Combating The Clutter Problem In New York City Apartments

Rob Marchese

Stuff piles up quickly, especially when your living space is lacking in square footage! In New York City, where the  average 1-bedroom apartment is approximately 750 square feet  (And costs a median rent of $2,200!) it can be difficult to find not only space to store your stuff in, but space to live in. From masses of clothing taking up real estate in closets and dresser drawers, to hobby & sporting equipment taking up valuable floor space, to seasonal decor and holiday decorations cluttering up scant storage spots, most city dwellers are drowning in stuff and deficient in area.

Here are four ways to create more room and reclaim your space in your less-than-spacious New York City apartment!

Find (or create) sneaky storage spots!

Yes, storage space is slim in NYC apartments, but don’t let that get you down. Instead of getting dejected about your scarcity of storage space, get innovative with your storage spots! There are plenty of places around your apartment that you can employ as new storage locations. Use areas like the underside of drawers, behind doors and cupboards, above door frames, beside the fridge, open wall space, underneath the bed, etc. to your advantage!

Don’t underestimate the usefulness of these often underutilized sites. Make the most of them and create more space.

Invest in furniture that doubles as storage!

Furniture doesn’t just have to be something you sit on, place stuff upon or apply as an accent piece, furniture can be doubly functional and act as additional storage space. Consider investing in furnishings like beds with built-in drawers underneath, coffee tables that have shelving on the bottom, ottomans that open up to more storage, floating shelves that have space on the top and the middle to place items on/in, etc.

These types of furnishings are fit for small apartment living.

Hire a professional organizer!

We all need a little bit of help sometimes, and that holds true for getting organized. Being an organized person and keeping a tidy home doesn’t come naturally to everyone. For many, it’s a constant struggle that feels like a never-ending battle. If that statement rings true for you, you may need a professional to give you some pointers, encourage you to make tough decisions about what to keep and what to toss (or donate!) and get you on the right track for staying organized.

That’s where hiring a professional organizer comes in! With varying rates, different specialties and assorted areas of service, do a bit of research and you’ll find a myriad of  professional organizers  who’d love to assist you on your path to functional and realistic organization.

Store your stuff somewhere else!

Just because you own something, doesn’t mean you need to house it under your own roof! There are countless storage facilities to utilize who will provide secure space for your belongings. But what about convenience? While your typical self-storage facility does not offer many (or at times any) amenities to their customers, on demand storage companies do!

Above photo by  Instagram User @zippboxx
Zippboxx on demand storage  offers customers pickup, delivery and an online inventory (barcoded & photographed) of their items currently in storage. This digital inventory allows customers to schedule a pickup or delivery with just a few clicks on a connected device. No wasting time, gas or wear and tear on your vehicle driving to a storage unit, or phone calls necessary!

 

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