Are you feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your home? Decluttering and getting organized can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With some smart storage solutions, you can reduce clutter and create space in any room of your house. Here are 12 smart storage ideas to help you reduce clutter and get organized.
Use Baskets and Bins for a Clutter-Free Home
Baskets and bins are versatile storage solutions that can tidy up any space. Here are some tips for using them effectively:
- Entryway – Use a basket to corral shoes by the door. Have bins for hats, gloves, and other accessories.
- Living Room – Store remotes, coasters, and other clutter in baskets. Use lidded bins to neatly store blankets and pillows.
- Kitchen – Clear countertop clutter by storing appliances in bins. Use basket drawers to organize spices and food.
- Bathroom – Store extra towels and toiletries in matching woven baskets. Use bins under sinks to sort cleaning supplies.
- Bedroom – Use fabric-lined bins to store out-of-season clothing. Add baskets to shelves to neatly organize accessories.
- Kids’ Rooms – Label toy bins by type. Use colorful baskets to store art supplies and books.
Baskets and bins come in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials. Opt for fabric or woven bins in bedrooms and living spaces. Use sturdy plastic bins in basements, garages, and pantries.
Get Vertical with Wall-Mounted Storage
Free up precious floor space and reduce clutter by taking storage vertical. Mount shelves, cabinets, racks, and other organizational units directly on walls. Here are some ideas:
- Install floating shelves in the kitchen or bathroom for extra storage.
- Use wall-mounted cabinets to store office supplies and paperwork.
- Mount spice racks, knife blocks, and pot racks on kitchen walls.
- Hang a coat rack, key hooks, and storage baskets by the entryway.
- Add wall-mounted bike racks, garden tool organizers, and sports equipment racks in the garage.
Look for wall storage options with a small footprint and clean lines to keep the look streamlined. Measure the space carefully and buy units that make maximum use of available wall space.
Invest in Modular Storage Furniture
Modular furniture with cube organizers, shelves, and drawers are ultra-customizable storage solutions. Build exactly the configuration you need to fit your space and organizational needs.
- Stack cubes horizontally or vertically to create shelves and drawers.
- Mix and match cube sizes to accommodate different items.
- Choose colorful fabric bins to coordinate with your décor.
- Separate work, hobby, and crafting supplies into different cubes.
- Use cubes to neatly store toys, books, files, linens, and more.
- Add doors and drawers for a built-in, customized look.
Modular storage is ideal for closets, home offices, playrooms, and other spaces that need lots of flexible storage options. Invest in solid wood or steel-frame pieces that can be reconfigured as your needs change.
Store Seasonal Items Efficiently
The changing of the seasons usually means rearranging your belongings. Avoid clutter from off-season gear by designating efficient storage spaces.
- Clear plastic totes are ideal for storing bulky sweaters and cold weather gear in the warmer months.
- Use the top shelves of closets to store summer clothes in winter and vice versa.
- Store lawn furniture cushions and outdoor accessories in sealed bins in the garage or basement during winter.
- Swap heavier bedding and linens for lighter versions suited for summer. Store the off-season bedding compressed under beds.
- Pack up holiday decorations neatly in properly labeled boxes right after each holiday.
Storing items by season eliminates daily clutter. Just remember to clearly label all containers so you can find what you need when the time comes.
Utilize Under-Bed Storage
The space under your bed is valuable real estate that often gets overlooked. Take advantage of this out-of-sight spot to banish clutter from your bedrooms and living spaces.
- Sturdy under-bed storage bins and roll-out drawers can hold a variety of items.
- Use fabric drawers to store clothing and linens. Reserve plastic bins for sports equipment, shoes, and seasonal items.
- For a DIY approach, try using storage boxes and old suitcases. Just add caster wheels for easy rolling access.
- If you have high clearance, install pull-out drawer units that mount to bedframes.
- Only store items you won’t need daily access to, like extra pillows and blankets.
Measure first to ensure your storage solutions will fit. And don’t overload under-bed containers or make them too heavy to pull out with ease when needed.
Get Organized with Closet Storage Solutions
It’s frustrating to battle messy, bulging closets day after day. Thankfully, there are many solutions that can transform even the tiniest closet into a space-maximizing storage wonder.
Use Sturdy Shelving
Upgrade open shelving with systems made from handsome wood, steel or aluminum. Adjustable shelves, drawers and other modular components let you customize to fit your closet’s dimensions and what you need to store.
Install a Closet Rod & Shelving Combo
Rod and shelving combos double your storage capacity. Hang clothing on the rod while using shelves for folded garments, shoes and accessories. Models with drawers provide concealed storage too.
Maximize Space with Hanging Organizers
Hanging shelf units, stacked bins and shoe racks effectively use vertical air space. Sagging shelves and messy piles are eliminated. Most organizers hang securely on existing closet rods.
Keep Items Visible with Clear Storage
See-through acrylic shelves, drawers and hanging bins let you view contents easily. Labels or marker writing on clear bins makes them even more functional. This is ideal for modest closets where every inch needs to be utilized efficiently.
Your storage needs will vary based on your closet size and what you need to organize. Measure carefully and select durable storage essentials that make the most of the available space.
Hide Clutter in Style with Pretty Containers
It’s easy for clutter to accumulate on counters, dressers, and other flat surfaces around the home. But you can make knickknacks, toiletries, and other items look intentionally placed with the use of pretty storage containers.
- Leather trays and ceramic canisters give an elegant, cohesive look on bedroom nightstands and dressers.
- Clear canisters are great for kitchen staples like flour, sugar, pasta, and coffee.
- Hammered metal bins can hold bathroom essentials while adding a decorative flair.
- Match your decor by opting for lidded boxes covered in floral patterns or solids.
- Repurpose unique items like vintage crates, jars, and tea tins to store supplies in craft nooks.
When selecting storage containers, opt for ones with lids to fully conceal the contents inside. And don’t overfill them or clutter will still peek through.
Take Advantage of Unused Space with Racks & Shelves
You can likely find unused vertical space in many spots around your home. Take advantage of blank walls, awkward narrow spaces, and door backs to hang handy racks and shelving.
- Hang a rack inside the front door to store keys, hats, and bags close at hand.
- Pot racks free up cabinet space while adding rustic flair to kitchens.
- Spice racks keep seasoning organized right where you need them while cooking.
- Slim shelves that fit over doorways are perfect for stashing toilet paper and extra towels in small bathrooms.
- Floating corner shelves utilize awkward angled spaces in entries, kitchens, and more.
Measure and select storage solutions specifically sized for each unique space. Focus on options with small footprints to maximize open floor area.
Organize the Entryway Clutter Buster
The entryway tends to collect hats, gloves, bags, shoes, coats and other items that get dumped there daily. But you can regain order fast with useful organizational solutions.
- Coat racks and coat trees handily store outerwear. Cubbies below provide a spot for shoes.
- Wall hooks mounted in entryways hold leashes, key hooks, reusable shopping bags and purses.
- Entryway benches with built-in storage hide shoes, gloves and other clutter neatly.
- Place a storage ottoman or rack near the door for tucking away shoes. Top with a tray for pocket items.
- For a DIY option, use a wall-mounted board or floating shelves and hooks to hold essentials.
Keep things simple and streamlined. Save larger storage furniture for other areas beyond this high-traffic zone. Prioritize function over form.
Multipurpose Furniture Hides Clutter in Living Spaces
Multifunctional furniture is a savvy way to conceal clutter in main living areas. Pieces like ottomans, benches, and coffee tables pull double duty, storing items while serving another purpose.
- Ottomans with lift-tops are ideal for tucking away spare throws and remotes when not in use.
- Trunk coffee tables provide generous concealed storage for games, books, DVDs, and more.
- Cubbie benches are perfect entryway seating that also store shoes, bags, pet leashes, and other items.
- Look for end tables or sideboards with built-in drawers and cabinets to neatly stow electronics and accessories.
- Repurpose unique pieces like vintage trunks or suitcases on caster wheels to use as stylish storage ottomans.
Look for solidly constructed pieces with hinges, latches and drawer glides built to stand the test of time and frequent opening/closing. Avoid any furniture that seems flimsy.
Utilize Wallspace in the Garage
Wall space is premium real estate in the garage that often gets left empty. Take advantage of this vertical area for parking tools, sporting goods and other gear up and out of your way.
- Pegboards with hooks efficiently store gardening tools, long-handled tools and other loose items prone to falling over.
- Wall-mounted cabinets with doors provide dust-free storage for chemicals, automotive fluids and delicate seasonal items.
- Racks for sports equipment, ladders and bikes clear floorspace for vehicles.
- Slim shelving units mounted over workbenches maximize space for storing small jars, cans and supplies.
- Add drawer sets or cabinets specifically made to mount around garage door tracks.
Properly mounting storage to studs or masonry walls ensures a secure installation that will hold up over time, even in temperature fluctuations.
Organize Food Storage with Simple Solutions
Pantries, cupboards and refrigerators easily become cluttered with food staples and kitchen tools. But keeping your culinary space neatly arranged doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Clear canisters neatly store flour, sugar, pasta and other dry goods while keeping contents visible.
- Acrylic organizer bins inside cabinets sort packaged goods and spare bottles upright.
- Spice racks bring order to chaotic herb/seasoning collections. Install them inside cabinets or mount them on walls.
- Hanging racks on cabinet doors save space for baking pans, cutting boards, foil boxes and other bulky items.
- Fridge drawer organizers neatly store fruits, veggies and small condiment jars for easy access.
Edit down seldom-used items and donate unopened foods to streamline your kitchen. Then implement any of these simple, budget-friendly solutions to keep it organized.
Conceal Office Clutter in Style
Home offices attract piles of paperwork, office supplies and cables. But with some savvy storage solutions, you can conceal the clutter while coordinating with your decor.
- File cabinets with drawers neatly store paperwork, bills and other documents out of sight. Choose a cabinet in a finish that matches your desk.
- Hutch shelving mounted on the wall above your desk keeps reference materials and decorative items organized yet accessible.
- If space is limited, consider a small secretary desk with a fold-down front for a discrete filing area.
- Woven baskets or fabric bins sit atop filing cabinets to hold office supplies and projects in an orderly way.
- Pretty desk accessories like letter trays, pen cups, and mail sorters keep essentials handy but orderly.
Don’t just stash things in drawers. Use labels, dividers and simple filing systems so you can actually find what you need later.
Frequently Asked Questions about Storage Solutions for Clutter
What are some basic principles to follow when trying to reduce clutter?
Some basic principles when reducing clutter include: decluttering first before organizing, storing items close to where they are used, utilizing vertical storage when possible, categorizing/grouping like items, regularly editing down belongings, utilizing multifunctional furniture, and designating a place for everything.
How can I declutter before adding storage?
To effectively declutter, take everything out of a space and sort item by item. Be ruthless about donating, recycling or throwing away what you don’t use. Only keep beloved items that you know you’ll use again. This process helps you see what storage solutions you really need, rather than simply hiding a clutter problem behind closed doors.
Where are the best places to add extra storage in a small home?
Look for unused vertical space around the home to add storage racks, shelves, pegboards, etc. Inside closets, optimize space with shelving units and hanging organizers. Under beds and furniture is another spot for concealed storage. Also take advantage of multifunctional furniture like ottomans, benches and trunk tables that provide hidden storage.
What are some inexpensive DIY storage solutions?
Some budget-friendly DIY storage solutions include: using boards mounted on the wall as open shelving, wooden crates or cubes for modular shelving, pegboard hung on walls to hold tools/supplies, repurposing vintage suitcases or trunks into storage ottomans, and installing wire shelving systems in closets.
How can I create a storage system for paperwork and bills?
Start by purging any paperwork that can be digitized or eliminated. Invest in a good quality file cabinet and use labeled file folders to sort remaining hard copies by type and year. You can also utilize portable file boxes, drawer inserts, or accordion files to create moveable filing systems for specific categories. Maintaining consistent filing makes finding paperwork easy.
What’s the benefit of clear storage bins?
Clear plastic or acrylic bins are great because the see-through material lets you instantly view the contents. This keeps you from forgetting what’s inside and makes it easier to quickly grab items when needed. Just be sure to label clear bins if the contents aren’t obvious.
Conclusion
Clutter can quickly take over homes, making them feel smaller and disorganized. But with some strategic storage solutions put into action room-by-room, you can conquer the chaos. Use organizational basics like bins, baskets and shelves to wrangle clutter in a low-profile way. Maximize every inch of space with vertical and overhead storage options. And invest in quality furniture pieces designed to hide away clutter while serving dual functions.
Just be sure to regularly purge unused items before they ever make it into storage. Maintaining clutter-free zones on a daily basis is easier than letting mess build up over time. Start your decluttering and organizing journey today, so you can enjoy clean, streamlined spaces that help you feel relaxed and inspired in your home.
