Handy Storage Tricks
by Ruby Hawk on Feb 28, 2009 with 35 Comments
There are many storage places to be found in a small apartment if you look carefully and take advantage of every idea. Look under your bed, on top of cabinets, under tables, shelves, etc. It’s there if you look.
Most of us can find more storage space by taking a really sharp look around our house or apartment. When I first moved to a small apartment I thought I wouldn’t find space for all the things I just have to have. And it took me a while to juggle my space and find all the storage that was there for the finding.
Before I moved to an apartment I had a building in my back yard where I kept my supplies and did my painting. So I was really concerned about storage and work space. It took me a little while to find a solution but after thinking about it I found all the perfect places. I put my canvases and finished paintings ( until I find a place for them) behind the head board of the bed. I lean them against the wall and they are out of sight and take up no more room.
All my paints and brushes go into an artists carrying case and I fit them under the sink in the bathroom. We have a balcony so if the weather is nice I do my painting out there. If not, I cover our dining table with newspaper and paint there.
We have shelves in our laundry room (just large enough for a washer and dryer) over the washer and dryer. We use those for a pantry and we added another larger shelf where I keep all my journals, cook books, picnic supplies and ice chest.
I did have boxes hidden under the bed where I kept our out of season clothes but I have condensed until I now have room in our balcony closet to stack them up in suitcases.
I have pretty woven baskets on top of my kitchen cabinets where I keep glass jars and other odds and ends that I want out of sight. I also have pretty baskets under the TV table and under end tables. I keep all small items in those that would clutter up the apartment.
I also like to quilt so I must have storage for my quilting supplies. I found the perfect solution when I saw two ottomans at Old Pottery. They open up to make plenty of room to store all my quilting supplies and also make extra seating.
We have loads of books. I keep them in book cases and on tables. We have a large corner unit for the computer and it is also loaded with books, CD’s, note pads and pens. Beside my rocking chair in the living room I have a small wicker table with a bottom shelf that I keep my current magazines, paper, pens and any books I’m reading. The radio sits on top of the table. When I sit down I have everything I need at hand.
We have a small balcony, but I find it is large enough for our needs. We have a swing, small table with four chairs. I also have a shelving unit out there where I have stacks of books, candle sticks and so on. It is a quiet and relaxing place to sit and swing or paint.
As we live here longer I continue to condense and find more storage space. I find we don’t need so much space to live comfortably. I feel sure I will pare down even more as time goes by.
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Published in: Personal Organization
Joe Dorish | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Good tips. I always need more space!
Karen Gross | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
It is amazing how much stuff we collect over the years, and how hard it is to part with. Twice now, we have moved into larger homes, and it seems that the amount of stuff we have will grow until the space is full.
You have some great organizational tips.
Christine Ramsay | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
You seem to have coped well with finding storage. We had a problem moving from a large four bedroomed house to a two bedroomed cottage which we had already furnished as we used it for week ends. Fortunately we were allowed to leave our furniture behind but we are still finding it a squeeze.
Christine
Betty Carew | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Excellent tips Ruby , I will surely put some of these to good use.
Tusaani | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great info for such a common problem!
Joshua Miguel | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
I wish i can be as organize as you are. tnx for sharing your tips.
rutherfranc | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
lack of storage space is really bothersome.. this is why I don`t attach myself to things I don`t really need.. I don`t want to cry when I part with them.. great tips..
Darla Smith | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
valli | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great tips.
Kate Smedley | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great practical advice, thank you!
Morgana | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
I try to get rid of a lot of the stuff I don’t use so I wouldn’t have too many things to store.
Mary Patricia Bird | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
We have a coffee table that has storage shelves underneath. They are separated into sections (6 – three on top, three on the bottom). I have wicker baskets in all of those where we store stuff. But here I am trying to get rid of all the wicker plant holders I have acquired over the years when I can actually use them to store stuff! Thanks for the tip!
miraj | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
This was really unique,informative and helpful.hopefully i will try to implement your advice.thanks for sharing this.
AC Hamilton III | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Nice tips for those with tight qurters. Never know when you might need these handy tips.
AC
HatedNation | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Still working on this myself..but your right, you just have to be flexible and keep your eyes open.
CutestPrincess | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
great tips… i really need this… thanks for sharing…
nobert soloria bermosa | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
another useful tips, thanks much Ruby
PR Mace | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great ideas, Ruby. Here is another one. I have a wooden three legged round table in my spare room with a long cloth cover. under here I keep extra tissue paper, Q-tip and other things I buy in large amounts. They are well hidden and easy to get to when needed. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
complexbanana | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Another great article Ruby
Before we moved into the house we’re living in now, my family and I were renting a very small house and these tips would certainly have come in handy then.
Shirley Shuler | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article Ruby, thanks for sharing!
Daisy Peasblossom | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
I think I need to use some of those ideas!
jo oliver | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great ideas, Ruby
CA Johnson | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Great tips, Ruby. I also have to find space for things. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Unofre Pili | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Very valuable tips here…
NA Staffieri | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Don’t we all just wish we had more room to store all our “stuff”? Thanks for the tips, Ruby.
Vikram Chhabra | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for these great tips. I have been horrible at storing things and need all the advice I can get!!
CHAN LEE PENG | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for this valuable piece. Learn something here.
Michelle Parker | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply
Dear Ruby,
Great article. I too went from a big house to buying a smaller unit that I live in now since 1998 and make use of space. Though the walls are thin so I can’t do what I wanted to do which was line a lot of walls with shelves to place things on, the concern my husband said was the weight of them coming down the same with the bathroom. But over time and when I have some money I buy something to help with space. Like recently I bought a trolley on wheels with drawers. I keep it near my office which is in the loungeroom. I can put so much in and it is visually stunning too. One day I would like to place a fold out mobile wall cover ( I can’t think of the name of them right now )to make my office space more private and to also look nicer. I do use baskets. I bought one at time and still have a few more to buy for the spare bedroom and the kitchen. Again a great article for many of us who live in small places and making the most of it. Your place seems lovely and serene.
Love Shelley.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Mr Ghaz | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Bravo! rshThat was really great advises Ruby! Thanks for sharing
Maria Blazz | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I agree that you have to use your imagination and practical sense when you run out of space. These are very good tips.
Steve West | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Nice article. Storage can be a real problem in any home. We have some real clutter problems that we are trying to straighten out.
S Air | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Some great tips!
MJPatrick | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
That is very handy!Thanks for the tips.
Dee Gold | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
helpful
Ruby Hawk | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Thank you my friends. I do love our small apartment. Otherwise I wouldn’t have the time to spend on my computer doing research to write my articles on Triond and read my friends articles. It’s a boon for me. It gives me more time for everything I want to do. Storage is no problem after you pare down check out the space you have.Thanks again to all of you for your interest.