Organizing small spaces
A small space can be tricky to organize. Rooms still have to hold all your furniture and a host of other stuff, but packing in too much will likely make a small space feel cramped and uncomfortable. Two tricks can help to organize that small space: Throw out what you don't want or need and organize as best you can what's left. Here's make the most of the space and thereby create a little breathing room. Does this Spark an idea?
Subdividing Your Space
Divide a small room into zones to define the space for your stuff. If the kitchen and dining room occupy a single room, designate which area is for cooking and which for dining. Continue, going room to room and listing the activities you perform in each one. Divide the rooms to create spaces for specific activities. In the bedroom, for example, one area might be for sleeping, reading or watching television; another area, for working; and a third, for your hobbies. Sort your items into the appropriate zones, leaving enough room to walk from zone to zone. Separate the zones with curtains or a room divider to block them off when they're not in use. That creates the illusion of many private spaces instead of just one room crammed with stuff.
Choose Functional Furniture
Select furniture that can do double duty. Carts with wheels are perfect for the kitchen, where they can create a kitchen island for meal prep yet be rolled out of the way when not in use. Choose a bed with shelves built into the headboard and drawers underneath, giving you storage without taking up any extra space. A coffee table for the living room can include drawers or be made from an old trunk to store blankets inside. Ask yourself if your current furniture helps store items while widening your living space or is simply large and in the way. Choose furniture that is functional and small but large enough to hold all your items and perform its tasks.
Create Storage
Beyond furniture, several other storage strategies can help you make the most of a small amount of room. The walls are your best friends. Install shelves, ledges and hanging cabinets or containers to give you more storage space without taking up floor space. In the kitchen, hang pots and pans from the ceiling. Consider storing small supplies in a jar or container to keep them out of the way. Hang a plastic shoe organizer in the closet for shoes and small items like hats or gloves. If you're on a tight budget, use cheap plastic storage containers and cardboard boxes found around the house to serve as temporary storage. That not only saves money but also quickly makes clear what storage approaches don't work for you. Then, when you buy better containers, you'll know what suits your storage needs.
Tags: small space, furniture that, hold your, make most, without taking
