Before you buy another storage cabinet, shelving unit or plastic tote, or — heaven forbid — rent a storage unit, I have a challenge for you: Go shopping for storage space in your own house.
Seriously.
Most homes contain little pockets of unused space that we walk past every day without seeing. They’re above us, below us, behind things and sometimes hiding inside things we already own.
And unlike that attractive collection of matching baskets you’ve been eyeing, this storage space is free.
Look Up
Start with the tops of your kitchen cabinets. If they don’t go all the way to the ceiling, there’s potentially valuable real estate up there.
It’s not the place for the waffle maker you use every Saturday, but it’s terrific for seldom-used serving pieces, holiday dishes and other lightweight things you need occasionally.
Use matching baskets or simple boxes if the area is visible. If nobody can see it, congratulations. You have my permission not to make your storage containers Instagram-worthy.
Check the closets. Many have a ridiculous amount of unused space between the top shelf and ceiling. Adding one inexpensive shelf can practically create another floor.
Look Under
Space under a bed is hardly a secret, but are you actually using all of it?
Those few inches can hold off-season clothing, extra linens, wrapping paper, shoes and flat containers of things you don’t need every day.
Then look under sofas, dressers and other furniture. Measure first. You may have several square feet of perfectly good storage space sitting there collecting nothing but dust bunnies.
And don’t overlook the bottom of closets. If hanging clothes stop three feet above the floor, that’s storage space begging for a small dresser, shoe rack or stackable bins.
Look Behind
Here’s one I love because most of us never think about it: drawers.
Pull a drawer completely out of a dresser, desk or cabinet and look behind it. Depending on the construction, there may be unused space between the back of the drawer and the back of the furniture.
I’m not suggesting you stuff your winter wardrobe back there. But a flat envelope containing copies of important papers or another small item may fit nicely.
Just remember where you put it. That advice may become increasingly important as this column continues.
Suitcases Are Empty Boxes
Unless you travel constantly, luggage spends most of its life taking up storage space while storing absolutely nothing.
That seems rather lazy of it. It may be time to put those cases to work
Store out-of-season clothing, extra blankets, travel accessories or seldom-used items inside. Smaller bags can go inside larger suitcases.
Obviously, don’t fill your suitcase with something you’ll have to spend two hours relocating the night before a trip. The idea is to gain storage, not create a new problem.
Don’t Ignore Doors
The backs of doors are wonderfully underutilized.
An over-the-door organizer can turn a pantry door into storage for snacks, spices and kitchen supplies. A closet door can hold shoes, scarves, belts, handbags or cleaning supplies.
Inside cabinet doors, small hooks or racks can hold measuring spoons, pot lids, cutting boards or cleaning tools. The space was already there. You just persuaded it to get a job.
Furniture with 2 Jobs
A bench can hold blankets. An ottoman can hide games. A window seat may have a large empty cavity underneath.
Even an ordinary end table can sometimes accommodate a basket underneath without adding another inch of furniture to the room.
Weird Spaces
Look above the washer and dryer. Look beside the refrigerator. Look at that narrow sliver beside a bathroom vanity. Look underneath the stairs.
Walk through your house specifically looking for empty space rather than stuff.
You’ll begin seeing possibilities everywhere.
Once you start tucking things into all these clever places, make a master list of exactly what you’ve stored and where.
Otherwise, you’ve crossed the fine line between secret storage and lost forever — and you’ll probably buy another one because you forgot about the one you own already.
Caution: Not every empty cavity should become storage. Stay away from electrical panels, working air vents, furnaces, water heaters and anything that requires ventilation or quick access.
And don’t put heavy things overhead where gravity could eventually make you regret it.
