I used to think my tiny apartment was the problem. It wasn't.
Living in a small space can feel suffocating. You trip over shoes you have no place for. Your kitchen counters disappear under appliances. Your bedroom feels more like a storage locker than a sanctuary. I get it. I’ve been there. For a long time, the chaos in my apartment mirrored the chaos in my life. When I was stuck in unhealthy cycles, my environment was just as messy. It was a constant, physical reminder that things felt out of control.
But I learned something powerful during my journey of losing over 110 pounds and building a new life: your environment matters. A lot. Taking control of my small space was one of the first tangible wins I had. It was proof I could create order out of chaos. It wasn’t about having a perfect, magazine-worthy home. It was about creating a peaceful, functional space that served me instead of stressed me out. A clear space gave me a clearer mind and a place to rest and even pray without distraction.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your small space, I want to share some practical hacks that helped me reclaim my home and my sanity. You don’t need a bigger place. You just need to get a little clever.
Start with a New Mindset
Before you buy a single storage bin, let’s get one thing straight. The goal is not just to hide your clutter. It’s to own less stuff. The first and most important step in organizing is always decluttering. Go through your things and be honest. Do you use it? Do you love it? Does it serve a purpose in your life right now? If not, it’s time to let it go. Donate it, sell it, or trash it. An organized space with too much stuff is still a cluttered space.
When I started my health journey, I had to get rid of the junk food in my pantry. Organizing my living space required the same mindset. I had to get rid of the junk.
20 Clever Organization Hacks for Small Spaces
Once you’ve decluttered, you can start organizing what’s left. Here are 20 simple but effective hacks to make your small space feel bigger and more peaceful.
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Go Vertical. Use your wall space. Install floating shelves for books, plants, or decor. This draws the eye upward and frees up floor space.
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Hang Your Pots and Pans. A hanging pot rack or a pegboard with hooks in the kitchen looks great and frees up an entire cabinet.
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Use the Back of Your Doors. Over-the-door organizers are amazing. They can hold shoes, bathroom supplies, pantry items, or cleaning products. It’s pure magic.
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Think Under the Bed. Don’t just shove things under there. Get proper rolling containers or vacuum-sealed bags for out-of-season clothes or extra bedding.
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Get a Storage Ottoman. This is one of my favorite tricks. It’s a footrest, extra seating, and a hidden storage chest all in one. Perfect for blankets, games, or magazines.
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Magnetic Strips Aren't Just for Knives. Use them inside a cabinet door for bobby pins and tweezers. Put one on the side of your fridge for spices (in magnetic tins).
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Use Shelf Risers. Instantly double the storage in your kitchen cabinets or pantry by adding a simple wire shelf riser. Now you can see everything without unstacking piles of plates or cans.
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Choose Furniture with Legs. Sofas, consoles, and nightstands that are raised on legs create a sense of openness because you can see the floor underneath.
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A Nesting Set is Your Best Friend. Nesting tables or mixing bowls save a huge amount of space because they tuck into a single footprint.
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File Your Clothes. Instead of stacking T-shirts and sweaters in a drawer, "file" them vertically. You’ll be able to see everything at a glance and it saves a surprising amount of room.
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Use a Rolling Cart. A slim, three-tiered rolling cart can be anything you need it to be: a pantry overflow, a craft station, a bar cart, or a bathroom organizer. You can tuck it away easily.
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Install a Wall-Mounted Desk. If you need a workspace but don’t have a home office, a fold-down wall desk gives you a surface when you need it and disappears when you don’t.
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Use Clear Containers. When you can see what’s inside a box, you’re more likely to use it and put it back in the right place. This is great for pantry goods, craft supplies, or under-the-sink storage.
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Create a "Home" for Everything. Your keys, your wallet, your mail. Give these everyday items a designated spot like a small bowl or a hook by the door. This single habit eliminates so much daily surface clutter.
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Utilize Tension Rods. Use a small tension rod under your sink to hang spray bottles by their triggers. You can also use one vertically in a cabinet to organize cutting boards and baking sheets.
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Think Inside the Cabinet Door. Attach small racks or hooks to the inside of your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to store things like measuring spoons, pot lids, or your hairdryer.
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A Bed with Drawers. If you’re in the market for a new bed frame, get one with built-in drawers. It’s a game-changer for bedroom storage.
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Slim Down Your Hangers. Switch to slim velvet hangers. They take up half the space of bulky plastic or wooden ones and your clothes won’t slip off.
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Divide Your Drawers. Don’t let your junk drawer become a black hole. Use small drawer dividers to organize utensils, office supplies, or bathroom items.
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One In, One Out. Once you’re organized, maintain it with this simple rule. Every time you bring something new into your home (like a new shirt), an old one has to go. This prevents clutter from creeping back in.
Start Small, Build Momentum
Remember, this is not about achieving perfection overnight. When I first decided to change my life, the thought of losing 110 pounds was overwhelming. I couldn’t focus on that. I had to focus on winning the day. Sometimes, winning the day just meant clearing off my desk.
That small act of creating order in one tiny spot gave me a boost of energy and a sense of accomplishment. It was a small win. And those small wins build on each other. An organized desk led to an organized room. An organized room gave me a peaceful place to start a healthy morning routine. A healthy routine led to better choices. It all connects.
So, don’t look at your messy apartment and feel defeated. Look at it as an opportunity. An opportunity to create a space that brings you peace, not stress.
What is one small area you can tackle today? It doesn’t have to be the whole kitchen. Maybe it’s just one drawer. Or the pile of mail on your counter. Start there. Take that first step and see how it feels to bring a little bit of order back into your world.
