GirlsGuideTo | 5 Simple Small Space Storage Solutions

As a recent college grad I understand the importance of keeping a very tight budget. While it would be a dream to go splurge at Ikea and The Container Store, I really don't have the money for it. But, that doesn't mean I can't organize my home and have "a place for everything and everything in it's place." It's even possible in a small space, believe me, my first dorm room was the size of a closet, so I know what I'm talking about. Here are some simple storage solutions for your small space.

First, you need to purge your space. Get rid of all the junk you don’t need or don’t have room for. It’s impossible to make your space physically larger, but you can make more space by having fewer things. Donate, sell, or throw away items you don’t use often, that are broken, or are impractical. If you’re lucky you can even make a little profit by selling items that will come in use during the next step.

Use double-duty furniture.Just like some small-space chefs won’t purchase a tool unless it has multiple purposes, apply this same standard to your furniture. Use ottomans with storage inside, bookshelves for both storage and display, and so on. Sure, this may not work with all furniture, like your armchairs or couches, but it’s a great guideline to try and follow.

Get creative with storage solutions. You don’t need to head to The Container Store every time you want to get organized. Start with what you already have. You don’t need giant plastic containers to corral all of your items either, using baskets or fabric boxes often works just as well, plus they are more décor friendly. When it comes to jewelry storage, use your imagination. I love using a corkboard and pins to hang my necklaces, and it's a nice pop of color above my desk.

Go vertical. Make sure you are utilizing the space on your walls, all the way up to the ceilings. In the bedroom or office, use tall bookshelves for storage. In the kitchen, don’t be afraid to think outside the box (or, in this case, the cabinets) when it comes to storage. Use a magnetic knife rack on the wall for quick access and to create more drawer space. Use S hooks to hang pots and pans from a wall rack above the stove.

Declutter on a daily basis. My boyfriend is the unofficial king of clutter. Clutter enters our home every day, no matter how hard I try to keep it out! There’s fast food containers, junk mail, magazines, newspapers, extra bags from the grocery store, recycling, notes, plastic bottles, etc. – and it will all turn into clutter if it’s not taken care of.

So get into the habit of decluttering on a daily basis! Take 10 minutes or less a day to quickly walk through your home or apartment with a trash bag and toss in all the random clutter you find. This daily maintenance will save you so much time in the long run.

How do you keep a small space looking clean and organized? Share your tips by leaving a comment below!