Storage Solutions from Better Homes & Gardens
I’ve been checking out the Better Homes & Garden site and was delighted to find a whole section devoted to organizing solutions. And while some of the ideas are over the top and cost a little too much money there are also some very practical inexpensive solutions that you can do to create more storage space in your home.
I’d like to highlight a few of my favorites.
Bathroom Storage:
The bathroom door is full of unused storage space. Paint the door with magnetic paint to create an attractive surface on which to hang towel hooks and metal disks. Install removable bins and towel bars to store extra towels, shampoo, and soap.
Or use 3M Command Adhesive Hooks!
Closet Storage:
Pegboard mounted to the door provides ample storage while rolling containers make the space easily accessible.
Underbed Storage:
The under-bed space invites toys, collections, and out-of-season clothes, which can be kept in baskets or drawers.
Home Office:
This muffin pan will do more than help you cook when you use it to compartmentalize office supplies. Use an inexpensive cupcake pan to organize small items that have a tendency to get lost in drawers.
Simple Weekend Project:
Give a ladder a fresh coat of paint. Add old vent grates to each rung and simply screw them into place.
I just recently picked up a wooden ladder FREE from our local thrift shop and was looking for a simple way to use it for storage. Can’t wait to get started on it!
For more storage and organizing ideas along with inspiring pictures check out the BHG site or follow BHG on Twitter.
Makeup Storage Makeover
Oh I was a busy little bee today trying to get my makeup and hair products purged and organized. When I started I didn’t really think it was going to take me too long but before I knew it I was not only clearing out my vanity table but all three cabinets in each of the bathrooms as well. Once I got going and saw my purge pile growing I just wanted to keep adding to it. Such a great feeling.
This is what left my house today:
My makeup drawer before:
And the after…I moved the “container that started it all” to the back of the drawer and added a new one in front just to mix things up a bit:
Here is a picture of the other drawer that holds some of my hair accessories:
My vanity table before:
After:
I’m so happy I made time to get that done (even if it meant my floors didn’t get cleaned…oops). I feel so much lighter now, I LOVE that feeling! I even came up with some new storage solutions that I’ll share soon.
How are you making out with yours? Will you be ready for the end of the month?
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Finding a home for my buckets
In 2007 I shared with you that I was not a fan of that particular type of toy storage (you can read all about why here) and then I asked for suggestions as to what to do with it. Many of you chimed in with your opinions which was awesome. I did end up getting rid of the white holder (I didn’t have the space to store it) but for the life of me could not part with the colored buckets. I just knew they would come in handy one day.
Today was that day. They found a home in my garage on a bookshelf that I recently picked up at the local recycling depot.
Those buckets now hold the following:
1. hockey pucks
2. balls
3. squirt guns
4. gardening gloves
5. chalk
6. bubbles
Many of these things use to be thrown into one big bucket and it was hard for my three year old to access them. This definitely makes it easier for him. I still want to label each of the buckets but was excited to show you how I was finally putting them to use. You know, in case you’ve been laying awake night after night wondering all this time :)
Organizing the master bedroom ~ get the clothes off the floor
Why is it that so often that the master bedroom gets neglected? It can quickly become a dumping ground with surfaces becoming piled high with clutter and clothes. Maybe it’s because the master bedroom isn’t generally a room guests see so it’s easy enough to throw things in and quickly shut the door or maybe it’s just last on the list because so many other areas in the house need tending to first.
Whatever the reason I’d like to challenge you a little bit on that today. We spend so much time in our bedrooms, and yes most of that time is sleeping, but it’s also a place we come to unwind and relax and eventually sleep after a long day. Tell me how a cluttered room can be relaxing? It’s a constant reminder of something that still needs to be done, it’s not so easy to turn that off when it’s all around you. You deserve better than that. I know everyone reacts differently but visual clutter could be why you are having trouble falling asleep at night. This is the case with my daughter and I always know when it’s time to organize her room again. I’ve posted about that before here and here.
It’s time to create a sanctuary in our bedrooms, a retreat clear of clutter and chaos, a place to settle in with a good book, a good rest or you know “whatever else” WITHOUT the distractions of crap stuff everywhere.
What better time then now during April’s Monthly Round-up. Challenge yourself to work on it a little bit every day, I can assure you that it will be worth the effort.
This weekend if you are still wondering where to start may I suggest starting with the clothes. Clothes do not belong on the floor so gather up all the stray clothes that are without a home right now and pile them on the bed. Quickly sort through them creating smaller piles as you go…..laundry, donate, toss, put away and relocate. Consider the possibility that if clothes are ending up on the floor it could be we have too many clothes for the amount of space we have.
Is your closet too full? Do you need to make room in there? Start by removing everything. I know, everyone things I’m crazy with this step but I can assure you that the sorting process goes so much more quickly this way. Keep the clothes you wear and love!
Some helpful guidelines to remember:
- If you haven’t worn it in a year, it goes.
- If you don’t like it, it goes.
- If it doesn’t fit properly, it goes.
- If it needs ironing and you never wear it because you hate to iron, it goes.
- If you don’t wear it because it’s stained or ripped, it goes (if you haven’t done anything about it by now chances are pretty good you never will).
- If you hate the color on you, it goes.
- Hang out of season clothes together on one side of your closet or keep them in totes on the shelf of your closet or under your bed.
- Face all your hangers the same direction.
- Throw out those awful wire hangers.
- Weed out any one item you have way too many of.
What you want to do is free up your closet space for the clothes that you wear regularly. If you have clothes that are too small in your closet that you hope to fit into again soon and don’t have the heart to part with yet may I suggest also boxing them up and storing them separately so they aren’t taking up valuable closet space.
Those fortunate people with bigger closets don’t have to be as ruthless but if you only have a small closet you are going to have to be tough with yourself. I’ve noticed that many people keep clothes because of an emotional attachment they may have to them, which is fine if you have the space, however if you don’t then you really need to think about the space you are sacrificing to keep that particular item and whether or not it’s worth it.
Once you set your mind to it and tackle those clothes I think you’ll be surprised at how quickly it actually goes. I’ve also found it’s especially helpful to have a friend working along side you to offer their opinion, where appropriate, to keep things moving along.
Good luck!
Related posts:
Organizing clothes for the seasons
Storage Star #3 ~ Shelving cover
In the summertime I go to a lot of garage sales looking for inexpensive organizing solutions. I love finding bookcases and cabinets for cheap. Problem is that although completely functional they aren’t always so pretty. Well Diann from Diann’s Full Life shows us how to fix that little problem without breaking the bank. Take a look:
Now that’s what I’m talking about, doesn’t that look beautiful! She took some inexpensive shelfing and turned it into a million bucks by adding some gorgeous fabric and a little velcro. She cleverly covered up the sight behind the fabric and turned her storage into a piece of art. I love it! You can get some more details and see a closer picture of it by visiting Diann’s site here.
Well done Diann, you are definitely a Storage Star!!
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If you see any clever ideas around the blogosphere that you think are worthy of a Storage Star please feel free to email me the link!
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