Transitioning to a Small Space

Living your life in a small space can be either a nightmare or a rewarding experience.  It all depends on how you look at it, your attitude, and your organization skills.  Here you can learn how to appreciate the minimalist lifestyle, organize your space, and enjoy living the small life.

Many people choose to live in a small space, such as a small apartment, because of cost or proximity to their jobs.  If it isn’t your choice to live in a tiny environment, then you may find yourself being forced to change your habits.  But, if you prepare, embrace the positives and get ready for a few sacrifices, you can really learn to love a tiny space.  Just because it’s small does not mean that it cannot feel like home.

Some people choose to live in a small space, even a camper trailer, to escape the consumerism that has consumed us.  Lots of families get caught up in buying things because they’re hip, more attractive, on sale, you name it.  We waste so much money on things that are not necessarily needed, but wanted.  We do this so much, that it has actually become a detrimental addiction for many people.  Forcing yourself to switch gears from acquiring possessions to deleting them from your existence can be more of a struggle than you might anticipate.

Make a list of benefits for yourself.  Concentrating on and embracing the positives will help you to transition into living in a small space.  Get excited about how you are breaking free from what society and advertising has led you to believe that you need.  Think about how only 100 years ago we only owned dishes, farm equipment, maybe a desk and maybe a mirror to pass down to our sons and daughters.  In only one or two generations, we have gone from having what we need to having whatever we want.  What do we have to show for it?  A lot of bankruptcy and debt.  Break free and live simply.

Okay, so you’ve decided to take the plunge and live life minimally.  That doesn’t mean that you have to throw away everything that you own.  Pay attention to what you really need and use on a daily basis.  Keep things that make your home yours, like artwork, mementos, and photographs.  Figure out what you just can’t live without and then see how much room is left.  Narrowing down your belongings is liberating!  You can give so much to charity or needy friends and neighbors.  You can sell things that may be worth money and save even more.

Think about how to fill the small spaces that you have and how you can utilize wasted space, such as space near the ceiling.  Use specialty hangers and space saving hangers in your closets to double the space available for clothes.  Use companies like YesterTec for small space furniture.  They even have an armoire that opens up to be a full sized kitchen.  There are a lot of surprising “luxuries” on the market that can keep your small space from feeling small.  Be creative and have fun coming up with clever ways to use your spaces!