The amount of stuff an average person collects throughout their lifetime is daunting. Even if you’re a pretty lowkey individual who hates clutter and routinely donates old clothes to make space, etc., you’re bound to end up with way more things than you’ve bargained for – which makes the ever-elusive search for more space a challenge. This is especially true for anyone who lives in a small space with limited storage. Eventually, it feels like the walls are closing in on you, and everything is a mess. Luckily, there are numerous smart solutions these days to help you maximize space in your home, and also store your belongings in a safe and organized manner. The following tips should help make life a lot easier.
Declutter First
Even if you’re not the type of person to go around simply accumulating a ton of things, it is still possible for you to get rid of clutter and hold onto items that you need, or as Marie Kondo would say, “spark joy.” The decluttering process will also help you figure out other problem areas in your home, and how best to maximize space, since you’d be focusing your energy on things you definitely want to keep. Anything you’re not using either needs to go, be resold online, or donated. If you have a few items that you think should be upcycled then create another category for them, too. In general, ensure you get rid of anything you don’t use. If you’re not reaching for it enough then it’s probably garbage. Or, better give it to someone who could actually make use of it.
Consider Off-Site Storage
This may seem like jumping the gun a bit since finding smart solutions for your storage issues was mentioned earlier. This is definitely still the case, however, you should consider the get-go of offsite storage as well, and make use of that option. The thought of finding off-site storage can be discouraging for you but if you want to reserve a storage unit, the process is far more streamlined these days, and you’re bound to find different and affordable options in your area. This can also be really helpful when considering that you may be in between moves or are waiting to downsize and need to sell off a few precious pieces of furniture. Even if you’re not in the market for long-term storage, looking into another place to stow away larger items might be a smart move.
Maximize Your Space
As anyone who’s ever had to live in a tiny space with two other roommates will tell you, living in bigger cities where real estate comes at such a premium can be rough. It means that you need to make excellent use of every square inch, and ensure that your apartment is used as efficiently as possible. Look into functional containers and portable closets to organize your clothes and personal belongings. Clear storage containers are key, since the old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” definitely applies. If you’re never able to clearly see what you own, you will be inclined to ignore it altogether, then forget that you own it in the first place. This increases the likelihood that you’d go out and buy something similar, which simply adds to your clutter. Not to mention, it’s not very economical. Furthermore, clear storage containers save you time since you’re bound to quickly find what you’re looking for – especially when they’re labeled properly.
Other things you can look into can be decorative baskets to hold different knick knacks of varying sizes, which makes the most of your space while also adding a nice functional decor. Be sure to be on the lookout as well for storage bins that come in different sizes and maximize the use of space efficiently within the container itself. For example, some bins are made exclusively for the storage of DVDs and BluRay discs, making them easier to organize while taking up as little space as possible. In addition, this may seem obvious at first, but buy containers according to the materials you need to set aside and ensure that the size is appropriate for your storage space. Not measuring things properly will just be a waste of space and will cause you more headaches.
No matter where you live, or what your budget looks like, you’re probably annoyed at some level with the kind of space you have, or the lack thereof. Everyone is prone to disorganization, and storage will always be an issue. However, implementing a few simple tricks should solve the problem and make life a lot easier.
