Monthly Archives: June 2011

28 June, 2011
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My Small House Organized

Living in a small home is a popular way to simplify your life. Many people feel that a small house is easier on the environment, takes away a lot of life’s stressors, and helps to minimize consumerism in their lives. Then again, some people are forced to live in a small apartment or home because of their financial situation, or because they need to live close to their work. Whatever your situation, you can use these tips to help you make the most of the small space that you have.

People complain of having no storage space in small homes and apartments. So, the question you should ask yourself is, “How much stuff do I actually need in storage?” The storage space industry is huge. This tells us that even people with adequate space are either saving more than they actually should be, or they don’t know how to efficiently use the space that they have.

Learning to live outside of the box takes a little imagination. Have you ever found yourself stuffing things into your closet, storing things outside of it, and just complaining about how small it is or how full it is without thinking about the fact that you could simply move some things around to make room? Many people have trouble solving problems and simply give up after thinking about how they could make things better.

Practice thinking outside of the box for a bit. First, of course, you will need to get rid of any excess items that are in your possession. Be choosy about what you allow to take up your precious space. Then, consider moving your hanging bar up high in the closet so that you can add another one below. You can even add bars to the sides and shelves to the front corners of the closet. This can help you go from something as small as a five foot long hanging bar to twenty-two feet of hanging space, plus the added convenience of corner shelves for buckets that organize smaller items.

After you get all of this space in, you can also use specialty hangers to make even more room. You can double or triple the space in a closet by using space saving hangers, like velvet hangers. These hangers fit flat together to save space. They also have detachable hooks so that you can cascade one hanger from the other, pairing up outfits and doubling hanging rod space. You can make even more space by using pants hangers for skirts, pants and shorts that allow you to hang five items from one hanger. Use these few tips to give yourself the space that you need in a small home.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

9 June, 2011
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Minimalist Furniture

Living in a small space may feel cramped at times, but there are ways to make it a rewarding experience. Finding ways to store what you really need and then getting rid of your other possessions can be very liberating. Many people discover that they find more happiness living in a smaller place than in a bigger one. In fact, many people stick to their minimalist ways even if they end up moving to a bigger place.

1) Start looking at things differently. When you shop, think about what you need as opposed to what you want. This by itself will not only limit the amount of money that you waste, but will limit the amount of stuff coming into your home. When you do find something that you need, try to purchase things with multiple functions. A foot rest or ottoman can open up to reveal storage for books, magazines, or remote controls. A chair could have armrests that open up to reveal storage. A couch could have drawers underneath to store out of season shoes. Concentrating on buying multiple-function furniture is a great way to create storage and harmony in a small living space.

2) In the kitchen, see which appliances you can do without. You don’t really need a stand-alone mixer if you have a small handheld one. You may find that you don’t need a microwave as much as you thought you did. The broiler in the oven is just as effective as a toaster or toaster oven. A percolator or French press is just as handy as a coffee pot. Minimize the things that you own. Then, for dishes, only buy casseroles and mixing bowls that have lids and that nest inside of each other. One set of bowls and one set of casserole dishes will have your kitchen almost fully stocked.

3) Try to choose furniture that takes advantage of vertical space in your home. A short wide bookshelf will take up floor space, while a tall, slender corner unit will take up almost no space at all. Look at things that can fold up or store flat instead of big, traditional furniture. A table the folds up and stores flat against the wall can be very useful. Beds that double as couches are perfect for accommodating company.

4) The need for dressers can be eliminated if you learn to use your closet space correctly. Use vertical space by moving bars up high. This can usually free-up enough space below for additional bars or shelving. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to cascade items from each other. These hangers fit flat together to help eliminate wrinkles and save you two to three times more space in your closet than you can with traditional hangers.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.