Thinning out your belongings gives you more space to work with. It's easy to get attached to your belongings, but they can quickly take up too much space in your home. Instead, focus on the items that have significant sentimental value and serve a functional purpose. The things you don't need can get donated or sold to free up space. Declutter every few months to make sure everything in your home is still useful or meaningful. If you haven't used something since the last time you got rid of clutter, decide if it's something you really need.
Now you've decluttered, it's important to only bring new things into your home if they have a purpose. Being intentional with new purchases helps you avoid collecting more clutter that takes up valuable real estate. Whether you're decorating your apartment or thinking of buying new gadgets or furniture, wait a few days to make sure it's a meaningful purchase. Consider how well it will fit into your space and how you'll use it to make sure it'll be functional.
Think about activities you want to do in your smaller home and create zones or areas for each of those activities. This helps you divide up the space and ensure you have room for everything you want to do. Say you have a side gig to earn extra money in retirement. You might set up a small desk area where you can work from home. Using area rugs or furniture to section off different zones gives you a visual divide to help keep the space as functional as possible.
The scale of the furniture you choose impacts how it looks and functions in your room. You don't have to choose the smallest version of the furniture pieces you want, but oversized furniture often looks out of place in tiny living quarters. Balance the size and number of furniture pieces. For instance, you might buy one larger piece for seating or a few smaller chairs.
Folding furniture can also be useful. For example, you can find kitchen tables with fold-down tops. When you have guests over, you can extend the top to create a full table. When you're not using it, the top pieces fold down to create a narrow furniture piece that doesn't take up a lot of space.
You can also make your furniture arrangement easier to reconfigure with items that have casters. The wheels let you easily roll the furniture to new locations. A rolling cart or kitchen island can go against the wall when you're not using it but wheel to the center of the room when you need more prep space.
When space is limited, you have to make everything count. Furniture often takes up a lot of the floor space in your apartment, so giving an item multiple uses can add more functions without cluttering up the space with extra furniture. One example is a coffee table with a lifting top that can work as a dining table or desk. Storage ottomans offer seating when you have guests over, and the hidden storage keeps clutter out of sight. If you add an entryway or console table, look for one with shelves or drawers to add storage.
If your home doesn't have large closets and storage spaces, you can get creative. Going vertical with storage shelves or hooks lets you use the wall space that would otherwise be empty. You might tuck storage containers under your bed or slide your sofa out to store narrow items behind it. Over-the-door shelves and organizers can make use of door space. Look for any unused areas that could hold your belongings. Make sure storing items in those spots still allows you to move freely about your apartment.
Once you know where you'll store your items, consider adding some organizational tools and storage bins to keep those areas tidy. If you simply pile items in a spot, they could collect even more clutter. Storing items neatly in containers helps keep them out of sight while protecting those things. Plus, it can help keep everything orderly and easy to find. Measure the storage area first to ensure the containers you buy will fit well. Adding labels can aid in keeping things organized.
When choosing furniture pieces and arranging them in a small space, consider how you'll get around within the space. Having clear, wide paths around your furniture makes it safer to navigate your space without tripping or losing your balance. Try different furniture layouts that let you use your furniture pieces effectively while moving freely through the room.
