If you are in the process of buying a smaller than average home or are downgrading to a property a lot smaller than what you are used to, you may be wondering how you will feasibly store all of your belongings. The good news is that with a bit of forethought there are lots of things you can do to maximize your space.
It has to be said, however, that before you start, it is worth considering how much of your stuff you need to keep. You may be hanging on to things that you haven’t used for decades or have clutter that serves no purpose. If this is the case, get rid of anything that you no longer want or no longer use. Not only will it make the process far easier but you might also find it quite therapeutic.
Here are 4 room by room tips to help maximize your space.
Living areas
When dealing with small living areas, it’s a good idea to keep your décor light and airy to give a feeling of space. If your room has little natural light, table lamps and free-standing lamps are a great way to light up the corners of a room and, amongst other things, may also help to make it look bigger.
When it comes to furniture, you need to give it a fair bit of consideration before buying anything. In terms of seating, modern sectional sleepers are a good investment. Not only do they look great, but they are comfortable and provide an extra place to sleep too, which will come in very handy if you have family or friends staying over. If you are struggling for wall space and only have room for one sofa, then an accent chair is a great way to incorporate additional seating while adding a touch of class to your room.
When buying coffee tables, sideboards, or TV units, try to buy pieces that have lots of built-in storage. It will come in very handy for stashing bits and pieces that you can’t find a home for.
Bedrooms
If your bedrooms are small, then the chances are there isn’t room for much else but a bed, a wardrobe, and some bedside tables. The key here is to make sure that it is well-organized or it could end up looking cluttered and untidy.
If you have fitted wardrobes, make sure you are fully utilizing the space. Using hangers that take multiple garments will help you to store more clothes in the same amount of space. Shoe racks placed in the bottom of a wardrobe are a brilliant storage solution and will take up far less room than mountains of shoeboxes stacked up on top of each other.
If you intend to buy a new bed, then ottoman beds are a must-have for a small bedroom. The base lifts so you can store things underneath the bed which can be a lifesaver in a small home. If you have room under your existing bed, under bed storage boxes are brilliant for making use of space that would otherwise remain unused.
Bathrooms
If your bathroom has very little space, it’s worthwhile using any free wall space you have. Many bathroom mirrors double up as vanity wall storage, so if you don’t already have one, it might free up lots of space. They hold quite a bit, so instead of having a sink covered in creams, perfumes, and serums, they can all be stored away.
Adding shelves to store towels is another great way to save space. They come in a range of styles and will also add a nice design feature to your room.
Kitchen
The kitchen for many is the hardest room to contend with because of the volumes of things that need to be stored. From crockery to gadgets to groceries, it can be hard to find a space for everything. One of the best things to do is box up any extra glasses, plates, or dinnerware you don’t use often and store it elsewhere until you need it again. There is little point in it taking up valuable space in your kitchen.
If bulk buying is usually your thing when it comes to grocery shopping, then you may need to change your habits. Buying smaller quantities may cost a little more, but it will help to keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free.
A smaller house may take a little bit of getting used to, but after a while, it will become apparent that you don’t need many possessions to live a full and happy life.