Living in San Francisco, I not only help my readers buy and sell property, but I also support new technology and innovation that has the potential to enrich our lives. Recently I came across a cool company, Boxbee, that is helping San Francisco residents get organized and reduce clutter. So with a little help from CEO Kristoph Matthews, we put our brains together and thought you could use a few tips to get maximum use and enjoyment out of your minimal space.

You’re cramped, always tripping over stuff, stubbing toes, and cursing names. Here, in San Francisco, it can be a way of life- especially with micro-apartments and sub 400-square-foot apartments on the rise in the city. Try as you might you can’t downsize everything, and your storage hacks and inventive decorating just aren’t cutting it. It’s time to make some changes and get the most out of your space. To help you get started, we’ve put together a few helpful tips.

Clear the Clutter– This is probably the most obvious thing to do, but clearing the clutter can really help open a space up. It’s time to get ruthless. Do you really need that five-year-old espresso machine that has never been used? Probably not. Start by dividing your items and labeling things that should stay, be placed in storage, be recycled or trashed. This will help you start to feel organized and set the path to a more spacious home.

Make Every Piece Count– Your home is already lacking in space, which means you shouldn’t be showcasing your entire collection of precious figurines or baseball cards. Determine a handful of items you want to showcase and decorate your space around those belongings. Minimalist decorating will help open up your space and still allow you to showcase your personal taste. You could also switch up your featured personal items every six-months, or seasonally, to give you a new slate to work with, and keep things from getting boring.

Manipulate Space Visually– There are many ticks of the trade that can help manipulate your space into looking larger than it is. Painting your room cool, light colors is the first trick you should adopt. Choosing pastels, neutrals or whites will do wonders to a room. Another great trick is to add mirrors to the walls, which can create an illusion of more space. Furniture that is glass or mirrored will also have this same affect. Last but not least, instead of choosing decorative items that are wide, choose items that are vertical. This helps elongate the room and gives the illusion that your space is taller.

Maximize Furniture– Now that your clutter is clear and the walls are decked out to maximize space, it’s time to consider your furniture. Choose pieces that can serve multiple purposes. Instead of using a table to display items, try a chest that can double as a storage container. Also, instead of going after multiple couches and a love seat, try one larger couch that doesn’t take up quite as much space- or pieces that can convert uses. Furniture can really make or break a space.

Keep it Clear of Clutter, Again– People have an impressive ability to amass stuff as time goes on and it’s difficult to rid yourself of items that you have an emotional tie. Instead of downsizing items you will need in the future, try using storage solutions like Boxbee, a self-service storage solution that handles the hassle and allows you to store and manage your belongings from your mobile device without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. With Boxbee, your belongings are always just a delivery away. This way, you won’t have to get rid of your items and can maintain your new spacious and clutter free home right up until the time you decide to list it for sale…with me, of course.

Here’s another tip: Don’t play leap-frog with a unicorn.

Have a great day!