A cluttered, unclean home is a huge source of emotional distress for millions of Americans, including those living in Peoria, AZ. Many are left stressing out about home organization in general, but these tensions are nothing new. With 73.2% of local housing units occupied by their owners, Peoria residents strive to keep their properties in tip-top shape.
But how do you efficiently make space for all of your items if you live in a small house? Luckily, achieving optimal organization can definitely be done by:
- Purging Like Crazy
- Section Rooms Into Zones
- Make More Floor Space
- Take Advantage of Wall Space
- Make Your Closets Work Overtime
- Use Hidden and Open Storage Options
- Go High and Low
- Stick With It
If you're ready to get your small home organized, read on for plenty of in-depth tips!
1. Purge Like Crazy
If you’ve lived in the same small house for many years, it’s likely that you’ve accumulated numerous possessions. In order to make space for the items you actually use, you need to purge your space of the unwanted ones.
According to Apartment Therapy , some items that you can immediately get rid of include old magazines, old clothing, broken possessions, duplicated items, and old electronics. After you’ve tossed these items, carefully go through every nook and cranny of your home and start collecting possessions you no longer want or need. Sort these items into three categories, including sell, donate, and trash. By purging your house of unnecessary items, you can free up valuable space.
2. Section Rooms Into Zones
After you’ve de-cluttered your house , it’s time to start organizing the individual rooms. Often times in a smaller home, one room can serve several different purposes. Create purposeful zones within each room to maximize space.
For instance, your large living space can function as a TV room and a dining room. Strategically position furniture and accessories in different areas to create designated zones.
3. Make More Floor Space
Oftentimes, making your small home feel bigger is as simple as getting items off the floor. Put shoes on a shoe rack in the mudroom or entryway closet. Keep toys in decorative baskets. By freeing up floor space, your tiny home will feel less cluttered and cramped.
4. Take Advantage of Wall Space
Now that you’ve cleared items off the floor, where are you going to put them? One idea is to take advantage of unused wall space. This is the part where you need to get creative. For instance, you can create a visual-appealing gallery of hats by hanging them in clusters on the wall, within your closet. You can also attach a silk ribbon or brightly colored piece of yarn to your wall and display jewelry and scarves. Also consider installing a wall hanger for your pots, pans, and other kitchen essentials.
5. Make Your Closets Work Overtime
Small houses oftentimes mean even smaller closets. To organize your small home, you need to optimize your closet space. Neatly hang your formal clothing. Stack thicker items on shelves and stash casual clothes in drawers. Keep shoes neatly tucked away on a shoe rack. Use the empty space on the back of your closet door to hang ties, hats, and scarves.
For closets you don’t use often, such as the ones in your spare bedrooms, consider installing a tiny desk inside. You can instantly transform an unused closet into a functional workspace for either your work or your child’s schoolwork.
6. Use Hidden and Open Storage Options
Home organization may require you to think outside the box. Instead of storing all of your items in closets and drawers, think about open storage solutions as well. Keep items you use every day in open spaces that are easily accessible. For example, install a few hooks near your front door to hang your keys and purse. Put a catch-all dish on your entryway table or nightstand to store your phone, wedding rings, wallet, and other items when not in use.
7. Go High and Go Low
One of the simplest ways to organize a small home is to store items below or above furniture. This is especially useful if you have a smaller bedroom. Keep seasonal apparel in clear plastic bins or vacuum-sealed bags and place them under your bed. You can also stack pretty books under a table or use them to raise a planter.
Use the empty space above your bed to install a headboard that can also function as a bookshelf. By using low and high spaces, you can find a home for every item, regardless of the size of your home.
8. Stick With It
In order to keep your small home organized, you need to stick with it. Every week, set aside 30 minutes to go through each room in your home. Check to make sure everything is in its proper place. Every month, go through your possessions and toss or donate items you no longer want or use. Get the whole family involved and ensure that they keep their areas neat and tidy.
Conclusion
With some time, patience, and creativity, you CAN get your small home organized. By purging unwanted items, using space creatively, and making rooms and closets work double duty, you can efficiently clear out and clean up your cluttered home.