Are you drowning in stuff? If you walk into your home and feel overwhelmed, you need some serious storage strategies. Piles of mail, toys and clothes can make your home less enjoyable and create unnecessary stress. Take heart, there are many creative ways to take advantage of every square inch of your home without creating clutter. Use these tips and tricks to take your home back and make it your sanctuary again.
Unexpected Storage Opportunities
- Your closet
While the closet is typically a great storage spot for clothes, shoes, purses and other miscellaneous personal item, you can use some steps to maximize your available space. Use shelving above your clothing racks to stop items you don’t use often and take advantage of space that often goes unused. In a child’s room you can use a second hanging rack to create two tiers of clothes, saving space and maximizing the room that you have. Closets are also a perfect place to take advantage of built in storage opportunities. Custom creating shelving and wall hangers in your closet will guarantee you have exactly the space you need for your belongings.
- Under the stairs
You can use a couple simple shelves to make a usable desk space out of a small nook under the stairs. Better yet, if you have a small crawl space that runs under your stairs, you can utilize this similar to attic storage. Carefully box and label your items and then store them in this space. Try to put items you need the least often in back. It’s also helpful to make a list of items stored and tape it to the door or wall for a quick and easy reference.
- Behind the doors
Hooks can be used for everything from hanging towels in the bathrooms to organizing and storing jewelry and shoes. A few simple hooks and screws and your bedroom and bathroom door can provide ample, organized storage.
- Hammocks
If you find yourself drowning in stuffed animals, a hanging hammock can get all the critters off of the floor. A few well-placed screws and a hammock like netting will make a world of difference in tidying and storing the furry friends.
- Ottomans, benches and other specialized furniture
It seems like designers are realizing more and more the need for additional storage opportunities and are building pieces to meet that need. Ottomans and dining benches are now often created with easy storage available. If you need more room, look for these types of pieces to compliment your home.
- Under the couch
That’s right, under the couch! If you have favorite magazines or knitting project, depending on how much room you have, use a clear folder or thin plastic container to store your favorite project. Then, when you are ready for it, have a seat on the couch, slide it out and enjoy.
Maximize Every Bit of Space
Sometimes the solution isn’t making more space, it’s using the space you have to the best of your ability. A simple step to this solution is to store items wisely. If you are going to be storing more than a box or two, use clean bins and label them clearly. This will enable you to quickly and easily locate items and use every last bit of space available for storage without fear that something will get lost in the shuffle.
Don’t be afraid to go up. You can use shelving as storage space and go close the ceiling. Be certain to utilize this technique in areas such as the laundry room or garage but make sure that you are adhering to all fire code regulations. You don’t want to block a smoke detector while trying to take advantage of all possible storage opportunities.
Try using peg boards. You can take advantage of wall space by using peg boards to hang items and structure your boards to maximize every space possible. Think of this setup like a Tetris game and see how much you can make of this technique.
Pullout shelves and drawers can keep you from wasting space in deep cabinets. Corner cupboards and deep cabinets are typical space wasters. If you can’t see or reach items, that space simply isn’t useful. Get around this space sucker and take advantage of every square inch of your cabinetry.
Shelving is also a useful tool that can be taken advantage of in many different rooms. You can use shelves over the toilet in the bathroom to store towels and bath soaps. Shelving can also be installed in the living room and bedrooms to give you more places to display photos, knick knacks and keep sakes as well as store books, clothes and anything else your heart desires.
Your Solution for St. Louis, MO Maid Service
If none of the items above seem like the solution to your problem or you are simply overwhelmed by the state of your house, give Two Ladies and a Bucket a call. We can get alleviate your stress and get your house clean and manageable in no time. We are here to take care of all your cleaning needs.
