As we get older, we tend to accumulate more stuff. All of the souvenirs you pick up on your travels, clothing that maybe isn’t so fashionable anymore but once was, and old magazines that you are still hoping to read are all things that clutter up small and large homes alike. And you know what happens when you have more things than you have space for: you start to live in a cramped, cluttered space. This not only looks messy but it also has a negative effect on your state of mind. To achieve a clear head, you need a clear head! Do you have more stuff than you know what to do with? There are several ways to handle this problem, but they all require some creative thinking. Below are some steps to help you so that you too can increase the usable space in your home.

STEP #1 – It might be time to get rid of some things. You know those magazines you want to read? They are probably available online. Those clothes you never wear anymore? Somebody else might welcome the opportunity to wear them. And all of those souvenirs? Well some of them might be worth keeping, but don’t feel compelled to hold onto stuff you don’t even like or use anymore. So get some boxes out and sort through your stuff. Make three categories: Store, Donate, and Trash. If you make a donation, keep the receipt so you can claim the tax write off!

STEP #2 – Lift your bed and store underneath it! Storing things under your bed is a great option for anyone. If you use a bed skirt, you can even let it get messy! For extra space underneath the bed, consider buying some lifts to put your bed on. You can double the space you are using for storage! This is a great spot for anything that you don’t use regularly and can therefore bury underneath and behind other things. Think Christmas decorations, seasonal clothing, or ugly sweaters from your mother.

STEP #3 – Use the walls! Don’t forget to utilize your walls for storage space, so that you can open up the floor. Instead of getting a hat rack that stands on the floor and takes up space, for example, consider buying a hat rack that hangs on the wall – or get a hammer and a nail and hang some pegs yourself. You can design it in any shape you like! And if you have a bike, stick that on the wall too.

STEP #4 – Buy furniture that does double duty. Instead of having a footstool and a storage container, why not get a footstool that is also a storage container? There is a lot of furniture that does double duty, so look for some. Trunks that work as coffee tables can be beautiful – look for a vintage or vintage-inspired model that works with the rest of your decor.

STEP #5 – Hang shelves on your wall instead of using bookcases. Bookcases take a up a lot of floor space, but we use them because we need a place to put our books. Consider losing the bookshelf and installing some shelves instead directly into the wall. Be careful with the power tools and make sure you know how much weight each shelf can handle. You can always hire a professional to install them as well, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

About the author: Jillian Watkinson is a DIY expert and has written about home and gardens for many years. When she’s not writing, you can find her covering Community Home Supply and other useful supply companies for various projects.