How to Keep a Small Home Organized Without Breaking the Bank
Storage is the secret to a tidy and pleasant home, but those with smaller houses or apartments often have to deal with a severe lack of it. Worse still, it can feel like the only way to improve the situation is to spend a fortune on bespoke closets, modular furniture, and other complex storage solutions. However, keeping a small space organized is all about clever tricks and hacks, as well as a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into some home projects. Below are some ways to stay organized without doing serious damage to your budget.
Shop for Bargains
The easiest way to keep costs low when boosting storage is one that many people don’t tend to think of. There are plenty of beautiful and practical storage options available at major retailers, but don’t make the mistake of just walking into the store and picking them up.
Instead, go online to find the best offers for your favorite home stores, like Home Depot. And remember that a number of different retailers, both local and national, offer a variety of ways to save. While it might take some digital legwork to find the best deals, you will save a lot of money as a result of your hard work.
Do It Yourself
If you’re more of a tinkerer than a shopper, DIY skills can help in your search for storage on a budget. This is especially true if you already have a full toolkit, but if you don’t, there are ways to get what you need without spending a fortune. For example, you can look up tool sharing services in your area to find people happy to rent out their kit for a fraction of the cost.
Discover Unused Space
Is there space in your home you aren’t using? Your first instinct might be a resounding “no,” but think again. Most homes actually have loads of underutilized space, you just need to get better at identifying it and coming up with solutions.
Are you utilizing your walls? If not, why not set up some box shelves? These examples by Family Handyman are easy to make and can cost as little as $20. You can either place nice-looking objects on them or use pretty baskets and containers to store just about anything out of sight. To save money on these items, check out retailers like Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
Are you using the space under your furniture? Many sofas, beds, and cabinets have gaps beneath them. Cheap under-the-bed storage comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, many of which will fit under other furniture items — but remember to measure it first! Also, keep in mind that you can protect your budget by shopping at stores like Crate and Barrel. Make sure to use Crate and Barrel coupons to find savings.
Get Rid of Excess
Sometimes, the best way to keep your space organized is to reduce the amount of stuff in it. Decluttering is a scary word for many, but it can actually be extremely fun and liberating. Best of all, if you sell some of it, you may even make a profit.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to go full minimalist to feel the organizational and mental health benefits of decluttering. Just getting rid of the things you don’t actually use or want anymore can make a huge difference. Think about it — how many books, clothes, and other assorted knick-knacks are you keeping out of sheer habit? If you have some difficulty narrowing down what you don’t use, why not try one of these decluttering techniques?
Use these tips as a starting point in your quest towards better storage. The possibilities are quite literally endless, so be creative in both your bargain-hunting and DIY to achieve the maximum effect. Now, all that is left to do is for you to transform your home into a stylish, practical, and tidy space fit for the glossy pages of an interior magazine.