Storage Solutions

Now that the new school year has arrived, we are turning our attention from space-saving garage sale and donation ideas to creative ways to reorganize the home, and use that newly-found space more efficiently.

If a total renovation is part of your reorganization plan, consider attending the 7^th Annual GHBA Remodelers Council Garage Sale at NRG Center (formerly Reliant Center) on September 20 and 21, 2014. You’ll find items for every room in the house, and at a great price—you can even haggle your way to a better one! The two-day event will benefit the Sunrise Shelter, and it’s a great opportunity for homeowners and industry professionals to mingle in support of a good cause.

On the other hand, if all you need are a few organizational tweaks now that you’ve cleared out your unwanted belongings, we have some suggestions on how to get started.

Don’t Forget About Vertical Space

When organization gets tough, we recommend you look up—literally! Utilizing vertical space can be as simple as hanging floating shelves in the living room for books and knick-knacks, or it can be more permanent, such as installing a closet system in your master bedroom.

Other ideas for utilizing vertical space include:

• Hanging pots and pans in the kitchen to free up cabinet space
• Installing a series of hooks by the door for the pets’ leashes, harnesses, and other accessories
• Dividing over-large cabinet spaces with organizational shelving to increase storage and organization

Consult the Experts (Or At Least the Internet)

You can hire a professional organizer, or consult with a designer, for a major job, but if you think you just need a few helpful hints to point you in the right direction we suggest Pinterest. Using social media sites like Pinterest for inspiration is an especially great way to get started when you just aren’t quite sure where to start.

For a big project like a kitchen, we always recommend a consultation and estimate with a trained, certified kitchen designer.

Get Creative

Don’t just organize—add little touches that will make you smile, even when you’re just opening the linen closet. Repurpose saved treasures from your junk drawer in other areas to kill two birds with one stone. For example:

• Use bits of stray ribbon to tie matching pillowcases and/or sheets together
• Store user manuals and warranty paperwork in an empty three-ring binder
• Take unused “day-of-the-week” pill boxes to store infrequently worn rings and earrings

Everyone at Cabinets & Designs is wishing you a safe, happy, and organized school year!