How can I make more storage to store stuff more efficiently?

S-J
by S-J

I have A LOT of stuff - FACT! I'm desperately trying to cut back on shopping (I've always had a bit of 'spendy' nature, and I've also worked for some AMAZING high profile companies and have gained a lot of fabulous things over the years), I'm also desperately trying to declutter, hang on to less stuff and generally get rid. I give a lot of things to charity, pass on things to friends and family but the amount I have is still overwhelming! It doesn't help that I lost my Mum a few years ago to cancer, she had A LOT of stuff, a lot of which I can't bear to get rid of just yet, but that I have accumulated as my Dad couldn't bear to have her things around. I also have 3 children (you can imagine all their stuff too), a messy husband, a dog ... oh and my eldest son has special needs - the amount of equipment and medical stuff that he needs and has to be stored somewhere is truly overwhelming. I'm currently in a good head space, I'm trying REALLY HARD, but I'd appreciate any suggestions. We're extending our loft space (hopefully this summer), so I'm looking to keep on keeping on and getting rid of things whereever possible - not least to make a few quid selling stuff off (as we need to make £80k+ to make the renovations!)! I'm wondering about somes sort of high up cupboards, which don't detract from room space, but are a good use of space and would alleviate clutter. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks

  9 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on Feb 28, 2019

    My rule is if something is brought into the house, something else has to go. Sometimes it's hard to do, but it works.

    And yes - go up rather than out. Use highboys or tall chest of drawers rather than a dresser.


  • Here is an article with creative storage solutions: https://makespace.com/blog/posts/bedroom-storage-hacks-solutions/ You may want to think about Kon Mari's book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It can help you get rid of things that don't bring you joy.

  • Angie Burk Angie Burk on Feb 28, 2019

    I try to go by my rule of... if I haven’t needed it or used it in the past 6 months—- to charity it goes.

  • Lisa Lisa on Feb 28, 2019

    I have the same rule. Something goes in something comes out. Depending on what medical supplies you need, I would suggest an inexpensive pantry cabinet about $100.09 and you could put a lock on it for safety. Depending on the fabulous things that you have ... clothing perhaps?? If you have a basement I would frame out a closet area as large as you need for all your things. I would store kids toys that they are not actively using on regular basis in tubs and go thru them every 6 months to think them out.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 28, 2019

    Sounds as though you are already on track and making progress. You can accomplish what you want by working on this bit by bit. It can be overwhelming at first, but consider that much or many of the items are likely duplicates and someone else could use the items. From someone else who has dealt with this, it is often good to get someone to help you for a few days and label an area or boxes to organize. Label "trash", "give away", "recycle" "Keep" and start placing objects in a room in those categories. The items in the "keep" category can be organized like items with like items. Be sure to remove the trash, give away, and recycle items on a weekly basis so you don't have second thoughts and start pulling the items back into your keep pile. How do you eat an elephant....bite by bite. That's how you need to approach your project of clearing out. Good luck to you. Rather than spend money on storing items you don't use, perhaps you'd be able to have a family vacation together that everyone will have fond memories of. Best regards. l

  • Hire a professional organizer to help you out and get you started. Even one day, you can learn the methods and tools for you to tackle the rest of the house. I can't even think in a messy, unorganized space. After my parents passed I had to absorb, clean out their rather sizable home. Luckily I do not panic or get overwhelmed easily. I spent every weekend at their house for 2 years to get rid of their belongings.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 10, 2023

    Some of the things I have not used in 6 months are things like canning supplies, they are kept bagged under the cupboard. I am not ready to stop canning even though it is just the 2 of us.

    I got rid of the holiday ware including decorations.

    Good set of rules for clothes!

    Cleaning supplies are another clutter item, see if you can clean with 2 or 3 products.

  • I hear you on trying to get rid of things. Your best bet to make the leap to a better organized, less-filled life is read up on all the tips you can about decluttering and how to get rid of things. There's so much help out there. Otherwise, to create more storage, go vertically using your walls and wall space as much as possible, whether that's shelves, layers of racks, hooks, and the like. Look for storage opportunities in every available spot.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 26, 2023

    Go through your stuff and send to Auction or get someone from the Auction House to come out and fill a van with items they think that will bring you in some money and you seel able to more on!