5 Tips to Reduce Clutter and Add Storage

One of the top ways to fall in love with your home all over again is to feel happy and comfortable in the space you’re in. When you look around, the goal is to feel content, appreciate the design of the space, and feel satisfied with its overall look.

That can be tough with a messy or cluttered space, which is why reducing the clutter in your home and adding appropriate storage solutions are so important to the longevity of your design. To make the most of your home, try out these tips that will help you keep your space clean, comfortable, and uncluttered.

Clean Up and Clear Out

You simply cannot start decluttering your home without cleaning up and clearing out the space you’re planning to focus on. To help you stay on track, it’s best if you choose one area at a time to target, like a closet, entryway, or bathroom cabinet. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work there might be!

Start working your way through your items and determine what you need to keep and what you can donate or throw away. If you’re not sure whether you should keep something, ask yourself how often you use it, what purpose it serves, and what value it offers you in your day-to-day life. Then make a decision, and set it aside to your “keep” or “throw away” pile. Once you’ve completed this step, you’re ready to move onto creating a beautiful storage space.

Add New Shelving and Container Storage

Once you’ve got a hold on what you’re planning to keep versus what you’re planning to get rid of, it’s time to start adding shelving and container storage that work for your items. Take a look at what you have—do you see a variety of heights, widths, and lengths, or are your items more similar in their shape and size? Depending on what you have and the space available, it’s important to place your shelving in a way that will actually be functional, so keep this in mind when choosing shelving.

Measure the space between the shelves and purchase containers that fit. Keep like items together and invest in a variety of container sizes if you have items that get lost easily. Remember, you can always put these into larger containers if you need to.

Think Cabinetry and Drawers

Design by MICHELLE BERWICK Photography by LARRY ARNAL

Although open and airy nightstands and furniture pieces offer a stunning look to many homes, they aren’t the ideal solution when it comes to storage. If your home is lacking in the storage area and you’re looking for a way to solve that problem, think about switching out your furniture that doesn’t offer you any hidden storage.

Nightstands with three or more drawers, a pop-up coffee table, an entryway with cabinetry and hooks, or an open shelf with a new basket can quickly transform into the storage you need. Simply take inventory of what you have room for and what you can replace, and you’ll be on your way to finding room for all of your things. 

Create New Space Where Available

Design by HIBOU DESIGN + CO  Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI

It’s one thing to declutter and rearrange your current storage situation but another to increase your storage by adding a completely new space. And it doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul of your home! Although large storage projects are ideal, additional storage space examples like a new pantry, custom drawers, a closet organizer, a new built-in cabinet, or a nook in an otherwise unused corner can be equally as useful.

Think about it—you probably have an area of your home that could use some feature cabinetry or drawers, offering you a few extra spaces for those tough-to-hide items. For some added fun, you could even add an accent color or accent wall to your home if you find that the area could benefit from it. You simply never know what you can create with a little storage imagination.

Ensure Every Item Has a Home

Design by REBECCA HAY Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI

Let’s face it—everyone has those things that end up sitting on the counter for days on end, especially if you just don’t know where to put them. Keys, mail, and miscellaneous household items are perfect examples of things that add up and look chaotic. Whether it’s your living room coffee table or a hallway closet that’s acting as a makeshift catchall, there is an easy way to take it from clustered to clean and find a place to put every single thing.

Ensuring that each and every item has a specific place in every room is one of the best ways to not only create an inviting and organized space but also to ensure you can keep it that way. After all, you don’t just want to add storage and then neglect it. Plus, not only will you contribute to the overall cleanliness of your space, but you’ll notice how much calmer your life becomes when you know exactly where everything is. No more searching for those pesky keys when you’re running late! It’s a win-win.

For more insider tips and exclusive designer advice, read our latest issue of Beautiful Design Made Simple!