Most of us have that one room in the house. You know the one we’re talking about, when guests come over you have to keep the door closed to hide the clutter and mess. If you’re transitioning to a new place that is smaller, you probably won’t have the luxury of dedicating a room to “storage” so planning ahead and getting creative is key.

Before you start buying storage containers, bins, and organizers, take a minute and start by looking at what you already have. Things that you haven’t used in ages—juicers always seem to fit this category—can probably be sold or donated. If you have several things that serve the same purpose, pick the best one and get rid of the others.

Once you have thinned out your existing collection, it’s time to start looking for ways to maximize your new space to its fullest potential without overdoing it. Here are some ways to set you on the right path:

Big But Functional

Buying condo-style furniture can be tough if you are used to big comfy couches. Two important things to consider if you want to stick with normal sized furniture for a room are:

1) Avoid really wide or thick armed-furniture and overstuffed cushions.
2) Instead of having a couch and a chair, get a large sectional piece. Whatever you decide to go with, consider your continuity in the room you are decorating.

Maximize Light

Mirrors are effective in making a room feel larger because they reflect and bounce light to other parts of a room. Find a wall that will get the best result from a well placed mirror such as the dining area or living room. It’s also important to keep those window panes clear of any curtains that might block light. To create a more expansive look, hang your curtains from the ceiling height to draw the eye upwards. Lastly, paint is your new best friend. Using a lighter paint colour can do wonders to brighten up your space and make it feel bigger.

Out of Sight

Decide what you use on a daily basis and what you only need occasionally. If you have a bed or couch that has skirting around the bottom that can conceal items, then don’t be afraid to use that space. Put extra blankets in wicker baskets and slide them under furniture for when you need them during a cold night. Or consider buying multi-purpose furniture such as ottomans, beds with drawers, or storage benches.