5 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Small Space
Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels
Every one of us struggles with keeping a clean, well-organized space sometimes. Life is busy, and arranging and organizing often becomes an afterthought. But having an uncluttered space is deeply important for our mental health.
Though the act may be time-consuming, or the thought energy-draining, it doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s a personal office, a bedroom, or a college dorm room, here are five simple tips to make the most of your current space.
01 | Rearrange furniture.
A quick way to freshen up any space is to reorganize. Try putting a desk in a different corner, a shelf against a different wall, or a chair at a different angle. Even if it seems awkward at first, give it a chance — you may be surprised with the outcome.
A good tactic is to arrange your furniture in a way that provides more storage (whether underneath, on top of, or around it). The more clutter you can hide away, the nicer and more convenient your space will immediately feel.
02 | Utilize containers.
As a college student living in a dorm, I’ve had to get creative with how to fit my things comfortably in a tiny room. One trick I’ve used is to make the most of my containers.
For me, this meant squeezing all my clothes into two dresser drawers so I had more storage in the top one. It could also mean filling as many boxes or totes as possible and storing them under a bed or table. When in doubt, put it in a box.
03 | Organize shelves & surfaces.
While storage is helpful, displays are also a wonderful way to boost satisfaction, beauty, and inspiration in your space. Take advantage of flat surfaces, display picture frames, odd collectibles, or a vase of flowers.
Too much could make your surfaces look cluttered, but you’d be surprised at how many odd trinkets and vases will fit together nicely on a shelf or desk, so experiment — push the limits.
04 | Make use of wall space.
Walls don’t often enter discussions of saving space, but mounting things on your empty wall space is an amazing way to free up your drawers, dressers, and desktops.
Tools like Command strips and hooks help to hang shelving and pictures without damaging paint or walls, and can be used to hang hats, keys, and jewelry as well. Sticky tack is also a useful option for hanging items up without creating holes anywhere — perfect for hanging posters and small signs or lightweight picture frames, and it’s also handy for securing items on surfaces.
05 | Hang cork boards.
On the topic of utilizing wall space, hanging cork boards has helped me immensely in maximizing my space.
Tacks on a cork board, similar to Command hooks, provide space for important papers, jewelry, keychains, accessories, and much more. Pin an inspirational message or a recipe; hang a dog leash or a pair of glasses — get creative with it.
In short…
The spaces we spend the most time in easily become crowded and messy. But our environment directly affects our mental health, so it’s important to take care of our space. Rearranging furniture, making use of containers, and utilizing wall space are great places to start. Don’t wait to create a place you can be comfortable and upbeat in. The first step may be the hardest, but the end result is worth the effort.
