Expert: Jamie Novak - 7/3/2006

Question
Hi, I live in a small, rented room which doesn't have a lot of storage space. I'm getting down because I make small efforts to clean my room, like doing all my washing to get it off the floor, hoovering etc. But then everything just gets on top of me again and I'm getting really down over it. Please help...lol

Answer
Boy I know what that's like! But small spaces can actualyl work in your favor. I've worked with people in NYC that have tiny studio apartments and we've made it work really well.

I think you might need some creative ideas for small spaces- once everything has a home then you can put it away instead of leaving it out. That should help a lot.

Here are some of my best ideas, good luck! I'm here is you need anything else and please visit my website www.JamieNovak.com you can sign up for more ideas to arrive on Monday's it's called the clutter challenge.

·   Use your vertical space. For example, go with a bookcase that goes floor to ceiling instead of a shorter one that just catches clutter on top.

·   Multipurpose furniture. An example is an ottoman that opens for storage or a trunk or chest doubling as a coffee table.

·   Use the backs of room doors and the insides of cabinet doors.

·   Use the perimeter of the room. Install shelves eighteen inches below the ceiling on all or some of the walls.

·   Store items under the bed.

·   Hang items like pots and pans.

·   A decorator table with a floor length tablecloth disguises storage area underneath.

·   Don’t want to use a closet as your makeshift mudroom? Try placing an armoire in or near the entryway. The doors can still hold hooks and the shelving and hanging space will be much appreciated. If adding an armoire would make the walkway too narrow, see if it is possible to recess the armoire into the wall.

·   Another alternative to the no mudroom dilemma is to place a baker’s rack in the entryway. The shelves and cabinets should do the trick.

·   Try an armoire for small spaces, as a craft area, as a home office, as a work and tool area, as a bar, as a gardening area, as a laundry station etc.


·   Another creative storage solution for the living space is to substitute a trunk for your coffee table; it offers a large amount of storage in addition to making a distinct statement. An ottoman with storage inside and a tray on top makes a table when needed and extra seating at other times. A small chest of drawers works well as an end table.

·   Instead of buying new you can modify an existing coffee table or end table to make it more functional. Place a basket, container, or rolling bin beneath the table to make use of the previously wasted space.

·   Store spare towels in the bathroom. Short on space? Here are some creative storage options. Roll the towels so you can fit more on the shelf. Store rolled towels in a wall-mounted towel rack or a wine rack. You can also purchase a towel stand, which fits about ten folded towels, or stand rolled towels on end in a basket.


Three Steps to Organizing in Small Spaces:

1.   Downsize
2.   Organize/Containerize
3.   Maintain

Before you can organize an area you have to discover what is there. No sense buying a tub to hold 12 black sweaters when you may end up keeping only 4. So my first step is to look through what you have and purge. You can donate, gift to family and friends, toss or tag for a garage sale (not recommended).

Separate all your items keeping like with like, again, all your black sweaters into one pile. Then sort through them all keeping only what you use and love. A good test the one-hour test, if you were told you had to evacuate in one hour what would you take with you?

Now that you have pared down to just what you use and love step two is to get it organized. Where will the items live? Everything must have a home that is easy to remember and easy to get to. In small spaces you need to be creative. Here are some great overlooked storage ideas:

Under the bed
Bookshelf in your closet as extra shelves
Hanging from the ceiling
Shelf extenders
Lazy Susan’s
Rollouts
Space over doors
Folding/lifting tables
Space above toilet tank
Hook behind doors
Store inside seeming else (out of season wardrobe in luggage)
Closet organizers
Drawer organizers
Furniture that doubles as storage (ottomans, tables, benches)
Corner shelving
Over the sink

Items need to be stored where they are used. There is a reason we do not keep the crock-pot in the bedroom and we keep our coats in the closet closest to the door. Once you have an idea where it is going to live, what will it live in? Will your spices live on a tired spice rack in the kitchen cabinet over the stove? There are inexpensive and useful products on the market today.

Maintaining is the final step. It is easy

No collections
Limit magazines
One in one out rile
How long will you keep something

7 Unique Ways to Use an Armoire

I.   As a mudroom in the entryway
II.   As a craft area
III.   As a home office
IV.   As a work and tool area
V.   As a bar
VI.   As a gardening area
VII.   As a laundry station

***NOTE*** you may already own some of the items I mentioned here, but if you go to www.freecycle.org you can find people in your own town giving away things like this or you can post a request for one of these itmes and there is never a charge!