Storage Solutions for a Small Home
Smaller houses are making a come back but finding space for all of your things can become a challenge. If your struggling to keep your small home organized then check out these budget friendly storage solutions to help make the most of your small space.
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Hey Friends! We are excited to have our first guest post ever here at We Three Shanes. This post has not been written by any of us sisters. It comes from fellow blogger Julian Lane. Please give him a warm welcome! We want to give him a quick introduction before hearing his great advice on storage solutions for a small home:
Julian believes that creating his home is his expression of art. In high school, Julian started using any materials he could find to update his bedroom. He began with making a desk, a desk chair, a bookcase, and then a headboard. His parents took notice and soon had him improving the house piece by piece.
Julian’s thrill for every project is to make the job look like a professional did it. Between trial and error and searching the Internet for the best tips, he became obsessed with little touches that set projects apart from the DIY masses. TheFixItChamp.com is Julian’s way of sharing quality DIY resources along with safety and a touch of design.
Take it away Julian!
How to Make the Most of a Small Home
Your home is meant to be cozy and welcoming, but as the years pass by and you collect more and more stuff, it crosses the line from cozy to cramped. While smaller houses offer the same comforts of home that a larger house does, limited space can become an issue. Now might be the time to clear out some of your stuff and get creative with your storage and organization.
Decluttering your Small Home: Make It a Clean Sweep
Before you set your mind to organizing, the first item on your to-do list should be to clear out the clutter. You are already short on space as it is, so getting rid of unused, unwanted, or broken items will free up space.
Break down your decluttering efforts by room and set small goals in each. As you go, place items into piles depending on whether you will keep, sell, donate, or toss.
For those items that you absolutely must keep but don’t have room for, look into renting a space at a local storage facility. This, of course, should be a short term solution but a good option when first downsizing and decluttering. To avoid paying an outrageous amount just to keep your treasured items, shop around and compare prices.
According to SpareFoot the average price per square foot of storage space is $0.96. This means you can get a 5 x 5 unit for around $50 a month. Of course prices will fluctuate depending on the size of the unit, the area, and your need.
Creative Storage for a Small Home
Next, it’s time to get creative with storage in each room of your home:
Creative Kitchen Storage
The kitchen is one of those areas in your home that tends to be a drop zone, not to mention it also has to hold all your plates, utensils, pots, pans, silverware and various other knickknacks. However, lack of space in the kitchen can be dangerous, not to mention make cooking a meal a nightmare.
At first glance, it might seem like your cabinets are your only storage options, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Kitchen storage is bountiful – you just have to know where to look.
For example, you can use the top of your cabinets and refrigerator for items you rarely use or hang items on the wall. You can even create storage by building a pantry into the wall or installing a kitchen pegboard (less than $10 at Home Depot).
Creative Bedroom Storage
If the closets in your bedroom are packed so full that you can’t open them without risking an avalanche, it’s time to look into more convenient (and safer) storage. If you are handy, or have a friend or family member who is, consider taking on a DIY bedroom storage project such as building a storage headboard or floating shelves.
There are plenty of options that don’t require tools, like hanging a shoe rack on the back of the door, using vertical cubbies in the closet to leave room for clothes, or under-bed storage containers, which can run as low as $10 or $12 each.
If you have a TV in your room, you can free up some space by mounting the TV and using your dresser as a nightstand to create more floor space.
Creative Bathroom Storage
Your bathroom might not be the most spacious. This can make it hard to get ready in the morning, but this doesn’t mean you are doomed. The key is finding small hacks to create extra space.
Install hanging baskets to store toilet paper, towels, cosmetics and hair tools. If you have a pedestal sink, think about splurging on a wrap-around shelf or over the toilet shelving to free up counter space and reduce that cluttered feeling. Use containers for under sink storage. Consider moving large items such as extra towels or cleaning supplies to a hall closet.
Creative Living Room Storage
The living room is a place you go to relax, but it can be hard to do when it feels cramped. Create living room space quickly by adding risers to your couch to make room for under-couch storage containers or switching out your ottoman and/or coffee table for one with hidden storage via drawers or a lift top. If possible, mount the TV so that you can fill that space with a storage cabinet.
Your home might be small, but this doesn’t mean you have to run out of space. With some creative thought and elbow grease, you can get your home organized and create space, too. All you need to do is pick a room, make a plan and get to it!
Thanks so much for all that amazing advice for making the best of a small house Julian! If you liked what you read and want to read more from Julian check out this helpful post Spring DIY Home Maintenance Projects.
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