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Elfie PH

Maximizing Storage in Your Space-Constrained Filipino Home

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Today, the Philippines is home to some of the most densely populated cities in the world. In places such as Metro Manila, the scarcity of affordable housing often means that families end up in very small homes. These tiny homes often come with several compromises, particularly when it comes to storage space.

A typical 20-25 square meter dwelling may be fine for a young single individual who works at an office. However, if they share the home with other family members, it can be challenging to store everyone’s belongings without cluttering the living areas. It’s a good thing that with some creativity and by applying a few proven storage-maximization techniques, you can increase the storage capacity of your space-constrained Filipino home. Here are six tips to help you recover some of your limited space:

Get Rid of Clutter

A lot of people’s first reaction to hitting their tiny home’s storage limits is to buy more storage solutions. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, this can do more harm than good. Additional storage may only serve to intensify clutter down the road if it’s not done with a purpose.

Before you start looking at storage solutions, consider decluttering your home. Identify items in your home that you no longer need and dispose of them. You can give these unwanted possessions to loved ones who live outside your home or you can put them up on a buy-and-sell online marketplace like LookingFour to help pay for future storage solutions.

Decluttering will, of course, free up some space. More importantly, however, the process of ridding your home of unwanted things can help create a mindset of mindful consumption that helps reduce clutter in the future. Additionally, less clutter in your house to start with will make it easier to organize whatever belongings you have remaining, later on.

Think Vertically

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While tiny homes may be lacking in floor space, chances are, that they may have some vertical space available. Tall bookshelves and cabinets can help you stack different appliances and other items with large footprints off of the floor while occupying smaller amounts of floor space themselves. If you can drill into the walls, you can also consider installing floating shelves and other types of hanging organizers to keep your possessions off the floor and out of the way.

Use Standard Shelving and Storage Containers

If possible, commit to using as few types of shelving and storage solutions as possible. This ensures that you can neatly stack and secure different containers, which not only reduces the appearance of clutter but helps you make better use of vertical space. Using standard containers—especially ones that you can easily buy more of at any time—will also give options for expanding your storage later on, should you need it.

Use Space-Saving Kitchen and Dining Furniture

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It’s difficult to make a tiny kitchen work, but it is possible, especially if you have kitchen and dining furniture that’s designed for a small home. These pieces often incorporate pull-out tables and clever geometric tricks to max out the usable food preparation and dining areas.

Not too long ago, these specially designed pieces were often custom-made, but they are now often available off-the-shelf due to the high demand for space-efficient furniture. However, more than with other kinds of furniture, you do get what you pay for with these types of pieces. When possible, invest in pieces with better workmanship and materials, as these furniture types often have moving parts and are often exposed to the high heat and humidity of kitchens. By paying a bit more for quality, you’ll ensure that your furniture will serve you well for years to come.

Install Closet Organizers

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Your closet might be able to hold much more than you think. Regardless of whether your closet is a standalone or walk-in type, you should be able to find and install organizers that can help you squeeze a bit more space out of it. Look for clever closet organizers that attach to your closets' rods and doors to find solutions that work well for your situation.

Use Underbed Storage

Even if you don’t own a bed with integrated storage, the space under your bed can still offer you a significant amount of storage space. Fortunately, there are now plenty of low-profile storage containers and drawers available that will fit right under most elevated beds. These solutions can be used to store anything, but they are especially useful for bedsheets, duvets, and pillowcases, saving you the need to get a bulky linen cabinet.

Maximizing storage in a tiny home requires imagination, commitment, and plenty of research. By getting rid of clutter and then reimagining what your space can be, you and the other people in your household can come up with a unique set of solutions that not only maximize your home’s available space but also make it a joy to live in.

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