Many people, particularly in the US, find their homes have an unusual amount of clutter. Too many of us have too many things, be they bills, plates, clothes, toys, DVDs, or other. Being unable to find adequate household storage can lead to a steady decline in organization, a lack of being able to find things, and great difficulty in trying to clean our homes. When we just cannot part with some of our things, it’s advisable to consider household storage options to organize chaotic clutter.
Household storage in the form of one or more customized closets can certainly restore some order. Most closets have a single bar across the top, with perhaps a shelf or two above for folded clothing or shoes. It is fairly easy to hire a consultant to analyze your household storage needs and add extra bars or shelving to your closets as needed.
For example, a woman may need part of her closet to store dresses, coats and pants, part to store blouses and skirts, and a place to put shoes. By adding shoe racks and halving the closet, then additionally adding an area with double bars for storing items, the woman can meet her storage needs. The closet is the same size, but extra racks have made more effective use of the space.
Closet customization can come at a fairly high price. It is certainly possible to customize a closet on your own. Adding a shoe rack or an extra bar is not difficult for the mechanically inclined. Do-it-yourself organization is far cheaper. However, for those who have the wherewithal, it is certainly easier to hire a closet organization company to address your household storage challenges.
Kitchens are often affected by excessive clutter. Much of this has to do with cabinets that are not customized to the type of pots, pans, silverware or plates we own. Adding additional cabinets can provide the solution when possible. If the cabinets already fill up too much space, you can consider customizing your cabinets to make household storage of kitchen items easier.
Bathrooms, too, often have little to no storage available. Greater household storage can be achieved by adding shelving. Vanities that do not have closets are often attractive, and yet one that comes with a cabinet underneath may be a great way to add household storage options to your bathroom.
IKEA recommends addressing household storage problems by thinking vertically. We tend to organize our homes along horizontal lines, and often make no use of any wall space above eye level. Tall bookcases or the addition of shelves higher up can add storage without impacting available space in the home.
For children’s toys and items that may come out once yearly, such as Christmas decorations, plastic bins come in a variety of sizes and colors. Bins are a fantastic way to organize toys. They can each be designated for certain types of toys, such as stuffed animals, building blocks, race cars, and so on.
Bins can easily be stored in children’s closets and only make their appearance when certain toys are required. Wise parents often take a few bins out of circulation for a while, and then reintroduce them so children stay fascinated with their toys. Bins can also be stored in a garage. However, if your garage is not particularly clean, choose airtight bins to avoid collecting dust, mold, or bugs.
Stackable bins with opening drawers are often favored by kids and adults alike, as you can stack four to five, depending upon the weight of the contents, on top of each other. Instead of having to lift heavy bins off one another, the clear plastic kind let you know immediately what’s inside, and can increase your household storage capabilities.
When choosing among different types of household storage, bear several things in mind:
- High shelves should always be secured properly to prevent damage of items or injury to people in the event of an earthquake.
- Anything stored in a garage or storage facility should be packed adequately to prevent damage or breakage.
- Consider not only your present, but also future household storage needs. Choose storage options that leave you some room to store new acquisitions.