Sharing is caring!

How to Organize Small Spaces

7 Simple Ways to Get a Fresh Perspective on Your Space

Here’s some really good information on how to organize your small spaces!  The very first thing you must think about when trying to get organized is to think of your space in general.  Maybe you are thinking that you just want to know how to organize small spaces or maybe even a big space.  I’ve often asked myself where do I begin when I want to organize my garage.  It can be an overwhelming process for sure.

If you struggle with getting organized, then we are here to help.  Here are 7 tips for getting you started when thinking of your space.

Feeling Stuck? Here Are Some Little Things You Could Do To Get a Move on Already

The French have a term that I just absolutely love. It’s a term that describes that in-the-pits, no-direction-and-no-willpower mood that creeps up behind you and grabs you, hand over your mouth.

This term is one you wished you’d had all those times to describe your spiritual boredom. Y’all know it. I know it. It’s that weariness through your everyday life that comes up from time to time. Google defines ennui as the “listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.” And as soon as you start to feel it, you are already pretty far down the rabbit hole. So how do you get out? And better yet, how do you stay out?

You can do a few small things to combat this spiritual aimlessness. As a personal development advocate, I am passionate about giving others the tools they need to “freshen up” in this regard. Working as a personal organizer has made me a firm believer in the power of your environment to lift—or drain—your energy levels. Ever feel your mood drop noticeably when you see that paper pile in your office? What about all those guilty thoughts when you see half-finished projects lying around? Does your kitchen table or desk or filing cabinet drive you crazy?

These are seemingly insignificant things, but your subconscious is latching onto each one of them, making you feel like you should be doing something all the time. You have a strand of mental energy to every single object in your life. No wonder everyone is always so tired! All anyone ever needs is just a quick fix or two to get the ball rolling, so I have put together some tips to get your creative juices flowing. Kick Ennui to the curb already. Come on, now!

1. Tweak your décor.

There is something to be said for a simple change in scenery. If you haven’t thought about rotating your displays, reorganizing your wall shelves, or moving wall hangings around, now is the time to do it.

It is a neurobiological fact that your brain will be stimulated by even a slight change in a room. This will prompt you to notice the things around you more and get you thinking about your life and space. Especially if you are experiencing recurrent problems in your life at home or work, this can really improve your mood when you’re there.

2. Rearrange your furniture.

This works for the same reasons as the previous tip about décor. But there’s also another huge advantage: moving your furniture redirects the energy through the room that you change. There’s a new flow through the room. You no longer drone through your space in a cloud – you have a new path to follow, a new perspective on the furniture. This can work wonders for your motivation!

3. Collect all of your papers in one container.

The virtues of collecting all of your inputs in one place are numerous, but I’ll save that for another post. Paper can cause one of the biggest headaches. So gather everything, from all over your house, office, car, and purse. Put it in one box. Go through it piece by piece over a period of time, like a week (Note: put it aside if it’s going to be significant before you can get through it all). Do one of three things with each piece: a) Decide if it needs action b) File it for reference or c) Trash it. Often you’ll see that just having all the paper in one place gets you going.

4. Surface clean.

Surface cleaning is one of my favorite quick fixes. Basically, the idea is just to de-clutter. Gather dishes, trash, clothing, project materials, books, etc. and put them all where they go. You can do this as long as you want, from 5 minutes to 30. And don’t cram things where they don’t belong! Do it right.

5. Look at the big picture.

If you were a fish in a fish bowl, you wouldn’t get to do this. You could swim around and around and see the pretty castle from any number of different angles, but you couldn’t see it how others see it. Make sure to look back and see the whole picture. What would your home look like to a guest? How would each room feel to them? Does everything in the room add something? How does each room as a whole make you feel?

6. Inspect the lighting.

Light is one of those vital aspects of a room that can’t be ignored. Whether you have too much light or too little light, you and others will feel it. Determine if you need to change something about the way your room is lit up. It can be very frustrating and disheartening to wish you had more light, and it can be overbearing if you have too much.

7. Identify and solidify your workstations.

Here’s an organization freak’s term: workstation. A workstation is a place you occupy to progress on a project. It could be your recliner in the corner where you read your book. The desk you supposedly use to pay your bills. The craft corner. Whatever your needs, workstations are what really makes the difference. Define them in your mind. Find a way to get all supplies within an arm’s length. Make it comfy by having your personal items nearby (chapstick and cuticle cream anyone?).

Each one of these could be a whole post in its own right. But if you have ever felt the nagging sense of ennui then you know you wish you’d never feel it again. Have a go, and then come back and tell me what you think! What worked and what didn’t? Do you have any additional ways that you lift your mood? Have you ever thought about doing something to change your environment? Why or why not? How would you describe that feeling of aimlessness in your own words? I love talking about this kind of stuff, so don’t hesitate to spill it!