Up until a few decades ago, the idea of living in a very tiny house seemed crazy (to most people, that is). But with the advent of popular TV shows romanticizing the “tiny living movement,” the idea has quickly become mainstream. One of the more popular TV shows is Tiny House Hunters, which details groups of buyers searching for tiny houses for sale. Such shows have brought tiny houses into mainstream culture (and made the idea of downsized living spaces much more popular).

Tiny living is no longer reserved for those on an ultra-slim budget. People from all walks of life are ditching oversized houses and apartments in favor of living spaces that are more efficient (and less costly). If you’re thinking of forgoing the current trend of oversized houses and diving headfirst into the tiny living movement, you probably have a few questions. How will I make such a small space work? Will I need to get rid of most of my belongings? Is it really worth it? We get it, which is why we made the below list of seven essential tips for tiny living.

Downsize Your Belongings

One of the more obvious tips in regards to making tiny living spaces actually be liveable is getting rid of unnecessary clutter. What’s the best way to get rid of clutter? Get rid of any unnecessary belongings. This includes items you don’t regularly use, clothes you don’t wear, furniture that serves no function other than dust collection, etc. When you’re living in a tiny home, you need to maximize the available space, which is only possible by cutting out the clutter.

Organization is Essential

Imagine not being able to find your keys in a 300 square foot house. It seems impossible right? You’d be surprised at what a lack of organization can cause (even in tiny living spaces). One of the best ways to maximize the space in your tiny house is by making sure it’s as organized as possible. Invest in plastic organizers.

Make sure every item has a specific place to be put (and that it’s actually put there). One of the best places to put your organizers is in a closet. Another excellent location is within drawers.

Make Sure Your Tiny Home is Clean

When you’re living in an average size house, leaving the dishes in the sink for a little while, or not immediately folding your laundry, is perfectly fine. You have the space that allows for that type of freedom (or laziness, depending on how you look at it). Try doing that in a tiny home though, and you’ll quickly find out that cleanliness truly is next to godliness. As soon as you’re done eating, do the dishes. Do your laundry. Don’t let anything start to pile up, because it will have a direct impact on the limited free space in your house.

Take Advantage of Every Square Inch

When you decide to live in a tiny home (or smaller than normal living area), you’re going to need to make certain sacrifices. In order to make your living space as effective as possible, you’ll need to take advantage of every square inch (both inside and outdoors). Defining specific boundaries, utilizing creative storage methods, and making use of whatever space you have outdoors will all help to make your tiny home more functional.

Don’t Entertain as Often

If you love throwing parties and entertaining guests, you can still do that in your tiny home. You just won’t be able to have guests sleep over as much. Most of the time, having overnight guests brings with it more problems than it’s worth. It’s recommended to host overnight guests away from your property/home (if possible). Tiny homes are great for their inherent efficiency, not so great for having the in-laws over for a few weeks though.

Make Planning a Priority

This is especially important if you’re sharing the home/living space with someone else. People often have very different habits, and these can be exacerbated in tiny living spaces. Make sure you’re not at each other’s throats each week by communicating and planning your schedules, preferences, etc.

It’s also important to be thoughtful of each other. If you’ve ever lived with roommates, you probably know how easy it is to get annoyed by other people’s behaviors. As long as you’re thoughtful of how your actions could affect the person you’re living with, you should be able to build a harmonious home that’s free of conflict.