Extra Storage at Home – Are you constantly battling clutter and feeling overwhelmed by a lack of storage space? The truth is, you might have more room than you think. Sometimes, the best storage solutions are found in the most unexpected places. Here are some creative ideas to maximise your home’s potential.
Finding Spaces for Extra Storage at Home
- Under the Bed
Often overlooked, the space beneath your bed can be a goldmine for storage. Invest in rolling storage containers or shelves that fit snugly underneath. Use them to store out-of-season clothing, shoes, or linens. For a more stylish solution, opt for beds with built-in storage, such as divans or ottoman styles that have lift-up mattress bases.
For even better storage, or if the under-bed area is already being used, consider storing items you don’t use often (such as out of season clothing) in self storage. You’ll free up lots of space to use for other things, making local self storage a good alternative for items you don’t use often.
- Behind the Door
Hang an over-the-door organiser to keep essentials within reach. Use it to store shoes, scarves or belts to free up storage in your wardrobe, or use a similar storage solution for your cleaning supplies in the kitchen or utility room. Some over-door organises can be quite utility or functional looking, whereas others can have a more decorative appearance. If you’re good with a sewing machine, you could even try creating your own. These are also very handy in children’s rooms and can help them keep school items or soft toys neatly corralled.
- Inside the Wardrobe
Don’t just limit your closet to hanging clothes. You can install additional shelves or drawers, or install extra rails, to maximise vertical space. It doesn’t need to be expensive either. Plastic storage drawers, often found in DIY stores or the home sections of supermarkets can provide useful extra storage in wardrobes. Their appearance doesn’t really matter since no one is going to see them. They won’t become part of your décor, so don’t let that put you off. Use these to store folded items, accessories, shoes, or even your hairdryer and other smaller beauty or hygiene products.
- In the Attic or Loft
If you have an attic or loft, don’t let it go to waste. You could use shelves or cabinets to store items you don’t need on a regular basis, or simply use boards to provide a firm base for boxes if you don’t have a solid floor in the loft. Consider using vacuum-sealed bags to compress bulky items like blankets or pillows.
- In the Garage
Garages often become cluttered with items that have no place in the house. Install overhead storage racks or cabinets to keep tools, sports equipment, and seasonal items organised. Use wall-mounted pegboards for smaller items. Items that may find their way into the garage for storage can also be prime candidates for self storage options. Things like gardening equipment you’re not using, bulky DIY tools that don’t get used often, or even things like bicycles if they stand idle during the winter months.
- In the Basement or Cellar
Basements can be a great place to store bulkier items. Make the most of the area by fitting shelves or cabinets to keep things organised, and make sure there is good lighting and safe access. Plastic bins or crates make for easy storage and retrieval too, if you don’t want to go to the trouble or expense of fitting shelves.
- In the Bathroom
All bathrooms can benefit from clever storage solutions, but especially small bathrooms where space is at a premium. Make sure you have a securely fitted (and preferably lockable if you have small children) medicine cabinet, or use over-the-door organisers for toiletries or spare loo rolls. You could even fit a shelf over the bathroom door and arrange decorative baskets to hold all the bits and bobs a bathroom contains. A shower caddy is handy to keep bath products neat and make bath time clean-ups easier.
The key to effective storage is often simply a matter of organisation. Take the time to label shelves, drawers or boxes and containers to make it easy to find what you need, and once you’ve devised designated spots to store various items remember to always return them where they belong. While it may sound obvious, getting all the family on board with putting things back after they’ve used them will help make sure the house stays organised after you’ve worked so hard to get it that way.