Washington, D.C., is a popular destination for Americans, particularly those in search of educational and career opportunities. Whether you plan to further your education, or work in administration, at one of the city’s many law firms, or in a different sector altogether, moving to Washington, D.C., can help you achieve your goals. Although the relocation comes with perks and opportunities, the cost of living in Washington, D.C., means that many newcomers are renting apartments on the smaller side or are sharing their living space with a roommate. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret — there are many smart ways of maximizing the space you have available so that you don’t feel frustrated about living in cramped quarters. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your small Washington, D.C., apartment:

Regular decluttering is your best friend

Most people see decluttering as a major chore they do when moving, or maybe every couple of years or so when they are overwhelmed by possessions. However, decluttering can be a lot more efficient when done regularly, at shorter intervals of time. This way, you don’t end up with a huge, intimidating task ahead of you, and, on top of that, you’ll be enjoying a neat and tidy space all the time. Take time to sort through your papers, work-related stuff, bills and miscellaneous items once a month or so to avoid your living areas being swamped with clutter. Also, make sure you declutter and reorganize your closets twice a year as the seasons change. This will ensure that you discard clothing you no longer use, gaining some extra space in the closet. Also, decluttering your closets in the spring and fall acts as an inventory of all the clothing you might have forgotten you own, thus deterring you from unnecessary purchases.

Also, don’t forget to regularly declutter your bathroom and kitchen cabinets. Things like expired cosmetics, medicines, old spices and other food items not only take up precious space but can be a serious health hazard.

Rent self storage

With the average apartment size in Washington, D.C., at 746 square feet, finding enough storage space for everything can be quite the challenge. That’s particularly true for families with children, those living with roommates, or people with a passion, be it sports, crafting or collecting. One solution for storing those belongings you don’t use on daily basis is self storage. Renting a self storage unit in Washington, D.C., hovers around $150 per month for a 10’x10’ storage unit, a size big enough for a wide variety of items, including extra furniture, sports equipment, baby stuff, clothing, tools and so on. If you don’t have a lot of stuff to store, you can choose a smaller, 5’x10’ self storage unit, which rents for around $100 per month.

Be mindful with your new purchases

Keeping your small Washington, D.C., apartment neat and tidy involves being organized and decluttering regularly. However, things get more difficult if you buy new stuff on regular basis, and living in a big city like Washington, D.C., where you have so many shopping options at your disposal, can indeed lead you to purchase more than you should. Here are some ideas on how to limit new purchases so that stuff doesn’t take over your home:

• Make a rule of waiting a couple of days before actually buying the new outfits or accessories that caught your eye. This is a good way of avoiding impulse purchases that you don’t really need and that will end up just taking space in your closets.
• Don’t buy multiples. One vacuum cleaner, or one kitchen blender, should be enough. If you’re not happy with the performance of a certain home appliance or tool, sell or donate it, then purchase a higher-quality replacement.
• Don’t purchase anything major that you don’t have a place in your home for. That armchair that looks comfy and cozy in the store might not be the best idea if you don’t have proper space for it. The same principle goes for small purchases: novelty mugs are cute, but can you actually squeeze more into your already-full kitchen cabinet?

Rent or borrow instead of buying

One great perk about living in D.C. is that you have access to amazing services and amenities, and some of them can actually save you from more purchases. The , which has multiple locations throughout the city’s neighborhoods, allows you to not only borrow books, DVDs and other media, but you can also use their printers — and even send the print jobs via email and pick up the documents later. Capital Bikeshare, a service that works throughout the entire metro area, offers you a convenient way of moving around without the added burden of buying a bike, storing it and paying for maintenance and repairs. If your job involves a lot of formal events, you could use a clothing rental service, which saves you both money and closet space. These are obviously just some suggestions — but big-city living is full of such opportunities, so whether you want an evening dress, a music album or a specialized gadget or tool, you’ll probably be able to rent or borrow it instead of buying it.

What other ways of saving space in your small apartment do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!