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Reading time – 10 minutes
My guest blogger this month is Sophia Perry from Arizona Moving Professionals.
Downsizing often requires rethinking how to organize and store your belongings effectively. Whether you’re downsizing locally or moving to a new country, innovative storage solutions are essential for making the most of limited space, offering creative and practical ways to keep your home functional and clutter-free. So, let’s explore various storage ideas and strategies to help you transition smoothly into your new, cozier living space.
Innovative Storage Solutions Through Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture is one of the most effective innovative storage solutions for small homes. These versatile pieces serve multiple purposes, helping you maximize every square inch. For example, ottomans that double as storage bins, beds with built-in drawers, and coffee tables with hidden compartments are all excellent options. Multi-functional furniture allows you to maintain a tidy home without sacrificing the essentials.
A Big Step Before the Move
Taking time to declutter and then organize your belongings is vital before moving to a smaller home. Reducing what’s truly necessary can significantly ease the moving process. Sorting through your items and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard ensures your new space isn’t overwhelmed with unnecessary clutter.
This process makes unpacking more manageable and your new home more organized. Professional packing services can assist with this process. Their expertise can help you efficiently pack and label your items, ensuring everything is ready for the move.
Preparing for the Big Day
A well-organized moving day is essential for settling into your new home smoothly. To prepare for the big day, consider creating a packing strategy that includes labelling boxes clearly, making an inventory list, and packing items by room. These steps can save time and reduce stress on moving days, helping you transition into your new space more efficiently.
Utilizing Vertical Space Efficiently
In smaller homes, floor space is often limited, making it essential to use vertical space efficiently. Walls provide an excellent opportunity for storage that doesn’t encroach on living areas. Installing wall-mounted shelves can help you store books, kitchen supplies, or decorative items, freeing up floor space. Hanging organizers are also useful in closets, kitchens, and bathrooms, keeping smaller items tidy and within easy reach. Tall cabinets offer additional storage while maintaining a clean, organized appearance.
Smart Under-Bed Storage Solutions
Under-bed storage is an often underutilized area that can be incredibly valuable, especially in smaller homes. This space is perfect for items that aren’t needed daily, such as seasonal clothing or extra bedding. Rolling bins allow easy access to stored items, while vacuum-sealed bags help save space by compressing bulkier items. Custom-made drawers under the bed provide a more permanent solution, keeping your belongings organized and accessible. Effective under-bed storage keeps your living area clutter-free, ensuring essential items remain within easy reach while lesser-used items are neatly stored out of sight.
Use under the bed storage for extra supplies
Custom Built-In Storage for Maximum Efficiency
Custom-built storage solutions are ideal for maximizing space in smaller homes. Tailored to your needs, these built-ins, such as cabinets, shelves, and closets, provide ample storage while maintaining a streamlined look. A custom pantry in the kitchen can help organize groceries, while built-in living room bookshelves offer storage and a place to display items. In the bedroom, a custom closet with a mix of hanging rods, shelves, and drawers ensures all your belongings have a place.
Maximizing Closet Space
Closets in smaller homes can quickly become overcrowded, but you can significantly increase their capacity with a few adjustments. Double hanging rods maximize vertical space, allowing for more clothing to be stored. Shelf dividers keep items organized and easy to find, while stackable bins help manage smaller belongings. Slim, non-slip hangers free up even more space, ensuring your closet remains neat and functional. These simple changes can transform a cramped closet into an organized and efficient storage area.
Off-Site Storage: A Practical Option
Even with the best innovative storage solutions, some items you can’t fit into your new home may still exist. Renting off-site storage can be a practical option for seasonal items, sports equipment, or family heirlooms. This option allows you to maintain a clutter-free home while still having access to your belongings when needed.
When choosing a storage facility, look for one with climate control and secure access to ensure your items are well-protected. A reputable company, for instance, in Victoria, like Hendra Moving and Storage Victoria BC, provides a range of storage solutions to meet your needs, whether you require short-term or long-term options.
Keeping Clutter Out of Sight
Hidden storage solutions are perfect for maintaining a tidy home. Furniture with concealed compartments, such as sofas with storage under the cushions or benches with lift-up seats, provides discreet storage for items like blankets, books, or board games. These solutions keep your home looking clean while keeping your belongings easily accessible.
Kitchen Storage: Maximizing Small Spaces
Kitchens in smaller homes often have limited storage, making it challenging to keep essentials organized. Stackable containers, magnetic knife strips, and over-the-door organizers can help optimize kitchen storage. Pull-out shelves or lazy Susans provide easy access to items in deep cabinets, keeping your kitchen functional and clutter-free.
Room Dividers with Built-In Storage
Room dividers with built-in storage offer a versatile solution for open-plan spaces. These dividers, excellent space-saving hacks, help create separate areas while providing additional shelving or cabinets. They are ideal for storing books, decorative items, or office supplies, helping you stay organized in your smaller home.
Embracing Innovative Storage Solutions
Moving into a smaller home requires thoughtful planning and creative solutions. Embracing innovative storage solutions allows you to create a functional, organized, and comfortable living space that meets all your needs. These strategies will help you make the most of your new home’s space, from multi-functional furniture to custom-built storage and off-site options. Start planning your move today, and choose the storage solutions that best suit your lifestyle.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading Time – 3 minutes
Moving back for the summer?
It is that time of year when college and university students are moving back home for 4 months. If their things are packed in an organized way it will take some of the work out of moving back to school in September.
1. Buy bins that stack inside each other when they are not in use.
Stacking bins are easy to store. Most of us like to cut costs and use boxes to move students. Since moving is an ongoing process for the next number of years buy some bins. They will stack nicely in a truck/van and in a closet or storage area at home. They will only need to be purchased once whereas boxes are usually recycled and you need to find more every time. The bins are waterproof.
2. Before the student begins packing, make a list of items they need at home.
Make sure the items that are needed at home are packed together in a bin. Label those bins, bedroom. Other items that they need only for school can be left in the bins to be moved back to school in September. Label them basement, closet where ever they will be kept. They may need a bin or two labelled laundry. Some items may need to be washed before they are stored away for the summer, bedding, blankets, winter coats etc. This makes unloading quick and easy. If your student is moving across the country, arrange to have their school stuff stored with a friend or a storage unit. Save the shipping fees. Keep the list they made to move home to use in September. When it is time to go back to school look at the list and repack the items that were used during the summer.When you're packing up at college or university, pack the things you need at home separately in one bin and everything else you'll bring back to school in other bins. Share on X
3. At home, designate an area where the bins will be stored over the summer.
Clean out the designated area before your student arrives home. If everything is kept close together or in a limited number of areas when September arrives, it is easy to know where everything is.
A little planning can make the move quick and easy. The second part of moving home is talking to your student about the living arrangements at home. Set up a quick concise contract and life will be easy and enjoyable.
Don’t forget anything
What have you done to make moving your student back home easier? Share a comment below.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 3 minutes
This advice appeared in the P.O.S.T Professional Organizing Strategies and Tips newsletter. To learn about Professional Organizers in Canada click this link http://www.organizersincanada.com/.
There’s something about summer, the lure of the open road and the promise of a change of scenery that makes us want to load up the car and just go some place. If there’s one time you really want to be organized, it’s when you’re traveling. Traveling requires more organization than we may possess in our daily lives, so cut the stress by following an organizing checklist for inside the car.
Planning & Prepping
- Make sure your car is in good condition – oil checked, tires inspected and filled – test the air conditioning and wiper blades.
- Driver’s licenses, passports, insurance cards, ownership and registration, and contact numbers for roadside assistance should be readily accessible. Make spare copies and leave with a travel companion.
- The spare tire and jack – are in good shape and are easy to access. An emergency car tool kit should include an orange flag or pylon that you can use to signal for help if needed. Learn how to change a flat tire.
- Spare set of keys – in case they get locked inside the car or drop out of your pocket. (Even if you have to call a locksmith to open the car, you’ll be able to drive when it’s unlocked.)
- Plastic grocery bags for garbage – always!
Keep your backseat organized with a portable blue bin
- These blue bins fit between two seats and can hold a lot of gear. Each young member of the family can have their own bin for a blanket, sweatshirt, hat, sunglasses, and spare shoes. They can access anything that they need on their own and have a place to wrangle their souvenirs.
- A file box with a labeled folder for each section of the road trip.
Maps
- A traditional map or print custom maps for your journey at GoogleMaps or MapQuest Route Planner. CAA or AAA will also provide route maps.
- (GPS) A Global Positioning System – some travelers say they wouldn’t leave home without one!
- APPS are available on smartphones to find everything from restaurants, hotels, parks, and other points of interest as well as weather reports and plenty of games, quizzes and puzzles for young ones.
- Book the hotel ahead so you don’t have to find a place at the end of the day. Find hotels with generous cancellation policies.
In-Car Diversions
- Music – A playlist or CD collection if you’re traveling through an area where radio signals might be sketchy.
- Audio Books, DVDs and a laptop are great to have because it means you don’t need to spend time uploading content to your phone or iPad before the trip when you may be busy. Check out your local library.
- Spare batteries, charging cables and electricity power converter for electronics.
- Healthy Snacks: fruit (apples can keep well for a long time), pretzels, granola bars, crackers and nuts, along with a few fun treats. A trip to the grocery store along the way can help you save money too because the costs of dining out can add up.
- Beverages: A soft-sided cooler packed with water bottles and low-sugar soft drinks.
Toiletries within easy reach
- Tissues, paper towels, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer and a roll of toilet paper, in case the rest stop isn’t well-stocked.
- Prescription medicines as well as basics like pain relievers, antacids and remedies for motion sickness.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- A first aid kit with antiseptic and band-aids for minor cuts, cortisone cream for insect bites, and bandages.
Clothing & Comfort
- Wear comfortable clothing – no items which restrict or bind.
- Wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. Always have a pair of closed toe shoes available.
- A sweater or jacket over a T-shirt for instant respectability in public areas.
- A small blanket if you disagree with the temperature setting within the car.
- A pillow from home for an unfamiliar hotel bed.
Finally
- Think twice before posting about your trip on social media if your house is currently empty!!
What are your best traveling tips? Share it with us in the comments.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
The benefits of having a bedroom free of clutter are obvious to see. It is easier to move in the room without tripping on items left on the floor. You can find things on your night table without bumping other items over. Have you thought about how a clutter free bedroom might make you feel? You will feel as though you have a clearer mind when you are in that room, and that might help you unwind and sleep more effectively. When it is less cluttered, you might enjoy being there more and it can become a sacred place. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to gain a clutter-free bedroom, so let’s take a look at four steps you might not have thought of as a way to achieve that.
Match The Bed To The Room
Have you seen a bedroom with a bed and furniture that takes up all the space so that it is difficult to move around the room? Did you ever think the cluttered feeling could be caused by the size of your bed? Try to match the bed to the room size. A less crowded room is easier to keep clean and organized. When you have a huge bed, one problem is that you might struggle to feel relaxed in that room with no place to move. You might need to visit a mattress store in your area to find better options for your space. Visually your room will look bigger, less crowded and more inviting. You will feel less anxious entering the room and have less stress. Practically it will be easier to get things out, put them away and make your bed every day.
Store Items Under The Bed
This is a simple thing you can do which will make your bedroom less cluttered and visibly cleaner. Storing items under the bed is something that is not always possible – for instance, if you have a divan base that almost touches the floor. Captain’s beds are built with drawers under the bed for storage. Some beds have a base that is hinged to create a storage area in the bed frame. You can create storage under your bed by using bed risers to lift the bed up. When there is space under the bed, make use of it. It’s amazing how this space can be used so you have more room in your closets or dressers.
Minimize Wall Decorations
It can be tempting to go all out and try to decorate your bedroom in a way that is beautiful. You might find it quite beneficial to not go overboard here. In fact, you’ll find that keeping wall decorations to a minimum will lead to a space that has less visual clutter and a much clearer appearance. Put items on the wall that have a calming effect so it is easier to relax and clear your mind as you get ready to sleep.
Store Things Elsewhere
Finally, there is something to be said about not letting the bedroom become a general dumping ground for random items around the home. It is one of the most important rooms in the home and one that you need to care for and respect. It is a space where you rejuvenate your mind and regenerate your body for the next day. It is easy at the end of a tiring day to bring things into the bedroom, put them down and say you’ll put them away tomorrow. Take the extra minute and put them away so you don’t have a constant reminder of an unfinished task when you are trying to go to sleep. Don’t end up with lots of random items cluttering up your restful space.
Usually, I talk about the process of decluttering a room to have less unwanted stuff. These 4 steps approach making a bedroom clutter-free in a different way, through the thoughtful selection of furniture, decoration and storage. They also help to create a room with less visual clutter and mental clutter.
In the comments share how you make your bedroom clutter-free.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices,oachng you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Every storage room has its different problems to consider. Some have very low ceilings. Some may be hard to get into. The walls and corners might be angled. Sometimes they have a smell you need to get rid of. There are a number of questions to ask yourself before you purchase shelving for your storage room.
Show or Stow?
1. Do you like things displayed on open shelves or stowed behind closed doors? This will help you determine if you want a cupboard or shelving.
Measure Carefully
2. Next measure the space. You need to get storage that uses all the area and not buy storage that leaves some of the area unusable. This happens when one storage unit is too large and another storage unit can’t fit into the remaining space.
Lids or no lids?
3. Next ask yourself, will you open a lid to put things into a container, will you reclose the top of a box? If the answer is no, cut the flaps off the box or purchase containers without lids. You want to make it as easy as possible to get the items into the correct box.
Make it easy to get to the bottom container
4. Lastly ask yourself, if your bins are stacked will you unstack them to put something in the bottom container? Will you restack the containers on the storage unit? If your answer is no then buy large containers that fill the vertical space between the shelves so you can maximize your storage. It is usually good to have two or three containers on each shelf so they are easy to move and not too heavy.
How to place items on the shelves
Now you have your storage units and bins.
- Store items you use frequently at eye level.
- Store heavy items on the bottom shelf
- Store items close to where you use them
- Store infrequently used items up high or in less accessible areas.
Hockey bags?
Trying to store hockey bags? Try placing two shelving units that are 4 or 5 shelves high, with 24” or 36” deep shelves, one in front of the other and securely attach them together. This will hold one bag per shelf with room to leave it open to air out and place some items beside the bag to dry.
Do you need to mitigate an odour?
I contributed to an article about smells in homes. I suggested when you enter a new room there may be an odour you don’t like. The easiest first step is to increase the air circulation, open some windows, prop open a door and use a fan to circulate the air. The next thing you can try is a dehumidifier especially if you are in the basement. Removing the dampness can help remove unwanted odours. If the problem is not solved try a deep clean of the walls, carpets and window coverings. Fabrics can hold many odours from the previous clients’ cooking, pets and hobbies. We were named a local expert on ApartmentGuide. Read the full article here: What to Do About Bad Smells in the House.
ApartmentGuide is a subsidiary of Redfin.com
With the right shelves and bins, it is easy to sort your items into categories, place them in a labelled container and locate them in your storage room. Removing smells from your storage areas will keep your items clean and fresh. Remember to keep only what you need and love.
Book a complimentary 30-minute virtual chat with me to get started planning your storage area.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Sometimes when we are organizing we make the organization look like art. We organize books by the colour of their spine, hang baskets on a wall in an interesting pattern or use brightly coloured baskets to hold exercise equipment. Let’s look at the reverse of this idea. Can artwork help you get organized?
This piece of artwork provides storage opportunities.
I attended the National Home Show in Toronto Canada a few years ago. I saw this great piece of artwork. If you have a small home this artwork is dual purpose. It can be used to hold CDs, video games and equipment, and books. Plants would look lovely on this tree especially ivy or other hanging plants that would give it “leaves”. It would be fun to decorate it for any season or special event.
Here is a creative use of a sign. This piece of artwork has hooks added to it to organize cycling gear. When the cycling gear is removed you have a lovely picture on your wall.
Let me know about artwork in your home that helps you stay organized.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Many people feel the only way to file paperwork is in a filing cabinet in filing folders. I like to say some people file horizontally using files and something to hold them. While other people use files and stack them vertically. Both types of people are doing the same thing in a different direction. Are you a filer (horizontal hanging files) or are you a piler ( vertically stacking files)? Learn about 5 ways you can keep your paperwork controlled.
1. Traditional Filing Cabinets
They come in many sizes and colours. Make sure to get one with drawer sliders so you can easily reach the back of each drawer. Some come with locks others do not. They can be vertical or horizontal. Horizontal cabinets provide a space to set things on, a printer, a plant etc. You can buy a stand that has wheels to set under the filing cabinet to make it easier to relocate.
2. Binders
Binders are a good solution for visual people. You can have them on a shelf and easily see all your files. The binders can be colour coded to make it simple to find the correct binder. Use dividers, pocket dividers or sheet protectors to file papers. Set up the categories you need: household bills, bank statements, warranties etc. Some binders also have a set of accordion files attached to the binder. Here is a review of this product.
3 Rolling Crates/ File Boxes on Wheels.
Use hanging folders and file folders. The advantage to this is you can take them to whatever room you want and the top is open so you can see the files easily. With the crates, you can stack them for easy storage.
Crates make your files portable
4. Expandable Files
Use one section for each category of paperwork. For example household bills, income tax, financial documents, insurance policies, warranties, etc. They are great to have one for each member of the family to store papers relating to them, report cards/school documents, immunization/health records, passport and other documents, certificates etc. You can also colour code these files.
Some come with special hooks so you can store them in a filing cabinet or crate.
5. Magazine holders
Magazine holders come in paper and plastic. They are available in many colours and patterns. Try to buy ones with solid sides so papers will not get caught and it can be hard to slide in. Use a holder for each category of paper you need to file. You can colour code your systems making it easier to quickly access the files you need. You can turn them so the spines are facing out, and label them, to reduce the visual clutter of seeing all the papers in each box.
What is your preferred method for filing paperwork? Tell me about your system.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 1 minute
Three Steps to Organizing
- Consolidate items into groups
- Containerize groups in sturdy, proper sized containers that are labeled
- Condense items so you have the appropriate amount of items in each group
Remember to donate items to charity and not to put them in the garbage.
Follow Two Routines
- Do four things in the morning
- Do four things in the evening
Five Habits to Keep Clutter on the Run
- If you get it out, put it away
- Apply the 30 second rule – if it takes 30 seconds or less to do something, do it immediately
- Follow the camping rule – leave the room the way you found it or better
- Look, really look at your surroundings to see what is out of place
- Use “little minute” to clean – those few minutes while you are waiting for someone, on hold on the phone, watching a pot boil
Let me know your tricks to help you stay organized.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 7 minutes
Start by determining any special uses for the bedroom (e.g., home office, baby’s crib and supplies, etc.) Only have items in the bedroom that serve the purpose of the room. Remove all other items.
Closet
It is easy for bedrooms to become the collection spot for all sorts of items. Piles form. When you declutter the bedroom, start with your clothing. Hang up clothing in a closet or on a rack. Place other clothing in a dresser or on shelves. Keep the clothing you like wearing, you get compliments when you wear it and that suits your lifestyle. Have a place to put dirty laundry. Double your hanging space by installing a lower hanging bar. Add an extra shelf up high in the closet to store off-season items.
Neatfreak Hanging Expandable Bar
Under the bed
Under-bed storage containers are very helpful for oversized items or off-season clothing. You can raise your bed to create more storage by using bed risers to lift the bed up.
Raising the bed can make more storage space under the bed
Bedside stand
A nightside table with a drawer and shelf or cupboard will provide more storage than a table. The nightstands in a bedroom tend to collect clutter. Frequently clear off the surface and declutter the drawers. Decide what is important to have handy. Do you need a book, tissues, medication, a charging station or a water bottle?
Vertical space
Use vertical space to add more storage. An armoire or high-boy may suit your room better than a long, low dresser.
Doors
Use the inside of the bedroom and closet doors to hang items. Over-the-door rack and hook products accommodate shoes, jewellery, scarves, ties, etc. Try using a shoe organizer.
There are many organizing options for storing items on doors
Bedding
Reduce the amount of bedding to a minimum. Have 2 sets of sheets one on the bed and one extra set. If you need to store sheets in the bedroom try using the shelf in your closet. Fold the 2 sheets and pillowcase and slide them inside the other pillowcase. You have a nice contained set of sheets that are easy to store. Recycle sheets with stains and holes. Donate sheets you don’t use, that are the wrong size and mismatched. Have a lightweight blanket for warm weather and a heavy blanket for cooler seasons.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics can also pile up on bedroom surfaces. Use a container to store the cosmetics and make them look attractive. Try repurposing a silver chest. Check expiry dates, and remove expired items and products you no longer use. Try to relocate some of the cosmetics to the bathroom.
The brushes nicely fit where cutlery used to be stored in this repurposed silver chest
Jewelry
Jewelry is another area to consider. There are nice trays that can fit in drawers, boxes to sit on a dresser and wall-mounted cabinets to store the jewelry you use frequently. Go through your jewelry and make sure you still love it, it is not broken and it is clean. Donate or sell jewelry that you no longer wear, fads that have come and gone and jewelry that doesn’t fit.
Custom Designed Closets
I always suggest that you first decide how you will store things in your room before having renovations done. Once you know what types of shelves and spaces you need to hold everything you might want to get a custom build closet. It can be a wardrobe specifically designed to your unique preferences and individual requirements. This could include walk-in spaces, lighting, and multiple interior features. You can find out more about this level of customization by speaking with a professional contractor.
In most cases, the bedroom is used for relaxing and sleeping. Find new places for all the items that don’t belong and create a tranquil space. I think I have considered all the areas in the bedroom. Did I miss anything?
Let me know which tip you liked best and add your own tip in the comment box.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
This week my guest blogger is Sophia Perry from Arizona Moving Professionals
There comes a point when any household or a business needs additional storage space. Many people use it during a move or for decluttering and organizing purposes. While storage units are often a necessity when running a business, in recent times, they are becoming increasingly popular for people who recognize the importance of having a tidy living space. Hoarding items can lead to feeling snowed under and consequently anxious and frustrated. Hence, storage units are a practical solution. However, if you intend to use storage and free up some work or living space, be aware that, without a mindful approach, you’re risking turning your unit into the ‘land of lost and found’. Therefore, you need a good strategy for organizing your storage unit for frequent access to optimize the experience of your stressless, clutter-free lifestyle.
It starts with setting your priorities
Storage units are a multifaceted solution for storing a variety of items. Apart from helping with organizing a business inventory or a loved one’s belongings and heirlooms, people also use storage units to keep their cars and vehicles during the off-season, such as boats or motorcycles. If you’re moving, planning a home remodelling, or have a knack for interior design and decorating, a storage space is a guaranteed way to simplify your life. First and foremost, it’s important to consider the intent and purpose of the unit you’re using or planning to use. Share on X
Create a mindful picture, and even better, an inventory list, of what type of items you plan to store. This will help you adopt a more organized approach towards your storage solution from the get-go. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself piling up unnecessary odds and ends and just spreading the enchanted hoarding circle outside your home or office. A storage unit is a fantastic way to declutter and harmonize your space or offset the stress of a move, as long as you prioritize keeping your items organized and easily accessible.
To organize your storage unit with success, create a master inventory list and set priorities regarding the importance of your items.
Plan the layout of the unit
The idea of vast space available to be used for storing your items might be tempting. However, you’ll need to consider what goes where to ensure you’re organizing your storage unit for untroubled access to your items. With this approach, you might realize that you have a lot of clutter to let go of and will surely provide you with a perspective on your priorities. All it takes is some pragmatic consideration of how quickly and how often you will need something.
Items that you use less frequently, or hardly ever, should go at the back of the storage. For a smooth transition, let movers load these last in the truck, as they will be unloaded first and consequently dropped off at the back of the storage unit. This is a good chance to give these items a second thought. Try to determine why you are keeping them and what do you need them for. Not only will this help you to arrange your unit for efficient access, but it will also give you a clear picture of the scope of your possessions.
Have a practical idea about the layout of your storage unit to ensure quick and easy access to your items.
Decluttering a storage unit
If you’ve been using a storage unit for a while, you know how fast and easy it fills up. However, with an effective decluttering and organizing method, you can have it sorted for smooth access to your storage unit. Without a doubt, decluttering is the toughest task, but it’s also rewarding in so many ways. A functionally organized, clutter-free storage area will enable you to find anything you need with ease, and you’ll save time and enjoy peace of mind. You can ask friends to lend you a helping hand or hire a professional junk removal company. Depending on the size of your storage unit inventory, you should plan accordingly on how much time you will need to get the job done. You can book a full day in your calendar to dedicate to decluttering your unit. Challenge yourself, commit and stay on task. The reward is a feeling of ease and relief once you see it through, and ultimately, effortless access to your needed items.
Decluttering a depot is a daunting task, so asking friends or hiring professional services can be of great help.
Find creative ways to sort out items
Although decluttering can be a challenging task, with a good plan and a mindful approach, everything is achievable. Give yourself a little pep talk on the importance of organizing your space for some healthy motivation. Since the purpose of a storage unit is to keep your items, their safety and easy access to them can impact your mood. Hoarding or not even knowing what things you possess can lead you to feel overburdened. Use your master inventory list to determine what is relevant for keeping and what’s worth parting from. Divide your excess items into groups, and decide what to toss, donate or sell. For a smooth and efficient decluttering project, take out the items you intend to dispose of first. Subsequently, it’ll be much easier to deal with things you plan to sell or donate. With that being done, you’re one step away from fruitfully organizing your storage unit for frequent access.
Divide your items into categories to efficiently declutter and organize your storage unit.
A neatly organized storage unit
If you run a business, frequent access to your storage unit is a given. As a matter of fact, even if you use it to store items other than office inventory, an organized storage space will help you feel more in control of your life. Once you’ve carried out the decluttering project, you may have noticed how relaxed you feel. With no junk to obstruct your way, you’ll be able to organize your storage unit neatly and have everything you need on hand, without having to waste precious time and energy searching through the mounds. In your recently created clean storage space, stack and group your boxes from the least needed at the back to the ones you need more frequently accessed toward the unit’s front entrance. Allow some space in between rows of boxes to create aisles for easy navigation. Last but not least, label the boxes according to their contents, and make sure the tags are facing outward and are easy to read. This is the most efficient method for organizing your storage unit for frequent access, which will make the chaotic mess and clutter, and the anxiety that comes along with it, a thing of the past.
Share your tips for keeping a storage unit organized.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
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