About six months ago we moved into an apartment that is about half the size of our former home. Initially I resented the lack of storage space. Then it occurred to me that this is my chance to get rid of clutter. What started as looking for ways to make the most of the available space, has resulted in important lifestyle changes for us:
- Buying a piece of furniture only if we absolutely need it: Starting with a couple of basics, we got furniture (bought or made by the local carpenter) in several stages. I am certain that if ours hadn't been a somewhat damp ground-floor apartment, we could do with even fewer items of furniture.
- Combine multiple functions: For example, we decided that we would keep all our books, music CDs, DVDs or random stuff picked up during travels. I realize that on one level this is clutter too, but this is something we are comfortable with :). All our stuff needed at least three bookcases, a CD rack and a display case. Instead, we got three tall and extra-deep bookshelves made with adjustable shelves. These also act as CD/DVD racks (by reducing the shelf heights) and display cases (by using the extra depth in front of the books).
- Do without domestic help: In my opinion this is the most important factor in keeping clutter in check. It is easy to clean if there are fewer things lying around. We do dishes immediately after meals and clean the apartment once a week. I must say that the sight of a dusty floor bothers me far less than the litter I see on the streets.
- Use what we already have: We brought along our kitchen stuff when we realized that shipping these things would cost us less than buying new ones of the same quality. So we are using the same crockery/cutlery for the last 5-6 years. If we have friends over for meals, we simply ask them to bring along a few extra plates :)
- Less-stocked but well-used pantry: Our kitchen doesn't have much storage. So, everything except rice is bought in small quantities and used before it goes bad. I don't have more than two kinds of teas or lentils at any given time. This is a big change from the days when tins of provisions used to sit unopened for months. I also buy rectangular/square containers as they pack well and can be stacked.
- Simpler meals: We make one pot dishes (adding veggies to everything from lentils to meat) and cook enough to feed two people for at least two meals. This frees up time and leaves only one or two cooking pots to wash up. We also use the slow-cooker/oven more as the food can be left to cook without much attention.
- Think before buying: If I need something, I try to use something that we already have. Packing boxes that held our stuff when we moved have become bedside tables and waste paper baskets. Used cereal/yogurt pots are stored and will become flower pots once we start gardening. There is no recycling for glass and plastic here, so I am reluctant to throw things away.
- We buy the newspaper only on Saturdays. The internet suffices for the rest of the week. The old newspapers are generally used to pack things, mop up liquids or block cracks under the doors.
- Television: This probably is one big mind-clutterer. We didn't have a TV for about 5 months. When we got one finally, we decided to opt for a few à la carte channels. The deal is that every time we decide to add a new channel, we will get rid of one.
So, in a way our small apartment has turned out to be a boon of sorts.
