How can I organize my very small bedroom in a rental when I have no closet and a limited income? I have a twin bed, chest of drawers, 2 night tables, a plastic unit w/3 drawers for my underwear, a folding table for my TV, computer (can't afford internet access), sewing machine, and a lot of craft stuff.
By Robin from Norfolk, VA
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Hi! I was in a similar situation several years ago. I had limited, irregularly shaped space, and bulky furniture. I wasn't sure how to fit everything, be able to move around, AND have all drawer/doors accessible.
I solved this by measuring the entire room--doors & windows included--and mapping the room out (scaled down) on a large piece of drafting paper. I then measured all furniture, adding 1/4" all around. Using the same scaled size, I drew 2 sets of the furniture pieces; one set as a "top down" (LxW) view, the other frontal (HxL) view. I then cut out each piece of "furniture" and placed them around the drawing of the room, using both views. (Yes, I know there are computer programs that do this, but those are very hard to come by when you don't even have a quarter to pay attention!)
My friend thought I was crazy when they saw all the furniture sitting outside my room. He said I was crazy if I thought I was going to be able to fit all that in...boy did he feel silly as he was rubbing my poor, tired feet, after cooking me dinner that night! It all fit beautifully, with ample room to move! The toughest part, though, was getting everything IN the room to move it around! I guess all that geometry actually comes in handy after all! :)
As for general organization goes, if you can find cardboard box lids that are close to the size of your drawers, use those to "layer" item. This helps so much for convenient accessibility! You can also cut extra notches in them, and add a divider made from the side of a box. I covered the cardboard with some cheap, but pretty, fabric. (I used an old bridesmaid dress. I just knew I was going to actually use that dress again someday! LOL!
Going VERTICLE is another great solution, if you are able to put nails/screws in the wall. I used some Pergo floor planks & "L" brackets to make staggered floating shelves. Putting cup hooks on the underside added even more space! (Just be absolutely certain you are actually IN a wall stud BEFORE putting anything even remotely heavy onto the shelf!!! I almost lost a toe when one of them came down on it!!! LOL!)
Good luck! ~Adrienne
If you shop garage sales look for a hanging shoe rack. It's all fabric with about a dozen pockets. Great for holding things besides shoes and it hangs off the back of a door.
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