Smart Storage Solutions to Transform Your Space in the New Year
It's that time of year – a time to bid farewell to the past and set new goals for the future. For many, those goals remain consistent year after year: reading a certain number of books, getting in shape, and perhaps, finally tackling that cluttered house. While we may not be able to assist with the first two, if decluttering your home is on your 2024 to-do list, you've come to the right place.
In this article, StaxUP Storage put together a guide on how to declutter your home, complete with organizational tips and creative storage solutions. Keep reading to kickstart your home organization checklist for the New Year because, sooner than you think, it will be 2025!
Decluttering is a proven method to bring peace of mind. Not only does it create more physical space, but it is also known to enhance focus, promote better sleep, facilitate letting go of the past, and even uplift your mood. That's quite an impressive list of benefits!
So, how should you begin this transformative journey? It's simple: select a decluttering method that suits your preferences. You can choose from the two methods discussed below or explore others that align better with your needs and personality.
Establish Clear Objectives
Your first step should be setting clear goals. While you might have a Pinterest board overflowing with home storage and organization ideas, it's essential to define precisely what you want to achieve and when. Without clear goals, even the most informative blog posts won't be of much use.
One effective clutter-clearing technique is the 12-12-12 method. This method suggests that you find 12 items to discard, 12 to donate, and 12 to return to their rightful places. Apply this approach to every room in your home, and you might be pleasantly surprised by the impact it has!
The KonMari Method
Another popular decluttering approach is the KonMari Method. This method involves holding each item and evaluating whether it sparks joy. If it doesn't, it's destined for the donation bin or trash. While this may seem somewhat radical, many individuals have discovered that it helps them distinguish sentimental possessions from the items they genuinely need for their everyday lives.
Use Vertical Space
Now that you've chosen your decluttering approach, let's delve into how to effectively organize and store the items you decide to keep. One of our preferred storage and organization ideas, suitable for both homes and spaces like sheds or garages, is making the most of your vertical space.
Wall-Mounted Shelves
Wall-mounted shelves offer secure and spacious storage that not only functions well but also enhances the aesthetics of your space. Ensure that the shelving unit you select can support the weight of your items and follow the manufacturer's instructions for securely anchoring them to the wall. For more complex installations, it might be wise to seek professional assistance.
Customize Your Shelving
For those who can invest in custom shelving, it's an excellent closet organization hack. Custom shelving is especially valuable if you have a specialty collection, such as shoes or sweaters, that deserves dedicated spaces to showcase them.
Vertical Storage Units
Vertical storage units achieve similar results as wall-mounted shelves but offer three distinct advantages: they are easily movable, can be disassembled with ease, and often come with doors. These units are excellent for various applications, including self-storage units, sheds, pantries, and any space in need of efficient organization.
Revamp Your Closet
Vertical storage can be surprisingly beneficial in your closet. Consider placing items you don't frequently use, such as evening bags, shawls, or beachwear, higher up or lower down in your closet to free up space for your everyday essentials. Keep reading for more clever organization hacks.
Kitchen Organization
Kitchen organization can be a challenging task due to the variety of differently shaped items, fragile cookware, and "single-use only" gadgets that are often costly to replace. To optimize your kitchen storage, consider both vertical and horizontal solutions.
Pantry Shelving
Effective horizontal pantry shelving can transform a cluttered cupboard into an easily navigable space. Before selecting shelving options, think about your eating habits and prioritize storage solutions based on the items you use frequently, eliminating unnecessary specialty storage solutions for items rarely used.
Drawer Dividers
Vertical drawer dividers are a quick and efficient way to keep your utensils and small items neatly organized. Consider options like expanding bamboo trays from Crate & Barrel or similar products available on the market to bring instant order to your kitchen drawers.
The Garage
The final item on our organization checklist: the garage.
While organizing a garage may be less daunting than tackling an attic, it still requires careful planning to optimize space, protect potentially hazardous materials, and ensure easy access to seasonal items.
Overhead Storage
Overhead storage has gained popularity in garages recently, offering versatile systems that allow you to store everything from holiday decorations to sports equipment in bins suspended from ceiling-mounted rails. This approach prevents your items from getting cold and damp on the garage floor. However, it's crucial to strictly adhere to weight guidelines and restrictions to prevent any mishaps.
Pegboard Walls
Pegboard walls are a timeless garage solution with good reason. They provide versatile storage for a wide range of items, including garden tools, helmets, shovels, toys, and hammers. Proper installation of the pegboard is essential to ensure that the weight of your belongings doesn't pull it away from the wall framing – a lesson learned from experience!
We hope that our decluttering and home storage organization ideas have ignited your enthusiasm to tackle 2024 with renewed vigor. Let this be the year we all conquer clutter once and for all! If you need a storage unit after decluttering your home, find a StaxUP Storage near you!
