Walking into a cluttered small home is like entering a maze of misplaced items. You’ll be dodging stacks of books, sidestepping piles of clothes, and even doing a little dance to avoid tripping over the occasional stray shoe.
The kitchen drawers are stuffed to the brim with utensils you didn’t even know existed. Open a closet, and you’ll be buried under a pile of I’ll-wear-that-one-day clothes. In short, it’s a disaster.
Now, you either get a bigger house or adopt some storage techniques. The former is definitely out of the question, considering the high property taxes in Wisconsin. If you’re based in Madison, where the cost of living is already 3% higher than the national average, a bigger house would be an impossible pipe dream.
So, let’s concentrate on the second option — creative storage ideas to solve space problems in your home.
Table of Contents
Keep Only What You Need
We’re all guilty of holding onto items that no longer serve a purpose or bring us joy. But when your closet is bursting at the seams, and your garage is overflowing with unused stuff, it’s time to let go. Start small. Declutter your drawers first, then move to the appliances or furniture.
The good news is that you don’t have to throw away every item in your home. Host a backyard sale and make some money off the things you’re emotionally ready to part with. Others that still hold sentimental value can go to one of the many Madison storage units till you finally have more room in the house for them.
Maximize Underutilized Spaces
Have you ever thought about using your stairwells and attics as storage spaces? No? Well, you’ve been neglecting some really high-potential spots, then.
Stairwells are ideal for storing seasonal items such as skis, sleds, and water floats. You can also build staircase drawers to use as shoe storage. How versatile.
At the same time, attics are perfect for bulky items like extra furniture, old books, and sporting equipment.
Don’t let these spaces become dumping grounds, though. Invest in shelving units, stackable plastic storage containers, and canvas bags to make the most of these underutilized areas.
Go Vertical
One thing that’s a luxury in small homes is the square footage. You can’t spread out much horizontally, so you have to think vertically instead.
Install tall shelves in your kitchen to serve as your pantry space. Use pegboards to store baking supplies like cookie cutters, measuring cups, and rolling pins. You can even hang up bags of spices and other seasonings right below the pegboard.
You can build some customized tall shelves in the living room to make an entertainment wall. It could be your TV, books, and gaming consoles all in one place. Be smart.
Use Your Windowsills
Do you only use your windowsill to rest your coffee cup while you comfortably watch the world go by? Then it’s time to explore a whole other level of windowsill storage.
Narrow windowsills make excellent storage solutions for smaller items like books or magazines. You can also store toiletries and cleaning supplies on the bathroom windowsill to save some countertop space.
If you have any in the kitchen, how about having a mini garden? Rosemary and parsley will do best in direct sunlight.
If your windowsills are wide and deep, you’re in for a treat. Place some big baskets and fill them with whatever you don’t have space for otherwise. It could be your knitting kit, art supplies, or extra blankets.
Install High Shelves
Look around. Do you spot any unused spaces? No? How about that unused 2ft between the ceiling and the door? And that space above your fridge?
These are the spots where your high shelves can be a perfect fit. Install floating shelves or an open-ended shelf to store items you don’t use daily. You can also use these shelves to display your favorite display pieces and give a bit of character to the house.
Don’t put anything too heavy up there. Your shelving material might not be able to hold that much weight. Also, please use heavy-duty screws so your shelf won’t come tumbling down.
Build Custom-Built Walk-In Robes
Custom-built walk-in closets promote maximum space utilization. You can use irregularly shaped empty spaces and corners to install storage compartments for your accessories, undergarments, clothes, and belongings. For instance, you can create open shelves with hooks to hang easy-to-grab earrings, belts, and identification cards with lanyards.
With customized walk-in robes, homeowners can choose the number of drawers and compartments depending on their storage needs. For example, you can include horizontal upper compartments to keep clothes you only wear occasionally. Place the regular items you wear in the middle section and your bags in the lower part.
Proper measurements and material selection are important when building a customized walk-in closet. Hardwood is elegant and timeless. Metal is durable and versatile. On the other hand, aluminum and glass have a modern touch. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, medium-density fiber (MDF) board or plastic is a good choice.
A professional can help you with this aspect. While you probably have experience with do-it-yourself projects, hiring a professional ensures excellent output. So, be sure to consult with Flexirobes today for custom-built walk in robes. Find a reputable builder by checking the company’s portfolio on their website and the people you know who have availed of their services and checking online reviews.
Let Go of the Old and Bring In New Furniture
You can use furniture as storage space by investing in furniture that doubles as a storage unit. If your sofa is too small for your family, buy a bigger one with more storage space underneath it. Or, if you don’t want to break the bank, add some ottomans with removable tops. You can tuck in blankets, pillows, and magazines in them or simply use them for sitting.
Bedroom furniture has potential too. Bring home a bed frame with drawers, or buy individual storage containers and tuck them into the sides of your bed. If you’re handy with power tools, you can build a platform bed and install drawers on the sides.
Use Corners
Some of us have a lot of corners in our houses that we completely ignore because it’s just too hard to style them. But that’s a total waste of some good storage space.
The best way is to tilt your furniture and make room for an extra piece. When you place an armchair at an angle in a corner, it will make the area look bigger. Plus, you’ll free up some space to place a storage trunk or a slim cabinet. These pieces of furniture can be your go-to spot for storing toys and other random objects that are usually lying on the floor.
Beautify Your Heaters
Every inch counts when floor space is at a premium, so don’t waste the vertical space around your heaters. Place some baskets on top of your radiators and store extra towels, socks, and other winter accessories. You can display some plants on the sides and store extra toilet rolls.
If you have kids at home, install hooks above the radiators to hang their jackets and hats over them.
The good thing is, you’ll never be out of options. Use shelves, baskets, hooks, or whatever you can get your hands on and make the most of this unused space.
Final Thoughts
Adding more storage in your small home is more important than you realize. It’s not only a way to enhance the aesthetics of your space but also better for your mental health. Studies show that crammed and cluttered spaces can reduce concentration and lead to stress.
So, get creative and make sure your small home is filled with plenty of storage options! Don’t think of it as a chore. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on all the fun. Take it as a challenge and see how many creative storage solutions you can come up with!
