Living in a tiny house can be enlightening. It can push you toward a minimalist lifestyle that helps the planet while lowering your cost of living. But storage is one of the hardest things about living in a small house. You have to get creative and plan to fit your life into a small area. This article discusses creative storage tips designed specifically for people living in small homes, so you can make the most of every space in your home.
1. Make Use of Vertical Space
Since there isn’t much floor space in a tiny house, it’s important to think vertically. Place shelves to the top and use stacking bins to keep items organized. In small houses, walls are often not used optimally. Adding shelves above doors and windows or placing extra storage on the back of cabinet doors can make a big difference. Placing tools, bicycles, and cooking utensils on hooks and hanging systems can also free up much-needed floor space.
2. Furniture with Multiple Uses
When every inch counts, it can be particularly useful to have furniture that can do two things at once. Find or create items that can be used for different purposes:
- Some beds have built-in drawers or can be lifted to reveal storage space underneath.
- There are hidden spaces under the sofa and footstool that can be opened.
- There are folding tables that can be folded when not in use and provide storage space for things like art tools or cutlery.
- The stairs can be used as a drawer or opened as a storage space for books, clothes, or kitchen utensils.
3. Consider Mobility and Modularity
Furniture consists of individual pieces that can be stored or moved to meet different needs. Ideal items include light cubes that can be stacked to create shelves or used as seating. Also, consider purchasing furniture on wheels. For example, a cooking trolley or a small chest of drawers can be moved as needed, making them practical and flexible.
4. Take Advantage of Openings
Every tiny house has hidden storage spaces. You can convert the space under the floor to store seasonal items or tools that are not used often. In the same way, you can install drawers or shelves in the space under the stairs. The kick panels of kitchen cabinets can even turn into secret drawers that can store baking sheets, cutting boards, and other flat items.
5. Keep Wardrobe and Kitchen Needs Simple
In a small house, it’s important to keep only what you need. Using a capsule wardrobe to store your clothes reduces the number of clothes you need, but gives you more options to mix and match. Reduce the number of cookware and utensils you own. Choose something that can do more than one thing. For example, one pressure cooker can do the work of three different types of cookware, eliminating the need to buy three separate pressure cookers.
6. Take Advantage of the Ceiling
It doesn’t just illuminate that. Place pots and pans on racks hanging from the kitchen ceiling. Curtain rails hanging from the ceiling can make a bathroom feel open and private at the same time. Hang bicycles and other large items on hooks from the ceiling so they are out of the way and off the ground.
7. Optimize Cabinet and Drawer Storage
Place organizers in cupboards and drawers to make the most of available space. Drawer dividers allow you to keep your tools or office supplies organized and within reach. You can gain more shelf space if you place your spice rack on the inside of cabinet doors or under upper cabinets. Deep cabinets with pull-out shelves provide additional rear access.
8. Use Digital Tools and Solutions
In a small house, getting rid of real clutter means keeping fewer books, CDs, DVDs, and papers. When digital options are used, the need for physical storage is significantly reduced. If possible, keep your papers digital and use e-readers and online streaming services. This frees up space for other important matters.
9. Add External Storage
If you don’t need something year-round, consider additional storage options. You can store a small, waterproof box outside your small house or in a nearby shed. Here you can store seasonal items such as Christmas decorations or winter sports equipment until you need them.
10. Reflect and Revise Regularly
If you live in a small house, your storage needs may change. Regularly review what you own, what you use, and how your storage options are performing. If you’re willing to change your plans, you can stay organized and make the most of your small room.
Conclusion
When you live in a small house, you have to be creative with what you have. These storage tips can help you keep your home, no matter how big or small, clean, organized, and tidy. This approach not only makes living in a tiny house easier, but also more fun.
FAQs
1. How can I make the most of the space in my tiny house?
Ceiling-length shelving and wall-mounted storage can help you make the most of your vertical space. Beds with built-in drawers, folding desks, and sofas with storage are all versatile pieces of furniture. To hang items or add more shelves, you can use the inside of doors, the bottom of shelves, or even the roof.
2. What is the best piece of furniture for small house storage?
Look for furniture that can be used for multiple purposes. You can get a sofa with storage, a bed with drawers, a fold-out console table, or an ottoman that opens to reveal storage space. These furnishings reduce the need for more furniture, keeping your living room open and eliminating the need for additional furniture.
3. How do I keep my tiny house tidy?
Organize and evaluate your belongings regularly to make sure you have everything you need and that you use them regularly. To keep things organized and easily accessible, use organizers like cabinet dividers and storage bins. Mark storage locations to keep items organized and avoid clutter.
4. Are there smart ways to save space that are only possible in a tiny house?
Tiny homes often find creative ways to use areas that aren’t obvious. Kicking drawers in the kitchen, storage stairs where every step is also a drawer and attic transitions with hidden compartments are all smart ways to make the most of every inch of your room.
5. Can I store items outside my tiny house?
Certainly. You can attach storage bins or cabinets to the outside of your tiny house. Make sure they can withstand the weather and are safe. A patio or veranda can also be built with built-in seating and storage underneath.
6. What should I do with seasonal items or tools that I don’t use often?
For items you don’t use often, such as Christmas decorations or sporting goods, you may want to store them in a shed outside your tiny house, or install a cargo box or rack outside. Moving items according to the seasons is another way to free up space in your home for items you use every day.
