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Effectively organizing and furnishing a small space calls for big thinking.
"There are simple and workable options available to help you maximize your small space," says Patti Clark, a Peterborough, Ontario based residential organizer (www.letsgetorganized.info) and member of Professional Organizers in Canada.
Clark helps people organize their homes, purchase furniture that suits their space, and strategically place their furniture to make the most of their surroundings.
If you live in a condo or townhouse or in a house with limited room, consider the following space-enhancing strategies.
Should it stay or should it go?
Clark says small space dwellers can't afford to be "save-it-for-a-rainy-day" people. They need to limit the amount of stuff they have as well as the amount of new stuff they buy.
"Most people have too much stuff to begin with, and they don't know how they will fit it into their small space. They need to simplify and downsize their stuff," she says.
She says to start de-cluttering by critically evaluating everything you own, and prepare to say your goodbyes to mere space-fillers - old magazine collections, old clothes that will never become retro chic, etc.
"I tell my clients to ask themselves, Do I like this item? Do I need it? When was the last time I used it? Does this item represent my past, present or future?" Clark says. "If it's not serving a specific purpose, you should question whether you need it anymore."
A good de-cluttering maxim to follow, Clark says, is one-in, one-out for every new item you introduce to your home, get rid of something old.
If your heart aches just thinking about parting with your "vintage" broken record player or any one of your five dozen decorative candles, she says, it may be easier to give them to family, friends or charity.
"Ask yourself if someone else could benefit from these items - maybe a family member or friend. Or you could donate them to charity - you don't necessarily have to toss them out."
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Once you've minimized your clutter, think about establishing purposes for each room, she says.
"Look at each room and decide on its function - this will give you an idea of what things should and shouldn't be in there," Clark says.
One key way to maximize space is to designate multiple purposes for each room. For example, a living room can be strategically furnished to include space for a small home office or homework spot. Or, your child's bedroom could also serve as a fully functional playroom.
Multipurpose rooms work well with versatile furniture that can serve many functions, or can be easily stored away when not needed, Clark says. Good examples include a memento trunk that can serve as a coffee table, nesting tables that stow easily, night tables with drawers and/or cupboards, and storage ottomans or benches.
"Anything that can serve double duty is a good idea," Clark says.
Practical shelving to the rescue
Built-in shelving is a lifesaver for those with limited space, Clark says, because it uses dead space very well - particularly the space high above our heads we tend to forget about.
"Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving makes great use of an entire wall, and can have different functions, with open doors to display things and closed doors to hide others," Clark says.
When purchasing shelving, Clark adds, try to minimize its depth - tall and slender furniture leaves more floor space for other purposes.
Other space saving tips
Most of us store patio furniture on our open-air balconies, but if yours is fully covered, it makes for an ideal spot to stash irregularly used items such as holiday decorations and craft supplies.
For your home office, use filing cabinets on wheels or portable filing boxes that you can easily transport to other rooms when others need to use your office.
In the bedroom, don't forget about the space under your bed - choose storage containers on wheels that can be easily accessed. Hooks are also great space savers - apply them to the backs of doors to hang clothes, scarves and belts. You can also use over-the-door pocket organizers to store slippers, toiletries, etc.
Finally, storage solutions don't automatically translate into drab cardboard boxes, she says. Plenty of home decor vendors offer pretty and affordable options.
"Use decorative baskets and bins rather than dollar-store boxes," Clark says. "For example, Ikea is great for their attractive stackable boxes that look great on your bookshelf."