Use freestanding shelves to add storage to your home.
Homes with no storage space can quickly become cluttered and overwhelmed by their occupants' belongings. Finding creative ways to store items makes it easier to keep the house clean and organized and to find items when you look for them. Use decorative storage containers on shelves and in armoires and other furniture items to further increase your storage space. No matter what option you choose, don't try to cram too many items into a small space as doing so will make it difficult to find things and make your home look too cluttered. Does this Spark an idea?
Shelves
Freestanding and wall shelves both add a lot of room for storage without taking up a lot of your home's floor space. Look for bookshelves that are large enough to hold books, knickknacks and other items, and place one in every room that does not have a closet. Wall hanging shelves can add both decorative interest and storage to small rooms. Use a wall shelf with hooks underneath to maximize the number of items you can neatly store on the shelf.
Armoires
Visit any antique store, and you will find a variety of old armoires for sale. Homes built prior to 1930 often lack closet space, so homeowners of the time used freestanding decorative armoires. An armoire is basically a large piece of furniture that acts as a closet. Most have room for hanging clothing and drawers for folded pieces as well. A vintage armoire can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars but can be worth the investment if you plan to keep your home for a long time.
Under Furniture
Use bed risers to lift the beds in your home an additional foot off the ground, and use the floor space underneath to store additional items. Don't overlook the areas behind and underneath your existing upholstered furniture; flat items can be slipped under and hidden from sight. Put decorative storage containers under your television stand to hold DVDs and video games, and use the top of the refrigerator to house your cookbooks.
Tags: your home, decorative storage, decorative storage containers, floor space, shelves both, storage containers, storage space