The Clutter-Busting Guide for Small Spaces and Rentals

If you’re living small – say, 800 square feet or less – you know that clutter is one of the number one issues that makes your home feel cramped.

The second stuff starts piling up on tables, counters, desks, and other surfaces is when the walls start feeling like they’re closing in on you.

The truth is, to avoid clutter overload when you live small, all of your possessions need to have a home. If there’s no obvious home for some of your stuff, then you need to make one.

Create a larger-looking abode, and achieve the home organization you’ve always dreamed of, with this guide for small spaces to bust clutter for good.

Home Organization for Renters: A Guide for Small Spaces

Avoid burning out while you get rid of clutter and tackle one of these jobs at a time. Move through them as often as you see fit.

Magazines, Mail, and Catalogs

If you have magazines and catalogs strewn around your home and unopened mail covering the counter, then you need a place for it all.

Start by gathering everything. Magazines and catalogs go in one pile, and opened and unopened mail each get their own stack.

Go through the magazines and save the ones you still want to read. If you’re saving an issue for one article, cut it out and put it in a folder. Toss or recycle the rest. Put the stack you intend to read on a bookshelf, in a bin, or just pile them neatly on the coffee table so you don’t forget.

For your mail, you can purchase mail organizers that sit on your counter. Designate one slot for opened mail that still needs your attention. Another slot is for unopened mail. Toss or recycle everything else – unless it’s a letter from your grandma.

Kitchen Utensils and Dish Towels

A cluttered kitchen makes for unhappy cooking. Corral the stuff and give yourself more room to work.

Go through your utensils and implements. Do you have three spatulas or two whisks? Weed out multiples and tools you can’t remember ever using. The ones you reach for most often should go in a container right by the stove. Ones you use less often can go in a drawer.

Next, gather all of your dish towels and inspect them. If any look ratty, you can recycle them. Keep the ones in good condition in a separate drawer, or put them in their own bin and stick them in the cupboard.

Bathroom Products

If your bathroom is exploding with products, potions, and lotions, you need to cut back.

Start by gathering all your products in one location (yes, all of them). Separate the ones you use daily. Recycle empty bottles, put less frequently used items in the closet, and get rid of products you never touch (gift them to a friend, or pour out the product and recycle the bottle).

Home Organization Takes Constant Upkeep

After your clutter is handled, remember to repeat these tasks often to keep it under control. Cutting excess is the first step to home organization for renters and small space living.