How to Creatively Organize Your Small Home When You're on a Budget

With a small home comes both charm and challenges. It’s less square footage to decorate and maintain, but it’s also less room for storage. However, having limited space to store your belongings doesn’t mean you have to become a minimalist. With a little bit of creative organizing, you can have everything you need (and most of what you want). Here are some cost-effective tips for organizing and storing your things in a small home.

Purge

When you live in a smaller home, you have to be willing to get ridof more things. For now, remove any items from your home that you’re not crazy about, even if it means renting a storage unitto store keepsakes or expensive items you plan to use down the road. When you purge, designate three areas for the items you’re getting rid of: donation, selling, and garbage. This will save you time and help the process feel less overwhelming. Once you’ve purged, plan to maintain order in your home by decluttering on a regular basis.

Store in Style

When you’re working with limited space, you can be more picky about how you store your belongings. This is your opportunity to be extra selective. Browse the internet for stylish storage options and look for the best deals. Major retailers such as Crate & Barrel usually have great-looking storage options to choose from that will add significant appeal to your decor. It’s typically easy to take advantage of clearance salesand cashback offersso you won’t go broke while organizing and beautifying your home.

Make the Most of Closet and Drawer Space

In small homes, closets and drawers are meant for unconventional storage and living methods. Don’t hesitate to put a dresser in your closet, hang luggage over the closet door, or double your hanger space by using soda can tabs to connect the hangers. Consider converting an extra closet into your pantry, reading nook, or office space. Keep your spices in a kitchen drawer, use storage containers and drawer dividers in the bathroom, and/or station a surge protector in your nightstand drawer to charge your devices. For your closets, you can also purchase storage bins that will maximize the amount of space you have at your disposal. Check retailers such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond for solutions, and cut costs by using discountsand sales.

Think Vertically

Another way to organize and store things in your small home is to utilize vertical spacethat would otherwise go unused. For instance, you could keep gym gear in an empty hallway corner, hang jewelry on an empty wall, or use filing cabinets to store items that you would normally keep in bins. You can even use old shutters to make a shelf organizer for the bathroom or mail organizer/key hanger for the entryway. Also, hanging organizersare ideal for storing things vertically, and you can usually find stylish ones at a good price.

Make Your Living Room Multipurpose

Having a multipurpose living roomis another way to make the best use of your space. Invest in a coffee table with ample storage to keep things like bedding, pillows, and board games. Look into expandable tables, side tables that function as stools, and budget-friendly room dividersfrom stores like Costway. Since you’ll likely be spending a lot of time in your living room, as well as entertaining guests there, this would be a good space to invest in. Maybe you can sell some of the items you’re purging to pay for your multifunctioning living room!

There’s a certain charm about having a small home, and when you learn to optimize its space, it can be downright awesome. Start with a purge and go shopping for some stylish storage options. Maximize your closet and drawer space, and get creative with unused vertical space. Turn your living room into a multipurpose hangout for your family and friends. Don’t be surprised if your home becomes the envy of the town.

Written by Julian Lane

Photo Credit: Unsplash