Clever Ways to Maximize a Small Space
If you happen to live in a home or apartment that might be a bit on the small side of what you’d prefer, then you’re probably limited on storage space and in need of a few tips and tricks in order to make your life easier.
Small space storage solutions really can make your life better — at least when they’re designed with your lifestyle in mind. Perhaps you struggle to find the right outfit in the morning, only to pull it from the closet a wrinkled mess. Or maybe your kitchen pantry is bursting to a point where you’ve resorted to leaving appliances – all of them – on your countertop. Then again, maybe it’s the tangle of cables draped from your entertainment center that makes you cringe. If this sounds familiar, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are a few tips to help you get your life organized, one small space at a time.
Reach-In Closet
Reach-in closets are common for those of us who don’t have the good fortune of having a walk-in closet. There are design ideas, however, for reach-ins that can guarantee you have a good deal more usable space to properly and efficiently store all of your clothes and more.
These ideas include different length hanging sections, which can be used to store clothing items that vary in size, such as long gowns, maxi dresses and floor length coats. We might also recommend a mid-length section for slacks that are common in size. Another option is to utilize a triple hanging section. This section would be for shorter items containing blouses, shorts and short skirts, too. When considering differing lengths for hanging closet items, efficiency is the word that comes to mind. Multiplying your usable space quickly, easily and inexpensively can help with achieving peace of mind when it comes to closet organization.
image © closetworks
A Free-Standing Wardrobe
Speaking of multiplying usable space, another option you have in addition to a reach-in closet is a free-standing wardrobe. Wardrobes are the answer when you need storage in rooms without closets or limited closet space. These self-contained closets can be built to any size or specification in a style that fits you perfectly. If you already have a reach-in, a wardrobe can be added to a wall that is vacant near your current closet. You can also add a wardrobe against a wall that already has limited décor and/or furniture pieces. If you have used all of the available space in your current reach-in and find you require or desire more room, a free-standing wardrobe is a great compliment. You can truly have the best of both worlds when you consider the tools that are available.
image © closetworks
The Entertainment Center
If you already have your T.V. mounted but want to add storage and shelving, all while maintaining a streamlined look with very little space used, then floating shelves are the solution for you. Floating shelves can easily be installed and come in an array of different color options and textures. Concealed storage that can be used in connection with your floating shelves reduces clutter and produces a clean look. Another benefit of concealed storage space is the option of style – some prefer to apply decorative hardware while others want to maintain a clean, contemporary look, so they opt for touch latch doors rather than hardware.
The Kitchen Pantry
When it comes to organization issues at home, a kitchen pantry can often be a problem area. This dedicated catch-all for the kitchen is often hidden behind a closed door, which leaves its maintenance at a lower level of priority than the kitchen itself. While the pantry may be your storage problem, it doesn’t have to be. Here is how you can ensure that you are getting the most out of your pantry’s storage space:
Place long items like cookie sheets, serving pieces and the like in a vertical roll-out with dividers
Keep cooking tools such as large spoons, ladles, spatulas etc. in a drawer with dividers
Decide which pots and pans you use most often. Then, dedicate a cabinet to those, and store the others elsewhere
Use the space behind your kitchen pantry door and/or a Lazy Susan for smaller items and canned goods
If room allows, store your large and small appliances on corner shelves
Imagine how useful a roll out built specifically for tablecloths and linens, as well as cubbies for proper wine storage could be.
image © closetworks
A Laundry Room
When you’re limited on floor space in your laundry room, a useful tactic is to go vertical. Many of our customers like to store their cleaning supplies in the laundry room because it makes the most sense to them. Brooms, Swiffers, dusters, dust pans and cleaning products can sometimes be storage problems. Typically, you use these items in various rooms, but you end up storing them in one place. Even in a small laundry room, if you employ a vertical roll-out broom closet, and in stacked roll-outs, you can keep everything in order, easy to find, and easy to use. Once again you save floor space by going vertical with this solution. Another benefit is that you can customize the hook pattern in the vertical broom closet to suit your specific needs.
image © closetworks
It can be easy to spot when you’ve outgrown your small space. Items can be difficult to reach or you’re always rummaging through piles and heaps because they aren’t logically grouped or haven’t been sorted. Clutter has a tendency to build up over time and go unnoticed (at first), but it ends up having a larger impact on your happiness and comfort. Rather than give up, however, you can evaluate your needs, get creative and work hard to transform your home. The end will justify the means.
At The Closet Works they are committed to providing each client with a unique gratifying and remarkable experience. Locally owned and operated since 1990, each project the company undertakes is meticulously crafted in our state of the art Montgomeryville, PA factory. All aspects of our process begin with CAD design. Furthermore, our designs, manufacturing and installations are performed by experienced, talented and dedicated company employees.
Interested in learning more about getting organized or The Closet Works’ installations? Request a free consultation with one of their professional Designers today or visit www.closetworksinc.com.
cover image © closetworks
