Five Space-Saving & Organization Tips for New Homeowners
When my clients move into their first homes in Littleton, the #1 complaint I hear is: “I have too much stuff and not enough space!” Whether you’re in a cozy Denver condo or downsizing to a smaller home, I’ve got you covered. Here are five game-changing tips that will help you maximize every square inch!
1. Multi-Use Kitchen Appliances Are Your Best Friend
If this is a new concept, you should definitely check this out! When my husband and I first bought our new house, we were shopping at Costco and I really wanted an Instant Pot. Next to the Instant Pot was a Ninja Foodi and after much debate, my husband convinced me that we should buy a Ninja Foodi instead of the Instant Pot.
Best. Decision. Ever.
The Ninja Foodi bakes, sautés, pressure cooks, air fries, dehydrates food and more. This one kitchen appliance saves me from having 6 to 8 different kitchen appliances taking up precious counter and cabinet space! We’re talking about saving approximately 8 cubic feet of cabinet space—that’s huge in a small kitchen.
Pro Tip: Before buying any new kitchen gadget, ask yourself: “Does this do something my current appliances can’t?” If the answer is no, skip it!
2. Lazy Susans for Those Awkward Spaces
These are perfect for awkward corner spaces in cabinets or closets that are hard to reach. It saves you the irritation of having to dig through that space when you can just spin it around and find exactly what you need!
I use lazy Susans in my kitchen corners for spices (a 12-inch lazy Susan can hold 20+ spice jars compared to the 8-10 you’d actually be able to reach in a static corner), in bathroom closets for cleaning supplies, and even in my pantry for oils and vinegars. Game changer!
3. Murphy Beds & Multipurpose Furniture
My third recommendation is multipurpose sofas, daybeds, or Murphy beds. They fold up against the wall, conveniently giving you that space in the room back when they’re not in use.
Yes, they can be an initial investment (typically $500-$4,000 depending on quality), but the space they save is incredible! One of the to-do projects in my own home is to convert the guest room bed into a Murphy bed and then that space could double as my office. Imagine having a fully functional home office that transforms into a guest room in under 90 seconds!
4. Strategic Shelving Solutions
Shelving is critical for small, organized spaces, and the possibilities are endless! If you have an awkward corner, you could add corner shelves. If you want it to be more decorative, you can stagger floating shelves across your wall to hold plants, books, or decorative items—they become both functional storage and conversation pieces.
My favorite shelving trick: Go vertical! Don’t stop shelving at eye level. Use that space all the way up to the ceiling for items you don’t need daily access to (like seasonal decor or extra linens).
5. Pocket Doors & Foldable Features (The Dream Setup!)
This is usually possible if you are creating your own tiny home or designing your own space, but I love pocket doors and foldable shelving or counter spaces. Having grown up with a father who is a carpenter, he imagined and invented so many things, and I got to see firsthand how creative design can maximize space.
These days, you can hire a custom cabinet maker or just search online and find what you need and install it in your own home. Pocket doors are super fun because you don’t have to have the area to swing open the door—they just tuck back in between the wall. This saves you 9-12 square feet per door! Foldable counter extensions in the kitchen or fold-down desks in home offices are other brilliant ways to have functionality without permanent space commitment.
Ready to Maximize Your Space?
Implementing even 2-3 of these strategies can give you 30% more usable space in your home. Need help figuring out which solutions work best for your specific layout? That’s where I come in!
As a professional organizer serving Littleton and the Denver area, I love helping new homeowners create homes that feel spacious, functional, and peaceful—no matter the square footage.Contact me today to schedule a consultation and create a customized space-saving plan for your home!
