The latest statistics show the median size of a single-family home is about 2,300 square feet. If you live in a big city, chances are your living space is much smaller.
Do you feel like the walls are closing in? Are you out of cabinet and closet space? Is it time to free up space so you can function better?
Read on for 7 smart ways to free up space using smart storage solutions and other tricks.
1. Declutter
If your home feels like the walls are closing in, decluttering is a good first step. Take everything out of closets and cabinets and pile it in the middle of the room.
Does this sound crazy? A little. But putting it all in the middle of the room forces you to get the job done fast.
Go through each piece of clothing first. If you haven’t worn it in a year, give it away or sell it. This opens up a lot of closet space.
Go through books, jewelry, and knick-knacks. If you no longer use or like an item, put it in the “sell” or “give-away” pile. It might make you more comfortable to sell your gold jewelry or other valuable items to a reputable retailer, so take some time to search for one in order to get the best possible value.
Do this throughout the entire house, even the kitchen. Most people have lots of kitchen equipment they never use. It takes up valuable counter and cabinet space.
Do you have meaningful family heirlooms you never use but don’t want to get rid of? Rent a storage space and read these tips for storing heirlooms and other delicate items.
Now you’ve decluttered and stored heirlooms but you still need a little extra space. What next?
2. Inside Door Spaces
There’s a great spot inside the door that often goes unused. Place an over-the-door shoe organizer inside each closet door.
Shoe organizers hold more than shoes. Put scarves, jewelry, and belts inside the slots. The organizers are inexpensive and there’s no messy installation.
There are over-the-door organizers for the kitchen that are perfect for the pantry. Need a place for your knives and cutting board? Hang it inside a kitchen cabinet door.
3. Double-Duty Furniture
Double-duty furniture is the perfect space-saving solution. End tables with shelves hold magazines and remotes.
Ottomans hold extra blankets and pillows, freeing up valuable space in the linen closet. A dining room table with built-in storage underneath offers a spot for the dinnerware you only use once a year.
Tired of searching underneath the bed for your winter sweaters? Get a bed with storage drawers instead.
Need to put two kids in one room to free up space? Use a large bookcase as a room divider. Be sure and secure it from the ceiling or wall so it can’t fall over.
4. Use Vertical Space
Do you have tall ceilings? That’s a lot of unused space hanging out!
Create a loft space for a small office, sleeping, or storage area. If a loft isn’t for you, build tall vertical bookcases or use lots of floating shelves.
You can use something as simple as an old ladder leaning up against the wall for hanging towels. Paint the ladder and use colorful towels. Now you’ve got pretty decor and more room in the cabinets.
If you’ve got tall ceilings inside your closets, you’re in luck. Use clear plastic bins for storage and stack them on shelves. This frees up closet floor space.
Invest in a small step stool for getting things on and off the shelves.
5. Clever Built-Ins
Finding clever ways to free up space is fun. Stairways often offer hidden areas for built-in shelving. If the area under the stairs is hollow, it’s a great place for shelves.
Built-in shelves aren’t always a DIY project so make sure you know what you’re doing before you blast through that wall!
Do you have an under-the-stair closet? What about turning it into a small office nook? It’s possible to free up an entire room if you transfer your computer to an unused nook.
If you don’t have enough room for a nook, try adding drawers or shelves. There are lots of companies that offer tailored solutions.
6. Use Mirrors, Windows, and Furniture
A pretty mirror positioned well makes a room appear bigger. Do you have a nice view from one of your windows? Hang the mirror so the view reflects back into the room.Mirrors don’t add actual space but the appearance of space opens up the room.
The same goes for the right window treatments. Use light, airy window treatments. Heavy draperies darken a space and make it feel smaller.
Heavy overstuffed furniture also makes a room feel smaller. If you’re looking to free up space, use smaller, light-colored furniture.
7. Get Creative with Decor
If your home lacks closet space, get creative with your decor. Do you have a beautiful shoe collection? Why not show it off?Store pretty shoes on floating shelves in the bedroom.
Invert a pretty spice shelf and hang it upside down. Now you’ve got a dowel for hanging clothes with a shelf on top for books or decor. This trick works great in a kid’s room.
Do you have some colorful scarves taking up space in the closet? String a wire from one side of the room to the other against the wall and above the bed. Hang your colorful scarves in lieu of a headboard.
Free Up Space for Living
Now you know how to free up space for living. The first step is decluttering. Toss, sell or give away all the stuff you’re not using.
Be efficient with the space you have by investing in some double-duty furniture. And don’t forget about all the space you don’t use inside cabinet and closet doors.
Don’t let vertical space from high ceilings go to waste! Create a loft or add some shelving.
Look for unused areas under stairs and in corners. These spaces are perfect for built-in cabinets or a small computer nook.
Create the appearance of more space through the clever use of mirrors, windows, and furniture. If you still need to free up closet space, use creative decor ideas, like showing off a scarf or shoe collection.
When you’re done, you’re organized and the house looks amazing!
Looking for more great ideas? Keep reading the blog!
