Author Topic: Storage space in your house  (Read 6691 times)

Roadrunner53

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Storage space in your house
« on: April 01, 2018, 04:17:40 AM »
I live in a mid size raised ranch house. Neither bathroom has any drawers. I don't have a dedicated closet for vacuum cleaner, mops and cleaning supplies. I am curious on how others deal with lack of storage space. Recently, I put up a hanging shoe holder on the back of my laundry room door to hold laundry things that will fit. I also have a couple of laundry baskets that are big and bulky. I have recently seen collapsible baskets which would help in storing them. What have others done to hide/store things and deal with the clutter? In one of my bathrooms I bought a Rubbermaid type storage drawer unit thing. It has about 6 or 7 drawers and is on wheels but it is bulky and I hate it. I have one closet in the hallway that I have converted into a mini pantry for all my pots and pans. There is a coat closet in the hallway too. Just normal closets in the bedrooms. In my bedroom there is a linen closet but is pretty full with blankets and sheets. I am looking for creative storage solutions where I don't have to hire a carpenter! Any ideas?

former player

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2018, 04:51:33 AM »
I'm afraid I've gone down the "hire a carpenter" route for my 1920's cottage.  I'm planning on staying here until I get carried out in an ambulance or a coffin, so it's worth it to me.

I've had a tall and deep set of drawers built for an inconvenient cupboard in my tiny bedroom and Kon-Marie'd my clothes into it.  The other project, about to start, is a hall cupboard which will hang coats and house my vacuum, cleaning and laundry supplies and dog food.  It will have a stable door (ie a door split horizontally into two) so that I can put away guests' coats without them having to look at the cleaning supplies below.

Pots and pans can be hung on an overhead rack or on a wall rail or pegboard - I wouldn't give up precious cupboard or drawer space to them.

The only other suggestion is to streamline your things and live minimally, much as the people did who built the house you live in - the reason older houses don't have cupboards is not because they were badly designed, it's because the people who lived in them didn't have much stuff.

rosarugosa

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2018, 05:02:00 AM »
We have a tiny bathroom in a tiny house.  Our storage solution for bath and some other scenarios was to have an unfinished wooden furniture store make sets of shelves to our specific measurements.
We have jacket and misc. storage "lockers" that were made for us by Sawdust City in WI (no closets at all on the first floor of our house).  Once again, our house couldn't handle standard sizes, so the ability to get something a couple of inches shallower was a perfect solution.  These are inside the back door and hold jackets, gloves, pruning shears, etc.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2018, 05:31:48 AM »
Former player, we actually built our house in 1975 and it is a typical no frills raised ranch. We were only age 21 and 23 when we built and never took into consideration of things we would desire like broom closet, pantry, folding counter in the laundry room which is really too small for a folding counter. Then when you start adding in 'special' things the price of the house goes up. We were on a tight pocketbook when we built the house so there was no $$ for customization.

Loretta

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2018, 05:32:42 AM »
I’m in an older high rise and have a similar closet issue.  I keep my mop, broom, and vacuum next to the fridge in the kitchen.  I have a wall mounted shelf above the toilet and a travel organizer pouch hanging on the wall opposite.  My largest closet is reserved for cat litter boxes so I don’t store anything else on the shelves in it. 

former player

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2018, 05:35:32 AM »
Former player, we actually built our house in 1975 and it is a typical no frills raised ranch. We were only age 21 and 23 when we built and never took into consideration of things we would desire like broom closet, pantry, folding counter in the laundry room which is really too small for a folding counter. Then when you start adding in 'special' things the price of the house goes up. We were on a tight pocketbook when we built the house so there was no $$ for customization.
Wow.  I hate to think what the house I would have built at that age would have looked like - I'm pretty sure that lack of closet space would have been the least of its problems.


Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2018, 06:04:35 AM »
Former player, my Dad built houses back in the day and they were no frills homes. He and a partner built houses to sell. Later down the road he quit building homes but when we got married he told us he would guide us. I have never really liked the raised ranch and would like something different but it is paid for and we invested a lot in new roof, new deck, new boiler, new ac, new vinyl siding. Soooo, for the time being we stay.

Dicey

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2018, 06:40:18 AM »
Huh. We are in the process of buying our next flip project. We're still planning the "after". Upstairs, there is a shallow hall closet (fitted with shelves and bypass doors) that backs up to the Master Bedroom. I was planning to remove it so I can turn the awkward closet that's inside the Master into a walk-in. I was thinking I could just put a section of deeper shelves in the new walk-in to hold linens. Bad idea?

ETA: I've never had such a closet. It seems stupid to me, but you guys are making me re-think removing storage. The house has a dedicated laundry room downstairs with space for ironing board, brooms and vacuum. There's also an understairs closet that could hold a vacuum, plus there's a good amount of storage space in the garage,

I just draw this stuff out on paper, old school style. I have no space planning/floorplan software. Any recommendation that's free and easy to learn?  That way I could post pictures/drawings.

« Last Edit: April 01, 2018, 07:21:28 AM by Dicey »

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2018, 06:58:15 AM »
Dicey, since we can't see what you are talking about it is hard to know what would be better. From a person who lives in a house with not enough storage I would rethink that oddball closet. Could you convert it to a broom closet by taking out the shelves or refiguring the shelves? Would an ironing board fit in there with a vacuum and mops, brooms? This closet could be gold to a homeowner to have a place to store that junk! Maybe you could rethink the bedroom closet and move out a wall maybe 6 inches. Since we can't see, it is hard to envision.

Here are some ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/buttonlady4/broom-closets/?lp=true

BlueHouse

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2018, 07:04:28 AM »
I just installed a cabidoor in a bathroom with no storage space and it is wonderful!  It took 10 minutes to install by myself and provides a ton of extra room for small toiletries and toilet paper.   

In closets, I build shelves up to the ceiling. Look at every cabinet and think about how to organize best. The biggest space saver I found was to put all things of similar height on the same shelf, then change the shelf heights to optimize.
I screw screws into closet walls and hang everything I can. Trade in broom and vacuum for one swivel sweeper and hang it on the closet wall. Get rid of mop and use rags and knee pads.

Could you have a small shed out back to store cleaning supplies?  Rethink how many you need. Some people only have one bottle of vinegar. Others have cleaning supplies in every room.

Keep only two sets of sheets per bed. Sounds like you might be able to cull some things in your linen closet.

You may be able to build storage niches into some interior walls.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2018, 07:30:23 AM »
Yes, BlueHouse, I need to cull out the cleaning supplies under every sink. The linen closet I did cull out a while ago but maybe it is time to reevaluate.

I am really tired of all the junk we have accumulated thru the years. I have 6 bags of cookbooks I am giving to a local culinary school next week. I also have a bout 6 giant garbage bags of stuff to give to the Vietnam Vets next week. They are coming on Friday to pick up. This week I plan to weed out more for them.

I worked for a research company and on Fridays we would hose down all the stainless steel equipment, SS tables, walls and floors with sanitizer. I always said I would love to have a house like that. Everything would be hosed down with water, sanitizer and would wash down the drain!

The shed idea really won't work because the deck gets too hot! We had a Rubbermaid storage cabinet out there and wasps found their way in and made nests. OMG! I just need to weed the stuff out. No need to have 20 bottles of everything! I used to work with this woman who only allowed herself one bottle of cleaning stuff open at a time. I used to laugh about it. Now I think she was right and I was wrong!

Moonwaves

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2018, 07:33:09 AM »
I live in a mid size raised ranch house. Neither bathroom has any drawers.
What do you need the drawers for? How big are your bathrooms and what's in there already? How are they laid out?

I don't have a dedicated closet for vacuum cleaner, mops and cleaning supplies.
Do you need one? Is one enough? I live in an approx. 600sq ft apartment. My mop (an e-cloth one like this) lives in the bathroom beside the clothes horse (when it's not it use). My hoover lives in the bedroom, in between a wardrobe and a chest of drawers, so semi-out-of-sight. Cleaning supplies for the bathroom are in the bathroom (don't have any cabinets in there, but there is a kind of a ledge running along the wall behind the toilet and sink so the stuff is just there. Cleaning supplies for the kitchen are in the cupboard under the sink. 

I have one closet in the hallway that I have converted into a mini pantry for all my pots and pans.
I know that as a non-American I don't always get exactly what people mean when they say closet but even at the smallest I can imagine, I've ended up thinking "how many pots and pans do you have?" Is there no space in your kitchen? I do keep my big canning pot in the bottom of a hallway cupboard but the rest of my (really far too many) pots and pans fit into a kitchen cabinet.

There is a coat closet in the hallway too.
If I had one (the closest I have is the one that has the canning bath in the bottom of it), this is where I would keep the vacuum cleaner.

In my bedroom there is a linen closet but is pretty full with blankets and sheets.
Although I hate to do it having very limited space means that I've had to become one of those people who irons their bedclothes. If you don't do this, try it, it really does save a lot of space. The more efficient method is probably to do as BlueHouse suggested and cull to just the absolutely necessities.

Finally, and most importantly, have you already seen @pbkmaine 's journal? You should definitely check it out and consider posting there asking for ideas.

BlueHouse

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2018, 07:58:35 AM »
Yes, BlueHouse, I need to cull out the cleaning supplies under every sink. The linen closet I did cull out a while ago but maybe it is time to reevaluate.

I am really tired of all the junk we have accumulated thru the years. I have 6 bags of cookbooks I am giving to a local culinary school next week. I also have a bout 6 giant garbage bags of stuff to give to the Vietnam Vets next week. They are coming on Friday to pick up. This week I plan to weed out more for them.

I worked for a research company and on Fridays we would hose down all the stainless steel equipment, SS tables, walls and floors with sanitizer. I always said I would love to have a house like that. Everything would be hosed down with water, sanitizer and would wash down the drain!

The shed idea really won't work because the deck gets too hot! We had a Rubbermaid storage cabinet out there and wasps found their way in and made nests. OMG! I just need to weed the stuff out. No need to have 20 bottles of everything! I used to work with this woman who only allowed herself one bottle of cleaning stuff open at a time. I used to laugh about it. Now I think she was right and I was wrong!

ETA:  Fixed quote.
It's crazy!  I'm on year 6 in this house and I have not bought any cleaning supplies since I moved in (not counting dishwasher and dish detergent and laundry soap_.  I'm working my way down the bottles of 409, fantastic, and everything else that I don't remember ever buying. I'm at a point now where I can remove one of my under-cabinet bins and could put my trash bin under the counter instead of in the middle of the kitchen floor. 

A few months ago my "upstairs broom" melted when I left it out in the sun and I've had to use my "garage broom" on my roof deck.  I was at the store to replace when I realized I only need one "outside broom" and for the few times a year that I sweep outside, I can walk up a few flights to get it. 

It's amazing how many things I think I need until I really think about it! 

Google images for shelves in different rooms and you'll get a lot of ideas you may not have thought of otherwise.  In bathrooms, a shelf over the door can store toilet paper, towels, etc by themselves or in pretty bins. 

Shelves everywhere. 
« Last Edit: April 02, 2018, 02:12:36 PM by BlueHouse »

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2018, 08:10:25 AM »
Moonwaves, The drawers are for hair brushes, combs but there is a bunch of other creams and stuff!

I am starting to realize that I need to hoe out the crap! I have too much stuff everywhere! We are just two people who live in this 3 bedroom house and we have every nook and cranny stuffed to the moon with STUFF! We have lived here since 1975 and never moved. We had very generous parents who gave us stuff and more stuff over the years. We bought stuff and the house is ready to explode! We like to cook so we do have a lot of cooking pots, pans, casseroles, crockpots, food processors, utensils galore.

Bottom line is that I have to hoe out!

My Hub worked for a company for 20 years and they were constantly cleaning house and renovating. He could get scrap passes to take stuff home. And he did!

Too much stuff!

Moonwaves

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2018, 08:20:30 AM »
I'd definitely recommend reading the Marie Kondo book, even if you don't do a full KonMari on your house, even getting into the mindset a little bit can really help.

pbkmaine

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #15 on: April 01, 2018, 08:24:19 AM »
I heard the call, and here I am . I think storage is like anything else in MustacheWorld: you need to be creative. One of the most important things we have done is to give up box springs. Put your mattress directly on a frame and then put storage underneath the frame. That’s where most of our linens are.

This is our very unusual dining room. The L-shaped banquette is two foam twin-sized mattresses on steel frames. There is a ton of storage underneath. The dining room converts to a bedroom by moving the beds and using a shoji screen.

SilveradoBojangles

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2018, 08:55:54 AM »
We have no broom closet, so I hang the broom and other cleaning supplies on the wall of the stairs leading to our basement.

I tried to buy furniture that had hidden storage space. Our couch has storage under the chaise cushion, and we have a wicker truck at the end of our bed.

We are exploring underbed drawers for extra linens and seasonal things.

But I agree, the best thing would probably to clear things out.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #17 on: April 01, 2018, 09:08:22 AM »
Yes, I am trying to clear out stuff and I have been trying to sell some stuff on ebay but it is too slow of a process and the clean out is too slow. I am not a hoarder but I also never like to run out of anything either. For instance, a lot of my leggings are getting holes in them and some I don't like the fabric. I ordered 6 new pair the other day and when they come in I plan to get rid of 6 pairs but now I am back to still having stuffed drawers. I know I can weed out more than 6 pair and I will do that. There are things I have not worn for years! I must have 100 pairs of socks in one giant drawer! Do I really need 100 pairs of socks? That drawer is a big one that could store more important stuff! Okay, I am motivated! If I weeded down to 10 pars of socks, I would have enough! I am usually barefoot around the house and only wear socks when I go out a few times a week! Time to get out some bags and weed out drawers!

Loretta

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #18 on: April 04, 2018, 06:10:54 PM »
I heard the call, and here I am . I think storage is like anything else in MustacheWorld: you need to be creative. One of the most important things we have done is to give up box springs. Put your mattress directly on a frame and then put storage underneath the frame. That’s where most of our linens are.

This is our very unusual dining room. The L-shaped banquette is two foam twin-sized mattresses on steel frames. There is a ton of storage underneath. The dining room converts to a bedroom by moving the beds and using a shoji screen.

Are those chairs on the right comfortable? I like the colors.

Kris

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #19 on: April 04, 2018, 06:41:26 PM »
We have very little storage in our house, so we've had to be very creative. Raised up our bed so we could put storage bins under it, made sure that most furniture that was made for sitting had storage built in... Basically, look around your house, and spot all the areas/things that could be used to store stuff.

That, and get rid of a crapload of stuff. Like, go through your house and try to get rid of (x) number of things.

Then go through, and do it again.

Edit: Here are the things we used to raise up our bed:

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Adjustable-Risers-Furniture-Heights/dp/B00MH74S16/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522888923&sr=8-3&keywords=bed+risers+8+inch+heavy+duty

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2018, 04:31:19 AM »
Kris, the best advice you have given me is to get rid of a crap load of stuff. I have clothes that I have not worn since 2003. DUH!

The Vietnam Vets are picking up 10 bags of household stuff tomorrow. Maybe I will make an effort to fill two more garbage bags for an even dozen. At least it will be a start! LOL!

Secret Stache

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2018, 09:50:30 AM »
Just adding a few thoughts here.  All wall space can be storage with shelves, hooks, baskets, ect.  Pinterest is a good spot for ideas.

Also we went to Container Store and had them design a few spaces (pantry, closet, wall) then found similar products as theirs but way waayyyy cheaper than that Elfa stuff. 

Agree with others that recommended  the storage of things under couches/beds/chairs and multi use furniture like an ottoman or coffee table with storage within it.  We use some thinner plastic bins or storage bags for seasonal clothes and blankets to free up closet space.

Noodle

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2018, 10:25:41 AM »
You are definitely taking the right first step by clearing out the unused items. I live in 650 square feet and have to be really careful about "one in one out."

I definitely recommend using shelving etc. to break up big storage spaces into more usable ones. The best thing I did when I moved in was to get my dad to help me install pull-out drawers in some kitchen cupboards--way more usable now.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2018, 10:53:20 AM »
I have a 'linen closet' in my hallway and I really needed a pantry. So I finally had my hub put in shelves to fit the pots and casseroles heights. It made it so much more efficient and what didn't fit went out.

You will be so proud of me! Hub and I gathered up 13 giant garbage bags full of household stuff and clothes. Get this...I just cleaned out a sock drawer and counted 57 pairs of socks I got rid of and there are still maybe 35 left. I will weed further later on!

The house is still full of stuff though. I guess it is a process and I can't just chuck it all at once. My brain might turn to mush if I do!

Does anyone still have their wedding dress? I thin it is TIME to get rid of it. Got married in 1973! Almost 45 years ago! Don't have a kid to hand it down to either.


Prairie Stash

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2018, 12:54:53 PM »
If you have any carpentry tools at all; a built in cupboard between two interior wall studs is an easy and cheap project. First go to Home depot (or similiar) and find a door for the cupboard. Then find a wall you can place it on and build the perfect hidden spot for brooms, dustpan and other long thin items.

Sometimes downsizing is still easier. Like others, I'm on a multi year purge of cleaning supplies and other consumables. The hard part is not refilling the space with other stuff from the newly vacated spots. Once a person gets used to a certain level of stuff its very easy to make excuses to bring new stuff in when old stuff leaves.

I also make an effort to resell my stuff, its a pain sometimes. The pain is penance, it helps keep us motivated to not accumulate again. How will you avoid repeating the process?

BlueMR2

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #25 on: April 06, 2018, 05:21:05 PM »
We split our family room into 1/3 TV and couch area and 2/3 storage between the couch back and the wall.  1960's era homes have *some* storage, but the storage spaces are small.  Actually, everything in the house is small.  Our clothes are too big, have to angle shirts/jackets in the closets because the clothing is too wide.  Pants touch the ground hanging as the racks were clearly designed for smaller people.  Then, add in the accessories from extra hobbies that the amazing wealth of the modern world allows even us lower middle class Joes/Janes and storage space is an issue.

TheWifeHalf

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #26 on: April 06, 2018, 08:29:22 PM »
This photo was taken to show the stairs we were building, but in the back, you can see a 'cupboard.'  It was constructed about 10 years ago. We took 6 unfinished upper kitchen cabinets from Lowe's (maybe Home Depot?) and stacked 3 rows high. TheHusbandHalf built a 2-3 inch platform for it to sit on, so that it reached the ceiling. I guess I would call it a linen closet.
Buying the unfinished cabinets were good enough quality for this type of storage.
We also bought some for storage in our laundry room.

TheWifeHalf

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #27 on: April 06, 2018, 08:32:34 PM »
forgot the first pic

Dicey

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #28 on: April 08, 2018, 01:09:40 AM »
We split our family room into 1/3 TV and couch area and 2/3 storage between the couch back and the wall.  1960's era homes have *some* storage, but the storage spaces are small.  Actually, everything in the house is small.  Our clothes are too big, have to angle shirts/jackets in the closets because the clothing is too wide.  Pants touch the ground hanging as the racks were clearly designed for smaller people.  Then, add in the accessories from extra hobbies that the amazing wealth of the modern world allows even us lower middle class Joes/Janes and storage space is an issue.
Don't know if this will help enough, but we ran into a similar problem. Our custom home has one closet that must have been built on a hot Friday afternoon. Someone framed it out without allowing for the thickness of the drywall, so it's just a lit-tle bit too shallow. I went with ELFA shelving because it's slimmer. Then I searched high and low for smaller hangers. I found something like this at Bed Bath & Beyond.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/10-count-attachable-hangers/124865?Keyword=plastic%20hangers
 
The combination saved just enough space that everything hangs perfectly. Maybe something similar will work for you.


LWYRUP

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #29 on: April 08, 2018, 11:12:31 AM »
I built shelving in my attic with this kit:  https://www.loftzone.com

You can see pictures on my journal if interested. 
« Last Edit: April 08, 2018, 02:00:07 PM by blinx7 »

Milizard

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #30 on: April 08, 2018, 12:24:14 PM »
I didn't have any drawers in the bathroom of my last apartment before buying my current house.  I bought an item from a cheap catalog, either LTD commodities or ABC Distributing.  (They have since merged. It's a total crapshoot what specific items you may find there at any point in time)  It was a set of 3 baskets set in something resembling a bookshelf, made to hold them.  Each basket was easily accessible without removing, though they were removable.  It was great for my various bathroom items, which I didn't like to shove down in the under sink cabinet/cave.

As for the rest of it, it's hard to judge without pictures.  I too lack a good closet for the various floor cleaning tools.  Our vacuum lives in the front coat closet, the broom in the extremely small pantry, and the swiffer hangs on a hook at the top of the basement stairs.  I dream of building a closet/entryway for all these items into a corner of our garage someday, but the price of that is likely to be high vs. the increase in home value.  Right now, I'm working on KonMari-ing the shit out of my place, because it really, really needs it.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #31 on: April 08, 2018, 01:57:59 PM »
I have this Rubbermaid drawer dealy on wheels. It has about 7 drawers. Some big and some small. It is a bit too big for the small bathroom and I really despise it. It is taller than the vanity which also makes it look awkward too. If it was half as wide I think I would like it better but cannot find anything at this point in time. I also looked at it and think I might be able to unsnap it and take one of the big drawers out and make it the vanity height which might make me happier. The bathrooms are just too small and my fear is that one day one of us will need a wheel chair or other medical thing and won't be able to navigate the bathrooms. The bathroom in the hallway is a bit bigger but still really small. GRRRR!!!

chaskavitch

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #32 on: April 08, 2018, 04:01:54 PM »
I didn't have any drawers in the bathroom of my last apartment before buying my current house.  I bought an item from a cheap catalog, either LTD commodities or ABC Distributing.  (They have since merged. It's a total crapshoot what specific items you may find there at any point in time)  It was a set of 3 baskets set in something resembling a bookshelf, made to hold them.  Each basket was easily accessible without removing, though they were removable.  It was great for my various bathroom items, which I didn't like to shove down in the under sink cabinet/cave.

As for the rest of it, it's hard to judge without pictures.  I too lack a good closet for the various floor cleaning tools.  Our vacuum lives in the front coat closet, the broom in the extremely small pantry, and the swiffer hangs on a hook at the top of the basement stairs.  I dream of building a closet/entryway for all these items into a corner of our garage someday, but the price of that is likely to be high vs. the increase in home value.  Right now, I'm working on KonMari-ing the shit out of my place, because it really, really needs it.

This sounds like my house :)  Our vacuum and our ironing board are in our coat closet, our broom is in the 2" between our fridge and the wall, my mop disassembles into 1.5 foot long pieces for storage, and our dustbuster is on a hook next to the washer.  We have a decent number of closets upstairs, but there's really nowhere without shelves to store tall cleaning things that get used often.

The comment someone made above about storing seldom-used items above the door in a bathroom is brilliant. That way you won't need as much ground-based storage in your bathroom, and you can downsize to something you like more.  I suppose you might need to store a stepstool, though, if you're not tall enough to reach the shelf.

MayDay

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #33 on: April 09, 2018, 07:48:30 AM »
This sounds like a stuff problem, not a storage space problem.

We have a 1952 ranch with no walk in closets, for reference. 

We moved into it from a 1900 farm house with 2 tiny closets total in the 4 bedroom house.  THAT was an actual storage space problem!  It was a big house (over 2000 sq ft) but felt like a tiny cluttered mess because there was no place to put stuff! 

So back to your older ranch house.   

Small hall closet:  this should fit your linens and extra bathroom stuff just fine.  If not, you have too many linens and too many extra bathroom things.  Send to goodwill.  You don't need more than one extra for each bed.  3 bedroom house, so 3 sets of sheets don't take much room.  4-8 towels don't either.  If you have more than that, toss them.  Even if you must have flannel sheets, still, this all fits fine in a small linen closet.

Put your pots in the kitchen.  If they don't fit, unless you are a gourmet cook, get rid of them.  3-5 pots should be plenty.  They will fit in one cupboard, not a whole linen closet.  It sounds like you have too much kitchen stuff, spilling into the linen closet, so now the linen closet spills to other places.  Or else use the 3rd bedroom closet as your linen closet.

Bedroom clothes closets:  get rid of clothes.  One regular non walk in closet should be fine for one person.  You have 3 bedrooms.  You and your spouse each take one closet.  You have at least one extra bedroom closet for camping gear or extra winter jackets or whatever.

Bathroom with no drawers:  Each of you get a small bin and set it on a cupboard shelf.  Put your stuff in the bin.  When you get ready for the day, pull your little bin out.  Yes a drawer is nicer.  But with only 2 people I don't see how you are running out of bathroom space.  In fact you could install those aftermarket drawers in your cupboards.  You would each have drawer then!  If you have multiples of shampoos, cleaning products, etc, get rid of them (or use them up and stop buying new).  You do not need a 7 drawer Rubbermaid thing.  You don't need more than 1 or 2 brushes.  If it doesn't fir in one cupboard shelf, get rid of it.  Or do you have just a pedestal sink and no cupboards in the bathroom?  If so get a large medicine cabinet/mirror.  Everything goes in the medicine cabinet.  If it doesn't fit, you have too much shit. 

Walla!  (that is a joke.  I know how to spell Voila).  All your problems are solved.  You simply have too much shit.
« Last Edit: April 09, 2018, 07:52:34 AM by MayDay »

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #34 on: April 09, 2018, 08:12:50 AM »
Yes, you are right! We have a stuff problem! I am working on the problem. Got rid of 13 giant garbage bags of clothes and household stuff plus 6 grocery bags full of cookbooks! Still have lots of stuff to get rid of. We have had giant dumpsters here about 4 times and filled them up. A lot of it was from the two storage sheds and the garage. We do enjoy our cooking and our variety of pots and pans and they will stay in the hall linen closet. My kitchen has a variety of upper cabinets but the lower ones are no good for pots. One I could fit one pot then there is a narrow one that I put cookie sheets and cutting boards into. Then the under sink ones and then one That is pretty narrow and I use it for some supplies and dog food. Then there is a corner swivel cabinet that is rickety and is only good for plastic containers. The other cabinet (lower) is drawers. Oh, and the bottom of my stove has a drawer and I store some pots and lids in there. I do need to keep weeding out. We have lived here since 1975 and work got in the way of cleaning out. Now that we are retired, we can weed and hoe!

Bathrooms are tiny and have a sink with two door cabinet below. Very little wall space to hang anything. I have been looking at Pinterest for ideas. There are some interesting ideas.

Milizard

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #35 on: April 09, 2018, 09:56:55 AM »
Small bathroom vanities are not that expensive.  If you've hated it since 1975, why don't you change it?  We completely gutted and remodeled 1.5 bathrooms for less that $5k for both. You could do a small vanity for $200, may be less if you can score something suitable for your space and needs at Habitat Restore.

chaskavitch

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #36 on: April 09, 2018, 10:37:25 AM »
Small bathroom vanities are not that expensive.  If you've hated it since 1975, why don't you change it?  We completely gutted and remodeled 1.5 bathrooms for less that $5k for both. You could do a small vanity for $200, may be less if you can score something suitable for your space and needs at Habitat Restore.

You could also add an in-wall medicine cabinet. They're not that expensive unless you're looking for fancy edges on your mirror.

NoraLenderbee

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #37 on: April 09, 2018, 11:43:24 AM »
Can you hang a cupboard or shelves above the toilet? We hung a cupboard with two doors and now it holds a ton of stuff that used to be on the counter (sunscreen, lotions, rubbing alcohol, etc.), plus extra TP, tissues, and the like. My husband is handy and built the cupboard himself, but you could easily buy one.

Good progress with the 13 bags of stuff!

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #38 on: April 09, 2018, 12:01:14 PM »
Just took that Rubbermaid drawer trolly dealy apart and took out one drawer and part of the framework then reassembled it. It sits about 12 inches lower and looks more petite. I cleaned out the drawers and tossed about half of what was in there away and some other stuff I put in a bag for Goodwill. One little project accomplished!

former player

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #39 on: April 09, 2018, 12:08:30 PM »
Roadrunner53, congratulations on your decluttering.  It sounds as though you are working out what's important to keep but making a lot of progress on what isn't, which is the way it should be.

You've inspired me to start going through my bookshelves.  3 books to go out in 3 and a half shelves is better progress than I thought!

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #40 on: April 09, 2018, 12:25:11 PM »
Former Player, thanks, however...seems no matter how much I do there is still more. Someone said the clutter didn't happen overnight so guess I have to just keep plugging away! I have put some serious dents in things but must do more! Hahaha, so I gave away 6 grocery bags of books the other day and was so happy! On Saturday, in the mail, a former boss of mine sent me a self published photo book. It is very nice but...now I have one more thing that has entered the house! The other day on QVC they were selling an Air Fryer I was interested in and it came with 3 books. One was on air frying, one on dehydrating and another one I can't remember. I was thinking OH, NO 3 more books! Then I tried to order the fryer and it was sold out! PHEW!

Keep plugging Former Player...we're all in this together!

Oh, and my hub's aunt passed away about 3 years ago. His sister got the wonderful job of cleaning out the apartment. It was horrendous! The aunt was a hoarder later in life. She lived in an OLD, OLD apartment in NY about 3 floors up. No elevator and those stairs were massive! My SIL found out that the place was filled from floor to ceiling with all kinds of stuff and some of it brand new with tags. To make matters worse, the apartment was infested with bedbugs! This building has to be 150 years old and I think unless they spray the whole building the bedbugs just run from one apartment to another. She had to hire some company to throw every thing away. She retrieved a few non infested things and brought them home. She had to pay these people around $20,000. They had to wear hazmat type outfits and had to drag the crap down the flights of stairs to get it out of the building. Now that is a HORROR story! That is another reason NOT to live in a condo, your neighbors might have bedbugs and they will find their way to your condo!

MayDay

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #41 on: April 10, 2018, 05:09:36 AM »
When your old boss sends you a book, just send it straight to the goodwill bag.  Same with if you had ordered the air fryer. 

You are doing a gret job decluttering, and as you said, it will be a process.  But meanwhile, work on changing your mindset.  Nothing that you don't LOVE and that you wouldn't go out and buy with your own money, comes in the house.  (or if it does, it goes straight into the goodwill bag). 

This is a mindset shift if you are used to keeping things and finding places for them.  But everything you keep, that you don't really like, will later have to be sorted by either you or someone else when you die.  All that work and you don't even like the thing!  Out it goes! 

My step-grandmother picks out unfortunately-never-my-style gifts for me every Christmas (So unfair because my husband gets a gift card!).  Last year it was a scarf (I don't wear scarves).  This year it was Murano glass earrings.  I don't wear earrings.  I open the gift, then into the Goodwill pile for someone else to enjoy.  Never comes into my bedroom, because I won't use it.  So the idea that you would keep extra books just because they came with something you ordered is quite foreign to me!

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #42 on: April 10, 2018, 06:13:31 AM »
NoraLenderBee, have a big cabinet above the toilet and a medicine cabinet. All full!

MayDay

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #43 on: April 11, 2018, 08:57:01 AM »
NoraLenderBee, have a big cabinet above the toilet and a medicine cabinet. All full!

What is it full of?

I am mentally comparing you to my MIL. Do you love in Cleveland?

She and FIL have lived in a house since sometime in the early 80's. They have a bathroom closet (not to mention their cupboards and drawers) full of ?????????. It has towels. And then it has old stuff that just gets pushed back and pushed back.

I recommend pulling everything put of every bathroom cupboard, shelf, and drawer. Only put back things you actually use right now,or things you will definitely use in the next 6 months. Throw away anything expired.

See how much is left after that.

Frugal Lizard

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #44 on: April 11, 2018, 09:31:42 AM »
Want to share some of my storage solutions:
In the dining room we bought Ikea boxes that are typically uppers.  Eventually they will get a wall to wall bench top so that we can seat a bunch of people for big dinners.  They now contain papers, the board games, candles and vases.

The broom closet is behind the kitchen door.

The medicine cabinet was found in our very first house in the shed.  I painted it to match the vanity. And it hangs over the toilet.  The only draw back was the time a kid managed to drop two rolls of TP into the toilet.  Lid down first people!

jim555

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #45 on: April 11, 2018, 10:18:34 AM »
I saw a video on Germany and they said they don't have closets in the typical German house.  People buy stand alone dressers for their clothing.  Now I understand IKEA.

joonifloofeefloo

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #46 on: April 11, 2018, 10:30:56 AM »
My bathroom is the same.

My tricks in general:

1. Own very, very, very, very little. e.g., three cleaning cloths, one broom, one garbage bin, one small laundry hamper. One bed per person (max), one set of sheets per bed -wash, dry, put back on. It sounds like you have lots of stuff that's excess and could just go. I would release all of that before looking at storage solutions. We have a decluttering gauntlet if you'd like daily support.

2. Use versatile, compact items that can be stored small or flush (e.g. no dish rack, just a super absorbent pad made for that purpose).

3. Then very little storage is needed. I have a closet near my bathroom, and in it is everything from bathroom extras (anything not needed in a bathroom moment) to office supplies to electronics cables to the (very short) laundry hamper.

Roadrunner53

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #47 on: April 11, 2018, 01:03:58 PM »
Bathroom cabinets have OTC medicines, band aids, the usual peroxide, alcohol, calamine lotion, tums, cotton balls. Nothing really extreme! I did clean it out not that long ago and the medicine cabinet could probably use a hoeing out now. What I really need to do is clean out under the sinks. Have too many cleaning supplies that are never used. No, I don't live in Cleveland. Live in CT. I am a bit of a hoarder. Not like a mental thing but I hate running out of stuff. I always have a back up. Our senior center in town is having a shredding event in May and I already have a bunch of bags ready to go...Progress!

I saw in some magazine collapsible laundry baskets. That would be sweet to store that away compared to my big bulky baskets I have now.

LOL, did I mention that in the 13 giant garbage bags full of stuff we gave to the Vietnam Vets I cleaned out my sock drawer and weeded out 57 pairs of socks! LOL! There are at least 40 pairs left. I will weed thru those again! Who needs that many socks?

I can't throw out that new book my boss sent to me. It is his hobby and he was a very kind man. I am flattered he sent it to me but wish he didn't!

joonifloofeefloo

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #48 on: April 11, 2018, 01:11:57 PM »
Bathroom cabinets have OTC medicines, band aids, the usual peroxide, alcohol, calamine lotion, tums, cotton balls. Nothing really extreme!

In my kitchen cupboard, I have a basket that holds a first aid kit and OTC stuff. I don't own cotton balls, tums, calamine, etc, because I find that other things I have (cloths, food, Carmex lip balm) serve the same purposes.

Would it be fun to find out which of each item is served by another household staple (especially a food)?

LOL, did I mention that in the 13 giant garbage bags full of stuff we gave to the Vietnam Vets I cleaned out my sock drawer and weeded out 57 pairs of socks! LOL! There are at least 40 pairs left. I will weed thru those again! Who needs that many socks?

Oh yeah, you're *on* the declutter thread, right?? :)

former player

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Re: Storage space in your house
« Reply #49 on: April 11, 2018, 01:29:49 PM »
If you are looking for a home for all your unneeded cleaning supplies can I suggest your local Women's Refuge?  They will use them at the Refuge but also send them out as starter packs to women setting up home when leaving the Refuge.  They won't give out their address: you will probably need to phone and arrange to meet at a car park somewhere central.