Over time, every home becomes filled with items that we need only from time to time. Seasonal clothing, camping equipment, old documents or mementos often take up the most convenient space, creating a cluttered feeling. The main secret of order lies not in throwing away, but in competent organizing space and the use of non-obvious storage areas.
The first step to the system is categorization. Divide items into groups: seasonal, holiday, archival, and “just in case.” This will help you understand the actual volume of items and choose the right place for each category. Rarely used items should not be at eye level or arm’s length. Their rightful place is in the so-called “dead zones”which are difficult to reach in everyday life.
Use the space under the ceiling The top shelves of cabinets and mezzanines are ideal places for long-term storage. To avoid visually overloading the interior, use identical boxes or baskets to match the color of the furniture. This will create a sense of order and unity of style. For easy access to the highest points, it is worth getting a compact, folding stepladder that can be easily hidden.
The magic of vacuum bags Bulky items such as down jackets, blankets and guest pillows take up an enormous amount of space. Vacuum bags can reduce their volume by up to 75%. This not only saves space, but also protects textiles from dust, moisture and odors. The flattened bags can be easily stacked on the far shelf or stored under the bed.
The Potential of Furniture Many pieces of furniture have hidden capabilities. Beds with a lift mechanism or drawers provide enormous storage space. Ottomans and drop-top banquettes are great for photo albums or crafts. If there is very little space, pay attention to multifunctional furniturewhich is designed from the ground up with storage systems in mind.
Labeling system The biggest problem with things that are put away for a long time is that they are easy to forget about. In order not to rummage through all the boxes in search of Christmas tree decorations or ski wax, be sure to label the containers. Use transparent boxes or stick stickers with a list of contents on the ends of the boxes. This will save you a lot of time and stress in the future.
Proper distribution of rarely used items frees up living space for what is truly important and relevant right now. The house becomes more spacious, brighter, and cleaning takes much less time when each item has its own strictly defined, albeit remote, place. A logical storage system turns chaos into coziness and makes life much more comfortable.
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