All of us have probably said how we need more storage
space in our homes. First of all, getting rid of all those things we
really don't need will cut way down on the needed storage space. Then how
about investigating every available space in your home and putting it to good
use if you are still in need of more storage space? In many cases it
is available and just waiting to be found! Here are some clues as
to where you can discover extra bonus space right in your own
home!
Hang a clear vinyl pocket organizer inside the linen closet to
hold bandaids, small tubes of medications, a thermometer, ball syringes,
etc. Everything will be easy to see and locate quickly when
needed.
Hang another clear vinyl pocket organizer inside the coat
closet for sunglasses, gloves, scarves, fold up umbrellas, etc.
Hang more clear vinyl pocket organizers inside your children's
closet doors, unless the doors are louvered. I'm sure you will agree that
small things stored in these pockets are so much better than scattered all
around their rooms! And everything will all be visible through the clear
vinyl!
If you are in the process of building or remodeling your home,
you may want to consider adding one built-in locker for each family member -
near the door, all in a row. I have seen this plan carried out in the home
of a friend and the mother raved how they all loved the convenience of keeping
each person's coat, boots, gloves, school books, backpack, etc. right by the
door. The mother also loved how each person was responsible for his or her
own personal locker! A great idea!
If you have a deep closet or pantry where things seem to get
lost, store items on trays that can be pulled out, so you have full access to
everything and are able to find what you need.
Small round wooden tables that can be purchased for as
little as $5 (on sale) can provide lovely hidden storage! With a
round tablecloth draped down to the floor, no one will ever know what you
have hidden there and it provides a nice decorative touch to a bedroom, living
room, family room, great room, dining room or sunroom. A round piece
of glass can be purchased to set on top of the tablecloth for protection from
spills. A large round lacy doily or a smaller square piece of contrasting
fabric placed over the tablecloth can change the whole appearance.
Use empty decorative ceramic containers for storage, as well
as decoration. Examples: Pretty ginger jars, covered ceramic dishes,
vases or teapots. Painted milk cans can hold umbrellas.
In the bathroom install shelves to set on or above
the tank of the commode for additional space. Every bathroom can use
more storage and this is an excellent space to use.
Use a hanging shelf that slips over the shower head to hold
shampoo, conditioner and razors.
A shallow overhead shelf or two up high at the end of the
bathtub is another possibility.
Slide under-the-bed boxes -- where else but under the
beds! I'm sure you can think of something to store in those (gifts,
out-of-season shoes or clothing, etc.).
Have you thought of storing things under sofas and chairs with
skirts? Yes, even there!
A shallow cabinet (about one or two inches deep) would be
sufficient to hold necklaces and bracelets with cup hooks or even push pins to
hold them. Hang it behind a bedroom door where it would be protected by a
rubber door stop. A beautiful painting could even be attached to the
front. Or use the space in the back of your bedroom closet to hang
necklaces and bracelets. Many closets have wooden strips around the wall
for the shelves. Insert push pins into the wood to hang necklaces and
bracelets. This works great and keeps them out of sight.
Hang bookshelves along the wall above a desk or computer to
make good use of that unused space.
In many homes it would work to enclose the area under the
stairs for storage, with a door. It's amazing how much can be stored
there.
Inside a closet door, attach lightweight plastic-covered
wire shelves designed to slip over the back of a door or fastened onto the
inside of the door. This will hold so much and keep all the contents
right at your fingertips.
If a closet has too much empty space between the shelves, add
another shelf or two for more organized storage and better use of the space.
Look carefully at each closet and find a way to use all the
available space. By using baskets, square plastic tubs or plastic shoe
boxes (with lids) on closet shelves, they can be stacked to maximize the
available space. Be sure to label all containers to make it easy to locate
various items.
Under-the-shelf storage can be purchased in plastic-coated
wire to be slipped on a shelf to make use of that unused space under the
shelf.
Building shelves directly above your washer and dryer is a
great idea, because that is normally wasted space. Use either open shelves
or enclosed cabinets for laundry supplies and many other
items.
Stacking makes use of extra space. At least three six
drawer organizers (without the wheels attached, of course) can be stacked to
provide organized storage for papers, audio tapes, office supplies, scrapbooking
supplies, rubber stamping supplies, sewing supplies, crafts, etc.
Add an extra shelf to the floor of a closet, simply
raising the shelf up with two bricks on each end. This will provide extra
storage space for shoes. Use a board that you stained, painted to
match the room or covered with matching contact paper.
In a child's room, stuffed animals could be stored and
displayed in mesh, hanging from the ceiling in a corner of the room. You
can find fish netting in stores for this purpose.
Shelves built around one or more walls about 12 to 18 inches
below the ceiling of a child or teen's room provide not only storage, but
decoration as well. The personality and interests of your child can be
displayed for your enjoyment and theirs.
Continue looking for unused space in your home.
Hopefully these ideas of finding bonus storage space in your home will help us
all to be more organized.
The purpose of the Heart to Heart
Newsletter is to bring practical encouragement to women through creative
ideas for the Christian family – regarding homemaking, marriage, children and so
much more. Receive this bimonthly
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You will then be asked to send your name, city, state, and the name of the
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