Strategies for Creating an Efficient Layout in a Compact Home Without Breaking the Bank
Crampin' Your Style? Organize a Tiny Home On A Dime!
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Sick of feeling like your home is bursting at the seams with no room to breathe? I got you covered! Living in a small space doesn’t have to feel like a hassle. With these budget-friendly tips and tricks, you’ll be rockin’ a clutter-free, organized abode!
Benefits of a Small Home
A smaller living space comes with some major perks!
- Save some cash: Lower mortgage payments, smaller electric bills, more money for fun stuff like paying off debt, travel, or padding your savings account.
- Less cleaning time: A smaller home means less square footage to clean, saving you valuable time for chilling out with your peeps.
- Force yourself to live with intention: A limited space means you gotta prioritize what deserves a place in your home. You'll learn to live simpler, avoiding the trap of stuff that serves no purpose.
- Bond with the fam: A cozier living space might actually nudge your family members to spend more time together. You may find that, due to fewer rooms, you're all drawn closer as communication becomes more open.
There’s a Christian country song that I've got posted up in my kitchen to remind me daily of my small home's advantages.
Now, let’s dive into some genius tricks to maximize your small home's space without breaking the bank!
8 Genius Tips to Organize a Tiny Home on a Shoestring
Declutter
Declutter your space before even attempting to organize it! If space is limited, every item needs to earn its spot. Take a good, hard look at the stuff around you, and ask yourself if an item is truly necessary or if you can purge it to open up space. Don’t be afraid to let go of things that no longer bring you joy.
Consider these tips to make decluttering a tiny home more manageable:
- Embrace small steps: If it feels overwhelming, break it down into manageable chunks. Start with one drawer or shelf, then move on to the next.
- Use the 6-month rule: Have trouble deciding what to keep and what to chuck? Ask yourself if you've used an item or thought about it in the last six months. If not, bid it adieu!
- Stay on top of the clutter: Once you've decluttered, make an effort to purge regularly. Clutter has a way of creeping back, so keep maintaining!
Every Item Needs a Home
A clutter-free tiny home means ensuring every item has a designated spot. Quickly search around your home for any dusty totes or baskets, repurpose them for organizational purposes.
When organizing your kitchen cabinets, arrange items with their accessibility in mind. For example, put your glassware near the fridge, bakeware near the oven, and spices near the stove.
Keep coats and shoes tidy by setting up hooks near the entryway and using baskets or bins to hold them.
Use Vertical Space
Utilize all available space to create more storage solutions. Add tall bookshelves, storage cubes, or stack storage cube units to boost storage capacity without cluttering the room.
Make the most of your walls by installing shelves above windows or doors for extra surface area. You could even create a space-saving Command center by using a corkboard and hooks to keep your family’s calendars and schedules organized.
Take Advantage of Every Nook and Cranny
Maximize storage whenever possible by making use of every little nook and cranny:
Kitchen
- Fridge top: Utilize the space on top of the fridge for extra storage.
- Hook-up pots and pans: Add hooks to stained boards over your sink (or other free wall space) to save precious cabinet space.
- Use can storage organizers: Dollar Tree sells can organizers perfect for keeping your cupboard tidy!
- Use hooks on shelves: Attach hooks to the bottoms of shelves to hold your mugs.
- Bins in the pantry: Use baskets or bins to store snacks and pantry goods.
- Storage bins for spices: Hang hooks on cabinet doors to hook up your measuring cups, measuring spoons, or other kitchen tools, saving precious drawer space.
Living Room
- Storage Ottomans: These nifty pieces double as extra seating and storage space for toys, games, and blankets.
- Cube units: Use inexpensive storage cube units to store your young uns' books and toys.
- Hide remotes: Exterior hooks or velcro are great for keeping remote controls out of sight when they aren't in use.
Bedroom
- Risers: Place risers under your bed to create extra storage space for seasonal clothing or other items.
- Storage benches: These add a decorative touch while providing a convenient place for extra pillows and blankets.
- Toy Hammocks: Store stuffed animals using a toy hammock in your kid's bedroom.
- Utilize closets: Add more shelves to your closet to boost storage capacity.
- Corner shelves or bookshelves: Use corner shelves in place of nightstands or install bookshelves as a headboard for extra storage space!
Bathroom
- Jars: Grab glass jars from the Dollar Store to store items like cotton swabs, cotton balls, or dental floss.
- Wall hooks: Hang wall hooks for towels or bathrobes.
- Storage bags: Inexpensive plastic bags are perfect for storing makeup and accessories.
- Attachment baskets: Hang baskets on your wall to hold extra toilet paper or toiletries.
Use Over-the-Door Organizers
Over-the-door organizers are your BFF when you live in a small home. They're easily installed and enable you to create more space by hanging them on the back of every door.
In the Kitchen
- Hang mittens, hats: Perfect for keeping 'em close during the chilly winter months!
- Store cleaning supplies: Keep your cleaning supplies organized and easily accessible!
- Microfiber cloths: Keep a stack of dry microfiber cloths on hand for quick clean-ups!
- Umbrellas: Keep an extra umbrella or two handy for those soggier days.
- Reusable bags: Store your reusable bags within reach!
In the Bedroom
- Scarves and Belts: Hang colorful scarves and belts up using over-the-door organizers.
- Kids' books and toys: Use over-the-door organizers in the kids' rooms to keep their playthings organized.
- Daily outfits: Label pouches with the days of the week, and put outfits inside for your children to grab and go in the mornings.
In the Bathroom
- Extra toilet paper: Keep an emergency stash within arms' reach!
- Supplies: Store your bathroom cleaning supplies in convenient tote bags.
- Hair and body care items: Store your hair and body care products within easy grabbing distance.
Create a Command Center
Organize your home and life by setting up a functional command center. You won't need an elaborate setup as long as it suits your needs – go simple and practical!
Here's how to create a budget-friendly command center:
- Get a dry-erase calendar and hang it somewhere visible, like the fridge.
- Acquire an inexpensive mail organizer to keep bills, important papers, and mail that needs to be kept organized.
- Obtain a binder for school papers or a simpler folder system.
- Add a printed weekly menu planner and shopping list to help keep your pantry stocked and meals on the table!
Keep Your Home Tidy
Maintaining a clutter-free space requires consistent effort. By keeping everything in its place and following simple cleaning routines, you'll prolong the tidy phase. Establish a "one in, one out" rule to ensure clutter isn't creeping back in.
Ask family members to help by assigning assigned tasks and cleaning chores to each member. Making cleaning a team effort will ensure everyone chips in and helps keep your small home looking fabulous!
Feeling Stuck? Learn how to Create Simple Cleaning Routines That Work:
- Quick 5-Step Morning Cleaning Routine
- Easy Nightly Cleaning Routine for Stress-Free Mornings
- Easy Monthly Cleaning Schedule
- 14 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Space
Other helpful articles on organizing and decluttering await you, so explore those sections to polish up your home even more!
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- In a small home, every item should have a designated spot to prevent clutter. This can be achieved by using vertical space, repurposing unused totes and baskets for storage, and taking advantage of every nook and cranny.
- To maximize storage in a small kitchen, consider using can storage organizers, hooks on shelves for mugs, bins in the pantry for pantry goods, and hooks on cabinet doors for measuring cups and measuring spoons. Utilizing the space on top of the fridge for extra storage can also be beneficial.
