Living in a small space isn’t often the problem. The real issue is what we do (or don’t do) with the space we have. Whether you live in a tiny apartment, a compact house, or a cozy studio, you’ve probably felt that frustrating moment where your home starts feeling very cluttered and disorganised.
If there’s only one thing I’ve learnt from living in a small house, it is that small spaces have the potential to be the most stylish, efficient, and cosy – if they’re well-organized. The key is decluttering strategically, using space-saving solutions, and making intentional choices with decor and furniture. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 45 ways to declutter, organize, and beautify your small home, covering everything from what to purge to how to create a space that feels bigger, brighter, and more serene.
Decluttering: Letting Go of What You Don’t Need
1. Start with a Ruthless Declutter
Small spaces demand efficiency, and that starts with letting go of what no longer serves you. If you haven’t used it in the last six months (or you forgot you owned it), it’s time to donate, sell, or toss it.
2. Use the “One In, One Out” Rule
For every new item you bring into your home, remove something else. This prevents clutter from creeping back in.
3. Declutter Room by Room
Trying to declutter your whole home in one day is overwhelming. Instead, tackle one room (or even one category) at a time – clothes today, kitchen gadgets tomorrow.
4. Ditch the Duplicates
No one needs six spatulas or 20 coffee mugs in a two-person household. Keep your favorites and donate the rest.
5. Digitize Paper Clutter
Scan receipts, important documents, and sentimental cards, then store them in cloud storage. Less paper, less mess.
6. Minimize “Just in Case” Items
We tend to keep things for “someday” that never comes. I’m very guilty of this, especially for clothes that are no longer my size. Be realistic – if you haven’t needed it in the past year, you probably won’t need it next year either.
7. Set Limits for Everything
Give every thing a defined space. If your books don’t fit on your bookshelf, it’s time to downsize.
8. Declutter Sentimental Items Thoughtfully
We all live sentimental items – Whether it’s gifts or abstract drawings our kids bring home from school. To keep a tidy house, instead of keeping every childhood drawing or old love letter, select a few meaningful pieces and store them in a memory box.
9. Be Honest About Hobby Clutter
If you bought supplies for a hobby you’ve abandoned (goodbye, unfinished knitting project), pass them on to someone who will use them.
10. Purge Expired and Unused Items
Check your pantry, bathroom, and cleaning supplies for expired or unused products. These places tend to hoard a lot of things that should be binned and can take up valuable space.
Organizing: Maximizing Every Inch of Space
11. Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
When you have a small space, you want furniture that can serve multiple functions. Think about buying pieces like storage ottomans, beds with drawers underneath, and foldable dining tables to get the most out of your money and space.
12. Use Vertical Space
When you’re in need of space , use your walls and go vertical. Tall bookshelves, wall-mounted shelves, floating shelves and hanging organizers keep things off the floor and free up space.
13. Store Seasonal Items Out of Sight
Those big winter jackets can make your hallway or hall closet look very cluttered. When it’s off season vacuum-seal seasonal clothes and bedding, then store them under the bed or on high shelves.
14. Use Clear Storage Bins
When it comes to storage, whether it’s your art supplies, or kids Legos, see-through bins help you find what you need without rummaging through everything.
15. Make the Most of Door Space
In a small home, over-the-door organizers are great for storing shoes, cleaning supplies, or pantry items.
16. Utilize the Backs of Cabinet Doors
In any area of your house with cabinets, use stick on adhesive hooks or small organizers items. It can be anything from measuring spoons, or bathroom essentials with handles.
17. Roll, Don’t Fold
Ever hear of the Marie Kondo the home organisation guru? From following her show, I learnt that rolling clothes and towels saves space and keeps drawers neat. I tried it and haven’t looked back since.
18. Label Everything
Once you have created a storage system, use Labels to help keep system in place. Labels will help you know where everything goes and what you have no room for so clutter doesn’t creep back in.
19. Zone Your Spaces
Define clear zones – one shelf for coffee supplies, one basket for workout gear – so everything has a place and can easily be returned at the end of each day.
20. Store Items Where You Use Them
When things aren’t stored where they’re used, they tend to pile up in random spots instead. This is how you end up with receipts on the nightstand, and shoes scattered everywhere.
If you always take off your shoes by the door, keep a small basket right there instead of expecting yourself to carry them to a closet in another room. Keep cooking utensils near the stove, skincare by the bathroom sink, and keys by the front door for efficiency.
Creating a Lovely, Inviting Space
21. Choose Light Colors
How you decorate can have a big impact on perceived clutter. Light, neutral colors make a space feel bigger. Examples of light neutral colors you could use on your walls and furniture include white, beige, or soft pastels.
22. Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space
Ever wondered why narrow hallways often have a mirror? It’s because a well-placed mirror reflects light and makes a small room feel twice as big. Whether it’s just a wall mirror or a full length standing mirror, every small home needs mirrors.
23. Hang Curtains High
Improperly hung curtains can make any space look disorganised.
Ensure you replace heavy curtains with light and breezy curtains. Mount curtain rods close to the ceiling to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of taller ceilings and space.
24. Let in Natural Light
Speaking of curtains again, make sure to avoid heavy curtains and keep windows clear to let sunlight brighten your space.
25. Opt for Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains maintain privacy while allowing light to filter in, keeping your home feeling airy.
26. Keep Surfaces Clutter-Free
Busy surfaces are the bane of every small home. For a clutter-free looking home, It’s very important to limit the number of decorative items on surfaces. A minimalist aesthetic makes a space feel more open.
27. Add a Few Statement Pieces
Overcrowding the home with too many decorations is another mistake most people make. Instead of many small decorations, choose a few larger, high-impact decor items that don’t look too busy.
28. Use Cohesive Storage Solutions
One way to get a cohesive look in your small home is by using matching bins, baskets, and containers. Start by thinking about the type of aesthetic you want in your home, then go ahead and buy storage that match with your theme e.g boho, neutral, modern etc. This will create a streamlined, uncluttered look.
29. Incorporate Plants
Plants add life and freshness without taking up valuable space – keep it simple, go for hanging planters or wall-mounted shelves.
30. Choose Furniture with Legs
Ever wonder why Scandinavian homes look so organised and airy? It’s the leggy furniture! furniture (and.g sofas) with legs will create an airy feel, making small rooms seem more spacious. If you’ve made the mistake of getting chunky sofas without legs – it’s not too late to swap it for lighter furniture.
31. Hang Floating Shelves
Floating shelves aren’t just trendy; they’re lifesavers. Whether you need extra space for books, skincare products, or that growing collection of scented candles, these shelves keep things organized without taking up valuable floor space.
32. Stackable Storage
We’ve all stuffed things into a closet, slammed the door, and hoped for the best. Stackable storage bins help you maximize every inch of space without the risk of an avalanche when you open the door.
33. Install a Pegboard
A pegboard in the kitchen, office, or entryway lets you hang everything from cooking utensils to keys. It’s practical and gives that effortlessly cool, “I know how to organize” aesthetic.
34. Get a Foldable Desk So You Can Work Without Losing Your Dining Table
If your kitchen table doubles as your office, it’s time for a foldable desk. A wall-mounted drop-down desk or a compact foldable table gives you workspace when you need it and disappears when you don’t.
35. Use Nesting Furniture
Nesting tables, stackable stools, and ottomans with hidden storage are the MVPs of small spaces. They’re there when you need them and tuck away neatly when you don’t.
Maintaining a clutter free space
36. Create a 10-Minute Tidy-Up Routine (Yes, It Works)
Instead of waiting for the weekend to clean (and then feeling overwhelmed), set a timer for 10 minutes each day. Pick up stray socks, wipe the counters, and put things back where they belong. It’s shockingly effective.
37. Make Your Bed – Because It Magically Makes the Whole Room Look Better
A messy bed makes the entire bedroom feel chaotic. Take two minutes in the morning to straighten the sheets and fluff the pillows. It’s an instant upgrade to your space (and your mood).
38. Store Shoes Near the Door (No More Searching for the Missing Sneaker)
A simple shoe rack or basket by the door keeps your most-worn pairs easy to grab and prevents shoes from spreading all over the house like they have a mind of their own.
39. Fold Laundry Immediately (Future You Will Thank You)
We all know the struggle of the laundry chair – that pile of clean clothes that never makes it to the closet. Folding laundry right away means less clutter and more sanity.
40. Keep a “Clutter Basket” for Random Junk That Doesn’t Have a Home
Instead of letting little things pile up on the counter, keep a small basket where you toss random items. Empty it once a week, and you’ll never have to deal with mystery clutter again.
41. Use Hooks for Instant Organization (Because We All Forget Where We Put Things)
Need a place for keys, purses, or dog leashes? Hooks near the door, in the bathroom, or inside cabinets create easy grab-and-go storage for everyday essentials.
42. Give Everything a Home (If It Doesn’t Have a Spot, It Doesn’t Stay)
If something doesn’t have a designated space, it becomes clutter. Whether it’s your mail, hair tools, or reusable grocery bags, assign everything a place and stick to it.
43. Keep Decor Simple (Less Stuff = Less to Clean)
A small space feels bigger when there’s breathing room. Stick to a few well-chosen decor pieces instead of crowding every surface. It makes your home look intentional and put together.
44. Follow the 5-Minute Rule (Because Small Messes Add Up Fast)
If a task takes less than five minutes – putting away dishes, hanging up your coat, sorting the mail – do it right now. Tiny efforts prevent the “how did my home turn into chaos?” moment.
45. Love Your Space, No Matter the Size
At the end of the day, your home should be a place you love. Small doesn’t mean cluttered, and cozy doesn’t mean cramped. When you take the time to organize and decorate intentionally, you create a space that truly works for you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy decluttering!
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