Finding Storage Space in Small Areas

Messy rooms, disorganized closets and jumbled junk (I like to think of them

as resource drawers) add un-needed hassle to our already hectic days and

lives.   I sat by two colleagues at a meeting today and the one was telling

us about the flood she recently had in her office when she was on vacation. 

The man was telling us they remolded a room in their house and how

disorganized everything was during that time.
 
Both of them were expressing their feelings of frustration at the

disorganized state their lives were in because of these two instances.  

Organizing our possessions, treasures, and 'stuff' does give us peace of mind

and a feeling that we can accomplish other things in our lives.
 
Do you ever feel you just don't have enough space to put things?  If you had

a bigger place you would be organized?   Even small spaces and homes can be

organized.  Here are some ideas of places to use for storage.
 
Under the bed.  If the bed is low, buy (for around $10.00) raisers that raise

the bed up about 8 inches.   Or you can use cinder blocks and raise it about

12 inches. Then under the bed plastic storage boxes made for this purpose are

perfect.  Some come on wheels.
 
In the closet.  Plastic boxes can hold out of season clothes and be placed on

the top shelf. If the closet is deep they can be stored on the floor. A

doublet, which is a two tiered rod, can maximize space in a closet. Many

organizing stores carry these, including The Container Store. Use tie racks

that can also be used to hang jewelry or scarves. Shoe racks come in a

variety of models.   Over the door, on the floor, and hanging racks.
 
Under the sink.  There are racks that fit around pipes or removable shelves

that can hold twice the amount of things to go under the sink. On the other

side of the sink the kitchen trash bin can be placed. When it isn't in plain

sight it reduces both visual and floor space clutter.
 
Donating useful but no longer needed items, getting rid of unwanted junk and

by keeping what we do need organized and accessible we let our personal

spaces become welcoming havens instead of uninviting areas that make us want

to stay away.