Whether you’re downsizing into a smaller space or trying to fit a larger family into a smaller house, there’s lots to be learned from those who have conquered living in a small space! There are many benefits to small space living, like decreased mortgage or rent, less time spent cleaning and maintaining the space, and a cozier family atmosphere. However, the idea of downsizing, especially for families, can seem daunting!
When we were starting our family, we lived in a 36-foot fifth-wheel trailer. We brought our first two babies home to this trailer and we only have pleasant memories of our first, cozy home. Whether it’s a small (or tiny!) house, a small apartment, or an RV, here are some tips we learned to make small space living enjoyable with Storage Units Junction City KS.
Keep possessions to a minimum
This may seem like a no-brainer, but also a bit impossible–aren’t most of us already trying to live as minimalistic as possible?? However, you can always push yourself into being a bit more clutter-free, and here are some easy ways.
- At the beginning of the year, flip all your hangers with clothes on them so the hook of the hanger is facing towards you while it’s hanging in your closet. At the end of the season, whichever clothes’ hangers are still facing the wrong way should be consigned or given away. If you’re waiting to lose or gain weight, go ahead and purge the trendiest of those clothes from your closet–chances are that styles will have changed enough that you’ll want to invest in new (and minimal) pieces for your wardrobe.
- Try to find creative ways to do without many kitchen gadgets. Meal plan by using only the most basic of kitchen gear and commit to only keeping 2-3 “gadgets” like a slow cooker or blender. Often times, we don’t need as many pots, pans, and utensils as we think we do, and we find that we get along great without them–and our kitchen is less cluttered!
- Choose decor that can last all season. Instead of decking the house out each season, try to pick things that are season-less, but can be added to for a festive feel–bowls on coffee tables and the kitchen table can be filled with different seasonal items, Christmas lights can be added to house plants, and simple plaid, festive, fabric banners can be added to mirrors. Keeping your holiday decor to just a few bins can help free up needed space in your storage areas!
- Adopt a minimalist wardrobe. We’ve probably all seen the articles about how some of the most successful people in the world wear the same outfit every day, and while we may not want to take it that far, there is something to be said for the ease and security of adopting a minimal wardrobe. For example, I decided early on that as a mom of four girls, I was going to need to keep their clothing, shoes, and jackets to a minimum. It sounds fine for a kid to have six pairs of winter shoes, until you multiply that by four, and suddenly you’re drowning in shoes! I purposefully pick outfits for them that go with black shoes, so I only need one type of dressy shoe that will match all their outfits. Try the same things for adults–pick your favorite 5-6 pants and tops, things that are interchangeable for a fresh look, and commit to wearing only those for a season. Your friends aren’t going to care, you won’t have to spend unnecessary time trying to find things that fit and work, and you’ll free up lots of closet space!
- Find a place for everything, and put it away each night. This became a routine when our family lived in our RV–every night, we put everything in the trailer where it went. Granted, it didn’t take long since it was such a small space, but we also traveled to new locations weekly, and we needed to make sure everything had a safe and secure place for those travel days. If stuff doesn’t have a place, then it’s not something we need!
Help everything have multiple purposes
This is the secret to RV living, and many tiny houses–they utilize their storage space completely. Pick furniture that can offer multiple uses to the family with both function and storage. Let side tables be cabinets, sofas have underneath storage, and instead of a box spring for your bed, consider a bed with space underneath for storing things!
Use a storage unit for outgrown baby and kid items, seasonal decor, or family heirlooms
A storage unit can be an affordable, long-term solution for the family that needs to or wants to downsize, without getting rid of possessions they may need or want in the future. These units are temperature controlled, have surveillance, and are easily accessible should you need access to something in the future.
Small-space living may not be for everyone, but it can definitely be an exercise in moderation and closeness that some families want–and embrace! These tips can get you started on your small-space, minimalist journey, and the folks at Self Assured Storage are there to help you get on your way. Give us a call to chat about our storage unit options!
