While the “Tiny Home” movement might be a hit among trendsetting, hipster twenty-somethings, most people don’t live in small homes or apartments by choice. We all have our stuff, and clutter isn’t a pleasant word that we want to use in describing ourselves, or our stuff. The truth is, however, that many of us allow clutter to spill over and take over our lives, our homes, even our workplaces. And when it comes to organizing our own tiny spaces, we simply don’t know where to start. So we helplessly watch the clutter grow into a living, breathing, out-of-control organism.
Do It Yourself Closet Hacks for Small Spaces
Well, lucky for us, there are a number of simple ways to organize your space to reduce clutter in the bedroom. Ultimately, eliminating clutter might require you to get rid of unneeded possessions and start cleaning as you go, but there are also simple organizational products that can help you optimize your living spaces.
Just think about the concept of origami, the art of making shapes out of boring square of paper, and apply it to organizational home products (no, you don’t actually have to buy products made from paper!).
Tip 1: Invest in Folding Shelves
The simplest types of these products can be unfolded and set up within 20 seconds. Even more complex folding shelves only require a tool or two and can be assembled in less than 15 minutes. If you’re looking to make the most out of limited closet space, these simple additions can be a huge help. In addition to folding shelves, there are also hanging shoe racks and organizers that let you fit more of your stuff into a tiny, cramped closet.
Tip 2: Practice Proper Organization
Men and women of all ages will want to get rid of clutter, and doing so often requires some elbow grease. The truth be told, most of us need some type of system to help us sort out our things. From the dorm room decorator to the down-sizer whose kids have grown and flown, there are times of transition that call for a new organizational regime.
In addition to keeping a tidy home from day to day, identify certain times of the year to complete a top-to-bottom reorganization of your closet and living spaces. This will also give you a chance to get rid of unwanted items throughout the year.
Tip 3: Identify Your Unique Storage Needs
We’ve covered some simple ways to organize your closet, but people often end up using their closet as a catch-all for items that don’t have any other place. By organizing the other spaces in your home, you’ll also free up more space in your closet.
Men between the ages of 18 and 65 who utilize their garage space for tools and equipment other than the car will appreciate the many garage cabinets and racks available for storage. Women aged 18 to 65 will love the storage items designed for dorm rooms, bedrooms, kid’s rooms, kitchens, and nearly everywhere else in the house. Moms are always looking for ways to organize their children’s many toys, clothes, and other paraphernalia. Interestingly, studies have shown that most moms will experience a higher stress level when trying to deal with disorganization in the home. Even better, being organized helps them to feel more relaxed and gives them the opportunity to use their creativity.
Tip 4: Run Out of Closet Space? Build Your Own DIY Closet
This is a tip that many urban loft dwellers will already be familiar with, but it also applies to older homes that come with impossibly small closets.
Every apartment needs organizational products, and with the right racks and folding shelves you can effectively build your own mini closet for the bedroom. Especially in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston, where apartments can run quite small, these products are a lifesaver. Wall mount racks are ideal for holding keys and hats, while under the bed bins can free up space in your dresser and closet.
How many times have we all put our keys or our phones down, who knows where, and had to devote at least an hour searching them out? Research tells on us. Recent reports indicate that the average person will devote, in a lifetime, 3,680 hours looking for all the items we put down and can’t remember where. That’s 153 days out of our lives wandering the abyss looking for lost articles!
Don’t Just Practice Organization At Home
The office is another great place to show off your new DIY organizational skills. A survey of office workers in 2010 showed that 82% feel that being organized does wonders for their achievement at work. If you can, invest in extra shelving for office supplies and paper products so that everything can be stored in one easy-to-access location at work.
In every sphere of your life, it pays to eliminate clutter and add organization. You might be surprised just how much you’ll benefit from a little bit of order in your life.