May 2006
Mission
Possible: An Organized Storage Space
By Jennifer Dawn Hans
(excerpts from original article printed in New Homeowner Magazine)
Emily Fitzgerald, a professional organizer with Organized Living Solutions, describes garages and basements as household hotspots. "It's just frustrating when you can't find what you want or it's not stored so that you can get to it easily," she said. To remedy that problem, Fitzgerald offers these helpful tips to anyone who wishes to transform a too-cluttered space into a harmonious haven:
Do
a little at a time
If the project at hand seems a bit overwhelming, step back and figure out
how to break the job into smaller, less time-consuming chunks. If you don't
have an entire day to work on such an oversized project, for example, divide
the room into quadrants and tackle just one area at a time.
Divide
and conquer
Keep in mind that you want to eliminate as many things as possible. To be
successful at paring down all of those prized-possessions, you need to sort
things into three categories:
Keep
like things together
A common culprit in a cluttered garage is the tendency to pile things
without a plan. If you keep like things together, it will be a lot easier
to remember where you've put something. Some common groupings include recycling
materials, sports equipment, tools and hardware, gardening and lawn care supplies,
camping gear, and automotive products.
Install
shelves and cabinets
There are plenty of great storage options available for both garages and basements.
Shelving, for example, can protect items from dampness (this can be a problem
when items are stored on the ground) and help you take advantage of vertical
space. Some models of shelves are even available on castors, making it easy
to move an entire unit from one area to another.
Those who prefer to maintain a more discreet storage system may want to consider having cabinets installed. They offer the same benefits as shelving but give you the ability to tuck everything behind a closed door.
Use
walls and ceilings
There's no need for wasted space. Garages and basements, in fact, are perfect
places to take advantage of less conventional storage options. Slatwall panels
- a modern day version of pegboard - can accommodate a variety of hooks and
brackets for things like lawn chairs, bicycles, ladders, golf bags and wheelbarrows.
And overhead rafters can be a good place to store seasonal equipment like
bicycles and sleds.
Think
clear
Clear plastic bins are a great way to store smaller items like hardware and
craft supplies. "Critters stay out, you can see what's in them, and they
stack nicely," Fitzgerald said. "They also protect the contents
from moisture."
Maintain
order
If you're not careful, things can get messy in a hurry. Once you've taken
the time to complete a major overhaul, keep in mind that daily maintenance
is essential. Get into the habit of putting things back where you found them,
though, and you'll have no trouble staying organized, Fitzgerald said.
No matter what area of the home you want to organize, the vast majority of products available and the talent of area organizers can help you have a saner, neater home!