Spring has sprung — or it will soon enough — and for many of us, that means it’s time for the annual ritual of deep cleaning and decluttering our homes. But if you live in a small space, the prospect of spring cleaning can feel especially daunting. Where do you even begin when every square foot counts?
Fear not, fellow small-space dwellers! With a little creativity and some smart storage solutions, you can maximize your home’s potential and create a more organized, serene living environment.
Did you know that the average North American home has tripled in size over the past 50 years? Yet, 1 in 4 Americans with a garage are unable to use it to park their car because of clutter. Whether you’re in a tiny apartment or condo or a cozy townhouse, these six tips can help you make the most of your space this spring:
- Start with a plan: Before diving in, take a moment to visualize your ideal space. What’s working well? What areas feel cluttered or underutilized? Make a list of priority projects and tackle them one at a time to avoid that overwhelming feeling.
- Embrace vertical space: When floor space is limited, think up! Install floating shelves to display books and decor, use over-the-door organizers for items like shoes and toiletries, and invest in tall, narrow storage pieces that make use of often-wasted vertical real estate.
- Get creative with hidden storage: Ottomans with removable tops, beds with built-in drawers, hollow coffee tables — there are countless ways to sneak extra storage into your existing furniture. Look for pieces that do double duty to get the most bang for your buck and square footage.
- Don’t forget about awkward spaces: Have an odd nook under the stairs or a sliver of wall between windows? Turn these often-overlooked areas into functional storage with custom-fit shelving, pegboard organizers, or even a cozy reading nook with built-in book storage.
- Curate your possessions: The hardest part of spring cleaning is often deciding what to keep and what to let go. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need and use. Donate or sell items that no longer serve you and be intentional about what you allow into your space moving forward.
- Make it a habit: Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a once-a-year ordeal. By developing regular decluttering habits — like the “one in, one out” rule for new purchases — you can maintain a more organized space all year round. Set aside just 10-15 minutes per day to tidy and put things away, and your next spring cleaning will be a breeze.
Remember, living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to feel cramped or cluttered. With a little ingenuity and these smart storage solutions, you can create a home that feels spacious, organized, and uniquely yours.
What are your go-to tips for maximizing space and keeping clutter at bay in a small home? Share your wisdom with the Shopper’s Voice community — we’d love to hear your creative solutions!
Did you know? The power of a tidy space
Studies show that cluttered environments can lead to increased stress, procrastination and difficulty focusing. On the flip side, organized spaces are linked with better sleep, healthier eating habits and greater productivity. Who knew spring cleaning could do so much good?
I like to declutter by reducing the amount of items that I currently have stored. I do this by finding some storage containers that fit evenly and stack neatly on a table top or on a shelving unit. I sort thru the items selecting those that are of value yet to me. I make it a point to tell myself, that if I have not used or needed a certain item in the past year, then it needs to be eliminated. I do feel good about the clean up time because I will then donate useable items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I have even been able to donate items to our Church of our Outreach program to help families in our immediate area.
Interesting reading!!! Small space living can definitely cause alot of stress and unwanted feelings, yall have some great tips for filling up un usual spaces for storage. Im going to start my spring cleaning and make use of the space that i do have with the help of your article it should be a breeze!!! Thank you😊
Thanks for the information.
very good use every space you can
I am currently working on space in my room. I have no place for blankets, sheets and comforters. I think I want to do like a chest to put comforters and bulky blankets in. and ashelving unit to put throw blankets and folded sheets and pillow cases on. it’s a work in progress.
What a great idea for someone who has steps in their house. I don’t have any steps but thanks for the idea. I am gonna pass it on to whoever I know that has steps.