Improving Your Home Storage
Whether you are in the process of moving or just wondering how to better utilize your space, we have some tips to help you improve your home storage. You don’t need to break the bank to achieve organized storage solutions. You can create more storage space than you ever thought could exist in your home with the space you already have – it will just take some cleaning, reorganization and a little bit of ingenuity.
Tidy Up
Debatably one of the hardest parts of achieving home storage is actually starting the process by cleaning up all the clutter lying around. Dedicate your time in the beginning to the most clutter-filled rooms and move on to the less cluttered rooms as you continue. As you put things back where they belong and throw out other items that no longer serve you, you’ll start to see more space and more areas for new storage solutions. For all the items you are keeping, separate them into 3 piles:
Pile 1: Items you use every day
Pile 2: Items that you use regularly, but not everyday
Pile 3: Items that hold sentimental value
Pile 1 will include items you use every single day – that can’t be too far out of reach but also can’t just be laying around (because that’s how clutter re-emerges). Pile 2 will be items that can be stored away in more tucked away places as you don’t use them on an everyday basis. For pile 3, be honest with yourself if it really holds sentimental value or if it should just be thrown out.
Storing Everyday Items
There are numerous household items that we use every single day, but they still deserve a designated place to be so they aren’t just sitting out in open space. Every room in the house has items we use every day, but let’s focus on one important space that everyone in the home uses – the living room. You don’t need invest in a fancy entertainment center to achieve great storage. You can repurpose a dresser into a tv stand, opt for a two-tier coffee stand, or utilize the space under your sofas skirt with organizational baskets that can be easily slid out and back under. TV remotes are also used quite frequently but can easily be lost or simply seen as an eyesore when not being used. Add a side table with a hidden drawer space to store remotes, gaming equipment, or other small electronics.
Storing Items That You Don’t Use Daily
There are of course many things around the house that you don’t use every day – but still serve an important purpose. Small kitchen appliances or outdoor maintenance equipment in the garage are some good examples of this. We’ll focus on the kitchen, since we have already covered garage organization and storing solutions that you can read here. Do you have a bunch of spices lying around that could be better organized? If you have some space between your fridge, you can use that for additional storage! All you need is about six inches, or fifteen centimeters of space to build a roll out pantry. This can help you store canned goods, spices, and other non-perishables.
Think Vertically
Running out of closet space or simply just not having enough can be very frustrating for many homeowners. A good storage solution for these homeowners is to utilize the wall space to store additional items. Floating shelves are a great option that can be used in almost any room to store small to medium-sized objects – but be sure to check the labels on the shelving to be sure you are not putting too much weight on the shelf so you don’t damage your walls and or items. Just like floating shelving can work in just about any room, doors are abundant in a home and should be used to their full potential. Cabinets can be installed to the back of doors or you can purchase door organizers that work best for the room you are trying to achieve storage. Door storage works especially well in bedrooms and bathrooms – but they really can be used on any door in the home.
Use Labelling
Labelling can make storage that much easier. Especially for the items that were in your second and third piles that you will not be using every day. If you’re storing sentimental items in a few boxes, it can be helpful to label the boxes with bullet points of key items so you don’t have to dig through multiple boxes to find what you’re looking for. You also don’t need an expensive label maker to label things. You can get the job done by using a permanent marker and some tape. If you can’t see yourself keeping up with the task of making labels, consider using clear storage containers so you’re able to see through them for easier retrievals.
Off-Site Storage
If you’ve exhausted your avenues of in-home storage, consider looking into using an off-site storage unit. Since you have to pay for this service, it’s not really the best solution long-term. But if you require more space to hold your items, a storage unit may be your best bet. This option is helpful if you’re in between moves or recently downsizing and waiting to host a sale on your items. Be weary of fees and shop around for the best storage facility near you.
