Super Storage Strategies!
It’s funny how your closets, cabinets and other storage places tend to shrink after you’ve lived in a house for a while. You don’t have to move again to get your storage back under control. First, go through your stuff and see what you haven’t used or worn in a year or more – then get rid of it. (Recycle, donate it to charity or try the Freecycle Network.) Then follow some of these tried-and-true strategies for making the most of your storage in each room of the house.
In the Kitchen:
- Large kettles and pots take up valuable cupboard space. Hang them from a ceiling pot rack or from a painted pegboard or rack installed on your kitchen wall.
- Don’t hold on to old small appliances or gadgets that you never use. If you haven’t needed them until now, chances are you won’t later. Be creative with storage devices.
- Use a large decorative vase to hold oversize utensils. Hang mugs from under-the-cabinet hooks. Use a pretty colander or mixing bowl to display fruit or hold linens.
In the Living Room:
- If you have valuable collectibles, don’t waste space by hiding them in a closet. Buy an enclosed shelf or case and incorporate them into your decorating.
- Establish a one in/one out rule. Don’t bring anything new into the house unless you’re prepared to give something away to make room for it.
- Do you listen to your mp3 player in a speaker dock and in your car? Upload your CDs to your computer and iPod player and pack away your CDs. Even better, donate or sell your CDs, freeing up valuable space.
In the Bedroom:
- Let your teens mount their bikes or snowboards on wall hooks to decorate their rooms and free up storage space. Don’t keep old athletic shoes “just in case.”
- You’ll never use them again, so look for donation sites in your town where old sneakers can be turned into playground flooring.
- Under-the-bed storage boxes can hold an amazing amount of off-season clothes or linens. Don’t be afraid to put your bed on risers to make more room underneath and give your bed an antique look.
In the Basement or Garage:
- When you store empty boxes, cut off the tape and store them flat.
- Store items in clear plastic bins to protect them from flooding, fading, infestation and humidity extremes. It will also let you see at a glance what’s inside.
- Letting go of old clothing, artwork, books or objects that have sentimental value won’t erase your happy memories. Take a photo, take a deep breath and let some of it go.
In the Home Office:
- A room divider can disguise a dual-purpose room or hide unattractive storage.
- Get rid of old, outdated and oversized office equipment. Use a reliable recycling service in case any residual information remains on your hard drive.
- Recycle old kitchen storage containers for new uses in your home office and craft area.
Question: How do you make the most of storage spaces throughout your house?
