15 Must-Read Tips for Organizing Small Spaces

If you live in a small space, you know the struggle of trying to keep it organized. It can seem like an impossible task, but some organizing hacks for small spaces can help.

From the tiniest studio apartment in Los Angeles, CA, to a small one-bedroom house in Santa Clarita, CA, these expert organization tips will help you make the most of your limited space. By utilizing some of these creative ideas, you can keep your small home tidy and organized without feeling like you’re living in a cluttered mess.

Declutter and downsize before organizing your space

“The key to getting organized is to declutter and downsize,” shares Good Vibes Organize. “Go through your belongings one room at a time and determine what items you will keep, donate, or discard. The clutter will disappear as you remove items you no longer need.”  

Before you start decluttering, make a list of all the things you need to declutter. This will help you focus on what needs to be done. Once you’ve decluttered your space, now it’s time to organize it. 

Determine your goals and come up with a plan

The best way to organize your home is to come up with a plan and stick to it. The first step is to make a list of all the areas in your home that need to be organized. Once you have your list, you can start setting goals for each area. For example, if your goal is to organize your bedroom, you may want to set a goal of getting rid of any clothes that you no longer wear.

Once you set your goals, you can start working on a plan to achieve them. Achieving your goals will take time and effort, but it will be worth it in the end. When you can finally look around your home and see it organized, you will be glad that you took the time to do it.

“Organizing a small space can be a struggle, but the most beneficial part is finding the correct containers and utilizing the vertical space,” says Happy to Help Organizing + Design. “By having these two simple strategies, you can create so much space.” 

15 Organizing Hacks for Small Spaces

1. Use clear storage containers

One organizing hack for small spaces is to use clear storage containers for items needing long-term storage, like holiday decorations or winter coats. This allows you to see what is inside each container to easily find what you need. Clear storage containers can also help protect items from dust and damage, and they are more durable than other storage containers.

2. Baskets and bins

Baskets and bins are great for organizing small spaces because they can be used to store a variety of items. From organizing the bikinis in your closet to a basket of blankets. Stacking and storing items makes things easy to find and access. To further help with organization, color code or add labels to bins.

3. Keep frequently used items within easy reach

If you live in a small space, it is important to keep frequently used items within easy reach. This will help you save time. There are a few ways to keep frequently used items within easy reach. Use a storage container, drawers, or cabinets that can be easily accessed.

4. Use labels to organize your home 

“It may sound like a cliche, but CMG Organizing recommends using labels – especially if the space is shared with multiple people. Labels help everyone return items to their designated places and prevent accumulating visual clutter.”  

There are many ways that you can use labels to organize your home. You can use them to organize your belongings by room, category, or any other system you prefer. You can also use labels to help you find things more easily. For example, you can label your keys with the names of the rooms they belong in, or your food storage containers with the expiration date. Labels can also be a great way to personalize your home and make it more stylish.

5. Color coding 

“When you organize a small space, you have to be careful with every inch,” shares The Cesta. “Be creative with your space, creating zones and using color to code different areas. Always make sure your space is functional.” 

Color coding can help you organize your home by creating a system that is easy to follow and visually appealing. By assigning a color to each area of your home, you can quickly and easily see where everything belongs. This organization hack can help you keep your home tidy and organized.

6. Use vertical space

“My biggest tip for organizing a small space would be to recognize your vertical space, like your walls and behind doors, and try to utilize it.” suggests FIT Home Organizer. “This means utilizing shelving and hooks to store items vertically rather than taking up valuable floor space.”

A Zenful Space Professional Organizing recommends “storing similar items together on walls, doors, cabinets, and appliances using tiered shelving, hooks, over-the-door products, and magnetic storage products. This way, when you need supplies, you can grab them and walk over to your clutter-free surface to take care of the task.”

7. Use hooks and racks

Hooks and racks can be placed in various locations in your home for storage. Some common places to put hooks and racks include: behind doors, in closets, on walls, and in the laundry room.

“Think outside of the box when it comes to the use of forgotten spaces,” TIDIFY and Simplify your life. “If ceilings are high enough, you can use overhead racks to store your holiday decorations or sentimental items.” 

8. Get creative with storage furniture

Consider using furniture with built-in storage. This type of furniture can help you maximize your space by providing additional storage options. There are many storage furniture options for organizing small spaces, including dressers, chests, armoires, trunks, cabinets, shelves, and racks. 

“More is more when it comes to organizing small spaces,” says Custom Closets and Home Interiors – Closets and Rooms, LLC. “By investing in one large piece of furniture with smaller bins or drawers, you can keep the space looking organized and clutter-free. Some examples of this type of furniture include a bookshelf, chest of drawers, console table, platform bed, or custom built-ins.”

9. Designated spaces 

If you can, set up a room or space in your house that you only use for work. Only put essential things on your desk, and put away any extra paperwork or decorations. This will help you stay focused and avoid distractions when you need to work. If you have a lot of paperwork or files, get storage solutions like filing cabinets or shelves.

“Even if your home office space is limited, you can still have a clean desktop. By using vertical space, you can keep your desktop free of the work-from-home mess. Add a small slat wall or peg board to hold a variety of office supplies and tools. A monitor stand will also help to free up more space on a small desktop,” suggests Organizing with Ease Podcast. 

10. Declutter your countertops and cabinets 

To organize a small kitchen, start by decluttering the countertops and cabinets. Then, create a system for storing pots, pans, and other cooking supplies. Next, organize your fridge and freezer by grouping items together. Finally, create a plan for storing food so that it is easy to find what you need.

“A small kitchen can create some storage issues, especially when it comes to pantry items. If you have a small kitchen that doesn’t allow for food storage, try using a small closet nearby. You can add a metal shelving unit and some bins in the closet. This will create your own personal pantry,” recommends MINDFUL ORGANIZING WITH SANDY. 

11. Party organizing for small spaces 

A good way to make sure you don’t forget any special foods you need for a holiday meal or party is to keep a bin for them in your pantry or kitchen. That way, everyone in the family will know that those particular foods are off-limits until the event. Things you might want to put in the bin include dressing mix, cranberry sauce, snacks, and drinks.” Life Simply Organized AZ says, “remember to label the bin “entertainment” so you’ll know what it’s for. This technique can also be used for perishable foods in your refrigerator.” 

12. Storage can double as decor 

If you need extra storage but don’t want your home to feel like a storage unit, get creative with your storage solutions.

“Seamlessly mix practical storage in with your decor, so you don’t feel like you’re living in a storage closet. For example, if you need a functional office in your living/dining room, put office supplies in stylish boxes that you can store on shelves with other decorations when you’re not working.” The Tidy Abode

13. Make tidying a daily routine

The best way to keep your small space organized is to make tidying and decluttering a daily habit. Set aside a specific time each day to dedicate to these activities. For example, you may want to set aside 30 minutes every morning to tidy up your living space and eliminate any clutter. Additionally, you can make a point to declutter your home on a weekly basis by setting aside a couple of hours each week to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need or use.

“Form a habit of decluttering every day,” recommends Organized with Crystal. “Keep only what you need and love. Before buying anything new, think about where to put it.” 

14. Donate or sell items you no longer need

Clean out your closets, your storage areas, and your garage. Donate the items you no longer need or use. You’ll feel lighter, and your home will be more decluttered.

If your home feels cluttered or cramped, you may have too much stuff. “Once you have decluttered, you can start to consider the space as a container.” Professional Organizer | Piecingzen Organizing shares, “the purpose of a container is not just to hold stuff but to serve as a limit to your stuff. This will help you to keep your space organized.” 

15. Be intentional

“When it comes to small spaces, it’s important to be intentional with the items you’re trying to store or display. Keep your inventory minimalistic,” says Essix Experience. 

When considering a purchase, ask yourself a few questions: Do I really need this? How will this fit into my current space? How long will I use this for? What is the quality of this item? Can I find a cheaper or more sustainable alternative? 

If you can answer these questions honestly and the item still seems like a good purchase, then go for it. Otherwise, reconsider whether the item is really necessary. A minimalist space is all about quality over quantity, so be intentional with your purchases and only buy what you truly need.

Consider working with a professional if you have a large project

If you have a big project, you may want to consider working with a professional to help you organize and declutter your home. Having someone who is experienced and knows how to organize and declutter a home properly can make the process much easier. They can help create a plan specific to your home and your needs. Additionally, a professional can provide you with support and motivation throughout the process.

“An onsite inspection is the first step of every project we take on. This allows us to get an accurate assessment of the work that needs to be done and provides our customers with an estimate of the cost and time frame for the project. Once we arrived on site, we set up all the necessary supplies and equipment to make the process as efficient as possible. This may include boxes, markers for labeling, trash liners, and cleaning supplies,” shares Cleaning Services Corvallis, OR. 

Following these simple hacks can keep your small space organized and tidy

A tidy space can help you feel calm and relaxed, so it’s worth taking the time to keep things in order. Put things away as soon as you’re finished with them, and don’t leave them lying around. Make sure you have a place for everything and keep to that system. Do a quick tidy-up every day, so it doesn’t build up into a big job. Get rid of things you don’t need. Clutter can be very stressful. Creating a peaceful and tidy home environment is important for your mental and physical health, so getting creative with small space organization is crucial. 

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