Splendid Storage Solutions

 

Most homeowners face the dilemma of having more possessions than storage space. South African living spaces are getting smaller and finding additional storage has become a hot topic. The good news is that every home, no matter its size, has potential storage that goes unnoticed. These simple, but creative solutions can help you gain extra storage in unexpected places.

When purchasing furniture select pieces that serve more than one purpose, such as a coffee table with built-in drawers. Benches and ottomans with hinged tops provide out of sight and easily accessible storage. Find TV cabinets designed to fit smaller rooms, but have enough space to store everything from old photo albums to electronic equipment.  Cabinets that fit into a corner with multiple drawers and shelves will maximise the space you have available. Look for a couch with built-in drawers hidden beneath the seat cushions; you will be grateful for the extra space.

The first step in getting your existing cupboard back in shape is to do a mini spring-clean as you probably have the space you really need in there. The shelves, racks and other spaces in your cupboard may be filled with clutter, so empty out the entire cupboard and repack it, putting the clothes aside that you haven’t worn in a year. You will be able to minimise your storable items dramatically. Give all your unwanted, unworn clothes away tocharity. You can double your storage space in even the smallest of closets by adding an extra hanging rod. Add hooks on either side of the cupboard door for hanging robes, belts, ties and bags. Your cupboard should reach all the way to the ceiling in order to maximise storage space and store suitcases, out-of-season clothes and rarely used item on the hard to reach upper shelves.

 

A sleeper couch will work well in a bedroom or other living areas in your home. Select a bed that has drawers built-in, they will serve as an excellent storage space for linen and spare blankets and pillows. Otherwise you can use the space under your bed by sliding inexpensive plastic containers, available from discount stores, into this untapped storage space.

 

 

Undoubtedly, toys are the biggest source of clutter in kid’s rooms, so organise their toys in clear plastic containers, label them and stack the containers in short stacks for kid-friendly access. Involve the kids in this process as not only will they have a better sense of where you have packed everything, they will also learn the value of organisation. Increase the space in your kid’s room by purchasing a bunk bed with plenty of built-in storage. Use a wall hanging with storage pockets as a great space saver for keeping colouring books, pencils, rulers and other small items together in one place.

 

 

Today’skitchens need to accommodate a variety of functions including multiple cooks, furniture and storage and display needs. To make your kitchen clutter-free consider installing space-wasting corner cabinets with a lazy Susan carousel. Mount drawer partitions, turntables and other organising gadgets specifically designed for kitchens as they are relatively inexpensive and will fit in your existing cupboard. These can be bought from any kitchen specialist supplier. Consider hanging pots and cooking utensils to make the most of vertical wall space.

 

Having a sturdy folding step stool will help you to access out-of-reach storage space without it taking up too much space to store. Reduce paper clutter by hanging a bulletin board on an unused wall. By building your microwave into the kitchen cupboards you will be able to free up a lot of counter space. Fit your bin onto the inside of a cupboard door keeping it out of sight. Store spices and utensils near to where you cook for ease of reach. Use high shelves for storing wine and showcasing decorative items that aren’t often used.

 

 

Don’t overlook the bathroom when it comes to storage solutions as they are high traffic areas and can easily become a place to hoard clutter. Fit an unused corner with a high cabinet that features adjustable shelves to accommodate towels and mount storage racks on the inside of the cabinet doors for other bath accessories. If you don’t have one already, consider installing a small, wall-mounted cabinet for use above the vanity. Put your bathroom door to work by placing hooks behind it to hang towels, robes and toiletry bags. Baskets, boxes and other containers work well and look great in the bathroom as storage for towels and other bathroom paraphernalia. Rolled-up towels fit beautifully in an inexpensive wine racks attached to the wall and each curved bottle holder stores a towel and saves a lot of space.

 

 

Clutter-free office space is essential to your sanity. So, isn’t it time you whipped your home office into shape? A general clearing of the accumulated clutter is probably necessary in this area. Storage components can be hung from the wall to save space. Rearrange your office area so that regular used supplies are accessible and others are out of the way. Place inexpensive wheels on the bottom of file cabinets to create moveable storage space. Free up floor space by putting up shelves that are sturdy enough to handle a little weight and use them as off-the-floor storage in your home office. Place a small bin near the area where you typically open your post. This will allow for immediate disposal of all extra papers that you get in the post.

 

 

To get rid of clutter in your storage shed or garage, start by organising the garden tools. It is possible to hang a variety of tools on the wall of your garage, so use this space to have them at easy reach. Use empty bottles as nail organisers and recycled blackened unwanted muffin tins can be used in the garage as holders for small screws, washers, electrical parts and more. Mount board with holes or pegboard wherever you can in the shed or garage, including in the insides of cupboard doors as items such as paintbrushes, adjustable wrenches, extension cords, hand tools and much more can be hung from them.

 

 

Okay, so you have organised your home and there is still more stuff then space. Your next step is to place some items in storage. All you do is pay a monthly fee and you get a private storage area for anything from an antique car to kitchen items you just can’t bear to give away. But be wary of the company you choose, make sure they have insurance and security measures in place; after all we do live in South Africa.

 

Once you have a place for everything, and everything in its place, you will have to work to keep your home organised. An attractive, pleasing surrounding with everything conveniently located are good reasons for maintaining order in your home. Re-evaluating the functionality of your home’s storage solutions on a regular basis will help you assess whether your storage solution is no longer working for you. This will assist you in deciding when it’s time to implement a change or two.