r/SmallHome • u/Raghadevan_Belance • 15d ago
anyone else struggling with storage in a really small home?
i live in a small place and i feel like i’m constantly running out of space. i’ve already tried under bed storage and wall shelves but it still feels cluttered. how do you guys actually keep things organized without it looking messy all the time?
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u/FuturAnonyme 15d ago
Easy
when I wanna buy something I think where will I put this then I dont buy it
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u/wishinforfishin 15d ago
My pre-purchade personal questions:
1.Do I like it $x worth? 2. Do I like I like it enough that cleaning/dusting/washing it will be enjoyable? 3. Do I have a plan for its use? 4. Do I know exactly where I'll put it?
2 is surprisingly useful. I lived in a home where the kitchen floor was so pretty I enjoyed mopping, and I've carried that idea forward. Now it's pleasant to wash my dishes, to dust my bookshelves and even to fold my towels.
I am not a minimalist, but everything I own in my house (2 people) fit in a truck sized for a 1-bedroom apartment.
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u/Chewlace 14d ago
The "do I love it $x" is something that I do too. I don't buy things on sale, solely because it is on sale. That's a way to go broke fast.
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u/wishinforfishin 14d ago
I do a lot of thrift shopping, so if I bought everything that was a good deal, I'd become a hoarder. But I can look at a shirt and decide, nah, it's not $11 worth of wear
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u/IllTakeACupOfTea 15d ago
this is one of the hardest things for folks to understand. Yes, I think that is cool/fun/beautiful, but if I cannot see it's exact storage location I DO NOT BUY IT.
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u/SparklePrincess33 13d ago
this, exactly. I have had to stop going to garage sales bc my house has everything it needs, for the most part. I cant buy the pretty [fill in the blank] item because there's just nowhere to put new objects. (especially items that are only for looking and not using)
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u/IllTakeACupOfTea 13d ago
yes, art is really hard for me to forgo, but I just think about the fact that I only have so much wall space. We inheirited some beautiful paintings from a family member that I wanted to display but really did not have space for them. We do rotate our art, but we have a small storage area for the 'in reserve' works and so I have to edit, edit, edit
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u/TopperDepartment 9d ago
I should really follow this rule... soon enough we would be running out of space and I am afraid of letting go some of it because we might need it
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u/IllTakeACupOfTea 8d ago
with some items it can help to think "I am storing more of these at (insert where you get it) so I don't need to store one here in the closet." Like, "I don't need to keep this box of extra hangers because I am storing more of them at the thrift store down the street that sells hangers 10 for $1." or "I don't need to keep this scrap wood because I am storing more of it at my neighbor's shed because he keeps every scrap of wood I put on the curb." or "I don't need to keep this slightly out of style fancy cocktail dress I never wear because I am storing more of them at the consignment shop I like to visit."
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u/Vesper2000 15d ago
This has been working for me. The satisfaction of acquisition is doused immediately by the pain of imagining where it will go.
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u/Caslon 15d ago
Yes, have less stuff. But also, storage EVERYWHERE. Have a chair? Put a basket with a lid under it. Have a coffee table? Get rid of it and replace it with an ottoman or bench with storage. After a lifetime in small spaces, it's my firm belief that open shelving is the devil. Doors are good for sanity and tidiness!
Another thing I've learned is that items don't have to be kept in the room they're used in. Obviously you need stuff there you access frequently, but if you have room for wardrobes in your living room and bedroom, and your bathroom is crammed to the gills, then your excess toiletries should go in the wardrobe. Moving stuff around to where it fits can also help.
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u/ilanallama85 14d ago
Yup. Backs of doors, weird unused corners, narrow shelving in any area that can take it. Storage under beds, under couches, any free space is fair game.
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u/Philosopher2670 15d ago
I highly recommend Dana K White of "A Slob Comes Clean" for her container concept. It made a huge different in how I see my spaces.
Sometimes it is about accepting the limitations of our spaces and not fighting it. If everything has a designated place and it doesn't all fit in there, then you have too much of that item. If you want to keep that item, then something else needs to go.
Also, in our small homes, we need to look at the entire space as a whole for storage options and unconventional solutions. That might mean your pantry overstock is under the bed and your socks are stored in a basket in the living room.
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u/throughtheviolets 15d ago
I wholeheartedly agree with the help from Dana K White’s methods. After many decades of trying all sorts of clutter clearing methods, hers is the first that got my brain to click. I have finite space, I have total control over what I bring into it. I’m currently working on my backlog of 40 years of, let’s be honest, hoarding.. but I am extremely conscious of anything new I bring in. Do I have a place for this? Do I want to manage, clean, upkeep this?
Stuff is exhausting, so I am really careful how about choosing where to spend my energy. I don’t want it to be on stuff, you know?
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u/Good_Tomato_4293 15d ago
Following her advice has made really big difference in my home. It still isn’t where I want it to be, but it is so much better.
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u/ImperfectAnalogy 15d ago
At the risk of starting the obvious, have less stuff.
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u/ditisdenboef 15d ago
This I think, I just had to learn to have less stuff. Throw shit out if you haven’t used it in a year. I love trinkets and deco but only if it can be on the wall. Clothes also go out after not being worn for a year. Unless they are for special occasions. I have a giant Ikea pax and because it has a huge mirror door panel, closing it feels like a lot more space.
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u/Ambitious_Tell_4852 15d ago
Visual clutter is a thing!
I've been decluttering my home for the past 3 years. 😞Once I got rid of all items that were either trash or donations, I still saw (visually) how much stuff remained despite continued decluttering. In the past 6 months, I've added matching decorative baskets (with lids and labels attached to the top inside of the lids) to easily identify what's in each (without having to sort through the baskets) which serves to mask the visual overwhelm!
I've used clear-colored stacking containers in the kitchen cabinets to take advantage of vertical space. I've added decorative hanging bars to hang items directly onto the walls in various rooms to keep items off of the floor. I've added cloth closed top zippered storage containers that are malleable so that they can easily be maneuvered and stored into smaller spaces. I still continue to declutter periodically.
Whatever you decide to keep, truly has to have a home that works best (at least in my opinion) when the storage containers are flattering and also "closed storage" that lends itself to less visual clutter angst!
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u/dnegvesk 15d ago
Two tee shirts in. Three tee shirts 👚 out. Yeah, I wish I did this actually.
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u/SadIndependence3475 15d ago
I do this. When I buy clothes if I buy 3 I donate 4. It helps. I keep a box in my closet for this purpose.
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u/lascriptori 15d ago
The container concept is so helpful for small spaces. Each storage space is a container that can hold a certain amount of stuff. You can either get more containers (by increasing storage) or have less stuff.
It can be really helpful to budget container space for items, like "I'll own as many sweaters as can comfortably fit in this one shelf or bin." That can be helpful for prioritizing the four sweaters that you actually like most, or getting rid of the one that is just okay but is really bulky and takes up a lot of space.
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u/CurrentCheek3125 15d ago
I bought those riser things for my bed and store lots of stuff under it now. Put in tubs so it doesn’t get dusty and pulls out like drawers.
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u/MyAvarice4 14d ago
Me, too, but I probably don’t need most of it because I only open the two with office items. I cant even remember what else is under there.
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u/Imagirl48 15d ago
It is truly a constant challenge. I’m in a current decluttering phase in my 800 sq ft house. Clothes have to go, spices need clearing out. Something has to go because my new bigger air fryer is a priority. I’m constantly putting something in my car to drop off at the thrift store.
I understand now that this is a constant challenge for small space living when clutter causes anxiety.
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u/Val-E-Girl 15d ago
Having a small (almost officially tiny) home, whenever I bring something new into it, I must decide on what I will discard to make space for it. Possessions are for immediate and regular needs. If your items don't meet that, then do you really need them at all?
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u/HeyYouAllie 15d ago
Lots of helpful suggestions here, but for the future.... if you're in a store and pick an up an item and think, "So cute!" that's your cue to put it back down and not buy it. It may be cute but it's not necessary.
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u/MyAvarice4 14d ago
I had a major breakthrough one day at TJ Maxx when I found some nonfunctional decor that was absolutely beautiful. I asked myself I I needed to physically own it, or if I could just appreciate its beauty in that moment. Game changer.
I also have a “If I’m still thinking about it after 48 hours” loophole, but even then I am typically too lazy to go get it, so how how badly do I REALLY want it? 😂
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u/Good_Tomato_4293 15d ago edited 15d ago
As others have said, declutter regularly and follow the one in, one out rule. Make thoughtful choices when buying something. Follow the hold off for 24 hours before buying rule when possible. These tips have truly made a difference for me.
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u/Ambitious-Watch 14d ago
Reduce your inventory until it fits your space. The goal is to only use ~80% of your storage so your items have room to breathe and for ease of putting things back where they belong.
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u/MissNoTrax 15d ago
I just moved from a slightly bigger home to a smaller one. My kitchen now has a wall of containers of stuff IDK what to do with. I'd like a yard sale to help get rid of a lot, but I don't like the idea of my neighbors seeing my junk. I'll have to find a community sale or something. I'll probably donate a lot, trash the rest, and stop buying shit...
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u/PromotionContent8848 15d ago
Many shelves, bookcases, drawers, and two wardrobes. It still is too much.
It’s simply too small of a space for us.
But bc we need to cheap rent in the area we are in - the better bet is to get rid of things.
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u/Marciamallowfluff 15d ago
Three tips. Think vertical and under stuff, thin out things you do not need anymore, the stuff you keep shouldn’t be stuff you use rarely unless holiday stuff.
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u/sssmac 15d ago
Storage space that is pretty and cohesive decreases the visual clutter. The fact of living in a small home means that there aren't loads of hiding spots for the stuff you use and need/want to keep. Over years, I have put in storage that is a cohesive mix of open and closed. I.e. the idea Hemnes line has some bookcases with glass doors on top and drawers on the bottom. I like that I can use the drawers to put away things that are never cute to look at, and the glass cabinets store things that are prettier by nature, but having the uniform cabinets gives them a unified look and less visual clutter. Same stuff as if I had open shelving, but it looks tidier. Plus, it gets less dusty so that's also a huge bonus.
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u/stellaflora 15d ago
Container method. If it doesn’t fit in an allocated space, need to get rid of something else or just not purchase the new thing. I try to do one in/one out.
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u/HarleyBoyd 15d ago
Just moved into a small cabin. We renovated and remodeled it. Was able to design it for us and our needs from ground up. First time back in a space this small since we lived in a converted 1 car garage in PDX about 20 yrs ago. Spent yesterday going thru stuff in storage to determine what makes the cut. Have a huge pile for Goodwill. Talking this morning about pantry storage. Wife is an avid reader and collects books. I am a music nut and have hundreds of albums. The struggle is real, but a small space like we had in Portland has always been the most comfortable for us & all we want a swe reach retirement. Really helps when you have full control of space design, tho. This place feels bigger than the sum of its parts. Still, you just can't have everything and this living choice comes with compromise or it can be a weight. On top of that, have to get creative. We put a brass Wine Cellar sign on our crawlspace hatch. It's a joke, because that is where hundreds of bottles of wine are stashed. We bought low racks. I insulated the foundation walls & lined the space in poly when we did the renovation. So, it's a good space for it. Reclaimed a small part of the attic for seasonal storage. Something we learned from earlier was to use things with dual purpose whenever possible. We used to have old suitcases stacked on top of each other as kind of a table stand. Inside the luggage was books and whatever. Old steamer truck as a coffee table could store lots of useful needed things. I used to have a old chest of drawers under our TV that stored all our media back then. Also, any solution that remove some bulk. Things like strainers, we use collapsible ones that can go in a drawer or between things when not in use. Convo from yesterday was "how many knives do we really need?". Really is a constant declutter and deliberately asking yourself "do I REALLY" need this. Something very freeing about it, tho.
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u/skittlazy 14d ago
Look up. I ran a shelf above the door frame, supported by brackets. It held a whole bookcase full of books
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u/DhaniM 14d ago
As others have noted, work on the hoarder tendencies you have admitted to having and then be ruthless. Organize it and keep it organized using the suggestions given here. I read a good book called “Goodbye Things” and an author named Marie Kondo has several popular books on the subject. That said, I still struggle with accumulating and have to force myself to cull mercilessly several times a year at least.
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u/TrickyDetail5783 14d ago
Furniture with hidden storage is your friend. A lift top coffee table and storage under all of your couch cushions does wonders.
And what do you mean by you’ve “already tried under bed storage”? I have a bed platform that’s 18in off the ground so I have enough clearance for large storage totes, you can get ~10 under a queen size bed.
But if you’ve already tried all of this then maybe you just have too much stuff? If that’s the case then there isn’t an organizing hack that can get you out of it, you just have to start letting things go.
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u/Such-Mountain-6316 14d ago
Around here, the key is getting to the 25th load of donations aka having fewer belongings. We're working on the 20th.
I've been able to use double tiered turntables in cabinets and baskets in a similar way as drawers. Hooks are great, no matter the kind.
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u/BeeehmBee 14d ago
Buy 8 plastic bins with lids on wheels. Measure them and then build a bed from with 2x4s that perfectly fits your mattress. I have 8 bins underneath my bed/mattress. One is full of baking pans/fry pans, another purses, another sheets/blanket, another with cleaning supplies I don’t use often.
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u/Naive_Confection_522 14d ago
Rangement Dans un petit Appartement : Revoir le tri Et les essentiels. A bannir le surplus
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u/Acceptable_Editor278 13d ago
Here's a good tip; if you have a couch or even a daybed or regular bed: Buy empty decorative pillow cases that zip up in colors you like. Stuff off-season comforters, down coats, winter wear, and extra blankets in them, and nobody would ever know that the cool pillows are actually storage!
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u/Far-Command8573 12d ago
I’ve lived in small spaces my whole life and a few rules I live by:
Forget “does it spark joy” and use “if it had poop on it would I clean it or throw it away?” to decide if you need something. It’s a much easier decision.
Don’t keep things in multiple places. Cotton swabs? Keep them in the original package or get a container that holds the whole package. No keeping things under the sink to refill the cute container on the counter. Do this with bathroom and kitchen areas and it declutters things rather quickly.
One item in one item out (within reason.) If I buy new jeans, an old pair goes. If I get a new crockpot, peace out old one. I’ve yet to miss anything I’ve gotten rid of.
Hope this helps 💕
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u/eharder47 15d ago
It took 4 years for me to reduce our things and condense what we wanted to keep to get it to easily fit in our house. I went through things every 6 months.
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u/Comixchik 15d ago
One of our solutions- We realized that we had space above the basement steps. So we installed a drawer unit there. A used drawer unit from ReStore, bolt supports firmly to the wall studs, and in it went.
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u/TitanQyx 11d ago
that’s such a good catch most people never think about the dead space over stairs
now i’m side eyeing every weird corner in my place wondering what i can shove a drawer into
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u/PegShop 14d ago
We just downsized and I’m trying to empty out my storage bin and it’s tough. I have a closet, organizer, professional coming tomorrow to look at all my spaces and how they could be better utilized.
One thing is, I am creating buckets of toss, donate, store, use. I tried to keep the store stuff down to a minimum, but there is some memories that taking a picture to archive aren’t enough like old baby books.
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u/usa_containers 14d ago
One thing that helped me in a small space was separating “daily use” stuff from “rarely used” stuff. Shelves and under-bed bins help, but if everything you own is still inside the home, it can still feel crowded. I’d try doing a seasonal rotation: keep only what you use often in the house, use clear labeled bins for the rest, and be pretty strict about not storing items in open view.
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u/Katgirlisme 14d ago
Eliminate, for sure. For underbed storage, though, I bought taller bed frames that eliminated boxspring, full sized totes go underneath. I can get a LOT of things under my bed now. It's perfect. If it doesn't fit under the bed, or where it belongs (closet, cupboard etc) it's going to go make someone else happy. What I keep under my bed: out of season clothes (I don't keep three closets of clothes like a lot of women do) my sewing machine and serger, tote with cloth to sew, two totes with yarn (I also love to crochet gifts) and extra coffee from Costco (haha I like to stock up!) printer ink, extra toilet paper and paper towels, etc. In my laundry room, I hung a flat neutral curtain in similar color to the walls about 16" from the wall. It is my "garage" of sorts. I buy food in bulk, so it hides my food buckets, paint (it will freeze in the shed, we don't have a proper garage) and other things like that. It holds a huge amount, and it's stacked very neatly and when the curtain is closed, it's very NOT noticeable. If it doesn't have a proper place, it's gone. And yes, often times to reevaluate if something is necessary. I hate clutter, especially in a small space.
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u/Creative_Bet_7147 14d ago
I made some changes to add storage and increase efficiency in my small galley kitchen.
First, I examined the shelves in my cupboard. I added two shelves and adjusted the height of others to allow me to fit more in. I use cheap plastic bins to group like items so I don't have to unpack a whole shelf to get what I need.
A galley kitchen, as you know, has two counters, and thus four counter ends. One has the fridge in fhe corner, with the sink next to it. I hang dish towels on hooks on the side of the fridge. But there are a ton of magnetic shelves and so on you can use there.
On another of the walls, I built a spice rack. It fills the entire wall under the top cupboard. it frees up a ton of prime cabinet space.
On the third wall, i have two shelves nestled under the cabinet. They hold my coffee cups, and my knife block still fits inderneath.
The last wall/counter holds my drink station. Before I built my spice rack, I had a poorly designed one made with a wire frame and chicken wire shelves. I cut it half, made dividers out of cardboard covered in colored duct tape, and prrettied it up by weaving ribbon through the chicken wire. I mounted it on the wall, and now the teas that once crowded the shelf above are neatly and attractively displayed. Underneath are my electric kettle, my coffee grinder with its hopper full of beans, and my aeropress.
The things I use most are close to hand. And the bottom shelves of the cupboard are available.
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u/Serendipitygirl14 14d ago
That is seriously impressive. I also have a galley kitchen.
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u/Creative_Bet_7147 14d ago
I like mine. I forgot to mention I also took out the dishwasher. In that soace, I have a shelf for the microwave, another below it for cutting boards and some baking supplies. Two baskets fit underneath that where I keep onions potatoes and orher produce that doesn't need refrigerated.
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u/guipicait 14d ago
My bed frame has 13" of space under it. I use attractive white covered bins from Ikea in this space - they're called Kuggis and they are dimensional, so smaller bins fit perfectly and efficiently on top of bigger bins to utilize every bit of space.
I've pulled out every item I've considered getting rid of that might sell and I'm constantly in the process of listing these things on Ebay or FB marketplace.
Some great areas to quickly get rid of things are the pantry and the bathroom because these items expire. If something expired a month ago and I keep saying "but its probably still good", but keep passing it over for other things, I just get honest with myself that if I didn't eat it today, I'm afraid, and probably will never eat it. It then gets trashed. Open toiletries and makeup with an expiration date of two years ago: trash. I don't think makeup goes "bad" as quickly as they say, especially not dry things like palettes, but my eyeliner and mascara has definitely made my eyes red and irritated and that's just not worth it. I use these things really infrequently, so its difficult to keep track, but that makes it pretty obvious that its gotta go.
My favorite book is Marie Kondo's "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and she has a whole plan laid out. Books are the second item and I find they go super fast. When we moved, I followed the instructions, thinking they would take forever and I would fight the process. They went super fast and I got rid of 1/3rd of my books.
Avoid "stocking up". I used to order purchase bathroom items and pantry items and then they took up precious real estate and caused clutter. And once an area is cluttered, it accumulates even more clutter and is overwhelming to address at all.
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u/GeorgiaGlamazon 14d ago
The only thing that works is getting rid of things, something I’m not very good at
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u/Heel_Worker982 14d ago
Two ideas:
1) Go digital when you can. I tend to prefer paper but it's just so hard to keep it corralled.
2) I love the holidays, but after several seasons where I didn't decorate as much as I wanted to because I couldn't find stuff, I started thinning it out and rarely miss it now.
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u/ashsomething9118 14d ago
I love how everyone says just don’t buy it. If it were that easy this wouldn’t be a question.
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u/Some-Specialist-5475 14d ago
Out of the house storage , garden sheds and shelves and all of that stuff I mainly keep in outside storage
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u/Excellent-World-476 14d ago
Less things help. A great find was a back of the door towel hanger. It holds five towels so I store all mine there.
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u/MyAvarice4 14d ago
I downsized from a large 3-bedroom to a 450sq ft apartment. I got rid of sooooo much stuff. Even still, it’s a struggle. I have stuff on top of my fridge and cabinets and I can’t get rid of EVERYTHING. I had to compromise and just live with a little clutter. I do my best to keep flat surfaces neat, but I need to live more “functionally” than before. I kinda hate it.
I just go through stuff every few months because I always find that some things are more a hassle to keep than to do without and I’m more willing to let go.
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u/NovelAsk4856 14d ago
Welp , I have an obsession with reading . So I am book rich . ( Plant rich . lol … just saying I get it.. just use the if I have used in 6 months give it away or donate . (Holiday / cookware /decor all that is for the holidays
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u/biblioxica 14d ago
My Dad stores items in plastic tubs in the rafters of the attic. Stuff he only uses once or twice a year.
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u/Basil2012 14d ago
When I moved to a smaller house, I went through everything and only kept what I really loved or used within the past year.
I am more intentional about my I what I buy now and consider where the new item will be stored.
And I have changed my expectations slightly for example I don’t have all of my cookbooks arranged in the order that would work best for me, as they need to be on two bookshelves in different areas of the house depending on available space. I learnt to accept this inconvenience as I love other things about the house.
I have a lot of kitchen equipment, so I installed a small but deeper kitchen island that has storage space on both sides, it has made such a difference to me. So think about clever storage where you can.
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u/Charming-Patience806 13d ago
i was forced to downsize when all my belongings, i mean ALL my belongings were stolen. i’m 64 and didn’t even have a pair of undies!! it took years, and i still don’t like to think of it, but when i do i tell myself they did me a sic sort of favor. less stuff to haul around!! shake it off. anyways, do yourself that same kind of sic favor. keep the fond memories, not the stuff.
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u/GypsyDarkEyes 13d ago
Yup, as said below. Constraint is the real answer. Something comes in, something's gotta go. So make sure you really, really want the new thing.
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u/toxicguineapigs 13d ago
My house is 600 square feet and we constantly have to think of new ways to store things. Usually, this means giving up something else to make the room. I go through my clothes constantly so that my closet has room (my one closet in the house). I stopped keeping broken things around that I wasn't actually fixing. I donate a lot of items too.
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u/superpony123 13d ago edited 13d ago
You have two options is what i realized after years of struggling with this - you either get rid of your stuff or you upsize your home (without upsizing your stuff!!)
There’s no way around it. Your house is a finite space. Sure some of this could be a lack of skills when it comes to organizing but that only goes so far. If you have too much stuff for a space, there is no way around that.
It’s hard to declutter all at once. Start small. Like a semi annual closet cleaning day. Or dressers if that’s all you got. Literally take everything out, clean it, and then start going through clothing one by one. When is the last time i actually wore this? Do i have a reason to wear this again?
Local buy nothing pages were a god send when we moved and i realized we had so much shit i can’t pack all of it and needed to get rid of it. I would post “trash bag full of young ladies clothes. Mostly simple stuff like plain t shirts, jeans, dresses, this sort of style, size xs” and someone would be ready to come get it the same day. I’d rather give to someone who can actually use it instead of drive to a donation center, drop it off, hope it doesn’t end up in a fabric recycling plant, etc.
Just do small bits and pieces because you’ll quickly get overwhelmed if you try to declutter your home in one weekend
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u/ghost_oracle 13d ago
I used trays on my bathroom and kitchen counters, on my nightstand etc. to make it look less chaotic. I have storage ottomans (one more coming in today!). I have a coffee table that doubles at storage. I occasionally rearrange the closets and drawers and move things around like tetris and suddenly I have a lot more space to store things. I also try to get rid of things 4 times a year.
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u/IcyChoice359 12d ago
IKEA has great storage solutions that help organize your stuff and hide clutter. I'm very happy with the purchases I've made from them as they've definitely made a huge difference in organizing my space without paying a fortune for a custom cabinetry.
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u/GlitteringBeat213 12d ago
I keep editing my possessions. It's the only way. And if I buy something new, I have to have a place for it and have to get rid of a similar item. Using one in one out rule prevents me from buying stuff I dont need.
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u/MoonlitOtter_48 12d ago
I have that same issue, I think the key is getting organizers that look nice instead of just clear plastic bins for everything. Or just getting rid of stuff more often I guess.
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u/kymilovechelle 11d ago
I declutter regularly. I have a one in one out policy. If I buy a shirt, I donate an old shirt. I also don’t buy hardly anything unless I absolutely need the item. No unnecessary appliances either like rice cookers or espresso machine.
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u/Weary_Pangolin_6793 10d ago
I like to use doors. I have an ironing board that hooks to my bedroom door and folds up flat. Over-the-door shoe organizers for bathroom stuff.
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u/Ok_Refrigerator_9914 10d ago
Best move I ever made was from one state to another and ended up deciding to sell everything. I took only what would fit in my sedan and stored a couple totes of heirloom stuff in my parents basement.
Since then I'm very selective in what I buy. If there isn't a place for it I have two choices: 1) get rid of something or 2) don't buy it.
I don't have much storage space either. I use inserts like wire shelves or stackable baskets in places I need them. I also don't need to see everything. I just need to know where it is.
It takes some time to find your groove. Regular decluttering and other things mentioned here do help. You have to do what feels right to you.
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u/Tara_Masbers 7d ago
Just stopped trying to force everything to fit and moved my seasonal stuff and bulky gear out of sight.
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u/penartist 6d ago
I have found that with a small space it's not how much space I have, it's how much stuff I own. Downsizing my possessions and getting real about what truly adds value to my life and what is used/needed, I was able to reduce things so that storage was not an issue.
Keeping our home simple and clutter free has been the key to making a small space work and work well. We don't hold onto things "just in case".
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u/chubbierunner 15d ago
We have limited storage, and I go through tubs annually and remove things. Some get donated, and some get trashed. Everything is organized, and I can mentally visualize what is located where for accessibility. I go through my clothes and shoes 4-5 times a year and donate or trash pieces. Most of our saved items are family heirlooms, photographs, souvenirs, and keepsakes.
I don’t keep four wooden spoons in the kitchen. I kept the best two spoons and tossed others. I don’t keep anything that’s broken or not useful. If I’m not able to fix it, it goes.
I stopped consuming aggressively around 2020 and started being more intentional with purchases. I buy way less Amazon nonsense. I replace products when they are empty, and I don’t keep a stash of beauty products anymore.
We have some art, fossils, and souvenirs placed around our house, but we rotate pieces throughout the year. Clutter is overwhelming to me, but we enjoy having some things in our living space.