How to Live Large in a Small Space was written by Jennifer Brown and originally published in The Toronto Star.

Living in a small space can sometimes feel like the walls are closing in – especially if you’re someone who tends to collect clutter rather than cull along the way.

And while rental storage units are popping up across the country to accommodate all the material goods Canadians have collected or inherited, throwing your stuff in storage won’t win the battle over clutter, says Linda Chu of Professional Organizers in Canada.

“Putting your stuff in storage isn’t the first step people should take. You must purge and keep only specific things you use a lot and evaluate furniture items that may have a multiple purpose,” says Chu. “There are many items now on the market, such as ottomans that double as storage devices.”

Getting rid of unnecessary items can bring instant clarity to a space, says Melissa Duncan of An Organized Vision, a Toronto-based company that specializes in helping individuals and businesses sort out their living and work spaces.

“A lot of my clients will move into a smaller space, rent a storage unit and then not use anything in the storage unit for years. If you haven’t needed the items for years, then you probably didn’t need them at all. If you purge down to the essential items, you will save yourself a lot of time, frustration and money,” says Duncan.

Purging is what Olivia Yu did when she moved from her family home in Richmond Hill to a 440-square-foot bachelor apartment in downtown Toronto. “I was used to living in the suburbs and had this huge room, but when I saw my apartment I loved it and gave up space for location – it’s very close to the subway,” says Yu. “It meant I had to get rid of a lot of stuff.”

Eliminating books, papers, clothes and mementos you haven’t used or looked at in a long time is an important first step.

“If you absolutely must keep more than you can store in your living space, invest in mini-storage. Then categorize what can go in the storage bin and what has to stay at home,” says Duncan.

Once the excess is cleared away, look for ways to maximize the space you have. When your living space amounts to 450 to 700 square feet, you have to be inventive and that means capitalizing on untapped space behind bedroom and closet doors, over the top of doors, under beds and on walls.

Many home improvement and furniture stores offer storage solutions for clothes and shoes, bedding and books. IKEA sells a number of under-the-bed products that capitalize on space that typically collects dust bunnies.

A captain’s bed with built-in drawers can also provide additional space to store seasonal clothing, papers and even sporting goods such as tennis or squash racquets. Inexpensive bed lifts can also increase the height of your bed and thus your storage space.

Yu says she realized early on she had to be inventive and invested in folding furniture, including an Ikea table for two that expands to fit six.

Duncan suggests maxing out closet space using inexpensive products available at hardware and home improvement stores.

“Make use of all of the vertical storage in your closet by adding additional shelving, shoe rack storage, pull-out storage units, hangers that expand to accommodate more clothing,” she says.

Closets are an area Yu says she made the most of – she converted one into a bookshelf and a place to keep files and papers. She says she was also lucky that her tiny apartment provides a lot of extra storage space. “I don’t know how they carved out a walk-in closet in a 440-square-foot bachelor, but they did it,” Yu says. “And while I love to shop, if I haven’t worn something in a year, I get rid of it.”

Yu uses a laptop she can move around the apartment so she doesn’t need space for a desktop computer.

By keeping furniture to a minimum, she’s been able to fit a queen-size bed into her small space. In fact, she has created three distinct areas – a sleeping area, living room and dining area.

Her favourite storage piece is a Chinese trunk that doubles as a coffee table and stores magazines and other items. “I love décor, but really don’t have room for a vase or other pieces like that, so furniture has to also act as a piece of art in a way.”

Yu recommends cubby containers from Umbra for storage.

Duncan suggests using over-the-door hanging bags or racks for shoes that aren’t worn regularly.

“Shoes on the floor of a closet create instant chaos,” she says.

Don’t forget to look up for storage options. Ceiling storage hangers can be used for anything from toys to books to pots and pans.

If you’re short on kitchen cabinet space in a bachelor apartment, multiple-level shelving can create a pantry for canned food and staples.

Grouping similar items in containers is a good way to stay organized, says Duncan. Hair-care products can be kept in a container with a handle under the sink.

Duncan says beds that recline into a wall unit also conserve space during the day when it isn’t required.

She also suggests an adjustable table such as a Hydra table, with a hand crank that raises or lowers it for use as a coffee or dining table.

You can skip the need for a TV by installing software available online that will allow you to watch movies and favourite TV shows on your computer screen.

Don’t be afraid to store something inside something else, but ensure both items relate to each other. For example, it is popular today to have ottomans and benches double as storage for magazines, books, TV remote controls and even throw blankets. Store things near where they’ll be used to make it easier to remember where you put them.

Additional Space-Saving Ideas:

Vacuum pack bags: Extra blankets and seasonal clothing will take up a fraction of the space in these storage packs.
Think multiple use: Buy a storage unit that converts from a storage cabinet to a desk.
Use empty wall space: If your walls aren’t fully utilized, shelves are a great place to store picture frames, candles, flower vases and other decorative items.
Don’t forget the toilet: Canadian Tire and other stores sell freestanding and mountable racks that fit over the toilet and are good for bath products and other toiletries.
Wall beds: Space-saving units are available from Organized Interiors and from Closet Re-Organizer.

Linda Chu of Out of Chaos has extensive experience in residential organizing. She can help you live large in a small space. Contact her to learn more.