the floor and up onto the walls. It can also help to create visual interest in the room as well as adding additional storage. Floating shelves is also a nice option to double as décor and storage space. If possible, purchase or use stacking drawers so that the items are easily accessible and you can use less surface area.
Negative Space
Any item that you own that is hollow and has a shape can be used to store your items. For example, if you have a suitcase and infrequently travel, allow the suitcase to double as storage when not in sure. You can also use the bag in bag method to put multiple unused bags into a much larger bag. Another example for storage is boots. If it’s off season and you do not plan on wearing your boots, add flexible and soft items like winter clothing into your boots. A third example is storage under the bed frame. If extra storage is needed, you could add more height underneath the bed by raising the bed with blocks instead of a traditional bed frame.
Small Yet Functional
Although your home may be small, or lacks the square footage you desire, these small space organization and storage ideas are creative and simple solutions to help give you added functionality in your space. Also remember to be extra diligent in what you allow into your home. Keeping close tabs on what enters makes a big impact when maintaining a tidy space.
For more ideas, tips and inspiration on tidying up and getting organized in your space, head to my blog here.
Tidy on and tidy strong, my friend!
Great ideas!! I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with my husband, and even though we down-sized from a house, we are still decluttering and always open to new organizational ideas and skills. Love your blog posts.😉
Thank you Dorothy! I appreciate you reading along. So glad you find these posts helpful in your tidying journey!