When a space is small, every inch has a job.
And clutter is very good at finding the inches you forgot about.
The answer is rarely to buy more containers. Start by figuring out what you own, where you use it and what kind of storage will make it easier to put away.
The best storage solution is not the one that holds the most. It is the one you will still use six months from now.
Start With a Purge
Storage should organize what you need, not give you a reason to keep what you do not.
Sort what you own into three groups: keep, donate and discard.
Then group what remains by how often you use it.
Daily items should be easy to reach. Seasonal and rarely used items can live higher up or farther back.
Measure the Space
Measure width, depth and height.
Height is often the biggest overlooked opportunity in a small room.
Also check door swings, drawers, plumbing, outlets and other clearance issues.
Containers that look like they will fit have a remarkable talent for being half an inch too wide.
Measure first.
Go Vertical
When floor space is limited, go up before you go out.
Tall shelving, over-door organizers, wall-mounted solutions and other vertical storage can add capacity without taking much additional floor space.
Just make sure frequently used items remain easy to reach. There is no prize for creating storage that requires a step stool and a minor expedition.
Make Storage Match the Room
Visible storage should work with the space.
Baskets, boxes, bins and organizers do not have to disappear. When they look intentional, they can become part of the room.
Use clear containers when you need to see what is inside. Use solid containers when you would rather hide visual clutter.
Solve the Storage Problem by Room
In the kitchen, think about drawer dividers, turntables, stackable containers and door racks.
In the bath, look at under-sink organizers, caddies and vertical shelving.
In closets, use slim hangers, shelf dividers and hanging organizers.
In bedrooms, look under the bed and consider storage benches.
At the entry, hooks, baskets and narrow consoles can create a practical drop zone.
Make the System Easy
If putting something away takes more than a few seconds, the system probably will not survive real life.
Storage should make the right behavior easier.
Leave a little breathing room on shelves. Use compatible containers. Label anything you cannot see through.
The goal is not to hide everything.
It is to make everything easier to find, use and put away.
Keep Going
Want the quick version?
The HomePLACE Guide to Small-Space Storage
Shop the Solution
· Storage & Organization for a Home That Works
· Kitchen Organization for a More Efficient Space
· Bath Storage for a More Organized Bathroom
· Closet & Bedroom Organization
· Entryway Furniture for a More Organized Welcome
