Thinking through home storage plans will make it easy to stay organized

Here are questions you should ask and hints to start you thinking and planning for easy storage

What Tasks and Activities are Conducted in This Area

Before you put anything back, think about the overall picture of what you want to accomplish. What activites are done here? How do I want to organize this space? What items need to be here? Do I have room for everything here?

If you can't put everything here that you want to keep, you will have to once again return to the sorting process. What do you use daily? Weekly? Seldom? Sort by usage. Can some things be stored away such as seasonal or holiday items? Can some things be relocated to another area? When going through the sort process a second time, can other items be recycled or given away to someone who could make better use of it?

Think Before You Put Anything Back

How you want to retrieve your home storage determines the most approriate type of storage container. When you are about to place anything "just anywhere" just to get rid of it, think to yourself: "Is this where I use it? Is is easy to get to? Do I use it often enough so this is a convenient place to put it?"

As you can see, there are many things to think about as you return your possessions to a closet or drawer. As I mentioned earlier, organizing your home storage is a planning process as much as a physical process. In fact, it may always be a work in progress.

As you are putting things away, give the most convenient space to the items you use most often. Make these items easily accessible. Make sure every item in this area is something you use on a regular basis. Be sure something you use often is placed in the area that you use it. You wouldn't put your pots and pans in the living room, so why would you place your bills in the kitchen if you only pay them in the den or office area? Make your home storage areas both convenient and logical.

Don't let your long term home storage become just another place to collect clutter!!

Put your seldom or never used items but must keep items (such as tax records and family momentos) away from your living space, such as in the attic or garage. However, be careful not to use this space as a clutter trap. Before your store something into long term storage ask your self, " Do I really need to keep this? Is is necessary to my well being or inner happiness?" If the answer is "No", do yourself a favor and get rid of it now! Don't store it and still have it around to deal with at another time.

What Type of Home Storage Area is Most Suitable?

Think about the items you are storing. Are they things that would look best on open shelving? These items may be books, CD's, towels, shoes, handbags, decorative china, spices, etc. Any item that is stored in the open is available for inspection, so be sure to ask yourself how much maintainence and upkeep you wish to put into storage area before you decide to keep it open.

Closed storage would include closets, cupboards, and furniture with drawers and doors, along with ottomans, cedar chests, and armoires. Items stored here would be clothing, silverware, medicines, cleaning supplies, groceries, etc.

How Much Space is Available for Storage?

How many items need to be stored? Do you have space for all of them? Do you have containers to hold and organize everything? If you are storing winter clothes, fold everything and measure the height and width before you buy the over-large or too, too small container. If you are planning on underbed storage, how high is your bed? How wide are your kitchen shelves? How deep are your drawers?

Don't do any shopping for storage containers without measuring your space and also the items you plan to store in the containers. Take measurements and put them in your design portfolio so that you only have to do this one time. Also cut out any pictures you find of storage ideas and containers you feel would work in your home. Put these in your portfolio for future reference.

Next Step is to Decide on Storage Containers

You are now ready to hit the home improvement and department stores for the next step, buying the right storage containers that fit your budget and needs. Move on to "Storage Containers" to learn more


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