Owners of small living spaces sooner or later face the problem of lack of space. Some of them throw away some of their old things. Others are more creative and try to use space sparingly. Sometimes you have to store various accessories in an inappropriate place. Therefore, it is important to put things in order and sort items in a timely manner to avoid useless piles. It’s worth doing zoning and properly allocating space for different needs. Even in a small apartment there is more space than it seems at first glance: if you correctly group things into categories, options appear for creating new storage areas. You can arrange them using various items: old bags, baskets, racks. In living areas you should keep only the most necessary things; you should not store old clothes there. Furniture should be roomy - this is its main purpose. Each room requires a special approach.
Rules for organizing space
Don't fill empty space with unnecessary things. Something will have to be thrown away, something moved. Think about where you can place bulky items. Choose the most suitable locations for everything, regardless of shape and size. One of the tips that experienced housewives give is to empty your home of empty containers: containers, jars, boxes, baskets. They may come in handy in the future, but if they currently take up too much space and serve no practical purpose, get rid of them. The same should be done with faulty household appliances and their components. Outdated things will also get in the way; technology and fashion do not stand still, and it makes no sense to store something that is no longer relevant. Many people keep old newspapers and magazines, but never re-read them - don't follow their example. Closets need to be emptied of old clothes - most likely they will no longer be used. There are several ways to organize space. The first of them is buying new furniture.
But there are more economical options:
- use of homemade shelves;
- storage in a folding bed box;
- increasing the usable volume inside the furniture.
Hangers
The hangers on which you hang clothes must be correctly matched to the size of the outfit. The fact is that on excessively large hangers, clothes will be deformed and stretched, and on small hangers, on the contrary, they will sag and wrinkle.
Jackets, jackets, coats and items made from wrinkleable fabrics are recommended to be stored on wide, contoured hangers. And for trousers and skirts, special hangers with hooks and grips are used. There are special types of hangers for belts and ties.
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After hanging the outfit on a hanger, fasten all the buttons, fasteners and zippers on it. As you go, check that all the buttons are in place. If you discover a loss, immediately correct this situation by sewing the missing button in place.
Now let's take a closer look at storing things made from certain types of fabric.
Optimizing space in the apartment
Any home can be made more spacious. The simplest solution is furniture with a transformation function. Sofas, beds and tables with extra storage can help clear away clutter. There are modular cabinets on sale where chairs and a dining table can easily be hidden. Creating a podium to place some of your things in the lower tier is one of the most creative ideas for turning a cramped room into a spacious multifunctional room. Another useful device is shelving - it is preferable that they be high, otherwise the structures will simply divide the space. Complex systems of shelves are mounted on the walls - the original snake-shaped options are the most spacious. Different grids will also help organize the space. Place filled drawers and baskets under your desk or kitchen table if there is enough free space. An open U-shaped cabinet can be erected above the door. Another important storage place can be a balcony or loggia.
Ideas for storing and placing things in different rooms
Each room has separate rules for organizing space and placing things. The kitchen can be equipped with a large number of open storage systems. The same applies to the children's room, but not to the bedroom and living room - these rooms are decorated differently. Proper space planning begins with the hallway. Residents and guests should not have problems with comfortable placement of outerwear and shoes. Using a multifunctional wall in the hallway will save space in the living rooms and pantry. A children's room requires careful planning. It is necessary to maintain order and make the room comfortable for the child. It is worth placing a magnetic board or railing system in the kitchen. The bedroom can be made in the form of a podium: a lot of things can fit in the lower part. For furniture you need to buy wardrobes. A multifunctional modular wardrobe system will accommodate all types of clothes and shoes.
You need to purchase new furniture and make rearrangements only after general cleaning.
Hallway
This room can be square or elongated. In both cases, it is worth equipping the upper part. One long shelf at the top will be enough. You need to attach hooks of different configurations and sizes to the walls. They are placed in even rows or randomly so that the hanging items are as far apart as possible. A small wardrobe system and separate open modules can store most of your outerwear. Having a high wall in the hallway is a very common occurrence, but it may not be enough: it is recommended to buy special inclined shelves for shoes. In the hallway, wicker baskets for large items and organizers for small items will be useful. Such devices are necessary primarily for those who forget keys and other things when leaving home. Umbrellas can be stored near the front door. In the corner of the hallway there is room for one or two chairs. You can save space by using a large railing system as an alternative to a wall.
Bedroom
The most spacious storage areas in the bedroom are the closet and the inside of the bed. The headboard can be protected with panels, and a facade with doors can be placed above it. Roll-out sections are installed under the bed. The bed can also be moved away from the wall to create additional storage in the resulting gap. A folding bed will not be the best solution for a small room, since these ideas will not be implemented. Recently, mirrors with a secret have gained popularity again - an excellent place to store cosmetics and hygiene products. For shopping lovers, it is better to buy not a wardrobe, but opt for open wardrobe systems with a large number of hangers and racks with wheels. In order to save space, it is worth thinking about the correct arrangement of furniture elements. There is no need to surround the bed with furniture; instead, it can be placed in one of the corners, and the other half of the room can be equipped with elements for storing personal belongings.
Kitchen
The largest number of storage ideas are related to the kitchen. It is equipped with additional shelves and other devices for convenient storage of things. The most useful and original element will be a magnetic board: all the pans, pots and cutlery will fit on it. External and internal surfaces of cabinets can also increase storage space. Manufacturers equip furniture facades with retractable sections, thanks to which you can maintain order among kitchen utensils. The ends of the headset and the apron are suitable places for installing small railing systems.
Perforated surfaces and hooks on the walls are only slightly inferior in functionality to boards with a magnetic surface, and in some cases they are irreplaceable. You can hold mugs and various containers on hanging boards with hooks. To neatly store dishes you need shelves for bedside tables. You can also purchase a model on wheels, which will make it convenient to transport food to other rooms.
In modern kitchens you can find several more useful devices:
- Folding table. An equivalent replacement for the usual one.
- Extendable table.
- Pull-out cutting board. Allows you to use the surface for storing kitchen utensils.
Living room
When arranging this room, people often make mistakes. This could be a set that is too small or large, extra chairs, or a huge carpet. Modern furniture with various functional devices, specialized sections, closed and open modules will provide the owner with enough options for proper planning. It is better to place the TV on a separate stand, but it is also possible in the central part of the wall - its configuration should provide for this possibility. A large living room must be divided into parts using high partitions. It is better to avoid elements with low functional load. Open racks for things will come in handy in the hall. It is better to make the central part of the living room as spacious and free as possible, so you should not overload the coffee table. But its interior can be used to store books and other things. A large table will not fit into modern design, but for a small apartment practicality is much more important.
Children's
This room has to be cleaned quite often, especially if the children are small. Items are divided into 3 main categories: toys, clothing and textbooks. They must be kept separately from each other. Items must also be sorted by size. In addition to furniture, boxes, baskets, and containers are used as storage. Children will find it interesting to take objects out of them and put them back every time. The boxes are decorated with stickers. Furniture in a children's room should be low, without a large number of open sections, so that the child does not fall and drop it on himself. A large children's bed is another suitable storage space. If you still don't have enough space, wall pockets can come in handy. Large mesh bags for placing children's toys are popular.
Bathroom
This is a compact room: the area is limited to 2.5-5 square meters. One of the main points is the choice between a bathtub and a shower. A narrow bathtub may not be much more comfortable than a vertical stall. However, in a more or less spacious bathroom, you should pay attention to the rational use of the remaining space. The best places to place various accessories are under the sink and under the bathtub. Hygiene products can be stored in secret mirrors. Instead of classic corner shelves, you need to purchase a system with 3-4 levels. It should be placed on the side of the bath. The room must be equipped with several holders for towels and rags. When planning a bathroom, the way the door opens is of great importance: inward or outward. In a combined bathroom, it is recommended to divide the space into two parts or at least cover the bath with a screen. In the toilet you can place a bedside table with narrow drawers with sections for detergents and personal items.
Don't try to save space in your bathroom by using a small washing machine!
Wardrobe
All types of clothing are stored in this room. The first step is to divide the room into male and female parts. Then it will be easier for residents to get ready. In the women's section, it is mandatory to have a high middle section for dresses. The lower zone is made no higher than 45-50 cm and is intended for shoes. A minimum of two zones are required, but three are better - including the top one. The ideal height of the shelves is 35-45 cm. Systems with many hooks will be useful in the dressing room. Stands are also required. It is recommended to purchase double-tier or combined rails. It is advisable that the wardrobe furniture have as many hangers as possible. You need to install special fragrances inside the headset, then it will be possible to store more clothes in one chamber. You need to buy large chairs for the dressing room in order to get clothes from the top tier.
At the top of the wardrobe you need to store:
- towels;
- hats;
- containers;
- suitcases.
Balcony
Balconies have a small area, so these rooms are used to the maximum. However, don't let it get messy. At the far end of the balcony you can make a storage unit with a sliding door. Shoes are stored in small cabinets. It wouldn’t hurt to make several wide shelves on the wall. The loggia should be finished in a similar way. Twists, fresh vegetables and fruits are usually placed on balconies. In winter, it is better to keep them in a relatively warm place. To do this, you can make a thermal box from boards, sheets of plywood and heat-insulating materials. There is a wide selection of thermal containers on sale in various price categories. On the balcony it is worth setting aside space for 1-2 tall narrow shelves. They are used to place flowerpots with plants, small decorative items, containers, work tools, workwear, and shoes.
Sorting
Having gotten rid of the excess, you can restore perfect order among the remaining things. There is no way to do without thoughtful sorting. There are many options on how to do this correctly.
- By frequency of use. As close as possible to make it more convenient to take, you need to put things that are worn constantly. And those that are rarely used should be placed further away, deep into the closet.
- By color. All things that are the same or similar in color palette, as well as clothes that go well together in color, can be put in one pile or in a separate box.
- According to the material. The idea is as follows: wardrobe items made of thin, elegant fabrics are folded separately from items made of coarse, dense material, knitted jumpers are separated from cambric and satin blouses and shirts.
- Small and large things. It is convenient to organize the storage of items that differ in size (socks or jackets, jewelry or bags) using separate sections or shelves, small and large, respectively. These can be miniature drawers or large baskets.
- Fold or hang. It is better to store some wardrobe items on hangers (trousers, jackets, shirts, dresses) so that they do not wrinkle or lose their shape. Other things can be simply placed in piles (T-shirts, tank tops, underpants). Woolen sweaters or thin knitwear should not be hung (this will prevent the items from stretching or deforming), and should also be carefully placed on top of each other.
- Seasonal sorting. This method involves dividing clothes and shoes into groups, depending on which season they are most suitable for. Things that are relevant at the moment are laid out within reach, and the rest are put away in the far corner. Then the piles are simply swapped. Sometimes seasonal wardrobes are taken out of the closet (hidden in closets or stored inside the sofa) to free up space for other items. You can put excess clothes or shoes in a suitcase, basket and place them on the mezzanine.
Advantages of a closet with louvered doors, proper placement of furniture
These are not all options for organizing things in a closet. You can maintain order by sorting items according to their belonging to different family members or by purpose (for walks, special occasions, sports). Very often, sorting is carried out by type of clothing or shoes: trousers, skirts, dresses, shirts, sweaters, boots, shoes, sneakers are stored separately. You can distinguish between the upper and lower elements of the wardrobe.
By frequency of use
By color
By material
Small things
Folding or hanging
Seasonal sorting
DIY storage ideas
Some interesting options:
- tin cans for kitchen utensils;
- knitted organizers;
- pouffe box with protective cover.
Some containers can be made by yourself. If you use detailed instructions, you will be able to make even a complex design. Thermal boxes for storing fruits and vegetables are made from polystyrene foam and plywood. In winter, products will remain fresh and will not spoil due to severe frosts. The functionality of the storage will expand if it is equipped with a heating system. Foam rubber and various thick fabrics will help keep you warm. The insulation is attached using a furniture stapler. If you use materials with a presentable appearance, the box will turn into a beautiful piece of furniture. In the summer you can sit on it. In any room, especially in such as the kitchen, pantry, hallway and balcony, shelving systems are useful. If there is a need for additional storage space, then you should try to make a rack from boxes and boards, with wheels for mobility. For other rooms, the same systems of boxes, as well as various buckets, are suitable. They need to be decorated with beautiful fabrics.
Storage rules
In order for your closet to always be in order and things to look neat and aesthetically pleasing, you need to follow simple recommendations for their maintenance. There are various storage methods, convenient packaging, containers, hangers. Each option is suitable for one or another type of clothing, shoes, and various accessories.
Types of display cabinets, placement options, examples of filling
Cloth
Skirts and trousers are stored in a clean, ironed form on hangers. Tiered, clip-on fixtures can hold five items. For shirts, blouses, and dresses, choose soft hangers that help avoid deformation. Knitted items should be stacked and stored on shelves. Bulk down jackets are contained in vacuum bags, pumping out the air, so they take up less space.
Shoes
It is advisable to place leather goods in boxes, which are best labeled. You can make windows covered with translucent film to help you see what's inside. The boxes are stacked on top of each other at the bottom of a cabinet or inside a large clear plastic container. High-top boots can be stored on a hanger with clothespins; a special rod is installed for this purpose.
For shoes without heels, you can use homemade organizers - canvases with sewn pockets, which are secured to the inside of the closet door.
Underwear
Such things are stored in cardboard boxes and roll-out compartments. Possible options are rolling into a tube or folding into an envelope. Dividers must be installed in the drawer so that each product occupies its own niche. There are ready-made organizers with separate cells; you can also make them yourself using cardboard inserts. Hanging devices save space; they are fixed on the doors or side panels of the cabinet.
Interior compatibility of cabinets in wenge color, placement nuances
Accessories
The bags are filled with paper to maintain their shape. Place them vertically (this way there will be no cracks or creases). Flat small clutches can be inserted into voluminous models. Bags are left on the mezzanine or hung on hooks built into the closet wall (back panel). Long items (belts, ties, scarves, scarves) can be stored on the sash by placing them on a special crossbar with hooks or clothespins. Also, the products are rolled up and placed in boxes, small separate niches. Small accessories are placed in miniature drawers and pull-out panels with separate compartments.
Unusual and beautiful examples in the interior
Chests are used to create beautiful decorative elements. To make efficient use of space, it is recommended to make a small but spacious table out of it. If you take additional supports and a surface for the tabletop, you will get a full-fledged dining furniture, and from just one chest you will get a beautiful coffee table. Using guides, eyes and screws, you can secure the ironing board in one of the sections of the furniture set. Folding furniture is a great place to store rarely used items. Kitchen units equipped with lifting shelves look modern and stylish. This device helps you quickly grab the desired item, such as spices or oil. Additional sections next to the sink are used to place household chemicals. The base of the kitchen unit is equipped with additional pull-out trays. Some models have drawers with pull-out sections from the bottom to the very top. Walls equipped with a large number of hooks look beautiful.
