Closet organization solutions; photo courtesy Sarah Harris
This article was updated on 06/14/21.
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If you’re a homeowner, and especially if it's been a while since you set down roots, then you’ve likely accumulated a good amount of stuff that you’re not using on a regular basis, but doesn’t necessarily warrant being thrown away. Call it the purgatory of possessions, if you will.
Is It Treasure or Junk?
Posterity is an important thing, and there’s a huge difference between behaviors that approach the “hoarder” or “pack rat” status, and simply having things that are worth keeping just for the sake of keeping.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to cherish things that you don’t have an explicit or regularly-occurring use for, but alas, it’s not always as easily done as said.
We’re going to talk about a few easy solutions for some DIY extra home storage space, so you can hold onto the important parts of your past without putting any limits on how much room you have to conduct your present.
It’s likely way easier than you might have thought to free up some space around the house and we’ll talk about exactly how you can get started doing it.
Closet Storage Solutions
Modular closet storage units are very popular (see the photo above). Many new homes are built with them, in fact, because they are so easy to assemble that the labor costs saved can be significant, especially when the building contractor buys them in bulk.
There are many styles to choose from, but the two most popular ones are those made from laminated engineered wood, and those made of wire shelving units. Some people prefer wire because it allow for ventilation.
Consider Vertical Storage
Maybe you haven’t noticed, but there’s a pretty good amount of surface area in your home that’s not being used for anything.
Sure, most of your walls are decorated with photos and such—nobody likes a barren-looking home—but there’s probably plenty of wall space that’s not being used for anything, especially if this space is mostly out of sight and out of mind.
The backs of your doors and other walls in out-of-the-way rooms or parts of the house are prime for some extra storage area, and there are plenty of ways to utilize it as such.
In fact, certain home storage solutions will affix to the door or wall space in just about any room to give you some extra storage space. Whether it’s the bathroom, the bedroom, or your home office—any area in your house can benefit from a little extra storage space.
The Bay Window Solution
Storage space need not be limited to conventional solutions. The problem with those is that the storage area itself takes up space. But why not take advantage of wasted space? One such example is building or modifying a kitchen or breakfast nook bay window to double its functionality. Don't just sit on it; use the area under the seat as storage space. Here are the steps to take to create a bay window seat with storage.
External Storage is an Option
External storage is a great way to free up some serious space inside your home, as well, and there are a ton of ways to do this, too.
Building a storage shed in your backyard or elsewhere on your property can be a great way to save some money on storage costs and give your family a great opportunity to participate on a project that everyone gets to have a great time completing.
Rental Storage Sheds are Another Solution
If you don’t have the time, desire, or expertise to strike out and build your own storage structure, you can also use any number of professional storage services to store your stuff when you need to.
These are just a few ways to create additional storage space in a small home. Being creative and thinking out of the box is the key to making it happen. Got more storage space tips? Please pass them along to our readers in the comment section below.
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