110+ Small Space Organization, Storage & Living Hacks
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your small home, don't worry - you're not alone.
In this article, I'll be sharing 110+ practical small space organization tips, storage ideas for small spaces, and unique hacks that we learned when we downsized to a 630sqft apartment.
You’ll be able to maximize your space and create a more functional and peaceful home in no time…
Important note: If you have not moved in to your small space yet, save this for later and first go check out my free downsizing guide
Our Downsizing Story
We had no business downsizing from a spacious two bedroom suite to a 630 sqft 1 bedroom apartment with a soon-to-be toddler.
I mean, the audacity of it - our spare room was waist-deep in clutter when we put our offer in on the new place.
But we had to make it work, it was the only way we could afford to live close to Sean’s work. His 3.5 hour daily commute sucked even more now that he was missing out on seeing our daughter at all when traffic was bad.
It’s been a bumpy road and there have been lots of lessons learned over the past few years, but we’re finally finding the right balance in our lovely, little, apartment.
If you’re new here, hi & welcome - I’m Ema & I write simplicity tips for messy people & ADHD homes, so you can be sure that this post will be full of foolproof strategies that are easy to implement - happy organizing!
I may receive a commission if you buy something via a link - see my full disclaimer
Benefits of living in a Small Home
Firstly …why would anyone want to live in a small space?
There are actually plenty of benefits to living in a small home!
Easier to maintain and clean
More time for the people and things you love
Able to live in more expensive areas than you could otherwise
More energy efficient
Lower utility bills
Lower property taxes
Save money
Encourages a minimalist lifestyle
Helps you identify your priorities
More environmentally friendly
Promotes closer family relationships and communication
Helps you tackle impulse buying habit
Allows for a simpler, more peaceful life
Using these organizing ideas for small spaces will make your home fun and functions
I’ve always been fascinated by tiny spaces …maybe it’s a throwback to all those years playing with Barbies, or visiting my Grandad when the ship he was working on at the time came in to dock.
I loved how every little thing had a place to be on that ship - sometimes even with a little outline to show you where it goes, or a bit of velcro to keep it secure during rough seas.
So I was all up for small living, in theory.
I just had to work on my shopaholic and “let’s keep this just in case” mindset (spoiler alert - I’m still working on it 😏).
Small Space Organization Methodologies
First we’ll chat about general methodologies you can use for small space living, then we’ll focus on more specific tips for each room…
1) Assess your space
Taking a high level assessment of your small space before you get started is a crucial step:
Start by taking a closer look at the layout and size of the space
If you want to get really geeky you could do a to-scale drawing, or a quick rough sketch if you want to keep it simple (I always try to find a copy of the floor plan for exactly this kind of thing - you can sometimes find them online in historical/sold records on property sale sites)
Now it’s time to actually walk around and observe. Consider the natural flow of the space and how you move through it.
Allocate zones to different areas to show what they will be used for, e.g. eating, studying, working, crafting, relaxing, watching TV, etc. Don’t worry if these living zones overlap - small spaces are perfect for multifunctional living.
Identify any potential problem areas such as cluttered corners, low ceilings or awkward corners.
Take note of any features that can be used to your advantage, such as built-in shelving, closet space, high ceilings or under utilized spaces.
Next, start to think about opportunities for additional storage options in these spaces
Look for opportunities to use vertical space, such as tall bookcases or wall-mounted shelves over doors / up to the ceiling
Spare walls with no doors or windows, and 90 degree corners at each end are a great opportunity to add a whole wall of storage. You could go for posh built ins, or section the area off with a curtain for a cost effective version. This works great in alcoves, or even the entire length of the wall.
Set priorities for your space and determine what areas you want to address first, and what areas can wait until later
2) Furniture selection and placement
When it comes to organizing a small space, furniture selection and placement are key factors in maximizing functionality and creating a comfortable living environment.
Consider the size and scale of each piece of furniture - Opt for smaller-scale furniture that is proportional to the size of the room to avoid overwhelming the space.
Use multipurpose furniture - Sofa beds, storage ottomans, etc. can be a great options for small spaces.
Consider flexible furniture - Furniture that can be easily moved or folded (wall mounted tables, murphy beds, lightweight indoor/outdoor furniture, expanding seating benches, etc.) will help keep the space as uncluttered as possible.
Design - low backed sofas and raised furniture with airflow underneath give the illusion of space (we went for a mid-century modern look because of this, and I’d highly recommend a robot vacuum and picker upper to make keeping the space clean and tidy super easy)
Placement - Arrange furniture in a way that allows for easy flow and movement throughout the room and consider the purpose of each area when deciding on placement.
Leave space - Try to leave some space between other pieces of furniture, and walls to avoid making the room look overcrowded.
3) Maximize vertical space
Maximizing vertical space is an essential element of small space organization.
When dealing with limited square footage and looking for storage ideas for small spaces, it's crucial to think up, not just out.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to free up floor space by utilizing wall space.
Wall shelves, hanging storage, hooks, pegboards, racks, backs of doors, insides of cupboards, and tall bookcases all the way up to the ceiling can all be great solutions for taking advantage of vertical space.
Wall space above and around door frames is often overlooked but can be a great spot to add extra shelves (just make sure that the door will still be able to fully open and close).
You may even be able to carve out more storage space by recessing walls between studs, to create shallow cupboards or shelves.
If you have high ceilings, you could consider adding a mezzanine/loft bed.
If you have really high ceilings, you could even consider adding an entire mezzanine level/loft area.
You could opt for ceiling mounted storage - these racks are designed to attached storage totes to your ceiling
If you have a loft/attic space, you may want to make it more user friendly by installing a sturdy ladder, solidifying walls and flooring, and adding lighting
4) Minimize
Small spaces can be calm and tidy with ruthless and regular decluttering.
As someone who can struggle with hoarding and shopaholic tendencies when left to my own devices, I find a small home to be such a blessing as it forces me to be more self aware and intentional.
I have loads of resources to help you to let go of things you no longer need:
General decluttering:
If you want someone to tell you exactly what to do:
Decluttering sprint: How to declutter 80% of your mess in one afternoon
Free 30 days challenge: How to become a minimalist in 30 days
If you’re struggling to start: How to start decluttering when overwhelmed
If you need some ideas of what to let go of: 252 things that make your home look messy
5) Organize
Once you have let go of all of the things you no longer use or love, it’s time to find a logical and labelled home for everything you do want to keep.
Everything having a place makes life so much easier.
You can find all of my general organizing guidelines, and my free 30 days challenge here.
We’ll be exploring lots more about organizing small spaces in this post.
6) Tidy little and often
A great way to make a space look bigger is to keep it relatively tidy, most of the time.
Tidying does not come naturally to me, so I do everything within my power to make it as quick and easy as possible (here are all of the tidying tips that work best).
I never thought I could become someone who tidies every day, but this ‘teeny tiny tidy’ hack makes it doable:
I can easily commit to the habit of tidying daily if I just do a teeny tiny tidy, here’s how:
Set a timer for 1 to 5 minutes (depending on your energy levels that day)
Tidy your little heart out until the buzzer sounds
If you feel motivated to keep tidying when the timer goes off - bonus!
If you’re exhausted and want to go lie down in your blanket burrito, go for it! (…completely guilt free, because you stuck to your goal)
7) Store things where makes sense to you
A lot of the traditional storage areas (e.g. pantries, mud rooms, basements, spare rooms, garden sheds, attics, etc.) may not be available to those living in small spaces, so we have to get creative.
My top tip is to throw out everything you think you know about home organization (who says that has to go there anyway?!), and store things where it makes the most sense to you.
Here are some examples that work for us:
My husband gets dressed for his early shift in the bathroom so he doesn’t disturb anyone, and doesn’t have to stumble about getting ready in the dark trying to find things. He used to pick out his outfits the night before, but kept forgetting - so now we store his work clothes in the bathroom.
I always do my daughter’s hair on my bed - so we store her hairbrush and hair bands in my bedside table instead of in her room
8) Hide clutter
I know that open storage and shelving is trending nowadays but in such a small space, I really benefit from hiding clutter away behind closed doors or curtains.
Reducing visual clutter really helps open and brighten up a space.
A Wall of Storage
One of the best ways to maximize your small space is to replace an entire blank wall with additional storage.
A wall of storage is floor to ceiling storage that can be added in hallways, landings, offices, spare bedrooms, kids bedrooms, garages, basements, attics, etc., for general household storage (see tip 60 for hidden wall of closet storage)
By keeping the design minimal, you can gain a huge amount of storage space for only a sliver of the room.
A Note on ADHD Home Organization
As someone with ADHD, my preference for hiding clutter is often in the minority (my visual overwhelm trumps my object permanence).
A lot of people with ADHD prefer to be able to keep things out in the open where they can see them. Visual reminders often act as important prompts for action.
Here are more ADHD specific organization tips if you’re interested.
9) Design your home for how you live most of the time, not some of the time
Many of us fall into the trap of designing our home around activities that we rarely do, versus our everyday lives.
A common example could be having a large dining table because you host thanksgiving for your extended family, versus just having a smaller table that expands when needed - so you can free up much needed space for the other 364 days of the year.
10) Prioritise people who live in the home rather than occasional guests.
I should probably save this story for my therapist, but I’m still low key resentful that the second bedroom in my childhood homes was always reserved for *very, very occasional* guests, and I always got the smallest third bedroom.
It’s ok to prioritise people who live in the home rather than occasional guests.
11) Prioritize your joy over organizing ‘rules’
It’s also ok to prioritise your joy!
I have a lounger that takes up too much space and has to be moved around each night when we fold down the murphy bed.
We also lose a lot of floor and wall space to a giant 90 gallon fish tank.
BUT the joy it brings me to sit in that lounger with my morning coffee and watch fish TV far outweighs any negatives, so they stay :)
12) Be mindful of what you bring in
There’s only so much you can bring in to a small space.
Even if you’re a pro at decluttering and really efficient at getting things out of the home, you still need to be very careful about what you bring in.
A great example is that we had to stop our Costco membership as there was just no room to store products in bulk when we downsized.
Another helpful way that we’re mindful about what we bring in to our small space is to have a spot close to our front door dedicated to mail and papers.
We decluttered enough shoes to have a spare compartment in our Ikea BISSA shoe storage, so now use use it as a drop spot to quickly sort mail in to keep, recycle or confidential waste.
13) Multi purpose items
Try adding terms like, ‘space-saving’, ‘folding’, and ‘multi purpose’ when you’re next searching for a new furniture item …you’ll be amazed at what innovative products and storage ideas for small spaces exist!
If you’re creative, you can find multiple ways to use existing items too.
For example, we use a covered dog crate as a side table in our living room.
14) Play box Tetris
I don’t recommend this step for anyone that’s not contending with a small space because you shouldn’t organize until you’ve minimized, and you always want to leave space for space.
However, when you know you’re going to need to utilize every square inch, box Tetris can be really helpful, because it separates the unique logistical and mental challenges of organizing a small space.
Even before I start decluttering, unpacking or trying to shove all of our belongings onto shelves, I first collect boxes, containers and baskets.
Step 1 - Logistics: physically finding space for empty containers.
I add empty containers to every shelf and cupboard, to make sure I fill up every inch of the space (all those years of playing Tetris really paid off, lol).
Step 2 - Organize: mentally finding the right home/container for each belonging.
I then declutter and minimize, and then put belongings that I know I use/love in to the containers (don’t forget to add labels so you know what goes where).
I can better focus on the best place to store items based on where they are used, not distracted by where they can fit.
Box Tetris means that it takes longer to unpack/organize, BUT every inch of possible storage space is utilized and the organization is more logical.
15) Containerize
After you’ve completed Box Tetris, you have a finite number of containers/boxes/baskets in your small space, and you’ve allocated what is going to go where.
The bonus of this system is that the containers can act as natural limits for your stuff.
For example - if your “scarf” basket is full, it means that you don’t have any more space for new scarves unless you donate some old ones.
16) You can say no
Don’t forget that you can say no to hosting get togethers or overnight guests if your space isn’t set up for it.
I’ve let go of the need to cook every time someone comes over - there just isn’t the room, and it soon gets too hot in our small space when the oven is on.
Now we get takeout and enjoy more quality time catching up with our guests instead :)
Money wise here in Vancouver - buying sushi for a group may well bankrupt you, but ordering pizza is usually cheaper than buying ingredients for a meal.
17) Mirrors
Incorporate mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger space.
18) High, wide & long curtains
Mount curtains high and wide to add height to the room, draw the eye upward, and give the impression of a bigger window.
We have ours right at the top of the wall, where it meets the ceiling.
19) Keep horizontal surfaces as clear as possible
Visual clutter really quickly makes a space look small and claustrophobic.
Wherever possible, try to challenge yourself to keep horizontal surfaces clear of clutter.
20) Brighten up the space
Let in as much light as possible - removing our vertical blinds instantly opened up our living room
Use light colors on walls and ceilings to reflect more light.
Using transparent, reflective or glossy surfaces will also reflect more light.
21) Watch shows for inspo
One of my favourite ways to get ideas for small space living is to watch shows about Tiny Homes - here’s a good roundup.
My favourites are Tiny House Nation and How to Live Mortgage Free.
22) Combine form & function
Look for visually interesting storage pieces that you’d be proud to show off.
Our “cloud” toilet roll storage makes me smile every time I see it - how many loo roll holders can say that, lol.
22) Think outside of the box & ignore societal norms
When we moved in to our one bedroom apartment with our baby daughter, our plan was to section off an area as a makeshift sleeping area for her, and we would take the bedroom.
We soon realized that that meant we were “sent to our bedroom” at 7pm every night when we put our daughter down to sleep in the main living space.
So we moved our bed out to the living room and set her up in the bedroom - that way we could close the door and enjoy the rest of our evening in the main living space.
I had lived in a studio before so I wasn’t too phased, but my husband took some time to adjust to living like a grandparent from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.
It served us well for a few years whilst we saved up for a quality wall bed, and now that we have one, we don’t even miss having a seperate sleeping area.
Our plan is to reassess when our daughter is 10.
Small Space Organization in the Kitchen
I’ve included a quick summary of my favourite ideas here, but you can check out my full post on organizing small kitchens here for all 33 tips.
23) Small kitchen tips
Create extra worktop space using a half size stove top cover (they have full size versions if you have somewhere to put it whilst you cook) or kitchen cart.
Use a universal pot lid to cut down on how many lids you need
Consider space saving versions of kitchen items:
Magnetic measuring spoons (we have these and I love that they are dual sided - it’s handy for fitting the skinny end in to spice jars, but also when you need the same measurement of multiple ingredients in a recipe)
Collapsible colander (we have this and it’s huge but folds down flat. I love that it’s big enough for giant pots of pasta, or cleaning fruits and veggies. We clean most things in the dishwasher, but this is also a makeshift drying rack when we dry things by hand)
Store lesser used items above kitchen cupboards (we use wooden crates to keep things looking uniform and tidy, and use a space saving folding step stool to get them down)
Use shelf risers, under shelf baskets, extra shelves, and instal hooks to use up all of the vertical space inside of cupboards
Use the the inside of cupboard doors for hooks (great for measuring spoons), commonly used recipes, small baskets, etc.
Ideas for wall storage: Hooks, rails, shelves, magnetic strips, leaf drop table …so many opportunities!
If it’s exposed, there are loads of magnetic shelves that are great to use on the side of your fridge (especially good for spices, oils, etc.)
Store things based on how frequently your use them:
Everyday items should be front and centre - no bending, crouching, stretching up on your tippy toes, or moving things out of the way to get to them, wherever possible.
Things you use less often can be up high, down low, or behind things.
Things you use less than every week or so can be stored outside of the kitchen if that’s easier.
Be intentional about whether you want to decant or not - it looks cute, but it takes extra effort and you need to have extra storage for the back stock too.
Small Space Organization in the Living Room
Keeping your small living room neat and organized can be challenging.
However, with a little creativity and the right organizational tools, you can transform your living room into a functional and stylish space that maximizes every inch available.
24) Wall mount your tv
I cannot believe how much wall mounting our TV opened up our living room.
We were able to add some much needed extra seating because we now had room for a sofa under the TV too.
When it’s just us, we can cozy up and watch TV, and when we have guests, our living is now set up perfectly to socialize.
25) Smart Art
I expected our Samsung Frame TV to be super gimmicky and didn’t expect it to make much of a difference in our home.
Holy moly, I was wrong.
With the TV, built in storage, fish tank, and murphy bed, we have zero wall space for a large piece of art, so it’s so lovely to be able to pick different pieces of artwork to show on the screen.
I love being able to search their database for art! And I’m a bit arty-farty so I love being able to make our own artwork on my iPad too.
I’m not a techy so I have no idea how it works, but there’s some sort of magic going on that makes it look like a framed print.
In fact, our friend nearly jumped out of her skin when it switched from one piece of artwork to another, because she thought she’d been looking at analogue art the whole time.
I’m a full convert and will be buying artwork TVs for as long as they’re available.
26) Coffee table
A coffee table doesn’t seem like a big deal but it’s literally slap bang in the middle of the room where you spend most of your downtime, so be intentional about it.
Here are some ideas:
Coffee table with storage - you can find options with drawers, open shelving (easy access, but increased visual clutter), top-opening storage trunks (bear in mind your have to clear the top before you can open it so don’t store things you need constant access to)
Ottoman with a tray - this way you’ve got somewhere comfy to put your feet up, extra seating, and the tray means it can still be used as a table (bonus points if you get an ottoman WITH storage!). This was an especially handy option when our daughter was less steady on her feet, because a soft ottoman is already child proofed. We used her nugget play couch folded into a square with a tray on top.
Lift up coffee table for eating / working - this is a good option if you don’t have space for a dining table and/or work desk (here’s an example if you can’t picture it)
No coffee table - we had to accept that a coffee table was too much of a clutter magnet for us. Our living room looks much tidier since we let go of ours.
27) Side tables
Side tables could be a good alternative to a coffee table, here are some things to consider in your small space:
Transparent furniture makes a space look bigger
Nesting end tables are a great option if you only need multiple tables some of the time
An adjustable sofa arm table is a great alternative to another piece of furniture taking up floor space
Ottomans can double as side tables and extra seating
28) Set up zones
Another important consideration when organizing a small living room is creating designated zones for different activities.
This can help to create a sense of order and make the space feel more functional.
For example, you might create a seating area for watching TV, a reading nook with a cozy armchair, and a workspace for doing homework or paying bills.
29) Work with your clutter
If clutter keeps accumulating in a certain spot, consider adding a basket or box to capture it.
Things will look tidier, and you’ll have a set spot to find things when you’re looking for them.
30) Get a multipurpose sofa
You can find great sofa beds that transform into comfy beds for overnight guests.
There are even bunk bed options!
31) Organize your cables
Use cable ties or purpose built storage to keep cables neat and tidy.
Storing unused cables in a photo storage case like this is a great way to stay organized.
32) Use the cloud
Are you holding on to things that could be stored digitally instead?
Think photos, movies, music, games etc.
33) Find a home for blankets
If you’re all about that cozy life like us, designate a home for blankets that’s close to the sofa.
It’s made a big difference to how messy our living room looks as we throw them straight into the blanket basket now, rather than them hanging around for a day or two before being put back into the hallway cupboard.
A basket/coffee table combo like the above could be a good option.
Small Space Organization in the Bathroom
When it comes to small space organization, the bathroom is often overlooked.
But with a few smart solutions, it can be transformed into an organized oasis.
34) Every day items
I keep items that I use every day together in a box. It’s quick and easy to pull out and put it away when I’m done getting ready.
If you’re really tight on space in the bathroom, each person can have their own shower caddy of products that they bring in to the bathroom with them.
35) Evening routine
Keep your evening routine products in their own little basket that you can pull out and easily keep them all together.
I actually keep mine in my bedside table - because, lazy.
36) Do you need a laundry basket nearby?
Keep your laundry basket close to where people dump their clothes on the floor - for us, that’s the bathroom, so we have a laundry basket just outside and we put our dirty clothes in their on our way out.
37) Under the sink
Under the bathroom sink is definitely a spot that benefits from specifically designed storage as it’s such an awkwardly shaped spot.
38) The law of attraction
Use a magnetic strip inside of your bathroom cabinet to hold metal objects like tweezers, hair clips and nail clippers.
39) Wall mount your soap
Install a wall-mounted soap dispenser instead of using a soap dish or taking up space by the sink.
You can also get wall mounted shampoo, conditioner and shower gel units to keep your shower less cluttered.
40) Give bath toys a home
We use this cute froggy, and it’s great because the toys dry out well.
The adhesive strips they supply have a few bad reviews so we used Command bathroom strips instead.
41) Try this shower hack
If you have a combo bath and shower, I cannot recommend a curved shower curtain rod highly enough!
It makes our tiny shower feel so much more spacious, and no more gross shower curtain sticking to me.
42) Skip the shower enclosure
If you’re adding a standalone shower to a small bathroom, consider skipping the shower enclosure and using a rimless glass panel, which will open up the room more instead.
43) Wall mount your toothbrush
Use a wall-mounted toothbrush holder instead of a countertop one.
44) Take full advantage of the back of the bathroom door
We have an over door shoe organizer for small and medium bathroom items.
We also have over door hooks on top, where we hang our clean clothes that we’re going to get changed in to.
45) Use the space above the toilet
Don't forget about the often underutilized space above the toilet - add a floating shelf or cabinet to store extra towels or toiletries.
46) Make up
Store make up based on how often you wear it. E.g. keep everyday wear in one pouch and special occasion items in a box in your closet.
Small Space Organization for the Dining Room
The dining room is often a place where clutter accumulates, and it can be challenging to keep everything tidy and functional in a limited area.
Let’s explore some creative and practical ways to maximize the space in your dining room and keep it organized, no matter how small it may be …or what to do if like us, you don’t even have one!
47) Consider a circular or oval table
Use a round or oval dining table to create a flow of movement in the room.
48) Pick a flexible table
Here are a few examples of flexible dining tables:
A dining table that’s lightweight enough to easily move it against and away from the wall - so you can save some space when it’s not in use
An expanding table for when you have extra guests
A multipurpose dining table that will work well for crafting, studying and working too - the longer people plan to use it, the comfier and more supportive the seats should be
A folding dining table that can be used as a console table when not in use (this is what we have, we got a great deal on Facebook marketplace. One thing to note is that it’s solid wood so pretty heavy, I wouldn’t choose this if I was planning to put it up and down every day)
A coffee table that converts into a dining table like this one that can sit 10-12
49) “Nobody sits baby in the corner”
I just quoted Dirty Dancing in my home organization blog - I can die happy now
I actually think it’s great to sit in the corner!
We don’t have a dining room, but if you squint a little, there’s a dining corner between the kitchen and living room.
My dream was to have a corner booth with bench seating to create a dining nook.
It would provide seating for a surprising amount of guests, would be really comfy, doesn’t take up a huge amount of floor space, and you can find booths with built in storage under the seats.
Ultimately, we couldn’t afford to give up all of the wall space above a corner booth, so we decided to use the space for floor to ceiling storage instead.
50) Choose space saving seating
Folding seats are a great way to save space in your small home - they’re not always the most comfy option thought, so you may want to have a combination of folding and more supportive chairs if you have the room.
Benches can easily be pushed under the table or up against the wall, so may be another good option for small spaces
51) Consider leg room
A table with a pedestal base will provide the most leg room for all.
52) Tiered serving
Lift some dishes up on to tiered serving trays so you can fit more food on to your small table.
53) Bring the dining table to you
If you don’t have a dedicated dining space, you can always bring the dining room experience to you using trays or mini folding tray tables.
We have these, but to be honest, we’re animals and usually only use them for handsy meals like tacos or steaks.
Small Space Organization for bedrooms
From clever storage solutions to multifunctional furniture pieces, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your limited space in your bedroom.
Let’s explore some practical and creative space-saving tips for bedrooms that will help you create a cozy and functional sanctuary.
54) Raise the bed
Lift your bed up off of the floor using risers to create space for storage underneath.
55) Get a bed with storage
Talking of beds, you can find ones with built in storage:
Beds that lift up entirely, to easily access storage inside.
Beds with drawers underneath
Beds with storage in the headboard
Loft beds which are raised high up off of the floor, to provide storage or living space underneath.
56) Get a space saving bed
Sofa beds are a good choice when you want to use the space for seating and occasional sleeping (unless you find an especially comfy one designed for daily use)
Another option - that is suitable for daily use - and that will increase space during the day could be to go with a wall bed. We have a king size and it’s just as comfy as a traditional floor bed.
Types of wall beds:
We chose a model that came with a modular sofa, so that it’s not a “wasted” wall during the day, but there’s lots of other options too.
You can get bunk bed wall beds
You can get wall beds with built in desks
You can get wall beds with built in tables
You can get wall beds with built in shelves
You can even get wall beds with built space for a TVs
One of my favourite space saving bed hacks for tiny homes that I think we’ll start seeing in small spaces and apartments soon are pull out beds that have a platform on top. You can use the platform as a raised seating area, eating area, etc., and then pull out the concealed bed from underneath when it’s time to sleep - here are some examples
The next space saving bed is popular in the van living communities, and I think these will be becoming more popular in homes too - beds that lower from the ceiling - check out this example
57) Be more intentional with your wardrobe
The quickest and easiest way to reduce clutter and mess in a small bedroom is to create a more intentional closet, with a capsule wardrobe.
Here are all of my wardrobe resources to help you:
Capsule wardrobe tools (it takes just 2 hours to completely revamp your wardrobe):
Tips for clearing out your wardrobe:
58) Small Closet organization
Space saving velvet hangers reduce a lot of the bulk in your wardrobe, and make it look more streamlined.
The majority of hung items do not need the full length of the closet. Move longer items to one side and then add drawers or shelves to the unused space under short hanging items. Aesthetics are often less important here, because they will be behind closed doors - so you could save some pennies and get something second hand.
Alternatively, if you have lots of items to hang you could add a second clothes hanging rod at waist height.
Add motion activated lighting to open up even the darkest and smallest closet space.
Take advantage of backs of doors, underneath shelves, ceilings and walls by adding hooks, small shelves (search for spice or picture shelves), undershelf storage, pedboards, etc. These small spaces are especially handy to store smaller items like underwear, jewellery, bags and shoes.
Wherever possible, adjust shelf heights to make the best use of space
If you’re short of wall space in your bedroom, the back of your closet door may be a good spot for a full length mirror.
You can rotate clothes seasonally even if you don’t have space to remove them from your closet completely. Store out of season clothes towards the back, top, bottom and sides of the closet, and keep in season items front and centre.
Use shelf dividers to create zones. Thrifted metal book shelf dividers are great for this.
Adding storage boxes, baskets and bins is a good way to contain different categories of clothes and accessories.
Using clear storage and/or labels will make things easy to find
Stacking storage allows you to make best use of all vertical space
Storage with air flow will help air out clothes
Shoes may be better stored closer to the front door if you’re short of space in your bedroom closet.
If doors are too bulky or take up too much space, you can either remove doors completely, or replace them with pocket doors.
If it’s within budget, investing in custom built in storage will make the best use of small and/or awkward spaces.
Personally, I gave up folding clothes but the ultimate space saving clothes storage method for tiny closets is file folding, Marie Kondo style:
59) Clothes don’t have to be stored in your bedroom
Bedrooms are often quiet zones - in the evenings and mornings, when little ones go down for their nap, working around shift schedules, etc.
We regularly find ourselves tiptoeing around our small space and getting dressed in the dark.
We also dress our daughter in the main living area so it didn’t make sense to keep her clothes in her bedroom.
This is why we decided to go against the grain when it comes to organizing our clothes - instead of storing clothes in the bedroom, we keep everything in a combined family closet off of our living area (where my dream corner dining nook was going to go).
The bedroom looks less cluttered, we can get dressed without disturbing anyone, and putting away clean laundry is a breeze because it’s all in one space.
60) Create a hidden wall of storage
We covered this briefly earlier but one of my favourite layouts in a small bedroom is to create a whole wall of storage.
This is ideal for bedrooms with no built in closet.
You’ll need to have a spare wall, with no doors or windows, and 90 degree corners at each end.
You could invest in high end built ins, or use second-hand shelves and clothing rails then section the area off with a curtain for a cost effective version.
We have a no fold clothes storage system, so we use large bins stacked behind a curtain for our family wardrobe.
The curtain option has the added bonus that you can still have your bed up against that wall, you just need to leave enough space to access storage behind the frame.
61) Create more space on your bedside table
Opt for a wall sconce light instead of a bedside table lamp to maximize your space.
62) Forgo a bedside table
If you’re really tight on space, a wall shelf, or a bedside caddy could be a great space saving option as you don’t need to use up floor space.
63) Show off your style
Display your favourite accessories (hats, jewellery, bags, shoes, etc.) on the wall as wearable art.
64) Utilize space under the window
Consider adding a storage bench, seating, cupboard, shelves, etc.
65) Hang a multipurpose mirror
Hang a mirror with built-in storage, shelves, a light, hooks, sounds system, etc.
66) Consider a clean laundry basket
A dedicated spot for clean clothes that need to be put away still may take up a little more space, but it keeps our home looking much tidier so it’s well worth it for us.
67) Store folded bedding under your mattress
Keep your bedding exactly where you need it by folding it wide and flat and then storing it between your mattress and box spring.
Small Space Organization for Play rooms / kid’s bedrooms
If you have kids, you know how quickly their bedrooms can become cluttered and disorganized.
It can be challenging to find enough space to store all their toys, clothes, and books.
However, with a few space-saving tips, you can transform even the smallest bedroom into a functional and organized space for your child.
68) Toy rotation
Toy rotation is a game changer if you have kiddos in your home, and the good news is that it only takes 10 minutes - here’s my toy rotation quick guide.
We use our luggage to store rotated toys - we already have it and it’s designed to be easy to move around, even if it’s heavy - so it’s a win-win.
69) Toys with multiple pieces
For toys with multiple pieces, like lego and magnetic tiles - you don’t have to keep all of the pieces out at the same time.
It can be a lot less overwhelming for kids and adults to have a smaller selection out at once.
70) Add picture labels
Add picture labels so young kids can help tidy up too.
71) Add toy baskets to other areas
If toys often make their way into other rooms, have a box or basket there to quickly throw them in to so they can all be brought back.
72) Consider a queen size bed
This one is counterintuitive …but hear me out.
A queen bed may take up valuable floor space, but it’s basically a giant play mat and trampoline for your little one and it can double up as a guest bed.
If it’s safe to do so, you could even raise this bed as well - to create space for extra storage underneath.
73) Tiny artists …giant amounts of artwork
Art supplies can quickly get out of hand so consider keeping like with like and rotating them, similar to art class at school. E.g. this week we’re concentrating on colouring pencils.
If you have a little artist but the thought of art supplies stress you out, there are lots of mess free options to choose - like digital art, water wow pads and magnetic drawing pads.
A lovely way to display kid’s artwork is to assign wall space for special pieces. Your little one could decide which artwork goes gets shown in the “gallery”. These absolutely magical photo frames will let you display a new art piece in seconds and stores up to 50 pieces. Everything else that doesn’t “make the cut” could be photographed (I love it when my daughter poses with it too), and then recycled.
74) Bunk bed hacks
There have always been all sorts of bunk bed hacks to squeeze in extra sleeping spaces - twin beds over doubles, triple bunks, built in play equipment, built in storage, etc.
I remember feeling pretty cool as a teenager with my twin bed over a sofa bed that converted into a double.
But there’s a new bunk bed hack that *almost* gives two kiddos the feel of having their own room…
Room Divider Hack
People have been moving bunk beds into the middle of shared bedrooms and then adding panels on opposite sides to better separate living spaces for each child.
If you have the room, and multiple or a large light source, this could be a good option for you to explore - here’s an example.
Small Space Organization in the Home Office
Nowadays, so many of us are working from home and finding it challenging to create an effective workspace while minimizing clutter - especially in smaller homes that don’t have a dedicated office.
With space at a premium, it's essential to find creative ways to make the most of your home workspace.
Let’s go over some practical and effective space-saving tips to help you optimize your space and increase productivity.
75) Temporary desk ideas
Even if you don’t have space for a permanent work desk, here are some ideas to make working from home easier:
I used to use our folding dining table, with one leaf extended as a desk. It worked well for a while, I would get it out every morning and put it away at the end of every work day. It was a really nice little ritual to transition from one “world” to another, but during a stressful season of life I got out of the habit of putting it away regularly, and it was taking up too much space.
I now use a folding tray and work from the sofa, lounge chair or outside. It was supposed to only be a temporary solution but I was surprised at how less achy this was compared to when I sat at a desk.
There are also floor standing foldable desks, so I think they’d be a bit more sturdy.
I sometimes put my laptop on a higher shelf in our kitchen, it just so happens to be the perfect height to work as a standing desk
You can get wall mounted desks to save on floor space - here’s a basic example, and one with extra storage.
Once a month I meet my best friend for lunch, so I spend that morning working on my laptop at a coffee shop. It makes me feel like a character from a TV show, lol.
76) Don’t forgo ergonomics for the sake of space
Whatever set up you decide on, make space for any ergonomic equipment that you need to work safely.
77) Look for a nook
Take advantage of any unused nooks or crannies in your home, such as a corner or under-stair space, to create a dedicated work area that won't take up valuable living space.
78) Reconsider a printer
I had a huge, expensive art printer that I was so reluctant to let go of, so I decided to research places nearby where I could print things if needed.
There was a place one block away so I eventually decided to let go of my printer.
Do you know how many times I’ve used that print service in the last three years?
Once. One time.
On average, I have to walk one block every 1.5 years to get things printed. I can live with that.
If you’re holding on to a printer, it may be worth researching print services in your area too.
79) Design with work / life balance in mind
Wherever possible, try to design your workspace so that you can hide away your work at the end of the day.
That way you can focus more on resting and enjoying your free time.
80) Get a chair that can be tucked in
If you go for a dedicated work chair, be sure to choose one that can be fully tucked under the desk when not in use.
Sometimes arm rests can be lifted to allow you to do this.
81) Simplify your paperwork
I give full instructions here but a very quick overview of my paperwork organization method is to drastically cut down on how much physical paperwork I keep.
I recycle most things (making sure to blank out any confidential data using one of these fun rollers - BONUS: no need for a shredder), take a photo of anything important, and for the very, very rare items that I legally need to keep an original copy of, I don’t worry about filing them - I just keep them all together.
82) Cut down on how much paperwork that comes in
Switch to paperless billing wherever possible, and add a ‘no junk mail’ sign to your letterbox to drastically reduce the amount of paperwork that comes through your door.
Small Space Organization for Outside areas
If you're short on space and want to make the most of your outdoor area, this is for you - there’s even a couple of tips for people who don’t have one.
Let’s explore some creative solutions for maximizing your garden's potential, so you can make the most of every square inch and create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you'll love spending time in.
83) Think of your outdoor space as another room
You’ll get the most use out of your balcony, patio, garden, etc. if your goal is to make it an extension of your indoor space.
Little touches like an outdoor rug, lighting and mirroring decor from inside make our little patio feel more like a living space.
Talking of mirroring, mirrors work great in small outdoor spaces too. They can brighten up dark, shady corners - just to careful not to place them anywhere that receives direct sunlight.
I think the biggest change we made outside was covering a large ugly stucco wall with faux boxwood panels. It really elevated the space.
84) Prioritise comfort
You’ll spend more time out there if you’re more comfortable.
I’d recommend extra comfy seating - we made it a rule that we had to try patio furniture before buying
We added extra outdoor cushions to increase the squishiness factor
We have specific garden blankets to keep us cozy
Adding ottomans up levels comfort levels
85) Heat your space
In cooler climates, adding a heat source will maximise the time you can spend out there.
I can’t find an outdoor heat source that our strata will allow, so my heat source is a super-trendy-and-totally-not-lame wearable blanket for when it’s a little chilly outside.
86) Decide if you want an eating area
If you don’t have enough space for a dining area inside, adding one outside could be a great option for warmer days.
87) Add storage
If you have some space, get some waterproof storage - I see great deals for storage boxes like this on Facebook marketplace all the time.
We stack our two and keep out of season stuff in the lower one.
88) Increase your privacy
If needed, you can make your outdoor space more private by adding:
Privacy screens
Fencing
Trellis
Sheer curtains
Faux greenery
Tall plants, hedges, etc.
89) Add some zen
I’m currently searching for a water feature to add the finishing touch to our garden.
I love the sound of running water and can’t wait to relax outside to the sound of it.
Maybe zen for you means adding a beautiful Buddha statue, or a hummingbird feeder.
I’m turning into a right little birder nowadays, and highly recommend the Merlin Bird ID app to find out what itty bittys are visiting your garden.
90) Add some (foldable) luxury
My favourite thing in our garden is my hammock.
It barely fits out there, and my daughter definitely can’t play outside when it’s up, but luckily the stand is foldable so I can put it up when I’m out there alone, and then take it down to make space for family time.
Don’t think that you have to forgo a little luxury like a hammock even if your outdoor space is tiny - there’s so often a space saving option available.
I’m very jealous that this newer version can convert into a hammock chair as well.
91) Space saving tips for people with a green thumb
Use vertical gardening techniques to maximize space
Choose compact plants and varieties that don't expand to take up too much space
Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together to make watering and care easier
Utilize hanging baskets and window boxes to add greenery without taking up valuable ground space
Grow vegetables in containers or raised beds on a patio or balcony
Choose plants that can tolerate shade to make use of less sunny areas
Create a vertical herb garden using a pallet or hanging shoe organizer
Consider pots over permanent beds to create a more flexible layout
92) Take advantage of public outdoor space
If you don’t have your own outdoor space, the next best thing it to take advantage of nearby public outdoor areas.
If my daughter needs more space to run around, we’ve mastered exactly what to take with us to best enjoy our time at the local park.
We’ve got great camping seats if we plan to stay awhile, a waterproof picnic blanket so damp grass doesn’t spoil our fun, and even a microwavable bum cushion to keep us cozy whilst we watch out daughter go down the slide 724 times on chillier days.
Have a think to see if there are any ways you could level up your experience of nearby outdoor spaces.
93) Dog training
This may seem random in an small living post but as big advocates for fostering rescue dogs, we’ve learned how important this can be!
Having a well trained dog really opens up your options for spending time outside.
Best Small Space Organization Products
Small homes require extra careful consideration when it comes to selecting the right products to optimize space and functionality.
Here are some of the best non room specific products that can help make the most out of limited living space.
94) Wall mounted planters
I love these wall mounted planters and add them everywhere, inside and out!
Because these are wall mounted, we don’t need a horizontal surface for them, and they are safe out of the way from toddler hands and bouncy pups.
95) Over door storage
You can use simple over the door shoe pocket organizers (I like clear ones this like so you can find things quickly), or you could get a full shelving system like this one.
They are super versatile and can be used anywhere with a suitable door.
If you don’t mind your door looking a bit bulky, you can double up on over the door storage like us - shoe pocket organizers, as well as hooks for dressing gowns - it’s easy enough for us to move them out of the way to reach items underneath.
96) Shelving opportunities
Shelves are so versatile and you can probably find a shelf for any space you can think of, so type in the measurements and see what options comes up.
For insides of closets, storage rooms and any other hidden areas, I like to check Facebook marketplace for bargains on freestanding shelves, as I don’t mind how they look.
I like to use slim, clear spice shelves as front facing book shelves, or to store products where I get ready
I love the look of these cute, little, circular shelves for small items
I like using clear shelves, or matching the colour of the wall to mimic a more built in look
If I have the option, I always pick a cabinet with a door over open shelving
If you have a long hallway that’s wide enough, consider floor to ceiling shelving on one side
97) Section off areas
To create zones or increase privacy, this flexible ceiling mounted curtain rod can easily curtain off any area in your small home.
We used it to hide away our L-shaped corner storage.
98) Little laundry
I love this cute collapsible laundry basket.
It was the perfect size for our portable laundry machine before it died (also a great space saving option! Ours was a vintage hand me down twin tub but we are going to get one like this once we retire the stroller and have somewhere to store it).
In the mean time, we are using the shared laundry in the basement, so we use a laundry basket on wheels - it’s not space saving but it makes transporting laundry much easier for those of us that don’t have an in suite machine. I see these bad boys at thrift stores pretty often.
99) Inventive ways to dry your clothes
Drying laundry in small spaces can be challenging!
There are space saving options available though:
Retractable clothes lines magically create an area to dry clothes, and then disappear away as soon as it’s done. I can’t think of a good spot indoors, but I’m going to get this one for our patio.
Wall mounted fold down drying racks are a great option if you have the wall space (I think we’d need a couple of these square shaped ones to hold a wash load)
This pull out rail is ideal for things you can dry on a hanger, and holds a surprising amount
This is my favourite style of folding drying rack, as most other designs seem to overlap clothes on top of each other too much
My Dad has one of these ceiling mounted drying racks and I love it so much. If we had a good spot for one, this would be my number one choice.
We have two of these racks with clips for socks and underwear and I highly recommend them
Top tip - drying laundry under a ceiling fan cuts out drying time by half.
100) Over door ironing board
It has been many years since I’ve owned an iron (#TeamStretchyClothes), but if it’s a must for you, an over the door ironing board is a quick and space saving alternative to a traditional folding one.
101) Space saving baby gate
This is a lesson learned by us as we have two bulky baby gates taking up space.
I thought that they’d be a fleeting need, but here we are four years later, still using them everyday.
If I could go back in time, I would definitely get space saving retractable versions.
102) Stroller storage
Save floor space with these stroller hooks to store your stroller up on the wall.
103) Bike hooks
Likewise, get bikes up and out of the way with a bike hook.
104) Underbed storage
I would recommend underbed storage with wheels if you want easy retrieval, and with a lid or zipped cover if you need contents to stay safe from dust bunnies.
The most important thing is to find the right size to best use up all of the available space.
105) Repurpose shoe cabinets
Slim-line shoe cabinets (e.g. IKEA Bissa) work well in small spaces for other things as well as shoes - we use ours for backpacks, hats, gloves and sorted mail, but they’d be great for towels and bedding too.
106) Check the tool aisle
There’s something about tool and garage organization products that’s so efficient - I think it’s because they are not focused on aesthetics.
So if you’re looking for quality organization products that won’t be out on display, don’t overlook the tool storage aisle.
107) Vacuum seal bags
We vacuum seal guest duvets and pillows and out of season clothes (that will “re-puff” easily).
108) Bean bag storage
If you have stuffed toys, extra blankets, bedding, sleeping bags (anything squishy really) to store and need some extra informal seating, this bean bag cover could be a great option for you.
109) Small space ceiling fan
We used to have an extra large ceiling fan in our space.
I’d gotten it for a steal on Facebook marketplace but hadn’t realized it was an extra large model.
It would have been great on a double height ceiling, but in our little space it looked plain silly - like we had an upside down helicopter hanging from our ceiling!
In true Taurean style, I refused to acknowledge said silliness, and stubbornly insisted it was fine.
Luckily we had a legitimate reason to replace it when we realized that the fan blades were too long for us to add floor to ceiling storage in the corner of the room (yup, it was that big).
We replaced our comically large ceiling fan with this comically small one.
I expected things to get a lot less flowy around here, but to my delight, this small but mighty fan blows even stronger than the giant one!
Our laundry dries under it in 6-8 hours 🤯
110) Slim storage alternatives
When you don’t have space for full width shelves, consider these slim line alternatives:
Common mistakes to avoid when organizing a small space
111) Mistakes to avoid
A small space is less forgiving than a larger home so little mistakes can have an annoyingly large knock-on effect.
Here are some common small space mistakes to avoid:
Overfilling the space with furniture
Not utilizing vertical space
Not maximizing natural light
Choosing the wrong lighting fixtures (too big / too low)
Not giving everything a home
Too many things on horizontal surfaces
Not considering the needs of each individual in the home
Lack of storage
Not reviewing organization to check that it’s still optimal
Not utilizing multifunctional furniture
Too many small decor items
Not regularly decluttering
Prioritising space for things that you rarely do (host overnight guests, entertain, etc.)
How to maintain the organization of a small space over time
112) How to stay well organized:
Follow the one in, one out method, which means that you focus on replacing items, not adding additional items.
Let your containers be natural limits - e.g. if your Christmas decoration box is full, you don’t need to add any more (unless you let go of some you already have)
Regularly declutter to stop mess and clutter from becoming overwhelming again - we keep a donation box by the front door to encourage us to declutter on an ongoing basis
Regularly review your organization - Does this still work here? Is this easy enough to access? Would it be easier for this to be kept over there instead?
Do a teeny, tiny, tidy every day
Lean on DOOM bags on days when you’re too tired to do a thorough tidy
Prioritize multifunctional, flexible and space saving items whenever it comes time to buy
Try not to buy anything unless you know exactly where it’s going to live
Conclusion
Organizing can seem like a daunting task, but hopefully knowing that you have all of these small space organization, design & living tips and strategies to cherry pick from, it feels more manageable.
Don't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box, and you’ll transform your small space into a functional and stylish area that works for your unique needs and lifestyle in no time!
For more inspiration on how to create space in your life, check out this post next.
And don’t forget - if you haven’t moved into your small space yet, here’s the free downsizing guide.
Happy organizing!
