If you’re living in an apartment or a small home, then you may be dealing with a general lack of storage space. While there are countless ways to add storage to even tiny areas, a better option is to spend some time focusing on purging and moving items out of the home completely.
Image credit: FrameAngel | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
As you lose the stuff you don’t really want or need, your apartment will look larger and have more open space for the treasures you love.
Consider the worst-case scenario
Ask yourself what you would be the most devastated to lose in a disaster. The belongings you would replace first are the things you love the most and should hold on to.
If you’re looking at something and realize that you wouldn’t bother to replace it at all, then you should probably put it in your donate box.
Set small goals
Deciding to purge an entire apartment at one time is a lofty goal, and it may not be very realistic. A better option is to work towards smaller goals. Give yourself 15 minutes to purge 15 items out of a closet or one room. Do this every day and you’ll eventually reach your goal.
Function over form
When you’re living in an apartment, focus on keeping items that have some purpose beyond just making you smile. While you will undoubtedly keep several items that only have sentimental value, you should make sure that you’re not getting too bogged down with sentimental attachments to ordinary items.
Do a little remodeling
While you may not be able to do everything when you are renting, there are still plenty of things you can do for updates, especially if you own the apartment. Consider the impact of small upgrades or remodels. Everything from adding longer curtains to getting new kitchen cabinets can make your space seem bigger.
When getting rid of items for these updates, consider renting bins to store the waste and have someone haul it away for you. Since you probably won’t have enough room in your trash cans or the dumpster, this is a great option to make the process of the updates more simple.
Go digital
When it comes to things like movies, pictures and music, another option is to go digital. Once the items are converted to digital format, they can be secured on a computer. Back everything up onto a disk and possibly an external hard drive for added security. Once this is done, you can either get rid of the originals or move them into your off-site storage shed.
Remember to change habits
As you get your place organized and start finding great furniture that can do double-duty as storage, remember to also change your habits. With limited space, you need to be very selective about what comes into your home. You also need to be a little more ruthless when it comes to letting go of those items that you no longer love, need or use on a regular basis.
One of the side benefits of living in a small apartment is that you’ll save a great deal of money. Not only does your place cost less, but you’ll spend less money on useless stuff that you really don’t need. You can also add some cash to your pockets by selling those great items that you’re de-cluttering.
Informational credit to Ontario Trucking And Disposal
Anita Ginsburg
Latest posts by Anita Ginsburg (see all)
- Tips for Keeping Your Home Organized Without Losing Its Charm - August 15, 2016
- Tips for Healthy Eating When Work Gets Busy and More Demanding - August 10, 2016
- Fashion for Mom: Stylish Looks Without Sacrificing Comfort - July 27, 2016