Sure. At some point in your homeownership life, you’re going to want to renovate your home. And why shouldn’t you? Renovations, while expensive and hectic, do add tremendous value to your home while also increasing its efficiency and function. Part of that function is having more storage space that isn’t stack and stacks of plastic tubs shoved against the walls. Well, until you are completely ready to renovate here are a few helpful hints on ways you can maximize your storing capacity without diving head first into a crazy renovation.
Walls; The Underused Home Real Estate
You probably remember this from your apartment living days – or perhaps you own a condo that’s on the smaller side, but just right for you, that could use a boost to its storing scores – but in temporary, renting situations, hanging things on the walls for storage is the way to go. But that rule doesn’t have to stay in apartments only. Hanging a nice set of shelves on your walls above your office desk can give more room for office supplies and files while leaving your desk free of clutter.
In a kitchen, a solid set of shelves on an empty wall can reduce the amount of smaller appliances on your countertops, yet still remain easily accessible for constant use. These shelves can be on the plain industrial side, or you can choose a wood that matches your design scheme and provides secure storage space.
If you have a smaller room, shelves up near your ceiling is not only a great way to add extra storage space without taking up floor space, but it also draws the eyes upward, giving your small living space a larger look and feel.
Hidden Away
The most fun kind of storage is secret storage. Secret storage compartments have been used in homes for a long, long time. Raise your hand if Grandma and Grandpa’s house had a secret room under the stairs or a window seat that lifted up to provide excellent hiding spots during games of Hide and Seek as well as storage of old momentos?! With the world getting more and more crowded, the amount of furniture pieces being made to provide hidden storage just keeps growing. From ottoman’s with underneath storage to coffee tables that transform right before your very eyes to bedframes with spacious drawers underneath for clothing and linens, there’s bound to be a piece that fits your style and gives you that extra storage you’ve been needing.
If you have a bedframe that you love, but it doesn’t have that built-in storage component, purchase a set of riser for the frame. Then grab some storage bins that slide or roll easily out from underneath. These bins can be utilitarian plastic or decorative canvas or wood. Whatever floats your boat and makes life a little easier.
In an open floor setting, installing bench seating with that extra underneath storage does double duty of extra seating for your guests and storage that they’ll never even know existed.
Odds And Ends
Of course, when it comes to smaller things like bathroom products or coats and bags, there lies its own special set of challenges. You can go the wall-hanging route with a series of hooks in your mudroom or entryway for keys, jackets, and purses. You can also use the popular dorm room cheat of over the door hooks for hats, jackets, and scarves. In closets, hanging shoe bags for sliding door closets might take up rack space for your clothes, but it will free up the more limited floor space. If you’re fortunate to have a door for your closet, over the door shoe bags are the best solution.
In the bathroom, using mason jars and small bins for things like beauty products and appliances will help organize your bottom bathroom cabinets and free up sink space. Replace your flat mirror with a medicine cabinet and you’ve got an easy to reach place for all your most used products like razors, shaving cream, dental hygiene, etc.
Finally, Do You Need To Store That?
If you’re still having trouble fitting all your stuff in the already allotted space your home provides, the only other option is to hop on the Marie Kondo train and do a good ol’ fashion purging of things. It is a daunting task that can be difficult to get started, but once you find your flow there will be no stopping you. Once you’ve freed up all the space, you’ll feel lighter with less mess to contain.