There’s nothing wrong with having a tiny home. Modern consumerist culture likes to make you think that more is better. But this isn’t necessarily true. Don’t be fooled by those that tell you a bigger home is a mark of success. More often than not, it’s just a sign of a bigger ego.

There are many great benefits to having a smaller home. First of all, it’s significantly cheaper. Bigger houses cost more money, so by downsizing, you can save yourself and your family a fortune to spend on the things that really matter.

Secondly, the ongoing running costs will be a lot less. With less space to heat, you’ll save a tremendous amount on gas and electricity bills. And finally, a smaller home is easier to clean. If you own a mansion, by the time you’ve finished cleaning every room, it’s almost time to start from the beginning again (or hiring a cleaner!). But a small home takes very little time to make it spotless, and you’ll be able to enjoy more leisure time as a result.

But living in a little place does come with its own problems. Primarily, you are severely limited in your space. If you’re the kind of person who hoards possessions and is unable to refrain from online shopping, then this lifestyle may not be for you. But for those willing to make it work, there are several ways to make the most of every last inch of living space and significantly improve your quality of life without moving out or paying for costly house extensions.

To get you started, here are some tips to help you make the most of your tiny house.

Go minimalist

Minimal space requires a minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism is the practice of living simply and owning as few possessions as possible. As well as helping you free up space, it has numerous benefits for your mental wellbeing and can help you feel more relaxed, stress-free, and productive.

It is not easy to suddenly switch to this way of living, and it requires you to maintain good habits to make it work. Start by decluttering your possessions and getting rid of anything you deem non-essential. Tidying guru Marie Kondo recommends picking up every single item and only keeping it if it “sparks joy” in your heart.

Once you have decluttered and freed up some space, minimalism needs to become a part of your life. Otherwise, you will find yourself reverting back to your old ways and seeing the mess build up again.

Ensure that every single item in your item, down to the last teaspoon and safety pin, has a dedicated place. Always put things back where they belong after use, and have a daily routine of cleaning surfaces and clearing the floors. This way, your home will be in a constant state of tidiness, and you will have more physical space and freedom to enjoy.

Use smart storage

One excellent way to create more space is to be smarter about where you store your belongings.

Keeping things out on the floor or strewn across surfaces makes your home look and feel cluttered. Discreet solutions such as high shelving, under-bed, or underfloor storage will enable you to keep the clutter out of sight and out of mind.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.