Small Space Organization Hacks – How to Organize a Small Space!
I live in a small apartment, so I’m always looking for small space organization hacks that will help me make the most of the available tiny spaces.
Whether you are downsizing from a large home to a smaller home, starting out in that smaller first home, or living in a small apartment or dorm room keeping those smaller spaces well organized and neat and tidy can be a real challenge.
However, a well organized small space will look larger and be much more comfortable to live in than one that is cluttered.
Organizing a smaller space to meet all of your needs may be difficult, but it is not impossible.
With a little determination and innovation, you can turn that small space into something functional and comfortable for you and your family.
Related Decluttering Articles:
- 15 Small Kitchen Organization Ideas
- 13 Smart Towel Storage Ideas for Small Bathrooms
- 15 Bedroom Organization Hacks
Here are some small space organization ideas that you can use to begin organizing that small space.
In later blogs, I will go into more detail regarding organizing specific small spaces in your home.
9 Ideas for Organizing Small Spaces
#1. Start by Purging those Unwanted Items
The first step in organizing any small space is purging your space of unwanted or unused items.
Simply go through every room in your home and rid yourself of anything you haven’t used in the last 6 months.
This includes clothing from your closet, old magazines, broken toys, those kitchen utensils that you bought and used and once and stuck in a cabinet or draw, old bedding, excess linens etc.
You can either donate usable items or hold a garage sale and earn a little extra money for your organization projects.
Once you have decluttered your home, continue to purge those unwanted items from time to time to prevent clutter from building back up.
#2. Organize One Room at a Time
Whether you are moving into a new home or simply trying to organize your existing home, organize one room at a time.
Trying to organize every room at once can be overwhelming and frustrating and may end up with you giving up before the organization is complete, leaving things in more disarray than before you began.
It is best to start your organization with the room you use most often so that once it is completed you can really see and feel what an organized room can bring to your day to day living environment.
#3. Make a List of those Areas that Need to be Organized
Are you trying to organize your entire kitchen or bathroom, or do you just need to organize that small bedroom closet?
Making a list of those things that need to be organized and checking them off as you complete them, will give you a feeling of accomplishment and keep you on track.
#4. Consider Various Organizational Tools to Meet Your Needs
Different rooms in your home and different areas of a room will benefit from using the right organizational tools to accomplish the job.
Some organizational tools you may like to consider include:
- Floating shelves
- Over the door storage racks or baskets
- Under the bed storage containers with handles and wheels
- Peg boards capable of bearing weight
- Oversized hooks
- Corner shelves
- End tables with built-in shelves
- Rods for hanging
- Portable carts
- pocket organizers
- Lazy Susans
- Baskets and Jars
While you probably won’t need everything on this list or may think of something that will be more useful to you, this list will give you some idea of what organizational tools are available.
#5. Go Up Not Out to Maximize Space When You Have Limited Wall Space
Instead of organizing those bookcases or canned goods on wide shelves try using narrower floor to ceiling shelves.
This allows you to use space that is often overlooked (high up on the wall) while still giving you the space to neatly organize those books or knick-knacks.
#6. Use those Doors as Storage Space
When you think about it, the inside and outside of various doors in your home are normally blank spaces. These spaces can easily be transformed to help organize a room or an area of the room simply by using door racks or baskets.
For example, even a small broom closet can be turned into a handy storage space by placing a door rack on the inside of the door.
This rack can then hold cleaning bottles and cans, cleaning rags and sponges and other cleaning materials.
Your broom closet will be completely organized and you will have all the cleaning supplies right at your fingertips all in one spot.
There are also smaller door racks that you can use inside of the bathroom and kitchen cabinets, as well as larger racks perfect for the back of bedroom and bathroom doors to help you get organized.
Organizing a small space means making use of whatever space is available in the best way you can to achieve your goal.
#7. Choose the Right Furniture for Small Spaces
Small space organization doesn’t just mean finding storage space; it also means choosing the right furniture to fit the space.
For example, cluttering a small living room with furniture makes the space unwelcoming and gives it a cluttered look even without adding any personal items.
You need to limit your furniture to the right amount and style to keep the room organized.
Avoiding heavily overstuffed furniture and avoiding furniture with skirting can give your room a more open and spacious look, while making the best out of that small space.
You may also want to choose furniture that has a dual purpose. For example, instead of a kitchen table, you may want to choose a portable kitchen island to use as a table that has storage space as well.
#8. Create Open Storage Spaces
A great way to keep a small space organized and make it appear larger is to choose some open storage space instead of those big bulky dressers and cabinets.
Open shelves in a living room, bathroom or kitchen to store items can go a long way in making a small room appear larger and keep it clutter free and organized.
You can use baskets on open shelves to place those items you want to keep out of sight.
You can easily create those open storage spaces simply by removing a door off of a large kitchen cabinet or placing shelves above a desk or dresser.
#9. Create a Zone in the Corner or End of Another Room
If your home does not have enough individual rooms to meet all of your needs then try and create a zone to meet your need at the end or in a corner of another room.
For example, should you need a home office and lack a room for that office, you can place a small desk and chair at one end of your living room or kitchen.
Place a couple of shelves above the desk and you have created your own little office space.
When it comes to small spaces, different people and families have different needs, so keep in mind that you want to organize your space to meet the needs of your family and yourself.
Jennifer
Friday 17th of March 2023
Hi - thank you for your suggestions! I just found any of them difficult to use as I am working with no space at all. There isn’t even a closet in this small home! I think the best of all you listed is purging , donating, having a yard sale ……. getting rid of stuff I no longer use and making room that way ! Can you make a list of how to purge ? It can be very difficult ! Especially when you love the things you are purging and you are only purging to make more room not because you wish to get rid of your valuables ! For example, I have lovely pieces of furniture that I do not want to purge but they are taking up too much room in the living room. But, getting a storage space , would just be too expensive! What do you recommend I do with my furniture ?
Carol
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Hi Jennifer,
Organizing your home when you have little to no space can be very challenging, but it's doable. Regarding purging/decluttering to make room for the things you need and love, yes you can sell the stuff, donate or give them to loved ones. But decluttering things you still love or are emotionally attached to can be difficult and I'm guessing, that is the case with the piece of furniture you mentioned. If that is the case, you may find this post on how to declutter sentimental items helpful.
Let me know if you find that post helpful.