When your home is small, it can feel like there’s not enough room to get things done. When that happens, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by clutter and forget how fun your little apartment actually is.
With a little effort and organization, though, you can make any space feel cozy and inviting—even in a small apartment!
Below I’ll share some tips for getting rid of clutter (but keeping the good stuff) so that you can enjoy living in your tiny abode without feeling like it’s too much work.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Decluttering is the first step to organizing a small apartment. |
| – Maximize storage space with creative solutions like vertical storage, under-bed storage, and multi-functional furniture. |
| – Embrace a minimalist design approach to create the illusion of a larger space and prevent clutter. |
| – Consistent cleaning and decluttering routines are essential for maintaining an organized apartment in the long-term. |
| – Investing in furniture that can easily be moved or stored away can help create a functional layout in a small apartment. |
Make Your Bed Every Morning
Making your bed every morning is one of the easiest ways to get started on cleaning up your apartment. It’s also one of the simplest ways to feel better, because making your bed creates order and starts you off with a clean slate.
If you’re like me, when you open your eyes in the morning, it can be hard to muster up any motivation for getting out of bed.
But once I have my sheets pulled back and my pillows fluffed up, I feel like I’ve accomplished something; that whatever messiness was lingering from last night has been dealt with (at least for now).
If a messy space makes me feel less motivated and inspired, then maybe it’s time to give myself a little boost by tidying up before starting my day!
There are lots of great reasons why making your bed every morning is important:
Making your bed helps keep clutter at bay so that clutter doesn’t spread into other parts of life too much—you know what they say: “You’ll always find what you’re looking for!”
So if there’s something missing from life right now (like energy or inspiration), taking care first thing will help bring those things closer together again instead of putting them further apart.
Maximizing Storage in Small Spaces: Are you feeling cramped and cluttered in your small apartment? No worries! Our guide on maximizing storage in small spaces provides creative solutions for enhancing storage and organization in your living space.
Keep Your Desk Clean
Now that you’ve organized the rest of your apartment, it’s time to focus on your desk. A clean, tidy workspace will make you feel more productive and calm.
First off: keep everything in one place. Use a tray or basket to hold pens, pencils and other items you need handy while you work at your desk. If you have room on top of the tray or basket (or if there’s space next to where it’s sitting), put any papers that need filing right there too.
That way they’re easy to grab when it comes time for filing time later in the day—and if something doesn’t get filed right away but belongs somewhere else in the house (like bills), just leave it on top until then!
Next up is keeping things tidy overall: use an organizer like those pictured above for storing important documents such as tax info and health reports; have one dedicated area set aside for mail; designate another spot(s) specifically for mail inboxes one inbox per person living here works well!
Finally, keep computer cords organized so they’re out of sight (but still easily accessible). It’ll also be helpful if each person has their own phone holder/charger setup so everyone can charge their devices without having them plugged directly into outlets all over the place–this helps ensure safety during storms or power outages since only one device can be charged at once this way
Don’t Save Items “Just In Case”
You may be wondering, “Where will I put these things if I throw them away?” The answer is simple: you don’t need to worry about that. If the items are important and meaningful, they’ll find a way back home to you.
But if they’re not, then it’s okay for them to leave your life. You don’t want clutter in your space anyway—you want it cozy and comfortable!
Declutter Your Studio Apartment: If you’re having trouble finding space in your studio apartment, it may be time to get rid of some things. Check out our tips and tricks for decluttering your studio apartment to create a more open and spacious feel in your home.
Put Your Clothes Away
The first step in organizing your small apartment is putting all of your clothes away. This may seem obvious, but it’s something that people often forget to do when they’re rushing through the day. If you don’t put your clothes away immediately after you wear them, they will end up on the floor or in a pile somewhere.
You also don’t want to keep clothes that you haven’t worn in months or years in your closet because they take up space and can make it harder for you to find what you need when getting ready for work or going out at night.
If there are items of clothing that aren’t currently being worn but still have some value (i.e., are unworn), this is where storing things becomes important!
There’s nothing wrong with keeping one pair of jeans, one dress shirt and one pair of shoes that aren’t currently being used as backups if their styles have not been discontinued yet—just make sure not too much space is dedicated solely towards these items!
Clothing Organization Tips
| Tip | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Put clothes away immediately | Keeps your space tidy and clutter-free. Makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. |
| Use functional hangers | Helps preserve the shape of your clothing and saves space in your closet. |
| Invest in storage solutions | Maximize closet space and keep your clothing organized and accessible. |
| Embrace minimalism | Reduces the number of items you own, making it easier to stay organized. |
| Donate or sell unused clothing | Eliminates clutter and frees up space in your closet for items you actually wear. |
Putting your clothes away immediately is a simple but important step in maintaining an organized living space. Using functional hangers and investing in storage solutions can also help maximize your closet space and keep your clothing organized and accessible. Embracing minimalism and donating or selling unused clothing can further eliminate clutter and free up space in your living area.
Get Rid Of Old Boxes And Paper Clutter
When you’re faced with a small apartment, there is no room for clutter. There will be no space to store it. Keep your belongings organized by emptying boxes and getting rid of any old papers that are no longer necessary.
If you have sensitive documents in your home, shred them before throwing them away. You can do this with a paper shredder that easily fits into any cupboard or drawer, or by taking them to an office supply store where they will shred the documents for free.
Once you feel like you have removed all unnecessary boxes and papers from your home, consider storing important documents like birth certificates and financial records in a safe place such as an office or fireproof box outside of the house.
Small Space Living: Living in a small space may pose a challenge when it comes to decorating and organizing. Our guide on small space living offers insightful tips and hacks to make the most out of your tiny apartment and transform it into a cozy living space.
Keep Your Storage Containers Organized
Container organization is an important part of any small-space living situation. For the most part, these simple storage solutions can be used in a variety of ways and spaces.
Baskets are great for storing accessories and knick-knacks like magazines or books that are not currently being read or listened to. You can also use a basket as a catch-all for mail and other items that may be lying around the apartment but don’t belong anywhere else yet.
Clear containers provide visibility into what’s inside them so you don’t have to rummage through everything just to find something specific.
Labeling your storage containers will make them easier to find when looking for something specific, too! Use a label maker if possible; it’s one less thing you have to go through every time you want something from one of those containers (and no excuses!).
Use The Back Of The Door For Hanging Storage
One of the best ways to utilize space in your small apartment is to hang things on the back of your door.
This can include coats, hats, bags and scarves. If you have a jewelry box or hooks that are not being used in another area of your home then hanging them on the back of the door is an excellent idea as well.
The Hanging Door Organizer from Ikea is perfect for this because it’s simple, easy to use and cheap!
Creating a Cozy and Organized Living Room: Your living room is the heart of your apartment, and it should reflect comfort and personality. Take a look at our guide on creating a cozy and organized living room to learn how to organize and decorate your living space while maintaining a cohesive and stylish look.
Buy Furniture With Hidden Storage
If you’re looking to buy furniture with hidden storage, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to find pieces that will fit your space and your lifestyle.
For example, if you live in an apartment with only one closet, most of the items in your living room probably need their own enclosed space for storage—you don’t want them taking up too much valuable floor space!
Second, consider buying furniture online if you have no other options. On sites like Wayfair and Home Depot (or vertical sites like Thrive Market), they offer free shipping on many of their items but only within certain areas (like metro areas).
If this is an issue for you because of how far away from civilization we all seem to be moving these days (and let’s face it: maybe we should move back toward civilization), then opt out of ordering online before checking out all other methods first since some local stores may still offer free delivery services as well as other perks like free assembly upon delivery or discounts based on frequency purchases.
Lastly once again though… there will always be exceptions! Just make sure whatever company/store/online seller says “free” isn’t really just means “$20 off.”
| Considerations | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Size and functionality | Look for pieces that fit your space and provide ample storage for your belongings. |
| Material and design | Choose furniture that complements your style and decor while also serving a functional purpose. |
| Type of storage | Consider whether you need shelves, drawers, or a combination of both to best organize your belongings. |
| Brand and pricing | Research different brands and pricing options to find furniture that fits your budget and quality expectations. |
Buying furniture with hidden storage is a great way to maximize your living space while keeping your belongings organized and accessible. When looking for furniture with hidden storage options, consider its size and functionality, material and design, and what type of storage it provides.
Additionally, researching different brands and pricing options will help you find furniture that fits both your budget and quality expectations.
Use Vertical Space For Storing Items
You can use vertical space to your advantage and maximize the storage potential in your small apartment.
Hang things on walls! Hooks and shelves are great for hanging clothes, accessories, and even decorations. They’re also a great place to store anything else you want out of sight.
Look up! Ceiling fans have a lot of room above them—so take advantage by storing extra linens or blankets there.
Think underneath! The floor has several more square feet than you might imagine under couches, beds and tables (even if they’re made from light materials). Underneath places like these are often prime spots for storing things like sporting equipment or other items that might not fit elsewhere.
Hide away everything you need access to but don’t want visible at all times (like toiletries). This way you can keep things organized without cluttering up the living room space or kitchen countertops unnecessarily.”
Maximizing Closet Space: Does your closet feel overwhelmingly stuffed and disorganized? Our guide on maximizing closet space offers helpful tips and tricks to declutter, organize, and maximize your closet space, so you can easily find the items you need without feeling overwhelmed.
Store Shoes In Plastic Boxes Under The Bed
This is a really simple and effective way to store your shoes in an organized way. You can buy plastic boxes that are specifically made for storing shoes or you can use any other kind of box you have lying around the house.
Just make sure it’s big enough so that your shoe fits inside it easily, without being too big or falling out of it.
Plastic boxes work best because they’re sturdy and easy to clean, plus they provide good ventilation so your shoes won’t get musty over time (which can happen if they’re stored in cardboard boxes).
If you want to keep them even more organized, print labels with each person’s name on them before putting the shoes into the plastic box so everyone knows whose pair is whose!
Shoe Storage Solutions
| Storage Solution | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Plastic shoe boxes | Keep shoes organized and visible. Easy to stack and store under the bed. |
| Over-the-door shoe organizer | Saves floor space and provides convenient access to shoes. Can be used on the back of a closet or bedroom door. |
| Shoe bench | Provides a designated space for putting on and taking off shoes. Often includes additional storage options. |
| Hanging shoe rack | Maximizes closet space and keeps shoes organized and accessible. A good option for small closets. |
| Shoe cabinet | Offers an enclosed and secure storage option while still providing easy access to shoes. Can also double as entryway furniture. |
Storing shoes in plastic boxes under your bed is a simple and effective way to keep your footwear organized and within reach. However, different storage solutions may work better for different shoes and living spaces.
Consider using an over-the-door shoe organizer, a shoe bench, a hanging shoe rack, or a shoe cabinet to maximize space and keep your shoes easily accessible and properly organized.
Make Your Apartment Cozy With Wall Art And Plants
If you’re looking to make your apartment feel more cozy, consider adding some wall art. Not only do they add color and texture to the room, but they also help make it seem larger.
They can also be a great way to express your personality in creative ways and serve as a reminder of what’s important in life.
Some ways that you can use wall art to make your small apartment feel bigger:
Use mirrors effectively by putting them on opposite walls from each other (a mirror is essentially another window). Mirrors not only reflect light but also give the illusion of more space. It’s also important to try not to hang them up directly above other pieces of furniture—you don’t want anything blocking their full effect!
Add plants! Put some potted plants on top of bookshelves or closets where they won’t block windows or doorways.
This will add color into otherwise bland spaces while helping with air quality too! The right kind of greenery can even help control humidity levels which helps prevent mold growth around vents etc…
Cozy Apartment Décor Ideas
| Decoration | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Wall art | Adds color and texture to the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. |
| Plants | Improves air quality, reduces stress, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the living space. |
| Area rugs | Provides a soft and comfortable surface for your feet, creating a cozy and intimate feel. |
| Scented candles | Creates a relaxing ambiance and fills the room with a pleasant fragrance. |
| Throw pillows and blankets | Adds comfort and style to chairs and sofas, making them a perfect addition to any welcoming and cozy decor. |
Adding wall art and plants to your apartment can make it feel more cozy and inviting. Additionally, incorporating area rugs, scented candles, and throw pillows and blankets can create a warm and comfortable environment that promotes relaxation and tranquility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking to organize your small apartment and make it cozy, we hope that this article helped you.
The key is to keep things simple and organized. You don’t need to buy expensive furniture or storage solutions; instead, focus on organizing what you already have in an easy way that makes sense for your lifestyle!
Further Reading
Here are some other articles you may find helpful in organizing your small apartment:
Organizing Ideas for a Small Apartment: Homes & Gardens provides a comprehensive guide on how to organize your small apartment with clever storage and creative layout ideas.
Tips for Organizing a Small Apartment: HGTV offers tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your small apartment space without compromising on style and functionality.
How to Organize a Tiny Apartment: New York Magazine’s Strategist breaks down the essentials for organizing your tiny apartment, including useful products and space-saving tips.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers related to organizing a small apartment:
How do I maximize storage space in a small apartment?
There are several ways to maximize storage space in a small apartment, such as using vertical storage solutions, investing in multi-functional furniture, and utilizing under-bed storage.
How do I create a clutter-free living space in a small apartment?
To create a clutter-free living space in a small apartment, consider minimizing your possessions, adopting a more minimalist lifestyle, and embracing creative storage solutions for items that you cannot part with.
How do I create a functional layout in a small apartment?
To create a functional layout in a small apartment, start by mapping out your available space and identifying any problematic areas. Consider investing in furniture that can easily be moved around or stored away, and focus on decorating with light colors and mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space.
How can I decorate a small apartment without it feeling cluttered?
To decorate a small apartment without it feeling cluttered, embrace a minimalist approach to design and only display décor that holds significant meaning or purpose. Consider opting for multi-functional furniture or floating shelves to eliminate the need for bulky objects.
How do I maintain an organized apartment in the long-term?
To maintain an organized apartment in the long-term, establish consistent cleaning and decluttering routines, frequently reassess your possessions and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose, and prioritize functionality over appearances when purchasing furniture and décor.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.