For many homeowners, spring cleaning brings with it the feeling of an overcrowded house. If you are trying to figure out how to create floor space while getting back down to the basics, look no further. We have prepared a helpful list of ways to increase floor space in your home.
Where Does the “Urge to Purge” Come From?
Several things contribute to the sudden need for organization, including a change of season. If everything in your house has stayed the same for a while, or if you have been home more than usual, you’ll probably start craving a change of scenery. When this “mood” hits, your natural instinct is to start cleaning, redecorating, and throwing things away.
Remember, just because you get hit with the desire to clean does not mean everything in your home is suddenly useless. Purge carefully, or you might get rid of something you need later.
Tips for Eliminating Clutter
Purging is easy for some people and difficult for others. The trick is to find the balance between letting go of unnecessary items and throwing away the whole house. If you find yourself with too many things and no idea what to do with them, apply the following tips.
1. Focus on individual rooms.
Decluttering the whole house at one will quickly get overwhelming. Instead, work on one room at a time, and don’t move on until you finish.
2. Decide ahead of time how to determine what goes and what stays.
If you approach each room without a plan, you’re likely to get rid of things you need or to talk yourself into keeping items that you don’t need. Develop a plan that will help you maintain a balance.
3. Categorize items and divide them into piles.
Create a “keep pile,” a “trash pile,” a “sell pile,” a “donate pile,” and an “undecided pile.” Organize your “keep pile” within the room, and then take care of the other piles as necessary.
4. Create storage spaces for sentimental items.
Most people possess a collection of sentimental items that serve little purpose besides nostalgia. Keeping these items is perfectly fine, but make sure you have a handy place to store them.
5. Ask yourself, “When was the last time I used this, and when will I use it again?”
If you can’t decide whether or not to get rid of something, force yourself to be realistic. If you never use it, sell it or give it to somebody who will.
Other Ways to Increase Floor Space
If you are working with limited space or you have run out of clutter to eliminate, don’t worry. There are other ways to make rooms appear bigger.
1. Utilize smart storage.
If there aren’t many storage areas in your home, consider conserving space by installing smart storage. Keep things in totes under beds, install drawers under stairs, or add cabinets and shelves to walls. Avoid keeping things in trunks or buckets that waste floor space.
2. Use bright colors and natural lighting.
Light, airy fabrics and bright, natural lighting can make a room appear bigger than it actually is.
3. Decorate with mirrors.
Mirrors also provide the illusion of a bigger room. Floor-length mirrors with clean lines not only “increase floor space,” they add an element of style to the room.
4. Keep everything off the floor except for furniture.
Floor pillows, baskets, excessive rugs, etc. can make a room appear small and cramped. In limited space areas, limit items touching the floor to furniture only.
5. Clean regularly.
The best way to reduce clutter and free up floor space is to keep your home clean and tidy. Vacuum, sweep, dust, and organize.
Still Feeling Cramped? You Might Need a New Room!
While purging is a great way to free up some space, don’t forget that as a modular homeowner, you have plenty of flexibility Whether your family is growing or you need more room for storage, a modular home addition is a great way to create your own space.
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of modular homebuilding, do not hesitate to call us today. At Next Modular, we know that choosing a home is likely one of the most important financial decisions you will make. As an experienced modular home builder, we are committed to being your guiding light through this process.
