In my Tour My Little Home post I pointed out some small space living tips, but here’s some more:
Don’t keep things you don’t use. The more stuff you have the more room it takes up and the easier it is to look cluttered. So regularly go through your belongings and sell, giveaway or toss things that you don’t use.
Don’t keep things out you don’t use very often. For example, if you have a small closet only keep that seasons clothes in it and keep the out of season clothes somewhere else, like in a tub under the bed, in the garage, attic or any out of the way place. This goes for kitchens with small counter space too. Unless you use an appliance everyday, it’s probably better to keep it in a cupboard.
Use items that serve multiple purposes. If you’re in a small space every item you own takes up precious space, so if that item can do more than one thing making it so you don’t need as many items that’s a plus! For example, I put my kettle away, because I can heat water in one of my pots just as well, and I need to have my pots out for cooking anyways. Another example is things that serve a useful purpose and are decoration, like hanging up a pretty tray. It keeps it out of the cupboard giving you more space there and you can still use it as a tray.
Use lots of wall space!We hang, coats and scarves (in winter), my purse, helmets, backpack, and even our laundry hamper on the wall.
The top bunk we use as storage.
Store under and in anything possible. We store stuff under our bed and under and behind our couch. And we turned the top bunk on our daughters bed into storage.
Make use of outdoor space. If your place is too small to have many people over try grilling outside. You can use outside sheds to store extra things and for your washer and dryer.
Use optical illusions to make your house seem bigger. Mirrors, light colored walls and keeping the blinds open so you can see outside all seem to make small spaces feel a little bigger.
And if you feel sorry for yourself about living in tight quarters, remember all the benefits!
When my husband and I got married we moved into an old little 2 bedroom cottage with really great rent. It was spacious for just the two of us, but by the time I was pregnant with number three the place seemed way too small. I needed a house! But that wasn’t what God had in store for us at that time, and I was afraid to pray for a house, because I remember someone saying “be careful what you pray for, you might get it.” And anyway, we were saving so much money living there. Well, I didn’t really need a house, but we did need a way to fit three small children into one tiny bedroom. I had been reading in the Psalms lately how David prayed with such expectation, knowing that God was going to provide for him, though he didn’t know how. I started to pray for bunkbeds. We couldn’t even afford that. But pretty soon the Lord provided us with the exact kind of bunkbeds I had in mind (the ones we had at college), for free, complete with mattresses. These were made for adults, and so will last us until our children are grown and so we won’t need to upgrade as the kids get bigger. Time has passed and I am now pregnant with number five. I’m glad we didn’t buy a house then, because God had a major move in store for us. When we moved into our new house in Florida, I remember standing in the kitchen ready to cry, “Is this whole kitchen really all mine?” I needed to learn to appreciate what I had before God provided us with something bigger at the right time. It’s nice to see good attitudes in small places.
Thanks for sharing Brandy! And congrats!! So excited for you!!
Katy, I love your optimistic attitude! That is exactly how to be happy no matter where God puts you. I’ve lived in a 1 room apartment through almost every size and shape to the house I have now, which is too big for me alone. But I loved each place and we have great memories of each of them, just as you and Cameron and Gracia will through the years.
Thanks Corley!
Katy -I know this is an old post – but just found you through frugal girl’s post. DH and I are moving from an 1800 sf caretaker’s apt at my work to a 700 sf garage apt outside of town with our 2 big dogs and cat. You’ve truly inspired me and I’ve already started cleaning out the garage and planning a big garage sale this weekend. I love your attitude and am looking forward to living in a smaller space and living frugal! Thanks! I’m looking forward to more living in small spaces tips!
Thanks! Happy Small Space Living!! If you come up with any great tips or ideas while doing it, let me know!