Home Organization Tips & Techniques for Decorating a Small Home

George Chowanec • February 22, 2021

Remember the saying: “Less is more?” It’s a motto you can apply to all areas of your life, especially when you’re talking about home organization. Working with a smaller space can feel suffocating if you try to cram too much in it.

You’ll start wondering where you can cut furnishing costs and whether or not you really need that bulky sofa you’ve been eyeing for months. Blending fashion and function together in your house doesn’t have to be a chore.

Decorate your small home with six expert home organization tips and techniques:

Prioritize functional decor and fixtures to add more storage space to your home
Purge your home of old items and forgotten belongings more than once a year
Old-fashioned appliances take up less space and add character to a home
Make use of overlooked storage areas, like under beds, behind doors, and above tall pieces
Hang curtains and drapes high to the ceiling to open up the main room
Use a home command center to house an up-to-date inventory checklist

Keep reading to see how six easy tips can quickly help you make sense of the madness in your small living space.

Prioritize Functionality in Your Furniture and Decor Choices

Try to stay away from furniture pieces and decorations that don’t serve a functional purpose in your home. For example, you might repurpose empty jars or tins into storage containers for bathroom toiletries. Pick an ottoman with a storage compartment over a long chaise.

Innovative Home Storage recommends taking advantage of the space in your closets with different custom fixtures, including valet rods and tilt-out laundry hampers. Keep functionality and form in mind when deciding on home upgrades and eliminate the mess before it even begins.

Purge Old Belongings to Make Room for New Purchases

Spring cleaning is a time when homeowners tend to get organized, but you shouldn’t wait for the work to pile up. Get rid of clutter you don’t need monthly or quarterly. Thrive Global recommends using the “one in and one out” rule meaning if you buy a similar item, you get rid of the old one. No duplicates, no sales, and no purchases on a whim “just because.”

It’s also a great way to teach kids in your household to donate toys and other belongings they no longer play with. If you own less and purge regularly, you’ll have fewer things to organize within your small space.

Thrift Vintage Appliances and Decor Items

Retro and vintage appliances tend to be on the smaller side. As Country Living points out, compared to the modern appliances and furniture we use, a vintage or vintage-inspired piece takes up a lot less space. They can also add some character to your home’s overall aesthetic.

Use Overlooked Storage Spaces in Your Home

You may not realize some key storage areas you aren’t using in your home. To keep extra accessories, seasonal clothing, and other items out of the way, take advantage of space under the bed, above appliances, mounted on walls, and even on ladders!

Under the Bed

Got a raised bed? Use the space underneath to slide roomy wheeled drawers or vacuum-sealed storage bags. If you choose thin storage bins, opt for clear ones you can see through and label.

Above Appliances

Look above cabinets and beyond tall appliances, like refrigerators. Wire bins and baskets suit these vertical spaces well.

Wall-Mounted

Bring your belongings up from the floor and fill empty wall space with mounted shelves and baskets.

Ladders

Decorative ladders can really add a bit of character to a room. These thin fixtures allow you to house plants, blankets, and other accessories you’d like to keep out of the way.

Create the Illusion of Tall Ceilings With Curtains

You can create an optical illusion of extra space and tall ceilings if you hang your curtains a certain way. Country Living suggests placing a curtain rod 2-inches below the crown molding and extending it “at least 4-inches on either side of the window. “

With this trick, you elongate your main window while making your room feel taller.

Arrange a Home Command Center to Organize Paper Clutter

Set up a command center in the corner of your kitchen or in a laundry room to keep all of your grocery lists, recipes, coupons, and important household information in one place. According to Good Housekeeping, you’ll only need adhesive folders or pockets.

Stick the folders to the inside of a spice cabinet door to create an easy-to-organize spot. With your home command center, you’ll also cut down on paper clutter.

Conclusion

Organizing your small home might feel like an unwieldy task. Think about how to get rid of clutter at the source and purge your unwanted items. When you make use of overlooked areas and blend form with function, you can easily get a handle on home organization.