Many homes, whether old or new, face the challenge of minimal storage spaces. So how do you make the most of the storage areas you’ve got to work with? Maximizing limited interior space can be tricky. We’d like to offer you some pointers on how to make the most of small storage areas.
Eliminate Clutter
As time passes, we all collect more and more stuff. When is the last time you conducted an honest clean-out? Sure, there are meaningful keepsakes we all intend to hang onto, but there may be miscellaneous mementos taking up space you could use more wisely.
With this situation, it may be a matter of junking old items, or simply unpacking things that have stayed in storage for too long. Be on the lookout for extra space in drawers or on bookshelves, where you can rehome the things you don’t wish to part with.
As for the random knick knacks, check with friends and family, donate them, or have a yard sale. For the the stuff you never missed until you cleared out the closet, it’s time to let go and make room for what you really use.
Prime Real Estate
By this, we’re referring to everything you keep between knee-level and eye-level. What lives in that region? If it’s not the things you use and need the most- and most frequently, it’s time to rearrange. This goes for every room of the house, and it will maximize the most accessible storage spaces (such as cabinets and bookshelves), by ensuring that these areas hold the items you’re most likely to reach for.
As for everything else, pack it up! Spaces outside the “prime real estate” range include top shelves in the closet, under the bed, and other out-of-reach storage spots. Things like your off-season wardrobe, or holiday decorations, go best in these hidden cubbies.
Product Sizes
Buying in bulk is a great money saver, but it’s a hassle if you’ve to nowhere to store that wall of paper towels you just bargain-bought. Before shopping for storeable goods, be sure you double-check the space you have available in the pantry and other common storage areas.
If the product can be broken down, such as a large pack of toilet tissue that includes individually wrapped 4-packs, consider storing them separately in each bathroom. For non-chemical goods that can withstand extreme temperatures, keeping them in your trunk is a viable option if you’ve got the spare room to accommodate.
Labeling and Storage Bins
There are many shapes and sizes of storage bins, and an erasable whiteboard marker lets you write on the surface without permanent damage. This is a great tool for seasonal clothing storage, or for shelf-stable foods in smaller bins. If you’ve got a deep pantry, the back space doesn’t work well for food products you want to find easily during meal preparation. But this hidden area is great for bins of rice, pasta, dry beans and baking goods.
Conclusion
- Eliminate clutter by either getting rid of things you no longer use. You’ll be surprised how much space this can clear up!
- Optimize “prime real estate” by making sure all of your most-used items are stored between knee-level and eye-level.
- Make sure sizeable bulk items are kept in out-of-the way closets and cabinets. Break down smaller products, like 4-packs of toilet paper, for more convenient storage.
- Be smart about how- and where- you use storage bins. And remember, labeling is your friend!
Limited storage space doesn’t have to mean a cluttered, stacked up mess. Prioritizing what you’ve got, as well as where and how you choose to store it, can free up your home’s “prime real estate” and make everything easier to find when you need it most. Read on for more tips on how to make the most of limited space!