A Pro Organizer’s Best Tips for an Uncluttered Small Space

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
updated Dec 20, 2019
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(Image credit: Elaine Musiwa)

Interior stylist Juliette Von Hess claims to be your Professional Organizing Fairy Godmother. As the owner and founder of MiniMax, she helps her clients declutter and organize their spaces—in a way that’s both functional and stylish. Her portfolio is absolutely impressive. But even more convincing of her pro organizing skills? The teeny tiny 280-square-foot studio apartment she calls home… and that she’s transformed into a surprisingly spacious small space full of smart storage and stylish decor ideas. Below, four of her tips to remember when you’ve got a small space you’re trying to keep organized and uncluttered.

(Image credit: Elaine Musiwa)

Use your wall height

When space is limited and you don’t have a lot of floor room for your things, look to the walls. But don’t just stick to the parts of the wall you can most easily reach. Take your storage all the way up to the top! Juliette’s space features shelving that runs all the way to the ceiling, not wasting even an inch of possible storage space. Even look at how she hangs her hats on the wall… they are hung as close to the ceiling as they can be, too.

(Image credit: Elaine Musiwa)

Look for closed storage

As Juliette writes, “your space will immediately appear larger and more orderly.” As important as it is to use all the space you have in your small home, it’s vital to use the right kind of storage so your place doesn’t feel like a cluttered store. Juliette installed IKEA BESTA cabinets above the doorways near the ceiling. Their white color blends in, avoiding a bulky look. And the fact that there are doors that can close means she gained tons of storage space without the home feeling cluttered.

“I would have to say I am really proud of the cabinet design that hides away all my items and allows me to have the extra space to entertain. The floating cabinets allow me the opportunity to not only hide things away, but great surfaces to display the items I want to showcase.”

(Image credit: Elaine Musiwa)

Skip useless souvenirs

“I encourage grabbing functional items like cute baskets, bowls, and bins if you want to buy something during your travels. You can never go wrong with cute containers, something will always need a place to go and you can easily display them around your home as a decorative, yet useful piece. I use them for jewelry, textiles, plants and even as my hamper.”

(Image credit: Elaine Musiwa)

Customize your small space (even if you rent)

Creating an organized space that functions for you AND that you love is more than just storage solutions, though. “Don’t be afraid to make a few holes,” Juliette advises. “And paint. Hang art, go for those floating shelves you have had your eye on and that punch of color that makes you happy.”