Decluttering a small house can be a challenging task, especially if you're limited on space.

Clutter can quickly accumulate, making it difficult to find what you need when you need it. Have you ever lost your car keys somewhere in a pile of chaos at the exact time you needed to be out the door? Those lost, frustrating moments can really put you off your onion, right? Let’s save your sanity because, with the right strategies in place, you can keep your small home organized and clutter-free and avoid these frustrating bits all together.

Today, I'll cover the 3 C's of decluttering a small house: Contain, Conceal, and Control.

These three principles will help you take control of the clutter of your and create a more organized, functional, and stylish space.

Whether you're starting fresh or just looking to revamp your existing organization systems, these tips will help you get the most out of your small space. So, let's dive in!

Contain

The first step in decluttering your small house is to contain items in designated areas.

This means finding a specific place for everything, so you know where to put it when you're done using it. This is the old, everything in its place and a place for everything scenario.

You can do this by using shelves, drawers, or baskets to store items in a neat and organized way.

For example, if you have a lot of books, invest in a bookshelf to store them in.

If you have a collection of items, such as knick-knacks, display them on a shelf or in a cabinet.

This will not only help you keep things tidy, but it will also add character to your home.

The key again is to contain your items in a place where you know they’ll be when you need them. This will help immensely with those lost keys when you’re in a hurry.

Take a creative approach to decluttering. Here’s 5 uncommon ways to contain clutter:

1. Vertical Wall Space: Use the vertical wall space in your home by installing shelves, pegboards, or hooks. This will give you a place to store items that would otherwise take up valuable floor space. I often say, in small and awkward rooms if you can’t go wide, go up.

2. Over the Door Organizers: They’re a great way to store items that you don't use frequently, such as extra linens, towels, or cleaning supplies. A simple towel bar on the back of doors can hold everything from shoes to mops and brooms. These things are out of sight, but right at hand when needed.

3. Under the Bed Storage: Take advantage of the space under your bed by using under bed storage containers or drawers. This is a great place to store seasonal items or items that you don't use every day. Space bags that can be compressed, are perfect for under bed storage. You’ll be able to store off season clothes, bedding, pillows, literally anything that can be compressed and flattened out.

4. Hanging Baskets: There are many uses for hanging baskets: They’re an often overlooked, stylish and functional way to contain clutter. They can be used to store items such as fruits, vegetables, toys, or even mail. You can hang these baskets in closets and cabinets too. You’d be amazed at how many pairs of socks, rolled undergarments, neck ties, scarves, and more that you can store in a hanging basket.

5. Stackable Storage Containers: They can be used to store items such as shoes, toys, or even pantry items. By stacking them, you can make the most of your vertical space and keep things organized. There are tons of very attractive storage boxes around that will look beautiful on open shelving in any room. I love using decorative boxes to contain things like design magazines, my camera equipment, and microphones. I have everything I need, all “hidden” in pretty boxes that I also use as decorative accents on my shelves. Neat, tidy, and out of sight.

Conceal

Once you’ve contained your items, it's time to conceal them.

This means finding ways to hide things that are not in use, so they don't take up valuable space in your home.

You can use curtains, blinds, or furniture with doors to hide items that you don't need to access frequently.

For instance, if you have a lot of electronics, such as a TV, game console, and sound system, consider investing in a cabinet or entertainment center with doors to hide these items when they're not in use. This will not only declutter your home but also give it a more visually, polished look.

Think you’ve tried all-the-ways to conceal clutter? Here’s 5 uncommon places to corral clutter and keep it concealed in organized ways:

1. Chalkboard Paint: Cover a section of wall with chalkboard paint and use it as a place to store notes, lists, and reminders. This will not only hide clutter but also add an element of style to your home. Hear me out on this one. If you’re a ‘visual’ person, keeping things like handwritten notes, coupons, reminders, and important dates in front of you is a literal life saver. Little slips of paper and notes accumulate and end up in messy piles. Important dates, reminders and deadlines can get lost. This is a concealed in plain sight approach to decluttering. With some attention, it can be a purposeful and attractive command center.

2. Window Seat Storage: Consider adding a window seat with built-in storage underneath. This is a great way to conceal items such as extra linens, toys, or books while providing a cozy seating area. Extra seating in a small or awkward room and storage, yes please!

3. Mirrored Cabinet Doors: Install cabinet doors with mirrored surfaces to conceal the contents of the cabinets while also reflecting light and making your space look larger. Large mirrors, like cabinet door mirrors, double the visual space of small rooms. Just make sure that the stuff behind the doors is neatly stored so you don’t have to riffle through random boxes to find what you need.

4. Picture Frames with Hidden Storage: Picture frames with hidden storage are a creative way to conceal clutter while also adding a decorative touch to your home. They can be used to store items such as jewelry, keys, or even small electronics. This might seem a little eccentric to some, but it’s another idea for hiding clutter in plain sight. Plus, you’ll probably get a kick out of knowing valuable things are hidden away in a totally old timey mystery sort of way. I mean, every third episode of Scooby-Doo used this exact method to hide the goods!

5. Wall-Mounted Planters: Wall-mounted planters are a great way to conceal items that you don't need to access frequently. Simply place items inside the planters and use plants or flowers to cover them. This not only hides clutter but also adds a touch of greenery to your space. No need to hide things in old coffee cans, you can use this trick with faux plants as well. This idea is multi-purpose: decorative and functional.

Control

The final “C” in decluttering your small house is to control the items you bring into it.

This means being mindful of what you bring in and being careful not to accumulate too many things.

Consider donating or selling items that you no longer need or use and make a conscious effort to not buy items that you don't have a specific place for.

For example, if you're considering buying a new piece of furniture, think about where it will go and if you have enough space for it. If you're not sure, take measurements of your space and compare it to the size of the item before making your purchase.

Here’s 5 ways to control clutter before it gets out of hand:

1. Set Limits: Limit the number of items you bring into your home and stick to it. This will help prevent clutter from accumulating in the first place. If you have one empty spot on your shoe rack, don’t buy 3 pairs of shoes. Makes sense, right?

2. Have a One-In, One-Out Policy: For every new item you bring into your home, you must remove an item that you no longer need or use. Instead of struggling with too much stuff and having to find a place to keep it, let it go. If you struggle with this, remember it’s stuff, not people. Let go of all the FOMO guilt around decluttering. Read up on the theory of sunk costs and you’ll gain a whole new perspective on decluttering.

3. Regularly Declutter: Go through your belongings and remove items that you no longer need or use. This can be done seasonally or monthly, depending on your needs. Spring cleaning can happen in the Fall, Winter, and Summer, so release that stuff you don’t need!

4. Create a Donate/Sell Box: Add items to it as you declutter. When the box is full, take it to a charity or sell the items to make room for new things. This helps others who need, want, and can use the things that you aren’t using and – most importantly of all- it keeps your unwanted things out of landfills.

5. Change Your Mindset: Instead of viewing clutter as a problem to be solved, try viewing it as an opportunity to simplify your life. Consider getting rid of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy and focus on only keeping the things that you truly need and love. Adopting a minimalist mindset can help you control clutter before it even has a chance to accumulate. This can be a powerful way to shift your perspective and create a more peaceful, organized, and functional home.

So, decluttering your small house can be a manageable task if you follow the 3 C's of Contain, Conceal, and Control.

Set limits on the number of items you bring into your home, regularly declutter, and use storage solutions to keep things organized.

Also, consider adding the some of the expanded tips, such as chalkboard paint, window seat storage, mirrored cabinet doors, and wall-mounted planters to conceal clutter while adding style to your space.

By following these tips, you'll be able to keep your small home clutter-free and enjoy a more peaceful and functional living environment.

Remember, the key to decluttering a small house is to be proactive, consistent, and creative. With these strategies in place, you'll be well on your way to creating a clutter-free, organized, and stylish small home.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.