Thinking Outside (and Inside) the Box For Your Storage Solutions
January 28, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
Hopefully you’ve had a chance to take a look at all your “stuff” this month and decide what stays and what goes. Now it’s time to decide how to store what you’re keeping.There are a lot of ways to do that for any size of space.
Starting smallEverybody’s got a junk drawer. And probably a junk closet. Maybe a junk garage. Uh oh. That goes back to getting rid of stuff. But once you’ve whittled down the clutter, take a look at what you need to put where. Try using drawer organizers to group types of items — you can even use silverware trays (it’s okay, nobody will ever know). If it seems overwhelming, set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on one trouble spot. When the 15 minutes is up, you can choose to continue if you’re smack in the middle of things, or come back to it the next day without guilt.
I can see clearly now
When you’re ready, tackle bigger organizing tasks, like putting up new shelving or getting plastic tubs to keep your stuff in on those shelves. I don’t know about you, but I need to label boxes really well so I don’t immediately forget what’s in them. Even better, use clear tubs so you can see what’s in them, AND use labels. Group your stuff, too, don’t just throw everything into piles. Keep your Halloween stuff separate from your garden supplies and in a different box than all those coiled up extension cords.
Double dutyIn small houses especially, storage that can do double duty is really valuable. Furniture like bench seats that have built-in drawers under them use up half the space of two separate items. Some storage can even be interesting decor. Show off collections of fragile items in glass-top coffee tables or wall-mounted shadow boxes. In the bedroom, use Shaker-style rows of pegs for colorful necklaces or favorite neckties. A perfume or nail polish collection looks great in a small glass-front cabinet mounted to the bathroom wall. Pick funky vintage storage containers and repurpose them for that bohemian look that’s so popular right now. Anything can be art if it’s used to enhance the look of a room!
It can be easier, being green
Chances are, you have some houseplants. Even if you don’t, you might want to try starting some garden seeds early inside your home for the coming spring, or buying small starter plants while you wait for the yard to go from mud to something you can plant in. While you’re thinking about storage, it’s a great time to give your plants the ideal place to be organized and thrive. First, find the right window for the amount of sun your plants need. In front of this, you can use a low table, or open shelving if you need more vertical room. You may even want to install a greenhouse window that bumps out, or widen the windowsills to create the perfect “storage” for your plant friends.
The Fix-It Professionals can help you get organized in so many ways! We can assemble and move furniture, install a greenhouse window, put up shelving and specialty storage racks, get those wall-mounted pegs and cabinets in place, and lots more. Just give us a call today for help with all your storage needs. You can even hire us on retainer for the very best price.
A Place for Your Stuff!
January 14, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
So much “stuff” goes into storage at this time of year. Summer things like hoses and lawn furniture cushions need a place to go out of the weather, and now that the holidays are over, many of us are looking for places to stash the decorations for another year. It seems like big displays are becoming popular again, so there’s all the large outdoor decorations to find a home for. Where to put them?
Here are some ideas to optimize your storage:
Take a Look at What You HaveTake a few minutes to walk around your place and look at it with an eye for storage. Look in your garage, attic, closets, basement, shed, or wherever you keep your stuff. Could the space be used better? Are there empty shelves, or hidden and forgotten piles of things you haven’t looked at in years? Do you have the bad habit of setting things down near the door so that you can’t even get to the back anymore? Another tip is to invite a friend over to help you look at things with fresh eyes. It’s easy to walk past things day after day until they blend into the walls! Together you may be able to start identifying wasted space and think of ways to use it better.
Get Rid of Stuff!
Unless you’re a Zen Master, you’ve probably got clutter. Hobby supplies and books you’ll “get around to,” and things that are “still good” and that you “might need someday” fill our homes. Don’t wait for spring cleaning, now is a great time to go through old stuff and either sell it, toss it, or give it away.
Get a Move On
Now that you’ve taken a hard look at what storage space you do have, and (hopefully) gotten rid of some things, think about how often you use all that stuff. Things that you use once a year, like holiday decorations, should be put in storage areas you don’t need to get to very often, like an attic, storage container, or the top of a closet out of reach. Make sure you use sturdy, waterproof containers, especially if you’re storing in a damp area like a basement. To combat bugs and mildew, use moth balls (which kills silverfish too) and dessicant packs (like the little “Do Not Eat” pillows you find in pill bottles, but bigger).
Get a Move OnNow that you’ve taken a hard look at what storage space you do have, and (hopefully) gotten rid of some things, think about how often you use all that stuff. Things that you use once a year, like holiday decorations, should be put in storage areas you don’t need to get to very often, like an attic, storage container, or the top of a closet out of reach. Make sure you use sturdy, waterproof containers, especially if you’re storing in a damp area like a basement. To combat bugs and mildew, use moth balls (which kills silverfish too) and dessicant packs (like the little “Do Not Eat” pillows you find in pill bottles, but bigger).
Build Better Organization
Many storage problems can be solved with better shelving and cabinets. For example, older kitchen cabinets often have loads of wasted space at the top. If you add a shelf or two, you can stash all kinds of seldom-used things up there like canning jars, holiday serving dishes, and large kitchen gadgets. Think about where you might need shelving, such as your garage, shed, storage container, or spare room. Also think
about what kind of shelves you need. Heavy-duty industrial shelves are now available at most home improvement stores and can hold hundreds of pounds. Storage tubs fit perfectly on them, too.
about what kind of shelves you need. Heavy-duty industrial shelves are now available at most home improvement stores and can hold hundreds of pounds. Storage tubs fit perfectly on them, too.If you need professional help with reorganizing your house or office, you can actually hire a consultant from the National Association of Professional Organizers
They will help you do everything from organize your family photos to designing custom storage solutions.
Of course, if you need help putting together your new shelving or you need someone to build that custom storage just for you, the Fix-It Professionals are always here to help! We can also help with your heavy lifting and ladder climbing, so just give us a call today.
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