Guest Post: Getting Creative with Storage

Getting creative with storage

You’ve reached the breaking point. All your storage space is full, and you’ve already culled out everything you don’t need. Don’t panic and start planning for a new room in your home just yet! Getting creative with storage is a great way to add some extra space with a decorative flair. Use these tips to start making more storage today:


Display it

There’s a good chance at least some of your stuff can be put on display instead of taking up all the extra room in your closet. You would be surprised at how great unusual items look on your walls. Are you a shoe person? If they’re a fashion statement on your feet then they’ll look great on a shelf on the wall! The same
strategy will work for your kids’ toys. Pick the most visually appealing items to display and it won’t look out of place, especially if you keep it in the bedrooms. Finally, if you’re storing a collection of any kind then you should get it out in the open where everyone can see it!

Look high

Is easy to miss all the extra storage space you have up high, mainly because it’s hard to see. Think about the tops of all your furniture that are out of sight. How much square footage do you have empty up there? You don’t have to pack the top of your tall furniture to overflowing, but you can put a few items up there. If you scoot them toward the back you won’t even know they’re up there without a ladder. Be cautious when climbing up to store your items, and make sure you choose the things you won’t need on a regular basis.

Use the floor space

We’re not talking about piling stuff up on the floors here. Instead, think of how you can use the extra space in your rooms. You probably have tons of space, especially around the edges of your rooms where the furniture and bookcases are. Consider turning one of these areas into a makeshift closet. All you need is a shower rod and some fabric that matches your décor. Put the rod between your furniture or bookcase and the wall and, viola, you have a closet! If you want to get a bit more advanced you can use tubing and some “L” brackets to make a freestanding closet off the wall as well. If you pick the right fabric and location in the room it will have all kinds of decorative value to go along with the storage space.

Getting creative with storage is a great way to free up some of your much needed space. The more creative you can be, the more space you’ll have!

Author’s bio: Lisa is a writer at Self Storage Deals who blogs about organizing all kinds of spaces, including storage units. She is currently organizing storage units in Colorado Springs and storage units in McCallen. 

Command Station

No, this post isn't about a space movie with the command central station. It's about having a place designated for order. A place for your keys, mail, to do lists, grocery lists, etc.

Here are some options:

• Kitchen. This works great if you have a large kitchen or one of those great built-in desks in the kitchen. If you have a large kitchen and are not using all of the counters, I kinda don't like you. Just because I'm jealous. Lucky for you though - designate some of that counter space to a command station where you drop your keys and mail. 

• The foyer. If you have the space, have an entry way table where you can drop you keys and mail. Have a basket, plate, bowl or something like that to contain your items. This is the option I use (pictured above). My foyer has a shoe bench and this table where the keys, sunglasses, mail, etc go.  Personally, if I don't drop my keys off when I first come in, I can't find them when I need them.

• If your front door opens right up to the living room (doesn't have an entry hall), designate a corner or wall spot in the living room for the entry items (keys, phone, mail, etc). Again, have it on a table with baskets, bowls, plates, to keep the items organized.

• Garage. If you always come into your house through a garage, set up your command station right in the garage. Be aware of heat and cold though. You don't want your key chain to melt in the summer.

Wherever you set up your command station, be sure it works for you. If you find yourself never remembering to drop your keys where you set it up, perhaps that space isn't the best place. If you always put your mail on the dining room table, but then have to move it for every meal...it's not working for you. Move the mail somewhere else. The key to good organizing is to:

1. Analyze the problem

2. Think about a solution that works

3. Implement the solution

4. Make sure that's the right solution. Just because it's a solution, doesn't mean it's the right solution. Check back to make sure the problem is actually solved. If not, find a different solution.