Decorate With Intention: Keeping Tidy in Smaller Spaces
Living in a truly small space can be a fun challenge — or just plain
frustrating. Each small space is unique, and working out the best
solutions can feel like putting together a really complex jigsaw puzzle.
Make the most of every inch by sneaking in storage, paring down to the
essentials and honing in on what you really love. Be patient with
yourself, and know that it takes time to live with a space before you
learn what works best for you.
Tidy need not equal minimal. While there is no getting around the fact that less stuff usually means less mess, that doesn't mean you can't have fun and express your style. A home can feel full, vibrant, colorful and glamorous while still being neat enough for company.
Read on for 13 ideas to help hide clutter and keep your space neat and pretty, no matter the size.
Tidy need not equal minimal. While there is no getting around the fact that less stuff usually means less mess, that doesn't mean you can't have fun and express your style. A home can feel full, vibrant, colorful and glamorous while still being neat enough for company.
Read on for 13 ideas to help hide clutter and keep your space neat and pretty, no matter the size.
Slim down your technology.
Let go of the bulky desktop computer and rely on your laptop; trade in
your old stereo for a sleek little iPod dock; mount a slim flat-screen
TV on the wall — and watch your space open up.
How Portability Can Make You Happier at Home
How Portability Can Make You Happier at Home
Studio dwellers — divide your space wisely to avoid clutter overflow. Separating
your bed from the rest of the room (with a partial wall as shown here
or with a decorative screen) will remind you to stop tossing things onto
your bed. It's worth it to preserve your bed area as a space used
solely for rest. Cluttering it up can interfere with sleep.
Know when to conceal and when to reveal.
No, we're not talking about fashion, although the same rules apply in
this instance. Having too much concealed storage can make a room feel
closed off, while having everything out in the open can seem messy. The
living room featured here strikes the right balance — a tailored table
skirt can hide storage below, while a storage basket stowing magazines
is visible beneath the acrylic coffee table.
See the rest of this house
See the rest of this house
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No room for bookcases? Try vertical shelving.
If you are a book collector without a place to house all of your
favorite tomes, consider switching to one of the vertical shelves on the
market now. They take up practically no floor space yet hold tons of
books — all while looking fresh and interesting.
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Use chic French market baskets anywhere you notice clutter piling up.
One on a small side chair (or on the floor) in the bedroom can hold
accessories or clothes you need to hang up. Another on the bathroom
doorknob can hold extra hand towels or collect laundry for hand washing.
Make wall hooks a staple by every door. Use
them at the entrance for coats and bags, in the kitchen for aprons and
dish cloths, and in the bathroom for robes and towels.
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Keep your counters clean and clear.
In a small kitchen, this can make all the difference. Really think
about which small appliances you use daily, and put the rest away. In
fact, consider whether you can swap out some of your small appliances
for even tinier versions — perhaps a French press instead of that giant
coffee maker?
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Get rid of uni-taskers. Tiny
kitchens require ruthless dedication to the multipurpose tool. Any
superfluous gadgets and rarely used items do not deserve a place. If you
are an avid cook, perhaps try limiting yourself to one boxful of
specialty items — remember, every inch is precious, and it's no fun to
cook in a seriously cluttered kitchen.
Take advantage of kitchen wall space. Slim
shelves and hooks can hold cups and plates, and knives look sleek
mounted on a magnetic strip. Just remember that anything in open storage
will be on display, so choose your loveliest items to put front and
center.
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Choose storage pieces whenever possible.
Hidden storage is your friend! Ottomans with lift-up lids are perfect
for quickly chucking in kids' toys, remote controls and messy piles of
magazines. But it doesn't stop there — instead of a side table, choose a
cabinet; instead of a plain bench, pick one with under-seat storage.
Sneaking in extra pockets of storage here and there throughout your home
will add up to a cleaner, tidier space.
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by Incorporated
by Incorporated
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Give up wall space to gain major storage. If
you are really having a problem keeping things in order, it could be
worthwhile to construct a floor-to-ceiling cabinet system. Yes, you will
be losing valuable wall space — but having a storage system this vast
can feel life-changing.
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Embrace fold-up finds for the laundry.
If your washer and dryer are on the main floor of your home with little
to no storage space around them, you'll have to get creative with your
laundry accessories. Try mounting a storage shelf on the back of a door
to hold detergents, and look for collapsible drying racks and ironing
boards that you can slide in beside your machines.
Tell us: What's your best tip for living in a small space?