.Guest Blogger: Creative & Stylish Storage Solutions for Limited Closet Space

Guest Blogger #449, Entry #1070, April 5, 2012

Lack of closet space is a common obstacle. Whether you’re renting an apartment, or your home’s storage space leaves much to be desired, it can be a daunting task to find the right spot for all of your belongings. Luckily, there is hope, and it can even be done on a budget.

Get Organized

The obvious, but often skipped, step in getting organized and finding storage solutions is to make sure you actually need the things you’re keeping in your home. So spend some time analyzing your items, and once you’re settled on what stays and what goes, consider which storage systems would work for you.

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One smart idea to keep in mind is giving pieces of furniture more than one job. Of course you prop your feet up on your ottoman, but what if the ottoman also held toys, blankets, and remotes? Baskets could be lined up underneath an entryway bench to hold mittens, scarves, dog leashes, and other items needed near the door. Placing a stylish trunk or hope chest at the end of the bed creates the illusion of a foot board while giving you storage for extra linens and a place to sit in the bedroom.

Choose a coffee table with a shelf underneath to hold magazines, entertainment items, or even closed baskets that hold miscellaneous items like office supplies or files from sorting your mail. Use a large dresser in your dining room as your buffet to hold table linens, serving ware, and small appliances. Put your television in an armoire and you’ll have lots of extra room for craft supplies, board games, stationary, and other things that would normally be stored in a closet.

Use Hidden Spaces

 

Also, think of looking “up” to find more storage space. Often the top 2 feet of a closet are completely ignored. Put a shelf way up high for things you don’t use often, like holiday decorations, and use up every inch of available space. Another brilliant idea is to hang a shelf, with brackets that match your style, above the door inside your bathrooms. That’s more unused space that could be filled with extra toiletries or towels.

Don’t Forget the Garage

 

The garage is another place you can find storage near the ceiling. There are many ideas on the internet for do-it-yourself storage systems made of wood, pvc pipe, and other materials that hang from the ceiling.

Don’t forget about hidden spaces, like under the beds. You can slide plastic bins underneath to hold out of season clothing, or consider building wooden boxes on casters that will roll in and out.