When you run out of storage space in your home, get creative.
When your basement, attic, garage and all closets are full, you may think you've run out of storage space. On the contrary, this simply means that it's time to get inventive. After you've sorted through your clutter to decide what to get rid of and what to keep, try some creative ideas for storage solutions. Does this Spark an idea?
Vertical Version
Display your collections on shelves.
Think upwards instead of outwards. Similar to the way a high-rise building takes up far fewer square miles than several single-family homes, your clutter also requires less space when stored vertically. One way to do this is to use your walls. Dedicate part or all of a wall to shelving, and you'll be surprised how much storage space you've created. Just a few shelves can hold lots of music, collectibles, movies and books. For kitchen cabinets cluttered with canned goods, spices, boxed meals, cookware and dishes, use stackable racks and shelf stands. In chaotic closets full of bedding, shoes, sporting equipment, clothes, holiday decorations and the like, use stackable shoe racks and storage bins, boxes and baskets.
Out of Sight
Stack items under a table and cover it with a tablecloth.
Make your furniture serve double duty: function and storage. You can find a wide assortment of pieces that have hidden storage compartments: benches, coffee tables, beds, ottomans, benches, armchairs and footstools. Store board games and children's toys inside a window bench, pillows and throws inside the drawers under a bed, DVDs and CDs inside an ottoman. IKEA, Target, Walmart and many other home furnishing stores sell inexpensive storage furniture. If you're really pinched for space, one clever technique is to stack items under a table (at which no one will sit, such as a decorative table or end table), and cover it with a tablecloth.
Back to Life
Store items on top of tall furniture such as bookcases.
Dead space is so called because it's unused, ignored, forgotten---dead. Resurrect it. Add a shelf to the very top of storage pantries, wardrobes and closets. Place beds on risers to raise them off the floor and store things underneath. Pull dressers, cabinets, loveseats and couches away a few inches from the wall, and store items behind them. Use the top of tall furniture, such as grandfather clocks, armoires, buffet, china cabinets, bureaus, bookcases, and wardrobes to store things. Another area that is frequently overlooked is underneath staircases, where drywall is usually hiding empty space that you could turn into a closet. Using dead space ensures that every square foot is put to use.
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