Efficiently Downsizing Your Home

Moving to a smaller living space shows just how much more sustainably and efficiently you can live. With these small house storage ideas, you can have a smaller footprint and a beautiful home with space for everything you need. 

Planning Your Downsizing Strategy 

Planning to downsize before you move saves a great deal of time and trouble. A rethink of all your belongings helps avoid difficult decisions later on. Rather than trying to cram everything into a smaller house and small storage, go through your things first and assess which items are the most useful.

Essential Storage Solutions for Small Spaces 

Storage solutions for small spaces, like fold-away tables, shelving, and hollow seating benches, offer intelligent ways to maintain a busy household with everything in easy reach. Consider investing in a few storage-friendly pieces for your new home. 

Multi-Functional Furniture 

Furniture that serves multiple functions, like storage ottomans, sofa beds, and bookshelves with storage boxes, help maximise the use of space and add interest to your rooms.

Vertical Storage Options 

Shelving units and wall-mounted open storage features allow you to make efficient use of high space whilst adding colour and texture to walls and windows.

Creative Hidden Storage Ideas 

Creative storage for small spaces, like under-bed drawers and tables with cabinet space, takes up no additional real estate but provides convenient hiding places for everyday things that can clutter up living areas.

Organising Tips for Small Households 

When moving to a compact space it’s good to keep an open mind about where things are kept. For example, don’t worry if gym bags and electrical cords don’t necessarily go together. Things that are used often do well in a shared space, especially in high-use areas. And if you’re wondering how to get more storage, you may need a new freestanding sideboard or cupboard. Attractive pieces like these are incredibly useful, even with limited floor space. But don’t get hung up on home design pictures. You don’t want to emulate minimalist style when space is at a premium.

Decluttering Techniques 

There are plenty of websites offering practical tips for decluttering and sorting through your things. One technique is to assess each item of clothing in turn and see what truly speaks to you. You can quickly establish the most essential and complementary wardrobes for each season and get rid of things you never wear. And rotating clothes every few months is a great way to get good use out of everything you own. In fact, it’s far more practical than big cupboards full of clothes you forgot you even had.

Using Labels and Bins 

Label the inside of drawers and bins to file items quickly and bring a sense of order to the house. Instead of random items kept in many different locations, a smaller home tends to have things organised in useful categories. 

Maximising Closet Space 

Bring high-use items to the front of drawers and cabinets for visibility and easy access. There’s also a variety of closet organisers and shelving systems to consider that will help you save space and improve visibility across all your belongings.

Maintaining an Organised Small Home 

Regular sorting and decluttering, spring cleaning, and a seasonal wardrobe refresh are great techniques for maintaining an organised small home. 

Regular Maintenance Tips 

It’s good practice to go through cupboards periodically and sort the things you really need from those you haven’t used in years. It helps keep the house clean and puts favoured items in high rotation. Extend the life of clothes, for example, by offloading items you never wear. It can be a great source of additional income or a charitable donation to someone who really might need it.

Smart Storage Investments 

High-quality, versatile storage solutions bring enormous charm and practicality to a new home.  A good shelving system, for example, can transform a kitchen and make cooking meals so much easier.  Keeping food preparation spaces free not only helps you keep them clean but inspires the creation of more delicious meals at home.

Wrap Up and Make Space Work for You 

When creating storage for small spaces, look at lifestyle solutions that make your life simpler and more sustainable. Invest in good quality, versatile clothing pieces, for example, and avoid ‘fast fashion’ wardrobe cloggers wherever possible. You’ll soon find that the efficient use of space creates a welcome calm and a better appreciation of what you have. Smart furniture and small space storage solutions also show you how to get more storage even in the smallest living space. See more small space storage ideas on our blog.