It is only natural to accumulate more and more belongings as you move through life. When you add to your home, you end up needing more items to fulfill new purposes, such as tools, decor, and furniture. Since the number of objects you own increases gradually over time, it can be difficult to break free from the inclination to store items only as they enter the home rather than manage the entire storage system itself. If you have come to a point where you want to completely rethink your home storage,
These five methods will hopefully give you some inspiration.
1. Get Creative with Storage Furniture
Cupboards, closets, wardrobes, and any other kind of large storage furniture in your home should be the first places you address. If these are not functioning at optimal levels, then you may end up wasting time creating storage solutions elsewhere. Instead, start by improving the efficiency of your existing storage furniture by dedicating some time to each one so that you aren’t overwhelmed by the task.
Here are a few basic steps you can follow:
- Empty the contents of the cupboard, wardrobe, or closet;
- Evaluate what you need to keep;
- Get rid of unwanted items;
- Clean the inside of the cupboard;
- Put the remaining items into categories before storing them neatly.
This simple process will make addressing each section of storage much easier than trying to do it all at once. The size and location of your cupboards are important, too. In the kitchen, for example, you could install cabinets that make use of vertical space. An attractive vanity in the bathroom could also serve as valuable storage space. Even exposed storage, such as shelving or a clothes rail, can be both practical and visually appealing in a space.
2. Make Use of Your Loft
If you have a loft, this can be an amazing untapped source of storage. The key is to keep it tidy and separated into categories. You should look for the best loft ladders to last a long time and install some good lighting. These will make your loft easily accessible and a sensible place to keep belongings when not in use. The image of a dusty, cobwebbed place with no light and too much junk doesn’t need to be your reality.
3. Think Externally
If you have a considerable number of items that need to be stored, but you have no room for them anywhere in your home, it might be time to think about external storage. This could take the form of a garage, a garden shed, or even a hired storage unit at a designated site. It all depends on the kind of items you want to store, how big they are, and what your budget is.
If you want to keep tools and equipment out of the house, an outbuilding of some kind could be the easiest option. If, however, you don’t have any outdoor space of your own, hiring a storage unit can be surprisingly affordable if you shop around.
4. Vacuum Seal and Stash
Softer belongings such as clothing and toys can be easily stored with the help of some vacuum-sealable bags. By placing these items into the bags and sucking out the air, you reduce the amount of space they take up. This will make them easier to store under the bed, in the closet, or anywhere else you might want to keep them out of the way.
Just remember that it can be annoying to unseal and then reseal a bag if you want something from it, so only vacuum seal items you are confident won’t be needed for at least a few months. For example, storing your winter clothes over the summer can be easier when the bulky items have been vacuum sealed.
5. Declutter
To truly make the most of your home storage, you should consider getting rid of anything that takes up valuable space without adding value to your life. While tidying up, ask yourself whether or not a particular object has been used or appreciated at all in recent memory.
If the answer is no, think about donating it, selling it, or recycling it. When you have fewer items in your home to worry about, storing the belongings you care about becomes much less of a chore. Everyone’s home is different, and this also applies to their methods of storing belongings. You may find that some of the above suggestions aren’t applicable to your situation.
If this is the case, you can adjust or amend them to suit you as needed. Taking the time to completely rethink your home storage can be a daunting prospect, especially if you have a large number of belongings. However, with the right mindset and some thoughtfulness, you can achieve a home that is tidy, efficient, and enjoyable to live in.
Also read: 4 Ways to Integrate Designer Furniture into Your Home’s Interior Design
