Storage & Organization

How to get it all put away neatly

Many of us have accumulated "stuff" for years, and the lack of a plan for where to put it has led some of us to great anguish when we "KNOW" we have something, but just cannot find it when we need or want it. This accumulation of "things" goes counter to what is commonly found in most homes built in our generation: a serious lack of storage space for our "stuff". Most homes have closet space barely sufficient for the inhabitants' clothing, and no space designed for storage of seasonal items, like holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, recreation/sports equipment (think balls, bicycles, golf clubs), and much more. Where do we store our financial records (seven years worth)? How about our precious photographs or souvenirs? Even for a small family, the amount of stuff we accumulate in the time it takes to raise our children is amazing.

So, how do we organize our lives? We can make storage neat and easy, and retrieval fast and easy. We can build storage cabinets, shelving, or bins as needed and make them attractive. There is probably space available to put the storage, but it might not be where you normally would have considered it. For example, you might be able to build overhead storage bins or racks in your garage, above the height of your car, for convenient placement of things like skis, tools, brooms and mops, laundry supplies (soaps and softeners), or Christmas decorations (outdoor lights, tree lights, wreaths, etc).

To get some starter ideas, choose a topic from the menu at the left.