5 Decluttering Tips We Can Learn From the Tiny House Movement

5 Decluttering Tips We Can Learn From the Tiny House Movement

Was it one of your New Year’s resolutions to get organized? If so, it is not too late. And I have great news! You have a lot to learn from the minimalist experts — advocates of the tiny house movement. These homeowners have shown us how we can adapt to small spaces with style and comfort.

When you squeeze everything you own into a few hundred square feet, you need to make the most of every inch. However, that doesn’t mean piling things everywhere as if you were applying for a starring role on “Hoarders.” Here are five decluttering tips you can learn from the tiny house movement to make your pad less cluttered.

1. Stick to Kitchen Essentials

If you like to cook, you’ve likely collected all kinds of kitchen odds-and-ends over the years. Do you have a set of everyday plates and a second of “good” china that you pull out for holidays only? Do you have a pressure cooker than never sees use or a waffle maker you haven’t pulled out in years?

Tiny homeowners have learned to make their kitchens work with the bare minimum. Fold out tables, hanging storage and other solutions let them keep a good supply of pots, pans and spoons, but ditching unused gadgets is an essential trick.

Everything is collectible, but you run the risk of losing essential space by keeping things for “someday.” Put that stuff on the market now and use the money to take a much-needed vacation.

2. Look to the Sky

No matter how much horizontal wall space you have, your home always has at least 7 feet of height. Look up — see how much unused storage area you have?

You  can install shelves and bins for various items, all while keeping them safely away from toddlers’ curious hands. If you don’t want tapioca fingerprints all over your new iPad, up it goes. Plus, you can include a few houseplants between items to beautify your decor and freshen your indoor air.

3. Use Doors More Effectively

Open your closet door and take a look. Now, envision it covered with pegboard, including a spot for every handbag, belt and costume necklace you own.

When you have a tiny house, you have to get creative to find a home for every item. You learn to look at open spaces — like the backs of doors — as utilitarian devices. Whether you add storage solutions to household doors or  repaint them the same color as the wall to open up visual space, embrace creativity. Soon your doors can aid in decluttering your living space.

4. Hooks and Baskets Are Your Friends

Another way to use vertical space while creating a cozy, rustic look is by using baskets to organize items. Place one multi-tiered hanger in the kitchen, and now you have a stylish place for your fresh farmers market apples and pears.

Use baskets to organize other areas, too. Do you have a  stash of unused cables sitting near your computer desk or entertainment center? Conceal them with a model deep enough to hide the cords. Do your kids’ Legos threaten your bare feet when you go into their room to check on them at night? Even young toddlers can learn to toss their toys in an open container.

5. Furniture Can Double as Storage

If your bed frame sits a foot or more above the ground, you’re lucky. You have the perfect place to stash anything from holiday decor to your seasonal sweaters. All you need is a set of attractive boxes. You can get  creative with wooden containers that you build if you are handy with a hammer.

Do you look forward to kicking up your feet at the end of the day? Why settle for a traditional space-wasting ottoman when you can find a storage version that doubles as a place to keep your favorite cozy throw? Of course, you also need a couch — look for one that has a hidden bin underneath.

Embrace These Decluttering Tips Courtesy of the Tiny House Movement

Thanks to the tiny house movement, you now have five decluttering tips at your disposal. Use them to get your current castle in ship-shape this coming year.

This is a guest post from Evelyn Long. Evelyn is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She writes home decor and improvement advice for homeowners looking to upgrade their skills.

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