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5 Secrets to Staying Organized in a Small Space

October 13 // 2 Comments // 6 Minute Read

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Learn to enjoy your small space! These 5 secrets to organization for small spaces come from my own experience living in a 310 square-foot RV and will help maximize every inch!
 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
 
Tired. That's the best word I can think of to describe the way I felt about our smaller-than-average home. Oh, when we bought it, I had grand visions of minimalist living (and a lower mortgage payment!). But I soon became overwhelmed by HOW to stay organized in a small space. Then I read these 5 secrets and overhauled every room one by one., maximizing our storage. It worked! And now I'm happy to be home again!

Out of all the apartments Joseph and I have rented (well, only two!) and the homes we’ve had (again, we’ve bought and sold two), none have been as small as the home we live in now.

A 310-square-foot RV.

Our smallest apartment was 750 square feet and at the time, I couldn’t imagine living in anything smaller!

But our adventurous streak overruled our desire for extra space, so we packed what we could into a 33.5′ Fifth Wheel and have spent over a year on the road. I can’t see us stopping anytime soon either—we love this life!

So I know what it’s like to live in a small house.

We have, however, had to make a LOT of adjustments when it comes to our minimal living space.

Organization for Small Spaces: The Obstacles!

Small spaces present many challenges (maybe you’ll recognize a few in your own home!):

  • Sometimes children need to share a room (and maybe they don’t get along or have very different personalities)
  • Your “home office” may also be known as the kitchen counter
  • Limited “storage” space for sentimental items (here’s how I tackle this)
  • Hallways feel cramped, like you can’t pass one another without touching
  • Tiny living areas may have barely enough room for a couch and a chair (so you’re always afraid your guests feel uncomfortable)
  • There’s no dedicated pantry space

Just to mention a few!

But challenges like these don’t discourage me, and they shouldn’t discourage you either.

Instead, let them inspire you to find functional and beautiful organization solutions that maximize your space in such a way that you’re so comfortable, you don’t even miss what a larger home could offer.

cabinet organization

This is exactly what I did.

I pinpointed problem areas and brainstormed possible solutions.

Some were easy fixes (like buying an extra storage container) while others required more elbow grease (like adding pull-out drawers to our skinny pantry).

pantry organizers

But by the time Joseph and I finished moving into our RV, we still had one empty cabinet. That’s how effective the following ideas for organization for small spaces are!

Use them to create extra breathing room in any small-sized home (whatever small means to you) and you, too, will find space to spare.

Next up on your reading list: The 12 best cabinet organizing products from Amazon.

1. Pair down what you own

This sounds so simple, but decluttering is a MUST when it comes to organization for small spaces.

If you want to (or have to) live in a smaller space and you don’t want items falling out of cabinets or multiplying on the countertops, you need to ruthlessly declutter each area of your home.

Donate or dispose of things you barely (if ever!) use anymore, while keeping in mind that minimalism is not just about having less, it’s about regularly using and finding purpose in every item you own.

MAKE YOUR DECLUTTERING DREAMS COME TRUE

Ready to declutter your home fast? All you need is ten minutes to power through these clutter-prone hot spots!

If you’re not totally convinced you can do this yet, pack what you can away in a closet and count the number of times you remember what’s in there. Whenever I do this, I’m always surprised by how much I forget, which means I probably don’t need to hang onto those items in the first place.

Psst… if I can do this with my wedding dress, you can do it with anything!

2. Invest in double-duty furniture

Don’t you just love it when one item does the work of two?!

When space is at a premium, look for items that function in multiple ways, so you can get the most mileage out of what you buy.

For example:

  • Invest in a pull-out couch instead of a bed
  • Upgrade your ottoman to one with storage
  • Use a console table that has extra shelves where you can sneak in a few baskets and bins

Having a small table in the RV was a necessity, but I still wanted to have friends over for dinner when we met up in different states. This IKEA table hides an extra leaf inside so we can easily go from two seats to four in seconds!

The bottom line? Find items that take up the same amount of space (or less!), but offer multipurpose perks.

3. Look for Unexpected Storage Spaces

In a similar way, organization for small spaces can often be found when you look for ways you can add storage to what you have, whether it’s going up, behind, or underneath.

  • LOOK UP: Maximize vertical space with over-the-door storage, by attaching hanging organizers to the wall, or adding extra bins on top of the fridge or cabinets. Scroll back to the photo above and you’ll see two tan canvas bins near the ceiling. We knocked out an annoying shelf to create extra storage space!

  • LOOK BEHIND: Turn your kitchen cabinets into storage space by adding hooks to the backside for kitchen beaters, spoons, pan lids, etc. You can even buy shelving units that fasten to the inside of doors to create even more space.

  • LOOK UNDER: Add horizontal totes under the bed, slide your drying rack under the couch (that’s what we do!), or attach a power strip underneath your desk so its not hanging out on the floor.

One of my favorite ways we added more space in the RV was to turn the space under the bed into a functional storage area.

Joseph added some shelves to help keep the totes off the floor (our bed is on a slide-out motor that we pull in when we drive) which allowed me to pack away some seasonal decorations, books, and Joseph’s favorite, board games!

4. Contain Everything

Pinterest has proven that baskets and bins make things feel so much more put together and less cluttered, even behind cabinet doors! This is one of the biggest secrets to organization for small spaces.

From canvas, to plastic, to wicker—big, medium, or small—baskets solve all your organizing problems with a fairly small investment at the dollar or craft store.

Look for areas where there are a lot of little items you could group together:

  • Books on a coffee table
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Small snacks in the pantry

This helps keep flat surfaces clear and clutter-free—just throw the item in a bin. We once didn’t have a place for shoes and just buying a container for them makes a huge difference!

(Y-Weave Basket from Target)

5. Keep it Up!

Trust me, the only way to keep a small home from feeling cramped again is to maintain it going forward. These secrets to organization for small spaces will only help you if you’re committed!

  1. Be very choosy as to what comes into your home. I like to abide by the one-in, one-out rule. Whenever you bring something in, you must take something out!

  2. Do a 10-minute tidy every day. Make this a habit. Pick up pillows off the floor, fold blankets, clear off the countertops—set the timer and see how much you can get done in 10 minutes!

  3. Declutter often. Decluttering is never a one-and-done thing. Think of it as a journey. Always keep tabs on what you use and don’t use when you’re combing through your closet or a drawer. Keep a donation box or bag on hand so you can slip the time in there quickly and drop it off the next time you run errands!

Don’t forget…

As you consider the challenges of small space living, don’t forget all the perks of what it’s like to live in a small house, too!

  • You have less to clean and maintain
  • Your home feels cozier and more intimate
  • You’ll spend less each month (on your mortgage & utilities)
  • You save money buying only what you really need (because you don’t have as many places to put it)
  • You save time because you don’t have to declutter as much or as often
  • …just to name a few!

So don’t buy bigger just because it feels like that’s what you’re supposed to do when you make more money or grow your family. Learn to enjoy your small space!

You’ll have more disposable income to spend on the things that matter and more time to spend with the people you love because you’re not managing all the possessions you’ve accumulated.

Best of all, you might never have to downsize. 😉

Let’s chat in the commentsT

What do you love most about your small home? Do you have an organizing tips to share?


Pin this post to reference later:
Tired. That's the best word I can think of to describe the way I felt about our smaller-than-average home. Oh, when we bought it, I had grand visions of minimalist living (and a lower mortgage payment!). But I soon became overwhelmed by HOW to stay organized in a small space. Then I read these 5 secrets and overhauled every room one by one., maximizing our storage. It worked! And now I'm happy to be home again!
Tired. That's the best word I can think of to describe the way I felt about our smaller-than-average home. Oh, when we bought it, I had grand visions of minimalist living (and a lower mortgage payment!). But I soon became overwhelmed by HOW to stay organized in a small space. Then I read these 5 secrets and overhauled every room one by one., maximizing our storage. It worked! And now I'm happy to be home again!
Tired. That's the best word I can think of to describe the way I felt about our smaller-than-average home. Oh, when we bought it, I had grand visions of minimalist living (and a lower mortgage payment!). But I soon became overwhelmed by HOW to stay organized in a small space. Then I read these 5 secrets and overhauled every room one by one., maximizing our storage. It worked! And now I'm happy to be home again!

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Mason Smith says

    October 9 at 1:28 pm

    I love your advice to just “ruthlessly” declutter so that you don’t have unneeded items taking up space. My brother is thinking about moving into a new apartment that is closer to his place of work. He needs to find a way to be organized so he is comfortable living there.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 9 at 1:43 pm

      Yes! It can be hard to get rid of stuff but it’s so worth it to have a home that’s pleasant to be in – even if it’s small!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
💬 | INFJ / Enneagram 1
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What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣ ⁣ You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣ ⁣ See, we’re all different! ⁣ ⁣ Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣ ⁣ Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣ ⁣ What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣ ⁣ I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣ ⁣ But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣ ⁣ As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣ ⁣ Why? ⁣ ⁣ No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣ ⁣ And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣ ⁣ There are too many good ones out there anyway. Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣ ⁣ This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣ ⁣ Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣ ⁣ What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣ ⁣ These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣ 2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣ 3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣ ⁣ That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣ ⁣ What planners/journals are you using for 2021?

Self-care is just as important as making your famo
Self-care is just as important as making your famous sugar cookies this holiday season. 🍪⁣ ⁣ Because let’s be real. ⁣ ⁣ That Hallmark-esque Christmas magic disappears the moment disagreeable family members annoy you. Or when you feel irritable over too many late nights and little-to-no sleep. Or when expectations over meals and traditions and social activities fall short and leave you feeling disappointed. 😬⁣ ⁣ But instead of dwelling on these stressful moments and using them as an excuse to completely disconnect from reality (as I’m often tempted to do!), view them as an opportunity for you to respond with poise. 💞⁣ ⁣ ➕ Journal your feelings. ⁣ ➕ Go for a walk. ⁣ ➕ Prioritize what’s essential. ⁣ ➕ Remember to breathe.⁣ ➕ And try not to eat your feelings…okay?⁣ ⁣ Here’s your permission slip if you need one: You don’t need to do or participate in everything! Take a time out when you need it. 🙌⁣ ⁣ That’s the best way you can protect your emotional well-being over the next few days.⁣ ⁣ Merry Christmas, friends! 🎄


I know you’re ready for this year to be over. 🙋‍♀️ The last twelve months brought so many hard things into our lives—relationships were lost, our country became more broken and divided than ever, and oh yeah, we walked through a pandemic too. 🦠 🤯 No biggie, right? Ha! 😅 And while it’s easy to look back and wish we could skip 2020 altogether (or at least insist on a do-over), I don’t want this year to be the one where the hard overcame the good. 💕 Just as hard days don’t mean ruined days, hard years don’t mean ruined years. 2020 can still be good. 💪 For me, I want to remember the fun and exciting things we did. The adventures we had. The new shows we watched, and the books we read. The new life hacks and things I discovered that made my life easier or just brought me joy. 💞 You’ll find it all in my latest blog post (link in profile). If you still need to buy a gift for a loved one (or for yourself!), you’ll find plenty of fun and affordable ideas to fill up the rest of your gifting list. 📦 Otherwise, enjoy a stroll down the good side of 2020’s memory lane and leave your favorite things in the comments so I can try them. 👋


Pro minimalism tip: Use double-duty appliances. 🤯⁣ ⁣ With limited kitchen space, I have to be super careful about what appliances we invite into the RV. We already had an Instant Pot, Ninja Blender, and a Food Processor. But I really wanted an air-fryer! ⁣ ⁣ With no place to put it, I discovered that Instant Pot made a dual instant pot/air-fryer product. So I gave my instant pot away, and my mom bought me this one for an early Christmas present. I’ve only played with it a couple of times but I’m already in love! 💕⁣ ⁣ Kale chips...sweet potato fries...broccoli. I’m basically an air-frying queen now. And I can easily switch back to the instant pot whenever I want. Yay for two appliances in one! 🥳⁣ ⁣ Q: What is your favorite appliance to use? Is it double duty? 🤔


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