Jessica Decker, MBA
We’re always looking for ways to maximize the space we have. Countless magazines and blogs write about organizing your home and there’s a good reason why. By creating more space in your home you can enrich your life. Think about how you feel when you’re surrounded by your possessions and they may literally be caving in around you. Now think about how your life would be enhanced if you could have them all put away.
When you maximize the space in your house you’re able to more effectively store items. The Self Storage Association estimates that there are more than 40,000 self-storage facilities in the United States, and the demand for them doubled from 1994 to 2004. If that’s not a scary statistic, this one is. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 25 percent of people with two-car garages don’t park any cars in their garages, and 32 percent only have room for one.
If you’re reading this article you’re probably already sold on maximizing space but have exhausted all your own ideas. As a professional organizer, I have seen numerous homes and have ideas to help nearly everyone gain even just a little more storage space from their home. Use these clever tips to help you make the most of your space.
Challenge Yourself
1. The Bigger The Better: It’s not often that I recommend that more is more but when it comes to bookcases, get the largest/tallest one you can. Try to go all the way to the ceiling if you are building your own shelving unit. You want all the space you can get to hold books, magazines, and even collections.
2. Thin is In: Slimline velvet flocked hangers take up less space than regular plastic hangers, and so much less space than wooden hangers or padded hangers. Even just a few extra inches in your closet means more clothing can fit in or your clothing has room to breathe. These hangers are also easier on your clothing than wire hangers.
3. Bag it Up: Space bags (the ones you suck all the air out of) are great for storing linens and off-season clothing. By eliminating air from the bag you’re able to reduce the footprint of what you’re storing, and store more in the space you have.