5 Simple Ways to Make More Space in Your Home
You don't have to move!
Is your home bursting at the seams with stuff? Never fear! There’s no need for costly clutter-busting tools. Finding more real estate inside your house is a cinch with these five expert-approved tricks that are guaranteed to make the most of your space in mere minutes.
Create dresser space with bottle dividers.
Socks and delicates can easily go rogue, taking over limited space in your dresser. The solution? Drawer dividers, which create organized cubbies to corral clothes. No need to buy them — cardboard bottle carriers are the perfect size. Just cut off the handle, then place in your drawer and tuck smaller items into the cubbies.
Add storage with hatboxes.
Small-space pros know to take advantage of the areas under beds, chairs, and even sofas. “Use pretty hatboxes to stylishly contain clutter,” says Joanne Archer, of ExpertHomeTips. com. Or create invisible pull-out storage under the couch by placing self-adhesive swivel wheels on old shelves. Need even more room? “You can easily add six inches of storage space by propping up furniture with bed risers — they’re not just for beds.”
Maximize your bathroom with basket shelves.
No counter space? Baskets hung on the wall make cute makeshift shelves for jars of often-used items like cotton balls or extra towels, says small-space expert Lindsey Maxwell. “Just nail the baskets to the wall — they double as pretty decor and are a great use of underutilized space.”
Expand kitchen counters by tapping ‘secret’ space.
To double the counter space in a small kitchen, place a large cutting board over the sink, advises Emma Healey of LittleHouseLovelyHome.com. “It instantly creates a great prep station.” Also smart: Take advantage of untapped vertical real estate by hanging a magnetic knife strip on the side of the fridge or next to your stove to corral knives or magnetic spice jars.
Enlarge your closet with strategic towel rods.
Towel rods attached to the door or wall of your closet can practically double the acreage in your wardrobe. “Simply hang scarves by looping them around the bar and necklaces by clasping them around it,” says Archer. “You can also place your high-heeled shoes on the rod — the possibilities are endless.”
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
