Discover simple methods for arranging a smaller residence to feel welcoming
Life occasionally presents unexpected turns
Our transition from a seaside farmhouse to a 1250 square foot townhouse was one such event
We unexpectedly reduced our possessions by over fifty percent
Across a year, we relocated twice, spending six months in a lovely rental residence, and are now settled in our charming townhouse
Achieve order – organizing your home incrementally
Begin your home arrangement journey
Initiating is often the hardest step; discarding is the initial part of my home organization advice
The decluttering phase during our downsizing took considerable time, even though I don't consider myself a hoarder; deciding what to keep versus what to discard, particularly furniture, proved challenging
Even if you aren't reducing space, a major tidying effort might be needed in your dwelling; consider these top tips for decluttering
Safely store items you are undecided about
The entire scope of downsizing or tidying can feel daunting; I found working on one task at a time, then pausing when overwhelmed, was most effective
Our garage functioned as personal storage during the first winter as I determined what to retain and what to remove; eventually, I could distinguish what was valuable to keep versus what needed to leave the house
Arrange belongings in functional ways tailored to your needs
Once our possessions were a manageable quantity for our space, I focused on creating daily working systems for them
Daily use naturally causes items to shift, leading to clutter in drawers, closets, nooks, and crevices over time
Does this situation resonate with you?
I resolved to examine the entire house to bring order to it
Divide the organization into smaller, manageable segments
I chose to segment the undertaking into small, achievable parts
Starting the organization effort in our newly smaller home, I sectioned the house into zones, addressing one each week; within 8 weeks, the house felt significantly more organized and had space for comfort and enjoyment
The new year often inspires a fresh organizational start, so I dedicate each week of the new year to a specific area; my method follows this pattern:
- Week 1: Entryways
- Week Two: Office and Documents
- Week Three: Dining and Living Area
- Week Four: Kitchen Organization
- Week Five: Primary Bedroom
- Week Six: Bathrooms
- Week Seven: Garage Space
- Week Eight: Hobbies and Remainder
Beginning with the Entryway, I methodically tackled the entire house, aiming to discover functional and efficient uses for our home. Some sessions lasted a good while, while others were brief, only about 10 minutes!
For a look at how we arranged each part of our townhouse, please view the associated links underneath:
Week 1 : Entryways
Expert Tips for Organizing an Entryway Closet
My Go-To Item for Organizing Any Area
Transforming Bi-fold Closet Doors into Modern Farmhouse French Doors
Week 2: Office and Documents
Organizing Drawers with Office Supplies
Arranging Office Supplies within Ikea’s Billy Bookcases
Five Methods to Tame Paper Mess
Week 3: Living and Dining Room
Crafting a Laptop Stand End Table
Structuring a Dining Room Buffet
Exploring Our Compact Living Room ~ Winter Style
Week 4: Kitchen
Pantry Organization for Small Kitchens
Organizing Cupboards in a Compact Kitchen
Three Kitchen Cleaners You Can Make at Home
Week 5: Master Bedroom Focus
Transform Your Master Bedroom into a Serene Sanctuary Through Tidying
Ten Imaginative DIY Holders for Jewelry
Week 6: Bathroom Time
Arranging Your Bathroom Vanity Effectively
Week 7: Garage Solutions
Establishing Functional Areas for Garage Order
Receive a Free Decluttering Planner Now!
Approaching decluttering becomes much easier when you address things one section at a time. My complimentary printable Decluttering Planner guides you through this process:
- A planner by category covering 12 spots in your residence, including clothing, books, the kitchen, linens, and cherished mementos. Assign a completion date to each and mark it off when finished.
- Checklists for quick reference detailing items to discard versus those to donate or sell, preventing indecision over every single piece.
- Guiding questions for decluttering to use when you hesitate on whether an item should remain.
These methods were instrumental in us reducing our home size by over half. Provide your email below and I will forward it directly to your inbox!
