The Challenges of Organizing Shotgun Homes
If you live in a shotgun house in New Orleans, you already know the challenge.
Many people call us for help organizing their homes in areas like the Bywater, Irish Channel, Uptown New Orleans, Garden District, and Mid-City because they’re struggling to figure out how to make their space work.
Shotgun homes are notoriously known for having very limited storage space.
Most have little to no closets, and in many cases, the primary bedroom closet doubles as the home’s main storage closet, which is why many homeowners eventually look for closet organization services to help make the space more functional.
Why Shotgun Homes Can Be Difficult to Organize
The shotgun’s long, narrow layout originally became popular throughout New Orleans in the 1800s because it worked well on small lots and helped improve airflow before air conditioning existed. That same layout is also part of what can make staying organized in a shotgun home so tricky today.
Because of that, many people living in shotgun homes have to get creative with storage and organization solutions, especially when major renovations or built-in storage additions aren’t realistic.
P.S. If you don’t know much about Shotguns, they actually have a pretty fascinating history.
Anyways, let’s get right into it.
5 Tips for Organizing Your New Orleans Shotgun Home
1. Declutter First
Before buying organizing products or trying to create systems, I’d recommend decluttering your shotgun first. The less you own, the easier it is to stay organized, especially in a smaller home like a shotgun.
If there are items you haven’t used in a long time, duplicates, or things you realistically won’t use again, donating them or tossing them can free up a surprising amount of space.
Now, if you’ve already decluttered and truly use everything you own, you can skip this step. But for most people, this is usually the biggest game-changer.
P.S. If you’re not sure where to donate items in New Orleans, check out our donation directory. And if decluttering feels overwhelming or hard to tackle on your own, you can also learn more about our decluttering services.
2. Figure Out Where Everything Should Live
Once decluttering is done, the next step is figuring out where you actually want items to live throughout the house. The key to staying organized long-term is creating systems that work with your daily routine.
For example, if certain items constantly end up piled on the dining table, kitchen counter, or a chair in the bedroom, that usually means those items don’t have a proper home yet.
Start by identifying the items that tend to float around the house, then decide where it would make the most sense for them to be stored. After that, it becomes much easier to figure out what organizing products (if any) are actually needed.
This is typically where we come in during our organizing sessions, but you can absolutely work through this process on your own, too.
3. Maximize Vertical Space
In New Orleans shotgun homes, vertical storage is one of your best friends. Since floor space is limited, you want to take advantage of your wall space as much as possible.
Things like:
- Floating shelves
- Tall standing shelving units
- Over-the-door organizers
- Wall hooks
- Built-in shelving
…can make a massive difference without taking up additional floor space.
4. Use Furniture That Doubles as Storage
One of the best ways to maximize space in a shotgun house is to use furniture pieces that also provide storage.
A few examples:
- Storage ottomans
- Coffee tables with hidden storage
- Entryway cabinets that double as shoe storage
- Beds with built-in drawers
- Benches with storage inside
In smaller homes, multi-purpose furniture can really help reduce clutter.
5. Utilize Under-Bed Storage
Under-bed space is one of the most overlooked storage areas in shotgun homes.
You can use under-bed bins or containers for:
- Out-of-season clothing
- Extra linens
- Shoes
- Holiday decorations
- Keepsakes
Especially in homes with limited closets, this space can be a game-changer.
6. Use Bins That Can Stack
When storage space is limited, you want to make the most of the vertical space you have. If you’re using clear storage bins so you can easily see what’s inside, look for sturdy bins with lids that stack securely.
Open bins can be great for everyday items, but they aren’t always the best option when you’re trying to maximize storage. Stackable bins let you use more of the available height in a closet, cabinet, or other storage area without taking up additional floor or shelf space.
Just make sure the bins are sturdy enough to hold the weight and that you don’t stack things you need to access every day at the very bottom.
9. More Storage Furniture Isn’t Always Better
Adding another cabinet, dresser, bookshelf, or other storage piece might seem like an easy way to create more storage, but sometimes it can do more harm than good.
In a shotgun home, too many pieces of furniture can take up valuable floor space and make already narrow rooms feel tighter. Before adding another storage piece, consider how much usable storage it provides compared to the space it takes up.
When possible, choose furniture that offers plenty of storage without adding unnecessary bulk, or pieces with hidden storage that serve more than one purpose.
Making the Most of a New Orleans Shotgun Home
Living in a New Orleans shotgun home definitely comes with organization challenges, but you can still make the space feel functional and manageable without a full renovation.
Most of the time, it comes down to decluttering, creating better organization systems, and maximizing the space you already have. And honestly, in smaller homes, aka shotguns, even small changes can really help.
If keeping up with your home is the bigger challenge, check out our tips for organizing your New Orleans home when you’re busy. We also put together our top tips for organizing your New Orleans home with simple ideas you can use throughout the house.
P.S. If you’re looking for help with your shotgun, whether it be organizing, decluttering, packing, or unpacking, our team at Professional Organizer New Orleans is here to help.
And if you want help getting your Shotgun home organized and decluttered before the holidays, check out our holiday organizing services.
