Living in a small home can present unique storage challenges, especially when the space you do have is filled with furniture, appliances, and other big-ticket items. Follow these top 5 space-saving ideas to keep your small home organized and clutter-free. You’ll be able to find what you need when you need it and make the most of every square inch of your living space!

1) TURN VERTICAL

There’s a lot of space in between your walls and ceiling, but if you think there’s only one way to use it (letting your bookshelves double as a room divider), think again. Use shelves (vertical or horizontal) and furniture like dressers, armoires, and cabinets as a barrier between spaces. In more open-concept homes, these can also create separate rooms without taking up too much floor space. After all, what’s better than creating new rooms out of nothing?

Even smaller pieces of furniture like coffee tables and ottomans have their place when it comes to maximizing vertical space. Simply set them on top of bookcases or other surfaces that are already waist high — you may be surprised at how much extra storage they offer!

2) GET RID OF THINGS YOU DON’T NEED

Living in a small space means there’s nowhere for things you don’t need. Before you rent a storage unit or ask friends and family to keep clutter off your hands, remove anything that doesn’t have a purpose. For example, if all of your cooking equipment fits on one countertop, it may be time to cull some pots and pans. (The same goes for clothes.)

And while it may seem like an investment at first, less is more when it comes to appliances — especially those with limited counter space. You can also save space by keeping everything in its place: Use hooks instead of cabinets for towels and bathrobes, store shoes under beds or in baskets, and hang items from walls instead of stacking them up on shelves. The best part? You’ll declutter your life as well as your home!

3) STORE IT SMARTLY

Take a look at your collection of books, CDs, DVDs, and other media. Do you have some items you haven’t looked at in years? Why not donate them to charity? Keeping unnecessary belongings around is clutter; it makes your small home feel even smaller.

A few simple decluttering tricks can go a long way toward making your space feel more open and spacious. For example, try storing magazines vertically instead of horizontally. This will free up lots of floor space for other things!

4) USE A MIRROR CREATIVELY

Even a small home can seem cramped if there’s not enough storage space. The simplest and cheapest way to take care of that problem is with a set of mirrors. Hang two side-by-side on a wall, creating an L shape, and use them as one large cabinet that reflects part of your room. Use three together in a row (again on opposite walls) to create an impromptu closet.

You can even make these yourself using just tape and reflective material from an auto parts store. We recommend painting or gilding the mirrors for a prettier effect than duct tape will give you!

5) BE INNOVATIVE WITH STORAGE

Storage space is essential for keeping small homes organized. If you have limited closet space, try buying items such as dressers and consoles that double as storage options. If you don’t have much under-the-bed storage, consider getting a bed with built-in drawers or going without a box spring (since they take up lots of space).

Invest in multi-use furniture that can act as decor, too. For example, you can use an ottoman or console table as extra seating in your living room when guests come over and stash away extra blankets and pillows inside when you aren’t using them.

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