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Archives for Small Spaces
Up in the air!
This month’s Dwell magazine includes an article titled “Mission Statement” that discusses a rehabilitated home by architecture firm David Baker + Partners. One of the home’s interesting features is a custom rope-and-pulley system Baker installed in the main room to hold bicycles up off of the floor:
We’ve discussed in the past using vertical space for storing bicycles, but never had pictures of how one might live in a room with this solution. The bicycles, at least in this example, become suspended artwork and compliment the modern and industrial details of the room. The home is small, and the floating bicycles are an imaginative storage solution for a cumbersome problem.
If you’re looking for a way to store your bicycles off the floor in your small home, you might consider using a packaged solution or building your own like Baker did in this home. You can view more pictures of the space by clicking on the link to View a Slideshow of the upShift House in the article. Photographs 3, 15, and 16 show the suspended bicycles.
Have you tried using vertical space for bicycle storage? How has it worked? Let us know about your experiences by leaving reviews and links to images in the comments.
Popularity: 8% [?]
We’re downsizing our apartment!
My husband and I are following Matt’s lead and downsizing our home. In our case, we’re moving from an 1800-square foot duplex to a 1200-square foot condo (with a larger kitchen!). Although we don’t have much furniture to get rid of, we have a lot of clutter that we refuse to move with us.
Our goal for the new place is to only bring in items we need, use, or inspire us. To accomplish this, we’re shelling out the extra cash to have our leases overlap for a month. This will give us 4 weeks to sort through every single item we own and determine whether we need to keep it, sell it, or give it to charity. Paying the extra rent money now is worth it to us so we won’t have to pay extra money later in storage fees.
Now, where are we starting?
We’re excited to get moved into the new place, so clearing items off our large pieces of furniture is a top priority. This means that we’re packing up the book cases and desks, and sorting through clothes in the dressers first. We’re also measuring our furniture and the layout of the new place so we can determine ahead of time what will fit and only move those items. After we get the furniture moved, we’ll go through everything that’s left in the old place and determine what we truly cannot live without. Our goal is to have an uncluttered and organized home by June 30.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Multi-tasking gadgets worth sharing
We have recently stumbled upon some fun multitaskers and thought you might enjoy them, too:
An ironing board ladder. It’s an adjustable height ladder and an ironing board in one unit. It’s perfect for people in small spaces.
The Chumby. It’s an alarm clock with a LCD display that connects to the internet. You can listen to music and podcasts, get the weather, view sports scores, hear the latest headlines, play games, and message other Chumby users. Basically, it’s the next generation in clock radios.
USB flash drive bracelet. It’s a piece of jewelry and a 2GB flash drive. I can see these being perfect for high school students who are working on projects at home and at school.
Restoration Hardware’s utility apron. Shove everything you can imagine into the pockets while you’re doing housework or gardening. Thanks to Asha at Parent Hacks for this suggestion!
Here are some other multitaskers we’ve covered in the past: iPhone, credit card survival tool, Swiss army knife, chair ladder, and the Coleman blanket.
Have you encountered any fun multitaskers recently? Please share your finds in the comments section.
Popularity: 11% [?]
How to live simply in a 39 foot RV — From Louise Hornor
The following guest post is from Unclutterer reader Louise Hornor. When I discovered that Louise lives full time in a RV, I asked if she would be interested in sharing her unique perspective on simple living. Thank you, Louise, for writing such a truly inspiring guest post for us!
My husband and I live full-time on the road in a 39 foot tour bus that has been converted into an RV. While this is considered fairly large by RV standards, it is a very small home, especially considering that we share it with one dog, two cats, and four tropical fish.
Keeping things uncluttered is vital for several reasons. First, we travel almost every day. Loose items simply cannot be lying around in a moving vehicle. At best, they will become a big mess as they slide and shift. At worst, they can become deadly projectiles in an accident.
Secondly, clutter can become overwhelming in such a small space. Our bedroom is 9 ft x 8 ft and our kitchen even tinier. Anything left on the counters or floor makes it seem even smaller. Travel is dusty, too, and it is much easier to clean a smooth, empty surface. The good news is that 300 square feet doesn’t take long to clean.
One way we have reduced clutter is by going electronic. Bills are paid online through a service. Paper bills are received at their facility, scanned, and emailed to me. We pay our taxes electronically. All our banking is done over the internet. We keep in touch with friends and family through email, our blog, Twitter, and phone calls. News, weather, and entertainment arrive via the web. We take digital photos and even conduct meetings using on-line conferencing software.
What paper we have left, such as pet vaccination certificates, vehicle registration/maintenance receipts, passports and marriage license, easily fits in a single file drawer.
Because we are on-line often, we each have our own laptop computer. They take up much less space than a desktop unit with a monitor, and are much easier to stow for travel.
We chose a clean, light, simple interior design for our bus to help reduce visual clutter. The plain maple cabinets used in every room have no knobs. The hardware that shows is all the same brushed stainless steel. All the window blinds are cream colored and very simple. Furniture is solid colors and patterns are limited to muted tones on the bedspread and throw pillows.
Items used often, such as the TV remote, reading glasses and camera, are stored in attractive wicker baskets or leather boxes. These neutrally-colored storage containers keep small items corralled and blend nicely with the countertops. They also make it simple for everything to have a place to be put away quickly before hitting the road.
The most important way we reduce clutter, however, is simply by having less stuff. Sometimes less means fewer. For instance, we gave away at least half of our clothing to prepare for RV life. What is left exactly fills the drawer and closet space we have. A strict “one in/one out” rule, which makes it easy to resist buying new clothes. More than 90 percent of our books were left behind. Place settings for four and a handful of knives and kitchen utensils suit us just fine.
By looking for items with multiple uses, we can often get by with less. Our mixing bowls double as serving bowls, a folding stool is used as a footrest, small padded trays are used both for dining and to hold the laptop computers, and bungee cords are used for everything. Washable microfiber towels when damp can clean floors, counters, ceiling, and shower; and when dry can dust, absorb leaks and spills, and pad breakable items.
Sometimes, less means smaller. We use two small scooters as our alternative transportation. They are light, fun and get fantastic fuel mileage. When possible, we look for items that collapse for storage. We have a collapsible ladder, laundry cart, exercise mat, pet carriers, and patio furniture. All were chosen to fit the small storages spaces we have available. Doesn’t fit? We don’t own it.
And sometimes, less means none. We don’t own a car, but when we need one (about once a year), we either borrow or rent. In fact, we choose to rent a number of bulky, seldom used items such as skis, bicycles and golf clubs. We visit laundromats all over the country and don’t need a washer and dryer.
None of these decluttering techniques seem like sacrifices to us. For our life of travel, less is definitely more. The reward has been freedom, simplicity, and happiness, and that’s an article for another day!
Popularity: 17% [?]
Creating extra storage and counter space in a small kitchen
Everyone welcome Teri Kieffer! This is her first post for us as an Unclutterer writer.
You’ve been a good Unclutterer and gone through your cabinets and discarded the items you never use. You’ve put away the rarely used appliances that sat on your countertop. For those with a good size kitchen, you’re done. Your kitchen is uncluttered. But what about the rest of us?
If you’re like me and you rent an apartment or own a condo with a tiny kitchen, your counter space still doesn’t offer enough room to cook a complete meal. I have size and poor design to deal with in my kitchen. I can clear my counters completely and still have a difficult time finding space to cut vegetables. To work around this dilemma, I have found a solution: A kitchen cart.
I used to think kitchen carts were silly. That is, until I had a real use for one. Now, I can’t exist without it.
My cart won’t fit inside the kitchen, so I have to store it against the wall across from the kitchen entrance. When it’s time to cook, I just wheel the cart over to the kitchen and, suddenly, I have all the counter space I need. It also blocks off the entrance, keeping my husband and the dog out of my cooking space.
Here is what to look for in a kitchen cart:
- Sturdy - You need to be able to chop things on it, so go for something that won’t rock or cause you to slice your fingers
- Wheels - You should be able to move it where you need to use it
- Wire Racks - This feature is great for holding mixing bowls and other items used for cooking
- Hooks (optional) - If you’re also short on drawer space, the hooks are nice for utensils
Popularity: 31% [?]
Curb your cosmetic clutter
The drawers in our bathroom are small and disorganized. Without pointing too many fingers, my wife’s cosmetic drawer is mostly to blame. The drawer is disorganized mainly because there isn’t a way to control where items are placed in the 12″ x 20″ drawer. Everything is chaotic, and tubes of things constantly roll around whenever the drawer is opened and closed.
We remedied her makeup drawer problem by purchasing the Expandable 6 Compartment Cosmetic Organizer. It helped to organize my wife’s cosmetics drawer so well that we purchased another for my drawer of toiletries. Now, everything has its own little cozy place. Also, while I was separating the items, I was able to get rid of the things I never use and my wife trashed a bunch of nail polish she didn’t need.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Extreme minimalism Monday: the anti-McMansion
If one were going to make a reductio ad absurdum argument in opposition to the tenets of sustainable architecture, the result might manifest itself in the form of Jay Shafer’s house. At 96 square feet, it’s smaller than many bathrooms.
If you’re similarly hardcore about simple living, Shafer’s company can hook you up with plans for your very own Lilliputian dwelling.
Popularity: 24% [?]
Keeping your purse clutter free
A woman’s purse can be a scary place. I try to keep mine clean and organized, but there are times when it devolves into a giant bag of clutter. Keeping a list of items that can be in my purse has helped me to keep it clean.
I recommend storing nothing more than the following items in each of these purses. If you can get by with fewer items than I have listed here, then I applaud you! Most importantly, get into the routine of daily clearing your receipts out of your wallet or money clip because I’ve found that receipts are the greatest clutter creator.
Minimalist purse:
- Money clip with cash, subway/metro card, one credit card, and your driver’s license
- House key and car key
Popularity: 12% [?]
Extreme minimalism Monday: The Penal-Ware® Comby
Do you think stainless steel fixtures are sexy? Is space at a premium in your bathroom? Are you a die-hard fan of HBOs Oz?
If the answer to more than one of these questions is yes, you might want to consider buying the Penal-Ware® Comby from Acorn Engineering. This high-quality prison-grade combination toilet/sink is both stylish and space-saving.
Interior designers should note that the Comby pairs particularly well with Penal-Ware® Suicide Resistant Shower Model 1741.
Popularity: 20% [?]
Clutter creeps into the car
Some people live in such a state of clutter that even their cars become ensnared in a hopeless state of disarray. Sometimes it looks as if the person may live out of their car. CD cases strewn all over, fast food wrappers carpet the floor, receipts from last century in the glove compartment, and don’t even look in the trunk that’s where the real mess is.
Needless to say, the car is in need of a serious cleaning. After the cleaning, organization must be put into place so the state of clutter does not return. If you have CDs in the car, consider a small sleek CD case. The CDs will stay protected and all in one place. Better yet, upgrade to an MP3 player!
Next, keep the small compartments in your console for things that you’ll actually need while driving. For example, spare change for tolls and parking meters, sunglasses, and a hands-free cell phone device. You’ll now have room for these things now that you’ve removed all the trash and unnecessary items.
Now, let’s move on to the trunk. The trunk isn’t an extension of your closet and shouldn’t have articles of clothing and multiple pairs of shoes in it. After all the irrelevant items have been removed, add a strategically placed trunk organizer with velcro on the bottom for storage of necessary items (e.g. umbrella, emergency kit, flashlight, maps). The velcro will keep the box in place while you drive and it can be moved around to fit luggage and other large items when needed.
Traveling in a clutter-free vehicle will keep your mind on the road and make your travels safer and more enjoyable.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Solving the Imelda Marcos problem
I, like many women, have a fair number of shoes. Most of my shoes are what I consider to be the basic shoes for a woman who works in an office — brown boots, black boots, brown heels, brown flats, black heels, black flats, brown sandals, black sandals, house slippers, and athletic shoes. My collection contains two pairs of inexpensive, trendy shoes and one or two pairs that only match a specific outfit, but, on the whole, the basic shoes outnumber these. In total, I have 25 pairs of shoes.
Twenty-five pairs of shoes, when not properly contained, can make quite a bit of a mess and can cause a husband to mumble repeatedly about the sanity of his wife. Messes and mumbling husbands are not good for anyone, so having an organizational system for shoes is a must.
The floor of a closet can be the perfect place for storing shoes because often it isn’t a used space. (I love reclaiming under-utilized nooks and crannies in my house for efficient storage.) My shoe collection is contained in 19 small, 4 large, and 2 boot-size clear, plastic shoe boxes:
They’re stacked in a way that allows me to see into each box, so that I don’t waste time hunting for a pair. The boxes also keep the shoes from getting scuffed or my pets from gnawing on them.
If you typically get dressed in the dark while a partner sleeps, I would recommend adding a description to the outside of the box with masking tape or a printed label to keep hunting time to a minimum:
Another solution for those of you who are good at saving shoe boxes or who don’t want to shell out the money for clear boxes would be to fire up your digital camera. Photograph each of your pairs of shoes, print the photos on your ink jet color printer, and then tape the photo to the outside of the appropriate shoe box. Your life will be uncluttered, and you’ll save time getting dressed, too!
Some additional organizational tips concerning your shoes:
- To keep your numbers in check, make a policy that for every new pair of shoes that you buy that you get rid of an older pair that you no longer wear.
- With the start of each season, rearrange your shoe boxes so that your sandals are easily accessible during the summer and your boots are at the top during the winter.
- If seasonal arrangement isn’t your style, try organizing your shoes by color or heel height or date of purchase — the categorized system that makes sense to you is the system you should use.
And, as a parting thought, be sure to let your shoes air out for an hour before storing them so that your shoes don’t build up an odor during storage.
Popularity: 5% [?]
What’s a kitchen for?
Today’s kitchens are used for more than just preparing food. They are more often than not also playrooms, offices, mail centers, and TV rooms. When you mix up so many purposes for the same space (or even the same countertop), you’re not going to get good results. Something as simple as making a ham and cheese sandwich is impossible when your countertops are full of bills and other papers. Instead of succumbing to this fate, set up different spaces for different tasks.
Ideally, your kitchen should only be for cooking, but realistically that’s not going to be the case–especially since kitchens tend to be the center of family activity. Designate some countertop space that’s off-limits to anything but cooking or eating, and make it a point to keep it clear when it’s not being used. That way, when you’re ready to use it again, it’s ready for you.
If you must bring mail and bill-paying paraphernalia into the kitchen, set up a space for just that activity and don’t let it spread out of that area. (A cubby is a perfect solution.) Even if you can’t dedicate surfaces to specific activities like bill-paying, storage in the kitchen can help. For example, when you finish eating at the kitchen table, you take away the dishes to wash and store in the cupboard. Why not do the same with everything else? If you pay bills, do homework, or play games at the kitchen table, make sure to clean up when you’re done. Keeping a drawer or cupboard for each activity will make it as easy and second-nature to put away your stuff.
Popularity: 8% [?]
