Photo: Thrifty Decor Chick

By now it’s old news that Millennials aren’t buying homes at the same rates that their parents and grandparents did, and it stands to reason that the United States would be experiencing a shortage of rental apartments as a result. What is surprising is how substantial the demand for units is – in the second quarter of this year, it spiked 11% compared to 2018 numbers.

As a result, renters may find themselves either paying more each month or squeezing themselves into a smaller space for the same amount of rent. But that doesn’t mean you have to live like a minimalist or a monk! With a little creativity, you can turn a cramped one-bedroom into a cozy haven.

Photos via: Houzz

Make Your Furniture Functional

When you’re short on square footage, you can’t afford furniture that doesn’t provide storage. Instead of a big, bulky unitasker of a coffee table, choose one that has built-in compartments for stashing books, craft supplies, or just plain old clutter.

Stash shallow storage tubs on casters underneath the bed. (Get a bed skirt to hide them from view, if you’re in a studio.) Choose a dining table that folds flat against the wall or an armchair that moonlights as a twin bed if you have frequent guests.

Over-the-Door Organizers

The space behind a door is often underutilized, but it’s actually a really handy place to store stuff. If you’re on a budget, grab a no-frills shoe organizer, or splash out on something with a bit more pizzazz.

These organizers are great for kitchen utensils or dry goods (think snacks, teabags, coffee filters, or even spices), cleaning supplies in the closet, or personal care products in the bathroom. (A clear plastic one works great for holding shampoo and bodywash in the shower or tub!)

Put It on Pegboard

Pegboard isn’t just for the garage anymore. It’s an inexpensive and eminently customizable remedy for the studio apartment blues: cut it to size, spray-paint it, frame it or even cover it in glitter if that’s your style.

Pegboard, along with hooks and/or hanging baskets, is perfect for pots and pans, cooking accoutrements like strainers, art supplies, the art itself, jewelry, home office staples, gift wrap, and even houseplants.

Get Creative with Shelving

Shelves are just about the most ordinary, useful storage solution there is, but chances are you’re not using them to their full advantage. Try stacking individual shelves all the way to the ceiling for a bold look that also keeps your stuff within easy reach.

Aesthetically speaking, cramming every wall full of shelves can be a bit overwhelming and make your space look like a ship’s cabin, so start with a smaller area and see if that suffices.

Or install shelves at the top of every wall, about a foot or so from the ceiling, just big enough to hold storage containers that suit your style. Protip: rather than sturdy-sided boxes or bins, use large woven or fabric baskets that can be nestled together to maximize every inch of space.

Shelves built to fit into a corner are also incredibly handy, and make use of space that often goes underappreciated. If you don’t have quite enough room next to your bed for a nightstand, hang floating shelves either next to or even above the headboard. For a less cluttered, more streamlined look, pick up a small basket or bin to hold essentials like lip balm, tissues, the TV remote, etc.

Blur the Line Between Storage and Décor

Who says your bike has to stay parked in the entryway or take up valuable floor space in the living room? Get yourself some heavy-duty hooks and hoist it up onto the wall for a super-practical, city-chic look.

Other items that can be hung for both storage and décor purposes include vintage purses, sun hats, beautiful blankets or quilts, jewelry, scarves, and neckties. Unleash your creativity and show off your style!

Self-Storage Can Be a Sanity Saver

Of course, even the most carefully utilized space is still going to have its limits. Unless you want to live like a hoarder with stacks of belongings taking up every square inch of your place, there comes a time to cry Uncle and get yourself to a storage facility.

“A self-storage unit can be a boon while you’re moving in and getting settled,” suggests Terry Drayton of Livible, which provides storage units in Boston and the surrounding area. “It will give you some breathing room, so to speak, while you implement clever storage ideas.” If you are from Los Angeles and are wondering what to do about your storage issues, click here to check out self-storage places you can use.

Feeling Inspired Yet?

Making the most of a small apartment or even a tiny home can seem like a daunting project, but look at it as an interior design challenge and have fun experimenting. Before you know it, you’ll have a place for everything and everything in its place, and a stunning living space that you’ll be thrilled to show off to guests!

Have you ever lived in a teeny-tiny apartment? Did you devise any clever ways of storing your belongings, or did you just downsize? Share your best ideas in the comments!

Packing for storage: Important Things to Consider

What you want to achieve is to pack all of your stuff through the most effective and most practical way possible. Start by separating your items and arranging them by category. You can use labels like “keepsakes,” “old books,” “toys,” etc. After labeling, pack them together.

Be sure to be as detailed as possible when it comes to your inventory. This will save you from all the headaches of searching for specific items once it is time to unpack all of them. Moreover, this is crucial in the event that you need to file an insurance claim in case a natural disaster happens and it affects your storage facility.

In terms of the packing materials, do not just use anything that comes into your mind. Invest in clean and durable cardboard boxes, as well as plastic containers. You also need to buy some cushioning materials like bubble wraps, and some quality wrapping and tape, as well as blankets for your furniture. Do not pack your items using plastic bags as this will promote the development of molds.

Furthermore, make sure that all of your belongings are dry before packing them away. The heavy items should be placed at the bottom of boxes while the lighter ones should be on top.

Small Boxes for Heavy Items

Still, on heavy items, make sure to pack them inside smaller boxes. Use bubble wrap for added padding. You can also opt for foam sheets and packing peanuts. Don’t be hasty when packing your fragile stuff. As for the cartons, make sure you fill them tightly. If you only fill half of the space, your items will likely move and collapse the moment you stack them. Before you stack the boxes, make sure they are properly sealed to prevent dust and pests to slip inside.

When it comes to the labeling process, make sure not to miss a single box. Use a permanent marker that is also waterproof. Write important notes and reminders on the boxes like “This side up” or “Fragile” when necessary.

When it comes to furniture, make sure to dismantle any detachable parts before packing them inside boxes. Put the pieces especially the small ones inside sealable plastics.

As for electronic devices, keep them in their original boxes if you still have them. If not, use boxes that are similar to the original ones in size. Looking for San Antonio real estate or homes for sale in Boerne Tx, contact trusted real estate agent Denise Graves today.

By Anita Edwards, Blog Editor at Spekless in Washington, D.C.

We all have stuff, right? But what do you do when you have a small space that just always seems to be overflowing with items? You could move to a bigger home or remodel that tiny bathroom or kitchen, but let’s face it, budget constraints often rule out those options. Another problem for busy parents/housekeepers is to find a residential Maid services Arlington to keep their apartments organized and cleaned most of the time of the day. So what can you do to get the luxury and spaciousness you crave? We’ve pulled together 7 secrets for organizing small spaces to help your existing home feel less cramped.

Remove Clutter

A crucial trick to organizing small spaces is to reduce the amount of stuff you need to store. Extra shoes, blankets, jackets, towels, and other linens take up a lot of storage space. Start by getting rid of anything that you don’t absolutely love or haven’t used in six months. We all love our kids artwork but it can pile up as kids get older. Give each prized piece it’s display time on the refrigerator and scan it into the computer for storage and get rid of those boxes of paper memories.

Reorganize Existing Storage Spaces

One of the secrets for organizing small spaces is to make the best use of your existing storage spaces. Once you’ve removed all the clutter that has been taking up space in your home, it’s time to reorganize what’s left. Take some time to really analyze how you are using your existing storage spaces to see if you can make them work better for you.

Just because you’ve always kept canned goods in the kitchen cabinet under the sink, doesn’t mean that’s the best use of that space. Use small baskets to contain similar items like hair ties, personal hygiene items, or even towels.

Use Dead Spaces

There are likely several areas in your home that might have possibilities for storage such as the space next to your refrigerator, under your beds, even under your couch or coffee table. If you can get the broom, dust pan, and mop out of your hall closet and tuck them next to your stove, you have more room in the closet. Use a rolling or sliding storage product to get all those canned goods into that narrow space next to your refrigerator to open up cabinet space for your kitchen appliances.

Make Good Use of Wall Space

When it comes to organizing small spaces, don’t just focus on hidden storage spaces. Many times you can use hooks, shelves, and wall cabinets to utilize your walls for storage of frequently used items to make them more accessible. Hang hooks on the wall by the front door to get jackets and coats out of the closet and free up closet space for other less frequently used things.

Go Above Your Head

Consider possibilities for storing infrequently used or seasonal items over your head, close to the ceiling. In the kitchen, consider hanging pots and pans, knives, or cooking utensils, using wall mounted strips or ceiling mounted racks. Many people find tons of extra storage space in the garage by adding ceiling storage, hanging bicycles on the wall, and using pegboard for hanging tools.

Use Bonus Rooms Wisely

If you are lucky enough to have a bonus area, such as a garage, attic, or basement, make sure you are using it effectively. Use wall shelving to get boxes and other items off the floor, it can make room for an additional storage cabinet for extra cleaning supplies or seasonal clothing. Many people find extra storage space in the garage by hanging bicycles on the wall or using pegboard to hang hand tools, shovels, rakes, etc.

Analyze New Purchases

Last but certainly not least, experts know that another of the key secrets for organizing small spaces is to analyze new items before you bring them home to make sure they’ll fit and will enhance your space. Look for items that will serve more than one purpose such as a bench, ottoman, or coffee table with hidden storage.

Many people even commit to getting rid of two or three old items before allowing themselves to make a new purchase. If you have a tendency to visit the flea markets, thrift stores, or have trouble with impulse buying, you may need to declutter your home on a monthly or even a weekly basis to keep it organized.

Today’s post was from Anita Edwards – professional writer and editor. She works as blog editor at Spekless, where she shares her own and her colleagues’ tips for cleaning. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and going on day trips with her children.