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 When you have things that you need to
keep but don’t need in your face 365 days a year, what can you do?
Finding unique spaces and storage solutions is one answer.
----- For families with small
children, finding a place for all the toys can be a big challenge.
There are some simple hacks and crafty projects that can work as
storage that looks nice and can also be fun.
One of the fun items in the following video is a storage shadow box
for all those little toy cars. The video starts out saying that the
little “garages” for the cars are made from painted toilet paper
rolls, they go on to say that similar tubes can be purchased at
local craft stores. So if the thought of recycling the TP rolls is a
little too much, there is an alternative.
Creative
storage solutions for toys
----- This next
video offers answers to some problems in the bedroom for any age.
From tweens to teens to adults, these easy hacks are not terribly
expensive and they can even add some interesting character to your
overall décor.
The shoe rack for high heels is made from crown molding. What is
nice about this is that the racks can be put up in any size space -
high, low, wide or narrow - or they can take up a whole wall if you
have a ton of shoes! Do note though, this idea really only works for
high heels, so sorry guys, no shoe/wall art for you!
Another good thought in this video is the shelving around the
perimeter of the room about a foot below the ceiling. This idea has
endless possibilities. While the video uses book storage as an
example, there is so much more that could be done. A very high shelf
is a great place to put those toys that may only be played with
under adult supervision, or outside only. The high shelf would also
be a great place to store sidewalk chalk in the winter time. Wrap
shoe boxes with pretty wrapping paper or paint and label them as to
what they contain. Then fill them with items such as jump robes,
frisbees, and other outdoor toys. High shelves are also a great
place to store items that the kids need during the school year that
you don’t want to become toys during summer break.
Another clever idea is using old suitcases and trunks as bedside
stands. The suitcases can be filled with seasonal clothing; maybe
three times a year you would disassemble the stack, empty it out and
fill it up again. Suitcases and trunks are pretty easy to find at
local garage sales and thrift stores.
36 Insanely
Clever Bedroom Storage Hacks And Solutions
----- In Logan
County many folks are working toward living a healthier lifestyle,
and for some that includes exercise with bicycles. For folks who
live in apartments or small homes with no garage or secure outside
storage, what to do with the bike when the weather doesn’t permit
riding can be a big question. As we searched for an answer for those
folks, we came across this video and the first thought was what? NO!
But, keep an open mind because, believe it or not, you can make the
ordinary bike a part of your home décor and it isn’t weird! This
video will show you just how attractive a wall mounted bike rack can
be, and how to incorporate one into your décor.
25 creative
bike storage ideas
----- In the kitchen we
love this idea: we all have them, the special mugs that were given
to us or made for us by our kids, mugs we’ve picked up as keepsakes
on our annual vacations, and of course mugs we’ve been given at work
or by friends. They fill our cabinets and yet, when it comes time to
grab a cup for ourselves or a guest, we pass them by because they
are, after all, special. Well, when we have special things we want
to keep but don’t want filling our cabinet space, here are some easy
solutions. Create artistic wall hangings that double as shelving for
those mugs!
Here are some neat ideas on how to store and display mugs, along
with ideas on how to make your cups easily accessible for daily use.
22 Coffee cups
and mugs organizing ideas
----- For the
items that you store seasonally such as holiday decorations,
seasonal clothing, and just items that you enjoy bringing out from
time to time, but don’t want lying around day in and day out, look
up! Almost every home has attic space. In some homes that space is
finished and could almost double as a bonus room in the house. With
flooring in place, storing seasonal items is easy. However, not all
attics are finished but can still be utilized with just a small
modification.
How to Make an
Attic Platform for Storage
[to top of second column] |
 If you have loose insulation in your
attic instead of the traditional fiberglass insulation that comes in
rolls, this process can be a little more complicated. In this video
the narrator explains why it is important to put “risers” between
your insulation and your attic floor.
Attic storage
Once you have that flooring you need, storing items in the attic can
be a very practical solution for seasonal things. Remember that the
attic is typically warmer than your home in the summer time and
colder than your home in the winter time. Be sure to consider what
you are storing up there and ask yourself if it is “temperature
sensitive.” For items like clothing it probably isn’t going to
matter. However, you may not want to store items like your father’s
vinyl record collection. Also be sure not to store flammable
materials in your attic.
----- If you don’t have a
basement, you might have a crawl space underneath your home. Crawl
spaces can be a great place for storage, but they can also have
issues. This video talks about what you may run into with a crawl
space, and how to address moisture, bacteria, mold and smell. This
information only video walks through the process of encapsulating
the crawl space. This is going to be an expensive venture, BUT, if
you have issues with allergies, and can smell the mustiness in your
crawl space, this might be something to consider even if you don’t
use your crawl space for storage.
HouseSmarts
"Crawl Space Encapsulation" Episode 109
Unlike the attic, the crawl space is often cooler in the summertime
and above freezing in the winter time. It makes for a great place to
store large items such as outdoor holiday decorations, garden tools
when you don’t have a shed or room in the garage, and it is a good
place to store and over-winter bulbs and plant cuttings. We suggest
that you place a thermometer in the crawl space and keep an eye on
the temperature. If it stays cool but not freezing then your crawl
space can also be a really great place to store food you’ve grown in
your garden like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions. Your crawl
space can also be a good place to store canned goods!
----- In season
or out, finding a good way to keep kids outdoor toys organized and
out of harm’s way from the lawnmower can be a big challenge. The
frisbees, the baseballs and the waterguns are sometimes too tempting
when stored inside the home. So keep them outside and keep them
organized with this very inexpensive and quick DIY storage chest.
DIY Outdoor
Storage and Bench with Milk Crates + Zip Ties
----- In the
city of Lincoln particularly, recent changes in the manner in which
our trash is collected by Area Disposal have left some of us with
extra trash cans that we can no longer use. This hack for long
handled garden tools would be a cool way to recycle those trash cans
into a neat storage facility for our garden tools.
In the video a large plastic drum is used, but a heavy duty trash
can would also work. The key to using the trash can would be that it
have a locking lid, but if it does not, just glue the lid on. The
can (or the drum) can then be used outside during garden season and
placed inside out of season and stored in your garage or garden shed
in the winter time. Just as one more sidebar, if you have a trash
can with wheels on it, that would make this handy tool caddy, all
the more convenient.
18 garden
tools storage, cheap
----- When
looking for storage solutions, you’ll find as many suggestions
online as there are problems. If we didn’t cover your problem, then
go online and do a search. Chances are you’ll find a good solution.
What we liked about most of the solutions we show in this story is
that they are easy and inexpensive (the exception being the liner
for the crawl space which should be done by a professional. And to
that end, we suggest you do plenty of research about ‘crawlspace
encapsulation” before taking that jump.)
Happy hacking, and good luck finding a good place for all your
“stuff.”
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