Smart storage is not just about getting rid of clutter, but also about creating systems that support how you and your family really live. This means knowing how you move through the house, what you need, and how to create containers for the things you use every day that can be easily accessed and stowed away when not in use. Smart storage can also help you assign a purpose to every area of your home.
Zoning is the starting point for a solid storage system. In the kitchen, items used for cooking are stored near the cooking area. In the entryway, there is a designated place for keys, mail, purse, shoes etc. In a bedroom, out of season clothes are separated from everyday clothes. In the bathroom, toiletries are separated into groups, i.e. morning and evening products. Items don’t get lost and hunting them down doesn’t waste valuable time. With experience in zoned spaces, an individual starts to develop habits that keep them in the state without much effort as the space itself prompts them to be more organized.
These are just a few examples of materials and tools that can be used to make your storage system not only functional, but gorgeous. Glass jars let you see what’s inside without having to dig through, making it easier to avoid overfilling your drawers in the first place. Hanging shelves can be moved as you need them to be moved. Hanging storage units and thin boxes make the most of spaces that might otherwise go to waste. Bamboo storage bins, linen storage bins, and wooden dividers give your space a warm, organic feel. Remember, you’re aiming for balance. You want a system that’s just as beautiful as it is useful, and that leaves your space feeling peaceful, not Spartan.
- Thinking that the right number of storage containers will help you contain the clutter. Usually the problem is too many containers that don’t stack or nest well, so they’re just making the space look worse, and letting you hold on to more stuff. Part of getting storage right is getting rid of a lot of things you don’t need. Then you can find a storage solution that serves you, but does not take up a lot of space. 2. Not measuring your storage spaces before you go shopping. You’ll end up going back and forth, buying things and returning them, and buying more things. If you’re having trouble finding a good fit, you can always create a mock up using a cardboard box and seeing how it works out. Then you can make the necessary adjustments and find the right storage system for your space and your needs.
For me, smart storage is not just about organisation, but about finding peace. When you have it, you are no longer faced with the small decisions that cause anxiety, meaning you can focus on the things that matter, such as spending time with family and friends, creating, relaxing, sleeping. It encourages children to put things back in their place and makes visitors feel at ease. But most of all, it allows you to create a sense of your values in your home — that it is important to live with order, but not too much of it, that you love beautiful things, but don’t want to be surrounded by them, and that you value practicality without it taking over. This, I believe, is when we are able to feel most free in our homes.