As George Carlin once said, “A house is a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” However, what do you do with it all once you have it? If you're experiencing storage woes – too much stuff in too little space – then maybe its time to consider a storage overhaul for your house.
The first thing you should do if you need to maximize your home's storage space is to make sure you're using all the room you have available. In other words, just because your garage is full doesn't mean you're totally out of room. For instance, both older and newer two-story homes have enclosed staircases that take up a lot of otherwise empty room. By opening up these areas you can create a closet or simply a free space that can be used to space out your floor plan and give you some more breathing room.
Also, don't forget to utilize your home's attic or ceiling space. Almost every house has some room between the rafters and the interior space, and this can be a great spot to stash old toys, small pieces of furniture, or those once-a-year seasonal decorations. But remember to be careful of storing items directly on top of the drywall (lest you end up like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation, with your legs hanging through the ceiling). Instead, always place items on top of rafters or frame pieces to ensure they won't fall through.
And in keeping with storing things above your head, make sure you check the high points in your home when looking for how to maximize your storage space. Many homes, especially those with high ceilings, have spaces above the cabinets or high shelves inside the closets. Don't let these places go to waste simply because they're out of reach. These little nooks and hiding spots make perfect places to stash clothes and decorative items in the off-season or those home movies you can't bear to part with.
Maximizing your storage space also means making it easy to find and reach the things you do need, too. Simple solutions like wall-mounted shelves and shallow bookcases can turn a hallway or transitional space into a storage area, and chests or hollow ottomans can provide easy storage in a living or family room. As for your closets, clear storage tubs and shelving units can turn even the messiest of spaces into tame, organized areas. Get creative, and don't be afraid to store things you use frequently in the open.
Finally, many storage woes can be alleviated by simply getting rid of some of the stuff you're trying to store. Clothes that don't fit, old toys and games, and superfluous furniture are frequent causes of storage issues, especially in smaller homes. Consider donating clothes and toys at Goodwill or the Salvation Army, and get rid of old papers and appliance boxes. Decluttering is a big way to open up space in your home, and a good purge can work magic on your storage situation.
If you're interested in learning more about about maximizing your home's storage space, or learning other tips and tricks for homeownership, then please contact us at the Payne Real Estate Group for more information. Or, check out our homes for sale in the Richmond and Vancouver areas.
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