A perennial problem for every homeowner is storage. As years go by our personal stuff accumulates. We hate to discard some things due to sentimental reasons. We are so attached to other things even though a lot of times we do not really need them.
Knowing full well that one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, you have a couple of practical options. One solution is to sort out the things you no longer use and give them away. Heaven will bless you for your generosity, perhaps with a wonderful feeling of contentment. Another option is to hold a garage sale and earn a few bucks for your junk. However, I can say from experience that this may not be a completely fulfilling endeavor. You could feel slighted that the things you own are appraised much lower than you expected. Just look at it this way: these old items are like barnacles at the bottom of the boat; the more you have, the slower you go.
After that’s done, I’m pretty sure you will still have a lot of things left at home to store. Now, for those who just can’t part with their possessions or for those with many interesting activities that require so much stuff, creating storage spaces must be practiced like an art.
Storage is one of the most important factors to consider even when planning a house and oftentimes the most neglected. The sizes of the storage areas are based on need, but more important is the type of storage area required. When building or renovating, these requirements must be factored in at once and not treated as an afterthought.
Knowing full well that one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, you have a couple of practical options. One solution is to sort out the things you no longer use and give them away. Heaven will bless you for your generosity, perhaps with a wonderful feeling of contentment. Another option is to hold a garage sale and earn a few bucks for your junk. However, I can say from experience that this may not be a completely fulfilling endeavor. You could feel slighted that the things you own are appraised much lower than you expected. Just look at it this way: these old items are like barnacles at the bottom of the boat; the more you have, the slower you go.
After that’s done, I’m pretty sure you will still have a lot of things left at home to store. Now, for those who just can’t part with their possessions or for those with many interesting activities that require so much stuff, creating storage spaces must be practiced like an art.
Storage is one of the most important factors to consider even when planning a house and oftentimes the most neglected. The sizes of the storage areas are based on need, but more important is the type of storage area required. When building or renovating, these requirements must be factored in at once and not treated as an afterthought.
Configuration
Configuration is very important. Avoid making storage rooms long and narrow; stuff at the back is likely to be forgotten. Choose to have 30 to 45cm wide shelving on as many available walls as possible, with a walking space of around 90 centimeters. Having shelves of varied clearances is preferable to just having standard clearances; adjustable shelves are even better. There are a lot of very clever closet organizers available in the market, but these can also be constructed by a skilled carpenter.
The type, position, and swing of the door are vital too. Doors must be wide enough to enable carrying in bulky items. Doors that swing outward allow for more space inside the room. Doors positioned too close to a wall forego shelf space on that wall.
Configuration is very important. Avoid making storage rooms long and narrow; stuff at the back is likely to be forgotten. Choose to have 30 to 45cm wide shelving on as many available walls as possible, with a walking space of around 90 centimeters. Having shelves of varied clearances is preferable to just having standard clearances; adjustable shelves are even better. There are a lot of very clever closet organizers available in the market, but these can also be constructed by a skilled carpenter.
The type, position, and swing of the door are vital too. Doors must be wide enough to enable carrying in bulky items. Doors that swing outward allow for more space inside the room. Doors positioned too close to a wall forego shelf space on that wall.
Proper lighting and ventilation is another important factor. The room must be adequately lit and may be provided with an automatic ball switch, which enables the light to turn on automatically when you open the door and
shuts off automatically when you close it. Fortunately, this even costs less than a regular switch. More often than not, these rooms are located where there is no opportunity to put windows, so an exhaust fan is important, the control switch for which may be connected with the lights.
Several small storage areas
shuts off automatically when you close it. Fortunately, this even costs less than a regular switch. More often than not, these rooms are located where there is no opportunity to put windows, so an exhaust fan is important, the control switch for which may be connected with the lights.
Several small storage areas
It is better to have several small storage areas instead of having just one big one. The main reason for this is accessibility. A linen closet, for example, should be found near the bedroom or bathroom for easy access to beddings and towels. Comforters and pillows usually take up a lot of space but there are several gadgets available for compressing them to a fraction of their size.
Garden tools must obviously be within reach from outside the house, perhaps in an outdoor closet or shelves. This is where you put tools, hoses, fertilizers and insecticides. It should not be the same place to put your pets’ supplies, as they might get contaminated.
General garage storage is also important. This is where you can stock car spare parts, cleaning agents, and lubricants. Here, you can likewise store things needed for home maintenance, like spare light bulbs, water-based paints, etc. Now, where do you store flammable items? YOU DON'T!
Inside the home, you can install closets or racks for shoes, clothes, gifts, toys, rain gear and umbrellas, suitcases and bulky coats, dishes, etc. The trick is to organize them first, then store like things together. Small spaces may be found below stairways, above big appliances (like washing machines), under furniture (like beds), along hallways, in attics, among others. Hobby closets for sports equipment may be a necessity for you. Motorcycle apparel, dive equipment, cycling or golf paraphernalia occupy considerable space and must be planned carefully. Storage space for books must be easily accessible and well-lit.
Garden tools must obviously be within reach from outside the house, perhaps in an outdoor closet or shelves. This is where you put tools, hoses, fertilizers and insecticides. It should not be the same place to put your pets’ supplies, as they might get contaminated.
General garage storage is also important. This is where you can stock car spare parts, cleaning agents, and lubricants. Here, you can likewise store things needed for home maintenance, like spare light bulbs, water-based paints, etc. Now, where do you store flammable items? YOU DON'T!
Inside the home, you can install closets or racks for shoes, clothes, gifts, toys, rain gear and umbrellas, suitcases and bulky coats, dishes, etc. The trick is to organize them first, then store like things together. Small spaces may be found below stairways, above big appliances (like washing machines), under furniture (like beds), along hallways, in attics, among others. Hobby closets for sports equipment may be a necessity for you. Motorcycle apparel, dive equipment, cycling or golf paraphernalia occupy considerable space and must be planned carefully. Storage space for books must be easily accessible and well-lit.
Christmas or Halloween decor may be placed in areas that are not easily accessible, but should be free from moisture, such as an attic or the crawl space above the ceiling.
The pantry should be able to accommodate at least a week’s supply of foodstuff. Rice and water jugs, among others, require a lot more space and should be situated close to the kitchen. When planning for storage, do not forget to allocate space for garbage, empty bottles, and other recyclables. The more often you can clear the latter space, the better.
The issue of creating storage space is a two-edged blade. There is an art to finding sufficient storage space and a skill to keeping it clutter-free.
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