Thursday, November 07, 2019

By John Voket I know firsthand the exasperation that comes when stuff starts seriously cluttering up shelves, counters and corners, and there doesn't seem to be any space left to store it all.  

Sure, you can go through the exercise of decluttering by tossing out, giving away or donating seldom-used items, but what if you have a use and need for all the things you simply don't want hanging out in plain sight?

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has a few suggestions about evaluating whether you have areas of wasted space—and where you could find room for a lot more of the stuff you simply want to relocate so that it’s out of sight.

Consider these possible space-making solutions: 

Buy furniture that doubles as storage. If you’re looking to replace old, worn-out furniture, buy pieces that can serve as storage. Consider a coffee table that has drawers or an ottoman that can open up and double as a spot to store blankets.

Make use of wasted square footage. Use all of the space available in closets, as well as the kitchen. Homeowners often squander valuable square footage if they don’t install cabinets or shelves that go all the way up to the ceiling. Store seasonal items or things that are rarely used on higher shelves where they’re out of the way, which will free up the lower shelves for items you use all the time. 

Create space with bed risers. By simply raising the height of your bed a few inches, you can gain a lot more storage space. Bed risers can be found in different shapes, styles, textures and colors to complement your current bedroom furniture. They’re inexpensive, create added storage space, and can also give your bedroom a new look.

Do a wardrobe audit. You’ve likely amassed a large collection of clothes over the years, but there are most likely a bunch of items in your wardrobe that you’re not even wearing. Before investing a lot of time deciding where things should go, audit all closets, shelves and drawers to determine what you can do without. For clothes, it's a good rule of thumb to donate items you haven't worn in more than 12 months. 

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