When looking for a handy houseful of storage solutions, look no further than the basics. Any home in need of de-cluttering can benefit from strategically placed baskets, hooks, and more. Creative storage solutions for any size home do not have to be expensive, complicated, or boring.
Baskets
Whether wicker or wooden, the traditional basket can be a quick storage solution. Sporting a handle, lined with fabric, or even painted to match a room's decor, the basket can hold anything from toilet paper rolls in a guest bathroom to magazines in a family room to stationery in an office. Even a traditional basket with curved handles can quickly become a unique way to display and store everyday items when you think outside of the box.
Hang it on a hook
A great way to get clutter off the floor (or from being strewn over the tops of dining chairs) is to install hooks. Decorative but functional hooks can be found to match any decor. Home improvement stores can even custom-order hooks to match your cabinet hardware or room theme. Attach inverted hooks to the side of a kitchen island to hold a rolling pin, or use three small hooks to hang extra kitchen towels. Stylish, feminine hooks are pretty and functional in a girl's room, as well as being ideal for hanging necklaces, bracelets, scarves, and other accessories.
Take it to the tub!
Calm the chaos by designating a colored plastic tub for different toy groups. For example, select a blue tub for stuffed animals, red for action figures, and green for building-oriented toys. To help kids remember which tub is for what toys, take a picture of your child holding one of the toys, print, and laminate it. Attach the picture with clear packing tape. Plastic containers with built-in handles, or round tubs with rope handles, work better than the containers without handles because they are easier to grab and carry.
Coordinate by color
Assign each family member a color. Keep the colors basic, using red, blue, green, yellow, and pink. Then color-code laundry baskets, coat hooks, storage bins, and even the shelves in the children's closets for a quick and inexpensive storage solution. You can even use the color-coding system for cereal bowls and cups. The color of the bowl or cup instantly identifies which family member left the item on the table instead of placing it in the dishwasher after eating.
Repurpose, reuse
Storage solutions can be eco-friendly when everyday items are repurposed. Shoe boxes often are made from a heavy-duty cardboard. Their size and shape are perfect for a variety of items, from small toys to scrapbooking materials. Muffin tins fit easily into a junk drawer and are ideal for capturing various odds and ends like paper clips, rubber bands, twist ties, and even broken crayons being saved for future craft projects.
Repurpose old end tables or night stands to create a unique storage unit for a playroom or family room. End tables and nightstands with drawers and/or shelves work best for this project. Align the tables or nightstands along a wall to form a storage unit. Consider painting each piece to coordinate with the room's decor. Terra cotta pots can become decorative storage containers in a kitchen. Set along a windowsill or counter, and fill with whisks, spatulas, and mixing spoons. Add a stencil or bow to complement the room's decor.
Look up and look under
When organizing your home, don't forget to look up and look under. Ceiling storage units are available at home-improvement stores like Menard's and through online retailers like Hyloft.com. The units can be installed in a garage, basement, or attic. They fit a variety of spaces and are ideal for getting boxes off the floor and out of the way. Look under the bed to help maximize your storage space, too. Consider under-the-bed boxes or even shallow, lidded baskets available at shops like the Pottery Barn. Don't forget that those handy space-saver vacuum-style storage bags fit under even the lowest beds.
The adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" is the key to solving most household storage nightmares. While it might seem easier to dump belongings on the kitchen counter or in an entryway, putting items away -- right away -- can be quick and easy when simple storage solutions are in place.
Dryer vent cleaning isn't just for looks. It will keep your house from going up in flames. |
When you fold laundry the right way you reduce the amount of time you will have to spend ironing it. |
Follow these simple laundry tips to sort, pre-treat and choose the best water temperature. |
Some people shy away from purchasing silk clothing because they assume that this fabric is too difficult to care for. |
Homemade laundry detergent is the best way to ensure that toxins aren't finding their way into your clothes or your ecosystem. |
Learn common laundry symbols and never ruin another expensive wool sweater. |
As more people become unemployed, begin retirement or fall into other circumstances with reduced incomes, the idea of saving money gains momentum. Yet, while many people wo...click here for more. |
Learning how to bleach blue jeans will let you turn an old pair of dark denim into a stylish "new" addition to your wardrobe. |
Cleaning leather clothing will prolong its life and keep it looking sharp. |
Suede is an expensive and lavish material, but it is delicate and prone to wear. It is important to know how to clean suede to keep it looking lovely in the times to come. |
How to acid wash denim. Although early acid wash denim featured a mostly uniform color, today's styles tend to be more random with an almost tie-dyed look. Getting started is easy with a little help |
Proper methods for clothing storage depend on the specific materials and the pest or moisture level of your location. |
Learning how to do laundry is a memorable moment in anybody's life. Allow us to share yours with you. |
You may want to think twice before you take clothes to your regular dry cleaners and consider green dry cleaning instead. |
What is washing soda, anyway? Is it baking soda? No. It is far more caustic and effective. |
Simple laundry tips to make the job easier. |
Guides to laundry and clothing care including top secret tips, storage solutions, cleaning various fabrics and more. |
If you know how to shrink jeans, you can salvage a pair that's too big. |
Curtains should not be neglected and should be cleaned as often as possible. |
Whichever type of hat you choose, proper hat care will keep it looking sharp. |
How to wash a down comforter. The delicate feathers of a down comforter require special handling. Find out how to care for it safely. |
If you know how to stone wash jeans yourself, you can save a few dollars on "distressed" jeans at the department store. |
Whether you're short on closet space or you simply prefer a more organized closet, storing seasonal clothing is a great way to make room for your current wardrobe. It's also a...click here for more. |
Tips to keep your laundry bright, white and smelling fresh. |
Learning how to shrink shirts is a skill that can help save some of those shirts you never wear anymore. |
The many uses of baking soda in the laundry room |
Cleaning silk ties is best left to the professionals, but, when disaster strikes, you must act fast. |
Learning how to shrink clothes is a great way to save your wardrobe-and your money. |
