How I Use Storage to Organize My Small Space
I live in a small apartment, and no matter how many pieces of dual-use furniture I buy or how strategically I plan how to store the things I have a lot of , I can’t get over the fact that I just don’t have a lot of space. I have storage (and have had one for years) and before you say you don’t need it, consider the following.
A storage unit doesn’t have to be huge or expensive.
When I got my first storage system, I didn’t even know what it would be like. All I knew about storage units was that the ones I saw in my rural hometown were huge and meant to store farm equipment or old cars, and the ones I saw on reality shows about locker auctions were also huge, for the most part. . All I wanted at the time was somewhere to store my stuff for a few weeks while I moved apartments, so when I went to the warehouse and learned that they had a lot of closet-sized apartments, I was both surprised and grateful.
What to store in storage
All I really need is a closet sized closet as closet is what I lack in my home. I store mine in out-of-season items, so right now it’s full of hoodies, coats, and boots, but in a few weeks I’ll be taking it back and putting shorts, swimsuits, and beach items in there. I still have room for other things, like an air purifier that I never use, and valuables that I don’t need to see but need to store.
What you can contribute depends on several personal factors, such as where you live and what you own. Other good ideas include:
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Holiday decorations
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Off-season outdoor tools such as lawn mowers or snow blowers (in larger units)
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Bicycles, skateboards, snowboards or other outdoor equipment adapted to weather conditions.
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Special occasion items such as fancy dresses or fine china.
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Any household goods that you buy in bulk , provided that getting to the device is relatively convenient.
I’ve written a lot about how to organize storage rooms and garages , but if you don’t have a particular space and it’s just not that big, no amount of shelving or hacks will fix it.
Helpful tips for choosing storage space
I used to use self-service storage. It was very useful for me, but it had limitations. Since I don’t have a car and live in a big city, I couldn’t put larger items in there. I couldn’t get them in and out easily. I found another company that picks up my storage items, brings them to the branch (which I am not allowed to visit in person), and returns them when I ask. I pay $80 a month for it and I think it’s worth it, but it does require some planning since I need to let them know a day or two in advance if I need anything.
You can also start small. Choose a smaller, less expensive device, and then, if you need it, upgrade to something larger. If you go in person, you can usually get some kind of larger deal just by haggling a little with the employee; This is what I did when I upgraded from a cabinet to a larger cabinet after using a mini unit for two years.
I also recommend using organizational tools within a department. Just because you’re taking a stealth and cluttered approach to organizing your home doesn’t mean the things you stash have to end up disorganized or hard to reach when you go for them. Stick to the same organizational rules you use in your home, keeping similar items together and making sure they all have a designated place. I made this mistake in my first rental apartment, letting all the clothes I shoved in there become a mess that got worse and worse every time I went in to change new ones. I don’t have to organize anything now since I use a company to do it for me, but when I upgraded to a larger model I got a clothes rack and some shelves, which was quite a revolution. Shelving can cost as little as $17 , and storage containers that protect your items from moisture, bugs, and dust while keeping it all organized by category are invaluable (but you can usually get four for $31 ).