Stressed About the Mess? Clean it up with Stylish Storage.
Finding storage space in a small home isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you have to get downright creative, especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune. Keep reading for a few tips and tricks on how to find a place for everything, even if your square footage is stuck in the triple digits.
Benefits of organization
Before you start sticking books on shelves and dutifully putting your silverware in a specific slot, you should understand why it’s important. Being organized, especially at home, can help reduce stress. It also cuts down on cleaning time and can even help you wind down at night so you can enjoy better sleep. Read more on the benefits of organization in this article from Bustle.
Purge, separate, and scour
Now that you understand why it’s important to organize your home, you can begin the process. Start by spending a day or two eliminating excess items you don’t need. For instance, the junk drawer in the kitchen doesn’t really have to contain 16 dead batteries and a broken meat thermometer. Your closet should not be a time capsule of clothes you’ll never wear again.
After the big purge, separate whatever’s left according to the room where it belongs. Shoes and clothing should remain in bedroom closets, pantry items in a designated location, and toys in their own little home. During the sorting process, you’ll likely find you have more than you need — this is another great opportunity to eliminate clutter from the home.
Now the fun can begin. Take a walk through your house to determine where extra storage space is hiding. Sometimes, it may be just under your nose — or over your head. For instance, if you have an attic, you likely aren’t utilizing that space as well as you could. You can also go vertical with storage by adding shelves and bars to hang things on the walls. MakeSpace.com recommends adding a perimeter shelf in the bedroom and adding a cork wall for storing small items, such as jewelry. It helps that affordable solutions like binder clips for cords, shower curtain rings for tank tops, and pegboard for storage can all be easily purchased and put to use. Opt to visit major retailers, like Target, to snag cheap deals on any supplies you need.
Of course, it never hurts to splurge a little, especially if you invest in a quality piece of furniture that will help you stay organized, add some style to your space, and last for years. For pieces that make a practical and posh impact on your home, check out the storage solutions at Organic Modernism. The Boa Shelf is perfect for squeezing in some extra storage to a tight space under the window, while the Kubus 3 is a great option for adding storage that closes away the clutter.
Pictured Above: the Kubus 3 from Organic Modernism
Count in the outdoors
Your outdoor spaces also make for great storage. You don’t have to pile your lawn furniture, pool supplies, and outdoor toys in the garage, which takes up the storage space you have there. You also don’t have to spend the money on an outbuilding. A deck box or outdoor storage bench can be an inexpensive way to help you keep the lawn, garden, and patio clean and clutter-free; plus, they make for attractive decor. You can even utilize free space in your grill cabinet for outdoor utensils.
Go forth with the garage
Your garage is more than just a place to put tools and leftover yard sale items. Make the most of your space by creating a ceiling-mounted storage system, DIY bike shelf, or wall-mounted tool storage. You can also store sports equipment, recycling bins, and even off-season clothing in the garage to free up space in the home — especially if you’ve taken advantage of outdoor storage for outdoor items.
Innovative spaces
There are many storage spaces hiding if you know where to look. The staircase can be turned into extra drawers, under the bed makes the perfect place for purses and gym bags, and even the dead space between the refrigerator and sidewall can be used to store canned foods and spices. See DIY Cozy Home for more inexpensive ideas on home organization for every room.
The point is, no matter how small your home, there are ways to fill your space without making it look busy and cluttered, all without going broke. Start by getting rid of everything you don’t need, and don’t be afraid to store things in unlikely places.
About Jackie Waters and Hyper Tidy
Jackie is a mother to four boys on a farm in Oregon. Her passion for a healthy and happy home lead her to share ideas through Hyper-Tidy.com.
This publication originally published in Organic Modernism blog:
https://www.organicmodernism.com/blogs/news/stressed-about-the-mess-clean-it-up-with-stylish-storage
