Innovative Ways to Create Storage and Organize the Chaos

One frustration we hear constantly is having too much stuff and nowhere to put it, whether in the kitchen, the bathroom or the whole house. Around the holidays, with family and friends visiting, the urge to get organized gets even stronger. Clutter is a real source of stress, but there are many creative ways to add storage.

Start With Attics, Basements and Crawl Spaces

Not every home has plenty of closets, especially older homes. The obvious first step is storing rarely used items in the attic, basement or crawl space.

• Encapsulate crawl spaces for better humidity control and fewer pests in your boxes.
• Insulate attics and basements well to protect what you store there.

Use the Space Under the Stairs

The area under a staircase often becomes a small closet with lots of dead space. Instead, turn the stair risers into drawers or build a bookcase into the side of the staircase.

Install a Slat Wall System

Slat walls are not just for garages and stores. Today's systems offer hooks, shelves, baskets, bins and hanging rods, perfect for garages, basements, utility rooms, playrooms and craft rooms.

Think Outside

Outdoor living spaces are more popular than ever, and they can hold storage too. Built-in benches with lift-up seats define a porch or fire pit area and hide cushions, umbrellas and outdoor games. Storage ottomans, coffee tables, side tables and chests work too.

Get Creative in the Kitchen

• Add furniture: a hutch, cupboard or buffet against a kitchen or dining wall stores gadgets out of sight and adds a statement piece.
• Run cabinets to the ceiling: if you are replacing cabinets, ceiling-height uppers add storage and eliminate the dusty gap on top.
• Use pull-outs: spice pull-outs and drawer organizers make every inch count. See more in handy kitchen storage options.

Upgrade Your Closets

Replace builder-grade wire shelving with custom closet systems. No more pantry items falling through the wires or piling up on the floor. Custom systems let you choose hanging rods, open shelves, drawers, dividers, baskets, shoe shelves and even hampers or trash bins exactly where you need them.

Organize With Confidence

Organizing can feel overwhelming when you are short on space or time, but smart storage solutions can help. Call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact us online.

This article originally appeared in the December 2020 edition of Lakeside News.