STORAGE TIPS
We've compiled some tips that will be helpful throughout the year for storing and organizing almost anything in almost any room or area. We'd be delighted to hear your comments.
New Years Day: Time to start over.
It seems like everyone is making resolutions this time of the year. Most aren't kept for more than a few weeks, days or even hours. When is the last time you resolved to lose some weight? Well, getting organized (or re-organized) is well worth the effort and will pay big dividends throughout the whole year. Once you've done the up-front work all it requires is maintenance.
The first step is to do inventory your stuff and have some big garbage bags handy--for the thrift store, of course. As you go through clothing, ask yourself "when was the last time I wore this? how likely is it that I will ever wear it again?" At this point It's good to be ready to try on questionable garments. That's really the best way to know if you want it anymore.
It's hard to get rid of things that have sentimental value like an old shirt you never wear but was given to you by a loved one. Put stuff like this in a "questionable" pile. Deal with that later. Try not to get bogged down or distracted. Proceed forward, you may have to be ruthless in discarding unused stuff.
After you've completed your inventory it's time to evaluate your existing storage space. Typically most closets come outfitted with a single "pole & plank" situated at medium height. It's just low enough so that long dresses drag on the floor and so high that 2-3 feet of space is wasted beneath your short hanging shirts or blouses. Unless you want to start tearing out existing shelves, this is where we can help by situating the rods at proper heights for the correct distances.
There are many other items to consider for your clothes closet storage scheme. Sweaters and sweat shirts are best folded or placed in drawers or baskets. Shoes also need to have their own location. Lots of shoes hang around way too long. Many of them, like platform shoes, seem to come back into style if you keep them long enough. Not too many people have enough room for this luxury. Measure your shoes by lining them up on the floor to see how many running feet of storage space is required. We have several excellent solutions for shoe storage.
How about all those accessories, like ties, belts, scarves, jewelry? Do you have a good place for them? A place where you can easily find them and where they're protected? Again, lots of these can be weeded out. We have racks made specifically for belts, scarves and ties. We also have jewelry drawers with cavities for items like watches, necklaces, rings, etc.
Spring Cleaning Time
All winter long things have piled up. It's been cold and you've been busy. After the holidays you were just glad to jettison the Christmas tree, decorations and to have a place to sit down and relax. You were happy if you could find a place in the garage for your vehicles. But now you've simply run out of room and are up to your eyeballs in, well, junk . . . too much of it. Now is a great time to start your "Spring Cleaning" routine.
The first step, of course, is to sort thru everything which has piled up over the past few months. Make several piles--one for stuff to definitely keep, another to definitely throw out and the last one for questionable things. Go through each room with these 3 categories in mind. For the questionable category, ask yourself when was last time this was used and how likely it will be used in the future.
Bring a trash can or large garbage bags along as you go from room to room. Try to disengage yourself from emotional attachments you have to certain things. If you must, make another category for these things. Maybe you will find a good place to file or store them. After you've done this you will have pared down your junk piles.
Now you can carefully consider how to neatly store what is left. Keep in mind storing things close to where they will be used is best. It's always good to label boxes before you set them up on shelves. Certain things are seasonal and won't be needed, say, until Christmas. Put them on the top shelf out of the way (unless they are way too heavy).
In all likelihood you will need more places to store your things. This is where we come in. We can help you determine the best method of storage and where it should be placed. Our experts can help you in this process from start to finish.
Storage: Miscellaneous Areas
Now we'll lump several storage areas together. Spring is usually a muddy, messy month as people go in and out frequently and are engaged in gardening, landscaping, outdoor sports, etc. We'll look at several areas and present various considerations and options.
The laundry-room is usually large enough for more than just a washer and dryer. You'll need a convenient place to store detergent, bleach, fabric softener and other such items. The choice is between open shelves (in wire or laminate) or in an enclosed laminate cabinet with doors. Your choice depends upon visibility and cost. If you'd like to hide everything then a cabinet with doors would be best, although it will cost the most. If view doesn't matter, then open shelves work well. Wire shelves are less expensive then laminate ones. If you have enough shelf space you could store paper products and other "non-laundry" cleaning items here. You will likely want to have some hanging space for items just removed from the dryer.
Linen closets are usually quite simple yet there are several considerations. Linen closets are usually found near bedrooms or bathrooms to contain bedding, towels, table linen, etc. If you have several of these try to keep things close to where they are typically used. The biggest mistakes in using these closets is improper shelf spacing and incorrect depth. It is usually better to have deeper shelves, at least 16" and even up to 24" if the depth is there.
Entry way closets typically have the ubiquitous builder favorite--a "pole& plank" at medium height. Obviously, this does not use space efficiently. After you've put most of your coats and jackets in, you'll find space above the shelf and below the garments which is wasted--often half or more. Depending upon how wide the closet is, a better arrangement is to divide the closet into long and short hanging areas. Another shelf can usually be added above the long hanging space. This, however, usually needs to be a shallower shelf (12") so it can be easily accessed. Basket towers are another welcome addition for storing caps, gloves, mittens, etc. If there are children, each child can have his own basket. These baskets will keep the clutter contained, allow for drying and be visible.
Mudrooms are actually full-room entryways. The term "mudroom" connotes that mud and mess are allowed here but must stay here. Many of the same considerations apply here as with entryways. There will likely be more wall space to use here than in an entryway closet. A hookstrip for hanging coats and jackets works nice here. There are many choices for hooks, but using double hooks is advised. Many kids are used to using these at school and will therefore make better use of them than using coat hangers. Designated areas for boots and shoes can also be allocated. Stacking footwear on shelves or racks will conserve space. A phone and message or bulletin board are other welcome additions to a mudroom or entryway.