Utilizing Small Storage Spaces
by Marilyn Bohn on 2007-09-23
Messy rooms, disorganized closets and jumbled junk (I like to think of them as resource drawers) add unneeded hassle to our already hectic days and lives. I sat by two colleagues at a meeting today and the one was telling us about the flood she recently had in her office when she was on vacation. The man was telling us they remolded a room in their house and how disorganized everything was during that time.
Both of them were expressing their feelings of frustration at the disorganized state their lives were in because of these two instances. Organizing our possessions, treasures, and 'stuff' does give us peace of mind and a feeling that we can accomplish other things in our lives.
Do you ever feel you just don't have enough space to put things? If you had a bigger place you would be organized? Even small spaces and homes can be organized. Here are some ideas of places to use for storage.
Under the bed: If the bed is low, buy (for around $10.00) raisers that raise the bed up about 8 inches. Or you can use cinder blocks and raise it about 12 inches. Then under the bed plastic storage boxes made for this purpose are perfect. Some come on wheels.
In the closet: Plastic boxes can hold out of season clothes and be placed on the top shelf. If the closet is deep they can be stored on the floor. A doublet, which is a two tiered rod, can maximize space in a closet. Many organizing stores carry these, including The Container Store. Use tie racks that can also be used to hang jewelry or scarves. Shoe racks come in a variety of models. Over the door, on the floor, and hanging racks.
Under the sink: There are racks that fit around pipes or removable shelves that can hold twice the amount of things to go under the sink. On the other side of the sink the kitchen trash bin can be placed. When it isn't in plain sight it reduces both visual and floor space clutter.
Donating useful but no longer needed items, getting rid of unwanted junk and by keeping what we do need organized and accessible we let our personal spaces become welcoming havens instead of uninviting areas that make us want to stay away.
Both of them were expressing their feelings of frustration at the disorganized state their lives were in because of these two instances. Organizing our possessions, treasures, and 'stuff' does give us peace of mind and a feeling that we can accomplish other things in our lives.
Do you ever feel you just don't have enough space to put things? If you had a bigger place you would be organized? Even small spaces and homes can be organized. Here are some ideas of places to use for storage.
Under the bed: If the bed is low, buy (for around $10.00) raisers that raise the bed up about 8 inches. Or you can use cinder blocks and raise it about 12 inches. Then under the bed plastic storage boxes made for this purpose are perfect. Some come on wheels.
In the closet: Plastic boxes can hold out of season clothes and be placed on the top shelf. If the closet is deep they can be stored on the floor. A doublet, which is a two tiered rod, can maximize space in a closet. Many organizing stores carry these, including The Container Store. Use tie racks that can also be used to hang jewelry or scarves. Shoe racks come in a variety of models. Over the door, on the floor, and hanging racks.
Under the sink: There are racks that fit around pipes or removable shelves that can hold twice the amount of things to go under the sink. On the other side of the sink the kitchen trash bin can be placed. When it isn't in plain sight it reduces both visual and floor space clutter.
Donating useful but no longer needed items, getting rid of unwanted junk and by keeping what we do need organized and accessible we let our personal spaces become welcoming havens instead of uninviting areas that make us want to stay away.
About The Author: Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah. Go to her web site www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips, interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.