- Most new homes, and many old homes, have enclosed staircases, which hide valuable space. These can often be opened to create closets, niches, or even shelf space. Create a storage area by enclosing the underside of the staircase that leads to your basement. This can be a good space for a pantry, holiday decorations, or even children's toys.
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Create a storage space under stairs. - Put the space under a stairway to work. Construct a wheeled, wedge-shape container that fits into the farthest area under the steps.
- Ready-made shelves can be installed just about anywhere to create storage for books and decorative items, toys, glassware, china, and just about anything that will fit on a 6- or 12-inch ledge. If you intend to store heavy items, make sure the brackets are securely anchored.
- A hallway that's wide enough can double as a storage area if you line the walls with shelves or shallow cabinets.
- Create a "closet" by storing bulky items such as golf clubs, skis, and camping equipment behind a decorative folding screen in a little-used corner.
- Hang a wicker basket on the bathroom wall for storing towels, tissues, soap, bath toys, and other incidentals.
- Make your shower rod do double duty. Attach extra hooks to hold a back brush and a net bag for bath toys and washcloths.
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Make your shower rod do double-duty as a storage rack. - Erect shelves in the space beside the vanity, behind the door, or over the toilet. Such shelves offer convenient storage without intruding on floor space.
- Consider installing over-the-door towel racks, or place hooks on the inside of the bathroom door for towels and bathrobes.
- Add more storage space in your bedroom by building a headboard storage unit. You can place books, lamps, or a radio on top of the unit and store extra linens and blankets on the inside.
- Use flat roll-out bins for under-the-bed storage. They can hold bed linens, sewing supplies, and infrequently used items.
- For a double-duty ottoman, build a plywood box with a hinged cover. Paint the outside, or cover it with fabric. Add a thick cushion for comfortable sitting, and store your magazines in style.
- An efficient kitchen saves both time and steps. Make sure your kitchen offers an efficient and effective work triangle. The work areas should be between 4 and 9 feet from one another. Shorter distances mean you are too cramped; longer ones mean you must take tiring extra steps. If you're not remodeling, consider moving the refrigerator or the range if your kitchen is extremely inefficient.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Main work areas in a kitchen should be between 4 and 9 feet apart. - Store dinnerware and cutlery near the dishwasher so that it can be emptied quickly and easily.
- Keep placemats flat and out of the way by hanging them on a clipboard hung from a hook inside a cabinet or pantry door.
- Free up counter space by putting your microwave on a shelf above the counter.
- To make the most of available space when storing tapered glassware, position every other glass upside down.
- Hang your sharp knives inside or on the side of a high cabinet to save drawer space and keep them out of the reach of children.
- To economize on drawer space, arrange wooden spoons and other utensils bouquet-style in a handsome pitcher or canister.
- If you lack drawer space for kitchen linens and towels, store them in baskets on the counter.
- If you don't have cabinet space for your pots and pans, put a small wooden ladder -- painted to match your kitchen -- in a corner and place the pots and pans on the steps.
- Add shelves in the laundry room to hold colored plastic baskets -- one color for each family member. When you take clean clothes out of the dryer, sort each person's clothes into their basket. Family members can then pick up their baskets and fold and put away their own clothes.
- Keep two large paper bags near your washing machine or dryer. As you notice items that need mending or should be discarded, store them in the appropriate bag until you're ready to deal with them.
