You take a look around your house and think to yourself “man, I really want to get organizied, but I don’t have a large budget”. You have spent countless hours pouring over Pinterest, wishing you could recreate that beautiful space but know you don’t have the funds to support it. Feelings of stress and overwhelm start to creep in and you are about to throw in the towel and just live in the chaos. Fear not! While organizing your home can certainly be daunting, especially if you’re on a tight budget, getting organized doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can create a more streamlined and functional space without spending a lot of money. With these simple tips, you will be organized in no time!
Start with decluttering
The first step in organizing any space is to get rid of the things you don’t need or use. Go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or toss. This will not only make it easier to organize what’s left but also create more space in your home. If the idea of decluttering seems daunting, begin by decluttering one room or space at a time, even if your starting place is as small as a drawer- it’s a start.
If you are struggling to let something go, a good rule to follow is if you haven’t used it in over six months, it may be time to let it go! Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have multiples of an item, you may not need to keep them all. Choose your favorite one or two and let the others go. This is especially important if you have limited space, and if you are working with a limited budget, you may consider selling the multiples as a way to add to your organizing fund.
Use what you have
Before you rush out to buy organizing supplies, take a look at what you already have. You might be surprised at how many items you can repurpose for organizing, such as shoe boxes, cereal boxes, and mason jars. If you are concerned about aesthetics, get crafty and cover the boxes in appealing paper or paint as a way to infuse your own style into your budget friendly boxes and jars.
You can also use hooks, baskets, and shelves that you already own to create storage space. Hooks and baskets can often be painted to suit any style, and an old shelf can be sanded and stained or painted to add a touch of elegance to your space. Although these supplies may not be as glamorous as you had envisioned, they will help you to stay on budget, and can always be replaced should your budget allow in the future.
Shop secondhand
New things are nice, but if you have a limited budget and need to purchase organizing supplies, consider shopping secondhand. Many people who are selling their unwanted items are willing to strike a bargain so they can be rid of the item faster, even if it is in great condition. This is a win-win for you!
Thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces are great places to find inexpensive storage solutions, including bins, boxes and baskets. You might even find items such as old dressers or bookshelves that can be repurposed to suit your style.
Handcraft your own solutions
Instead of buying expensive organizing solutions, consider making your own. You can create your own labels, baskets, and storage bins with materials you already have or can purchase inexpensively at a craft store.
For instance, labels can be made out of strips of paper and glued or taped onto your bin, baskets can be made out of inexpensive plastics and twine from your local Dollar Store, and you can create lovely storage containers by using tin cans and food jars. If you are unsure about creating your own solutions, there are hundreds of videos on the internet that can teach you how to make your own organizing supplies, most of which are quick and easy.
Get creative with storage
Don’t limit yourself to traditional storage solutions. Think outside the box by using wall space, vertical storage, and even the space under your bed to create effective storage solutions. For example, you can install inexpensive shelves above your desk or hang a shoe organizer on the back of your door. Keep out of season clothing and other items under your bed inside of recycled boxes and rotate them as needed. Consider adding a few hooks on the wall to organize extra hats, jackets and bags that may typically be crammed into valuable shelf space.
Organizing on a low budget may take a bit more time and effort, but it’s definitely possible. By getting rid of what you don’t need, repurposing what you have, shopping second hand, handcrafting your own solutions, and getting creative with storage, you can create a more functional and organized space without spending a lot of money.
