How to Optimise Your Space After Decluttering

REARRANGE YOUR SPACE WITH PURPOSE

Decluttering provides you with a great opportunity to rethink the layout of your rooms. With fewer items in the way, you can arrange your furniture and belongings in a way that feels open, functional, and fresh. You could: 

• Create clear walking paths to open up tight spaces
• Try floating furniture away from walls to improve flow
• Experiment with multi-purpose layouts, especially in smaller rooms

Even a small change in layout can make a big difference in how spacious your home feels.

MAKE USE OF SMART STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Now that you’ve purged through your belongings and narrowed it down to what you really want to keep, it's time to store them smarter. 

Under-bed storage

Ottoman bed frames, Divan beds, and bed frames with drawers are great for under-bed storage. These can be purchased from popular furniture retailers such as (but not limited to): IKEA, Dreams, Bensons for Beds, and John Lewis. Items that are ideal for under-bed storage include: 

• Seasonal clothes and essentials
• Extra clothing, shoes & accessories 
• Spare bedding, linen, and cushions
• Blankets
• Guest towels
• Swimwear and beachwear

FINEST TIPS:

1. Placing clothing and linen into under-bed storage bags or vacuum-pack bags can help save space, protect against dust, and prevent creepy crawlies from lurking in your spare linen. These bags can be acquired relatively cheaply from retailers such as Dunelm and SHEIN.
2. You should generally avoid storing perishable items such as food, electronics, documents, and dirty clothing under your bed, as these can attract pests, pose a fire risk, degrade, and cause odours.

Storage ottomans and benches

These provide space-saving, multi-functional solutions by offering hidden storage, additional seating, all while serving as a comfortable footrest and decorative design element. They can be a beneficial addition in most rooms around the home and help to declutter living spaces and keep essential items such as blankets, linen, and toys organised and within easy reach.

Plastic storage drawers

These are practical, accessible and cost-effective storage solutions that are lightweight and durable, offering versatile organisation for all manner of items around the home or office, such as office supplies, toys, cables, arts and crafts. Their translucent drawers also improve item visibility so one can see the general type of items contained within drawers without having to pull out every drawer (if the drawers are organised by group or type of item that is). These can usually be found in local homeware stores.

Vertical shelving

These are a great way to:

• Maximise floor space by using walls
• Reduce clutter for a more open and organised feel
• Increase accessibility to stored items
• Generally enhance a room’s aesthetics by creating visual appeal and a sense of height
• Add style to your home or office space without compromising on floor area

Hanging racks and hooks

In addition to vertical shelving, hooks and hanging racks can be great for providing designated and organised spots for items in small spaces such as an entryway, for hanging jackets and house keys, or a kitchen, for hanging cooking utensils and crockery. By utilising smart-storage solutions, even a small home or space can feel roomy, organised and aesthetically pleasing.

CREATE ZONES FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES

Open-plan living is great, but it can quickly become cluttered if there's a lack of structure. Try dividing larger rooms into zones with clear purposes - such as a reading nook, a work-from-home station, or a simple living space to relax and unwind. You can do this using:

• Rugs - Rugs are great for acting as a unifying element in your home decor. They bring together different design aspects, such as colours and patterns, while also anchoring your furniture, tying the space together. By placing your sofa and coffee table, on a rug, for instance, prevents them from 'floating' in the room. 
• Bookshelves and Kallax units - Excellent for acting as room dividers, offering versatile storage and display options, For instance, they're great for displaying books, showcasing decor, or creating a visually appealing focal point in a space, all while offering easy access to the items contained within them.
• Lighting - to set the tone of each area. Floor lamps in corners, table lamps on side tables, and even pendant lights.

Creating zones not only helps manage clutter but also creates a sense of order, calm and direction. 

FINEST TIP:

1. Why not try experimenting with variations of different indoor plants, such as succulents or trailing plants, and place them on your shelves to add some colour and promote a sense of tranquility? 

ADOPT THE ‘ONE IN, ONE OUT’ METHOD

After all your hard work decluttering, it’s easy to fall back into old habits. A simple way to stay on track is to adopt the “one in, one out” rule: for every new item you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer have a need for. By implementing this mindset it can help to keep clutter at bay and encourage more mindful shopping habits. 

MAKE USE OF EXTERNAL STORAGE (IF REQUIRED)

Sometimes, no matter how well we organise our space, there simply isn’t enough space at home - and that’s okay. If you have items you don’t use very often but are intent on keeping them, secure storage could be a practical solution. Maybe you require additional space for seasonal items, sentimental belongings, or large furniture you want to hold on to. At Finest Van, we can assist you with short-term or long-term storage options that are personally tailored to your move or home reorganisation plan. 

REFRESH & REDEFINE YOUR ROOMS

Finally, take this opportunity to refresh your space - maybe that spare room can finally become the creative studio, guest room, or office you've always wanted. Redefining the purpose of each room really does bring clarity, improves functionality, and can even reignite your love for your home.

FINEST TIP:

1. Why not try refreshing your space with a lick of paint, some new lighting, or simply alter how you use the area? More often than not, just experimenting with a room’s décor can make all the difference in how it looks and feels. 

CONCLUSION

Creating more space in your home doesn’t always mean having to get rid of everything - it’s about making better use of what you have and being intentional with how you live. After all, a home should feel like a place where you can truly breathe and be yourself in.

At Finest Van, we’re proud to support our customers not just with moving, but with assisting them in making the most of their homes, offices and spaces post-move too. Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or simply having a rethink on the space you have - we’re here to help.

Contact us today to discuss your moving requirements and discover more about the services Finest Van offers. A friendly member of the team will be more than happy to assist you.

#Decluttering #SmartStorageSolutions #FinestVan