Creative Storage Ideas for People Relocating to a Smaller Home

Posted Storage / December 16, 2022
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

If you’re one of many people who plan on finding a smaller space after relocating abroad, you know that discovering creative storage ideas is essential to keeping your new space organized and functional. Luckily, we are here to help! We will share some of our favorite solutions and relocation tips that will help you make your new place feel like a home from the start.

Before You Start Thinking About Creative Storage Ideas, Declutter

Once you decide where to live and hire an overseas moving company to help you move, know that one of the first things you’ll need to deal with is decluttering – it is the first step in organizing your possessions. Purging through your belongings before relocating across the world is a great way of saving your time, energy, and money – which is good if you’re relocating on a low budget.

However, if you wish to move to a smaller space, it’s kind of necessary. Remember – the less stuff you have, the less cluttered your new home will appear. Taking the time to declutter before you dive into finding creative organizing solutions will make your move much smoother and help you create a home that feels comfortable.

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Decluttering can be a difficult process, but there are several benefits that make it worthwhile. It can help you clear up physical space in your new home, making it easier to find creative options for the items you want to keep when relocating. In addition, getting rid of clutter will free up mental space. It will allow you to focus on settling into your new home instead of worrying about how to fit everything after moving internationally.

How to Get Started With Decluttering?

Decluttering can seem like an overwhelming task, but there are a few tips that can help make it easier. Here are a few relocation hacks you should make a part of your to-do list to speed up the process:

  • Start by sorting through one room at a time – don’t make the relocation mistake of trying to tackle all at once. A room-by-room system can ensure that no items slip through the cracks. At the same time, it can help you determine what kind of storage you’ll need for things you want to keep after shipping overseas.
  • Set clear goals for what you want to accomplish – for example, you may want to focus on getting rid of a certain number of items or determining relocation essentials. Having these goals in mind can help keep you motivated and focused as you work through your decluttering project.
  • Ask yourself if the item has any practical use or sparks joy. If not, then set it aside for donation or disposal.
  • Don’t be afraid to let go of the things that are no longer serving you – many of us hang on to things just because they were important at one time. However, that doesn’t mean you have to keep holding on to all those things that really don’t add value to your life anymore.
  • Ask for help when you need it – having support from friends and family can be incredibly helpful as you work through deciding what to pack.

After you’re done with decluttering, your next task is to determine what to do with decluttered items. There is a wide range of options available, including donating items to a charity such as the Salvation Army, giving things away to friends and family, or selling them on online marketplaces such as eBay.

Creative Storage Solutions for Living Rooms

Relocating to a new home abroad can be exciting, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Some of them you may overcome with the help of an international moving company, but others you need to tackle all by yourself. If you’re relocating into a smaller living space, such as an apartment, you may find yourself struggling to find a place for all your belongings.

Fortunately, smart solutions can maximize the space in your living room without making it feel cluttered. In the midst of exploring your relocation benefits and doing your best to adjust to a new country, consider the following ideas:

Under-the-Couch Drawers

Consider adding drawers under your sofa that can be used to store items such as blankets and extra pillows. This is a great way to store belongings without taking up valuable floor space. It is also easy to access these items when needed since they are within reach of the sofa.

Ottoman Seating

An ottoman is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture when it comes to utilizing limited space. Not only does it provide comfortable seating, but they also come with storage options so you can keep items out of sight while still having them easily accessible when needed. You can even use multiple ottomans and stack them together for an interesting visual element.

Wall Shelves

Wall shelves are another great solution that can help free up some much-needed floor space in a small living room, so make them a part of your relocation checklist. These shelves allow you to display books, photos, and other decorative pieces while also providing extra space for smaller items, such as electronic accessories. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs and style.

Still, note that boxy, uniform shelving units can overwhelm a tiny space and give the illusion that it is smaller than it actually is. Instead, search for shelves that are shaped like ladders. This may help a space seem and appear lighter while offering additional space for objects of various sizes.

Clever Storage Ideas for Small Kitchens

One other area that requires a lot of thought is the kitchen. After all, it’s the area you’ll mostly need professional packing services for – and for a good reason. However, for those with small kitchens, storage ideas can be especially challenging. But don’t despair! With some practical relocation tips and clever solutions, you can make the most of your limited space and create an efficient and organized kitchen.

One way to make a small kitchen look bigger is to utilize vertical space. You can hang pots, pans, utensils, or even spices from hooks on the wall or ceiling. Hanging shelving units are also great for storing items like cookbooks or other cooking supplies. If you have high ceilings, consider adding a pot rack above your island – it will give you plenty of room for storing larger cookware without taking up floor space.

Get Creative With Cabinets

Consider using tall shallow cabinets instead of wider, deeper ones so you can fit more items in the same amount of space. You can also install pull-out shelves in existing cabinets, so you don’t have to reach all the way back for the items in the back. Roll-out trays are another great option – they provide easy access to everything stored inside without sacrificing cabinet space.

If possible, it’s also helpful to add extra cabinetry like an island or breakfast bar that provides additional countertop workspace as well as additional drawers and shelves below it. Finally, if you’re short on space, think about getting creative by installing floating shelves above your sink for easy access to frequently used items like spices and cooking oils.

Creative Bathroom Storage Ideas

The first step towards creating an efficient bathroom space is to identify all available spaces and how they can be utilized. This includes nooks and crannies that may not have been noticed before. It also helps to think outside of the box when considering storage solutions. For example, hanging a basket from the ceiling or putting up floating shelves on an empty wall can provide extra space for towels or toiletries without taking up any floor area.

Vertical space is often overlooked but can be extremely helpful when you need more space. If you’re dealing with limited square footage in your bathroom, try adding shelves or drawers that run along one side of the room, as this will give you plenty of space to store items. For those who don’t mind drilling holes in their walls, installing wall-mounted cabinets and hooks is another great way to add extra storage.

Keep in mind that a floating sink instead of a vanity adds a more contemporary aesthetic but doesn’t add much in terms of storage. A floating shelf hung below the sink maintains the open atmosphere while also offering much-needed additional space.

When in Need of Space, Go Multipurpose

Finally, don’t forget that multipurpose items are your best friend when it comes to small bathrooms! Think about investing in a mirror with hidden shelving behind it for storing small items like makeup brushes and hair dryers. In addition, baskets are always useful for keeping things tidy. If you have any spare baskets lying around at home, these are perfect for storing rolled-up towels or other bathroom items that need organizing. It’s a truly unique storage idea that can appear modern and stylish.

For more amazing tiny bathroom ideas, make sure to check the video below:

Creative Storage Ideas for Small Bedrooms

When your bedroom is on the smaller side, it can feel like a challenge to make everything fit. Luckily, with some creativity and careful planning, there are plenty of ways to maximize the potential of any small bedroom.

When you’re dealing with limited space, every piece of furniture should have multiple uses. Look for pieces that offer additional storage capabilities, such as beds with built-in drawers or dressers that double as nightstands. If you don’t want to invest in new pieces of furniture, consider using old crates and baskets as makeshift drawers and stowing them beneath your bed or other pieces of furniture.

Under-bed containers are one of the best creative storage ideas for small spaces. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits perfectly under your bed frame – no matter its size! Whether you need extra space for clothes and accessories or toys (if you’re relocating with kids), under-bed storage containers are an easy way to keep things organized. Therefore, make purchasing them one of the things to do after the move.

Be Wise When Moving Overseas and Deciding What to Bring

As you can see, organizing your tiny house after relocating to a new city abroad will be simple if you apply a little creativity. However, when packing clothes, books, and electronics or relocating large items such as furniture, you need to choose their type and amount wisely. Creative ideas can get you far, but in order to make the most of the available space, you’ll need to say goodbye to some of your items before workers from an overseas shipping company come. That way, once you move abroad, all that is left to do is follow our tips and suggestions – and you’ll create a cozy home in no time.

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