Like a cartoon character you go to open your closet one day and things spill out on top of you. If you’re like me, you have lots of clothes. And belts. And shoes. And coats. And sweaters and tops and … well, you get the idea!

However, when I bought my house I came to the sad realization that my ‘walk in closet’ meant I could step in it, not walk all the way in! This led me on my search for a good closet organizer! Learn from my mistakes!

Fabric Organizers

Fabric closet organizers can be purchased to fir long coats and dresses, shirts, shoes, sweaters, so on and so forth.

The problem with this type of organizer is that on the organizers designed for sweaters and shoes, the ‘cubes’ have a cardboard type bottom that the clothes sit on top of. At some point you just decide to move on!

Closet Organizers

For lightweight items, this may not pose a problem, but for my collections of Irish and Scottish wool sweaters, which weigh as much as a small cat, the cardboard would bend. Not so good. The zippered hanging compartments for hanging clothes worked well, but I found it impractical to unzip and zip every morning- just to get dressed. And imagine putting laundry away…no, it was not fun.

These factors taught me that this was not the type of closet organizer I needed. So, back to the home improvement store I went.

There is literally a whole aisle dedicated to closet organization! Wire racks of every length, and pre-packaged kits promised the worlds most organized closet- all in only minutes. As dazed as I was by all the white-coated wire racks surrounding me, I opted for a pre packaged closet organizer that promised it only took a few minutes to install. This was Sunday.

Deciding How to Organize Your Closet

Come Tuesday, I broke down and called my brother to come and put this infernal thing together. Around midnight, he left and I started to hang up my clothes.

But, even though I was unable to assemble this thing by myself, I must say, I do like it (once I finally got it together)! There is a section for long clothes, a section with two racks, for blouses and slacks to hang beneath, and wire shelving for my heavy sweaters and purses. I kept the fabric organizer for my shoes, since none of my shoes are that heavy!

So when you go to purchase your new closet organizer, think about what you want. Consider the types of clothing you are storing, and how often you want to access them. Also, make sure you measure the length and depth of your closet before hitting the closet organizer aisle!

Closet Space Planning

One thing you have to do is size up your stuff and how to make best use of your closet space. If you are blessed with a walk in closet you may have a little room to spare, but if you’re like most of us, you need every inch you can find.

Thinking strategically and taking time to find the best closet organizing aids for your own closet lets you avoid getting rid of stuff you’d otherwise like to keep or moving stuff around as the seasons change and you find new things on sale!

Where to Start Organizing Your Closet

First thing is to clear away the junk and old clothes you KNOW you’re never going to wear again. Have a yard sale, donate stuff to The Good Will; clear out your closet before you plan, buy and install your closet organizers! It will make your job a whole lot easier and you’ll be much happier with the results.

Next, evaluate the existing shelving, clothing rods, etc. and decide what you will possibly keep and what needs to be replaced. If all you have is the little shelf at the top with the clothes rod underneath, it’s like having a clean slate. But if you already have some shelving, drawers, baskets, etc. that can be ‘recycled’ you should plan how to incorporate them in your new closet storage plan.

Take good measurements and make a drawing or two so that you have a few ideas on what you want to go where. That will make it easier to select the right modular storage pieces, hanging garment organizers, etc.

Closet Organization Products

Time to go shopping! While there are literally thousands of products on the market these days, here are a few popular types of closet organizers to consider:

• Modular, stackable closet organizers are a cheap way to store stuff you can fold such as sweaters, undergarments, etc. The better modular units offer easy gliding drawers or you can choose open shelves for easy access and a cheaper solution. Check sliding mechanisms for durability and a smooth sliding action.
• Hanging storage closet organizers hang on a rod, leaving you open floor space to store other items and are designed to store specific items such as shoes, belts, ties, suits, dresses, etc. These can also be a very cost effective solution. Remember that vertical space is what you want to maximize.
• Wicker baskets make attractive closet organizers to keep less-often used items like off-season clothes, spare towels, etc. Get several baskets that stack neatly and you can make great use of that top shelf in a standard 3×8-foot bedroom closet that always seems so tough to make useful.
• Organizers for belts and neckties range widely, from simple hanging racks to motorized revolving models; decide where you plan to install them and measure before you buy or be sure you can easily exchange the racks if you find they won’t fit your closet.
• If you wear hats and caps, look for a rack that goes on the back of the closet door or look for stackable hat boxes.

Feeling the squeeze in your small bathroom? You’re not alone. Lack of bathroom storage is a problem many people face.

There are steps you can take to increase your storage either in a remodel or your existing space without moving to a home with a bigger bathroom. And clearing your bathroom clutter is worth your time.

A well-ordered bathroom is more conductive to relaxing, bathing and grooming than one that is littered with half-used shampoo bottles and damp towels.

Good storage will bring the clutter under control. Built-in cupboards and vanity units generally provide bathroom storage, but there are also situations where freestanding cabinets, tails, racks and containers are a useful addition or a practical alternative.

Don’t only make it fit, make it beautiful too! The best bathroom storage ideas keep your necessities at hand and add clever decorative elements all on their own.

Bathroom Cabinets and Shelf Units

Bathroom storage should combine open shelves or glazed cabinets for display (like perfumes or bath salts), and closed storage items for those items you would prefer to hide. In bathrooms where space is limited, the traditional bathroom cabinet mounted on the wall above the basin closes off the essentials you don’t want on display.

If the cabinet is glass fronted and doubles as a display, aim to arrange your belongings like decorative still-lives. Combine large things with small, such as stacks of towels with a group of perfume bottles. You can also achieve a sense of transparency by using translucent materials such as frosted glass, colored or frosted acrylic, or sheer fabric.

You might prefer storage trolleys (a cart with casters, a flat top and storage shelves or cabinets built in) which are designed to be manoeuvrable and may be fitted with brakes so they can be parked wherever they are needed. These mobile units range in style from mesh or polished metal trolleys to contemporary wooden designs and rustic painted cupboards.

Freestanding shelves are efficient space savers. Wall space is even more valuable with the popularity of pedestal and wall-mounted sinks without cabinets. Fit narrow shelves in preference to wider ones. They take up less space, look sleek and the contents can be seen at a glance. You can also cut your shelves to fit any space, great for oddly shaped bathrooms.

For bathroom storage shelving and cabinetry, you have choices in many materials:

• Glass shelves must be made from special toughened glass and have polished edges. They are ideal for small bathroom spaces since they allow light to pass through.
• Painted shelves are practical and easy to refresh with a new coat of paint when they begin to look shabby.
• Wire mesh is well suited to shelves, but the mesh will not contain spilt liquids.
• Naturally finished wood shelving can be an attractive option

Towel Racks and Storage

Obviously towel racks are essential for storage in your bathroom, but also for your health. A humid atmosphere makes textiles musty, so a well-placed, ventilated towel rack will keep bad smells at bay. You can choose unheated, heated, or rails made of wood, plastic or metal, and either wall-mounted or floor-standing.

The wall-mounted types take the form of a ring or a single or double straight rail supported on brackets. Keep rings for hand towels handy by the basin. You need at least one bar to accommodate a large wet towel, attach to the back of the door to save extra space.

Floor-standing racks usually have more that one bar to allow several towels to air at once. This is great for a large family with a pile up of towels. We know how teens dump piles of wet towels on each other so they never dry.
Handy racks and holders to store the little essentials

It’s the small amenities in the bathroom, the soaps, sponges, shaving equipment, toothbrushes and toilet rolls that spread the biggest mess. These racks and holders are essential to decrease the clutter and increase the order in your bathroom.

Without a doubt, you will need some wall-mounted holders to keep the soaps, sponges and shampoos within easy reach in the shower. Typically they come in wire baskets or with suction pads for tiled or glass walls.

The bridge-like bath racks are a great investment for a long soak. Along with storing the necessary bathing equipment, you also have a book rest, candleholder and spot for your shaving mirror.

Use the amenities to your display advantage. Create symmetry and order by organizing small, loose items into matching containers. Decanting liquid soaps, shampoos, and bubble bath into clear bottles or putting packaged items into clear containers results in clear presentation, with the added benefit of banishing labels.

Even the laundry basket can be considered in a creative twist. Baskets don’t have to be made of wicker, choose another moisture-resistant, washable material like plywood. Attach a lid, and it can double function as a seat.

Double Up Your Furnishings as Storage Units

In most bathrooms, furnishings are limited to the essentials, but if you add a chair the atmosphere immediately becomes more relaxed and inviting. In a large, well-ventilated bathroom decorated in traditional or country style, an upholstered armchair brings comfort and a touch of luxury, but in a smaller space, light, moisture-resistant wicker or loom is a better choice. Bathrooms that are too small for a chair may still have room for a stool or folding café chair.

The extra surfaces and storage provided by a small table, chest of drawers or small cupboards are not, essential in a bathroom, but if you are aiming for a softer, more lived-in look, they are a worthwhile addition.

A small table or cabinet drawn alongside the tub makes a suitable place to put your book, a drink and the radio while you indulge in a relaxing bath, and a chest of drawers with a mirror hung above it will visually open the room.

Unify Your Bathroom with Color

Whatever storage solutions you choose for your bathroom, for them to be effective they must give the bathroom an overall feeling of calm and order. Repeating your bathroom scheme in your storage will work to unite the room and give and overall sense of calm and order:

One trick to unifying storage vessels with a bathroom’s design scheme is to keep everything pale or white. White storage makes a space look neat and fresh, and integrates especially well if the moldings and fixtures in the room are also white.
If white isn’t your style, polished metal containers (silver, nickel and stainless steel are always elegant) reflect the palette of the room, while clear or translucent containers let the colors of the provisions inside shine through.

A Few More Bathroom Storage Tips

• Hang things on the walls, build in storage, or add a piece of furniture. An effective storage scheme usually combines all three approaches, but you’ll want to consider the amount of available floor space; the placement of fixtures, doors, and windows; and the style of the room.
• Remember the common-sense rule; always store objects near where you plan to use them.
• Using wall space for storage has become more important with the popularity of pedestal and wall-mounted sinks, which eliminate the cabinets normally found under the sink. One often unused wall space is the area above the toilet.
• Consider bolting a shallow cabinet to the studs here (be sure it’s above the head level of a seated person). You can also purchase shelving that fits over the tank of the toilet and provides storage space for towels, shampoos, and the like.
• If there’s space beside the toilet, a wall-mounted cabinet can screen the toilet somewhat from the rest of the room without taking up as much space as a floor-mounted cabinet. Or use this space for towel rods or hooks.
• When you add a cabinet to a wall, use open shelves to showcase decorative items like perfume or bath salt bottles, and enclosed shelves and drawers to hide workaday items.
• For a coordinated, well-planned look, built-ins can’t be beat. If you have limited floor space, look for places to recess storage; for example, there might be room for niches between wall studs. You may also be able to borrow space from an adjacent garage or guest bedroom to provide more bath storage.
• Niches inserted between the studs in the shower wall or above the tub are especially helpful. If built-ins are not possible, consider units specifically designed to suspend from the showerhead or affix to the wall. Racks on corner poles are another option for the shower.
• A tall freestanding cabinet set alongside the sink or toilet may allow you to put a large wall mirror above the sink, visually opening the room.
• Baskets, boxes, or other covered containers work well on counters or open shelves.
• A row of hooks or hooks with multiple arms will accommodate more towels than a single towel rod. Towel bars that swing back against the wall and stacking units attached to the wall are other space savers. But you’ll probably want at least one rod or bar for letting a wet towel dry out-for instance, on the back of the door.
• If you think about what you need for your bathroom storage, and think of the ways to create the additional storage space, you are certain to come up with some great looking (and functional) bathroom storage ideas!

» Go Back to The Complete Bathroom Decorating Guide

Reasons you want easy access to your attic include projects such as adding electrical wiring and fixtures, adding or inspecting insulation and numerous other home maintenance tasks. And if you have extra space and plywood sub-flooring, it can be a great place to store less frequently used overflow garage items.

Now, if we’re talking about an attic big enough for grandma to move in to and you are finishing it off as living space, you’ll want to install a real stairs. Otherwise, installing a pre-made pull down attic ladder is the bomb!

A lot of new homes now come with these ladders installed directly by the builder as an option, which is worth doing unless you rarely plan to access your attic space or would rather do it yourself. If you already did; smart choice and enjoy! But if your home doesn’t have one yet,  read on and learn how to install a pull down attic ladder the fun way … well to some people it will seem fun at least.

Several types of attic ladders are available, depending on the type of access you have. If your attic has an entry point built into a wall instead of the ceiling but is too high to reach without a ladder, you can purchase a straight ladder made of wood or aluminum that mounts securely to the wall.

Many attics, especially in new homes, have a ceiling access point or hatch, in which case the pull down type of attic ladder is the most convenient, since you have only to pull it down with an attached piece of rope and unfold the bottom section of the ladder. A spring loaded mechanism makes it easy to flip the unit back up and out of the way when not in use.

Installing one of these babies is a moderate difficulty do-it-yourself project that any homeowner with the right tools and home improvement skills can do in a couple of hours. If you only own a cordless drill and a hammer with a fiberglass handle, this project could be beyond your skill level. But, if you own or have access to a miter saw, reciprocating saw, air compressor and nail gun, you will love this job. Incidentally, the reason this one is a fun project is that it’s all your idea; this is not a “honey-do” project, it’s really more of a weekend warrior job!

Here’s how to install your pull down attic ladder.

Basic list of the tools and materials you’ll need to do the deed:

• Cordless drill, drill bits and screw drive bit or cordless screw gun
• 3 1/2 or 4 inch long lag screws
• Air compressor, pin nailer, finish nailer and air hose
• Miter box saw (to cut trim)
• Tape measure, two ladders and at least one hammer!
• Pre-made folding pull down attic ladder
• Framing, casing and trim materials; varies based on what comes with the ladder.
• A willing, able-bodied helper; preferably handy with tools!

Attic Ladder Installation Steps

1. When you purchase your pull down attic ladder, be sure to measure first as they come in different sizes. You need to know if you ceiling is 8 feet or 10 feet high.
2. If you don’t have an attic entry point yet or want to install the ladder elsewhere, map out the best access point and cut a small hole in the ceiling drywall to be sure you have good access to the attic space and adequate framing from which to mount the ladder. Your attic entry should have adequate clearance for the ladder jamb to fit, along with the casing and the door must have room to fold down freely without hitting walls or objects below.
3. Check whether your roof structure has trusses or rafters as this can make a difference in terms of how the ladder needs to be mounted.
4. Once you have purchased the attic ladder, un-box it and lay it on the floor with the ladder frame facing down and the lid facing up.
5. Measure and cut your casing material before you go up into the attic space to install the ladder. Cut the casing to size so that it will fit around the ladder lamb and set it aside until after the ladder has been mounted. Or, you can do this later whenever you want … the old “I’ll get to that all that trim stuff next week”.
6. If the ceiling where you are mounting the attic ladder is sheet rock, mark a rough opening and cut the drywall away; always better to error on the side of not enough than too much when roughing out the opening and be sure to read your manufacturer’s directions completely before cutting the opening to size; this is one of those things you just don’t want to get wrong.
7. If you are installing your attic pull down staircase in a location with a previously existing attic hatch or opening, cut out the framing around the old opening using a reciprocating saw to remove it.
8. If needed, use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails that hold joists which need to be removed and cut around the ceiling trim using a utility knife to smooth the edges. Note: use extreme care when removing joists and consult an expert if you have any doubt about harming roof framing or ceiling structure!
9. Cut some new 2×8 inch joists and header to size and frame out the rough opening for your attic ladder. Use 16d common nails to attach the side joists to the header. Nail through the existing ceiling joist into the ends of the new side joists and fasten the opposite ends of the new side joists using metal joist hangers. Use your reciprocating saw or a drywall knife to remove excess ceiling drywall inside the new opening. You should now have the opening for your pull down attic ladder completely framed and ready for installation.
10. Install temporary 1×4 inch cleats at either end of the opening, driving 2 1/2 inch screws into solid framing so the cleats can support the weight of the ladder temporarily.
11. With your helper’s assistance, lift the staircase in its collapsed position into the attic space and drop it into place resting on the cleats and tap shims into place around the edges as needed to center the ladder unit within the opening.
12. Lower the stairs far enough to drill pilot holes through the side framing into the joists and fasten it using lag screws as specified by your manufacturer; maybe add a couple more for extra piece of mind. Remember, the casing needs to be level and centered, so drill pilot holes if your ladder casing does not have pre-drilled holes, put each bolt in loosely first and adjust shims as needed while tightening things down to avoid over setting.
13. Remove the temporary cleats and trim off excess shim material after everything is secure.
14. Pull the folding ladder down with the bottom section still folded up and use lengths of 1×4 to check the length and angle of the ladder. Trim the ends of the bottom ladder section as needed to accommodate the length and angles so they will rest flat and secure on the floor.
15. Install the casing you cut earlier, sand, primer and paint as needed … or put it off; there’s always next weekend. Congratulations and enjoy your new pull down attic ladder; you’ll have fun showing this one off for sure!

Tips of the Trade

• Deck your attic with plywood if you intend to use the attic for storage; this greatly reduces the chance you may step or even fall through the ceiling sheetrock below.
• During home renovation and major remodeling or re-roofing it’s a good time to install a pull down ladder since things are torn apart anyway.
• Plan your ladder location so that you have the best possible access without having to move furniture, cars or other stuff out of the way.
• Never cut a truss or rafter unless you know what you’re doing; better consult an expert on that part of the project if you aren’t certain.
• Watch your head; roofing nails many times protrude through the sheathing and you will have plenty of rafters (or trusses) to hit your end on as well!
• Remember that any job like this one involves lifting and climbing up and down ladders, so slow down and take your time. Do so at your own risk, knowing that when this project is done, you won’t have to use a step ladder to get into the attic again!

When you are setting up a nursery for a newborn baby or redecorating your kids bedrooms, making room for storage is every bit as important as the bed linens, accessories and wall paint colors.

The amount of books, toys, dolls, artwork and other stuff accumulated as kids develop and move from one developmental stage to another is truly amazing.

With a new infant, you need to store diapers, clothing, toys, blankets, stuffed animals and more.

When your child grows into the toddler stage, they have more clothing, bigger toys, dolls, books and stuffed animals. Often, kids will be reluctant to let go of anything, even things they may not have used in months!

Then, your child reaches school age, and you have art and school supplies, bicycles, roller skates, even more clothing, toys, books and hobby items to store!

By the time they become teenagers, they have accumulated more stuff than you could have imagined when you brought them home from the hospital wrapped up in that baby blanket, which you have stored in a drawer or box somewhere!

Finding and making storage space for your kids’ belongings takes time and attention but it will make both your child’s life and yours as parent more rewarding and ordered.

See it, reach it

Many items in a kid’s room are best kept out on book shelves, wall hooks, or tabletop containers. Keep things less cluttered by putting smaller items in boxes or bins, hanging items on pegs or wall hooks, and arranging books as neatly as possible on shelves.

Out of site, but easy to reach

Some things just won’t look neat on shelves. You’ll have art and school supplies, diapers, baby wipes, etc. that will be best kept out of site. A nice chest of drawers is a great place to start, followed by storage baskets, bins, boxes and bags that can be easily loaded up with stuff and put under the bed, in the closet, behind a door, etc.

Organizing a kids room

A major storage area to focus on is always the closet. Keep the most frequently used items down low where your child can reach them, leaving the higher up and rear most spaces for things you need less frequently.

If you have small closets, add more furniture that offers drawers and cabinet space for additional storage. A toy box or chest is one great way to keep toys, dolls and other commonly used items accessible but out of site.

Out of sight, out of mind

Finally, you will need to make storage space outside of your child’s bedroom for storing the things they have outgrown, sports equipment they will use only during certain times of the year and the many, many art and craft projects they produce and which you want to save!

Often the best storage areas for these kinds of items will be those out of the way places like a basement, attic, and the garage. Using weather tight containers instead of cardboard boxes will help keep things dry and protect them from moths, dust, mold and mildew.

When doing a storage makeover, keep in mind that there are four main types of storage available; Open/Display, Closed/Hidden, Convenient/Accessible, and Remote/Auxiliary.

When you plan a new home or remodeling project or anytime you buy new furniture, it is good to keep these types of storage in mind, planning the right mix of each to meet your home storage needs.

For example, a side table for your dining room may look great, but will have very little storage capacity. A sideboard, chest or buffet table with closed cabinetry and drawers may be more convenient from the perspective of storage utility!

Read on to learn more about each of the four main types of storage and how advance planning will make your home storage more functional, flexible and convenint.

Open/Display Storage
Examples: Bookcases and shelving, tops of tables, coat racks, wall hooks, glass-door cabinets

This type of storage, of course, is typically used to display art, books, photographs and other home accessories. It is also important for items that are used daily, such as TV remote controls, coasters, salt and pepper shakers, etc.

Open storage may introduce clutter unless care is taken to arrange and organize correctly. For instance, if you have a collection, you may want to keep it out but think about displaying only your favorite or most important pieces if the collection is very large. You can rotate pieces of a collection over time for variety without the clutter that an unwieldy collection can create.

Closed/Hidden Storage
Examples: Cabinets, closets, armoires and dressers, chests, buffet tables and sideboards, entertainment centers, drawer units, file cabinets, and storage boxes.

Use this type of storage to keep your home uncluttered, storing less attractive items like CDs and DVDs, office supplies, cooking utensils, clothes, etc. out of site. You can use bins, boxes and other storage containers to keep smaller items organized together for easy access.

Convenient/Accessible Storage
Examples: Home furnishings, closets and other storage space in a room

Very simply, it makes sense to keep things needed regularly in a specific room as handy as possible. You wouldn’t keep kitchen items in the laundry room logically. While most of your clothes will be in bedroom closets, it makes more sense to keep coats and hats in a hall closet or coat rack near the entry way.

It also helps to prioritize your storage spaces. The top drawer next to the dishwasher for silverware, socks in the top drawer of your dresser, and so on.

Since storage space is often limited, keep your most frequently used items in the most convenient places possible. Then, organize your less often used things in less convenient spaces like the upper shelves, the lowest drawers, etc.

Remote/Auxiliary storage
Examples: Hard to reach closets, attic, basement, or garage storage locations

Things you don’t use frequently are the best candidates for auxiliary storage areas. Holiday decorations, gardening tools, out-of-season clothing, sporting goods and equipment, shop tools and collections and memorabilia are all good examples.

Following these common sense ideas and thinking ahead about how best to maximize use of your storage areas will save you time, reduce clutter in your home, and make your life less complicated.

When it comes to cleaning house and getting things organized, it’s useful to know basic principles of home storage:

• Think holistically about all of your home’s storage areas and options rather than just planning one at a time. This will present more options for organizing and grouping items for accessibility.
• You can plan ahead and assign specific uses for your cabinets, closets, shelving, and drawers. Try labeling each one for couple of weeks so everyone in the house gets familiar with the assigned spaces.
• It also helps to prioritize storage spaces, by putting the things you use more in the most convenient storage locations. Less frequently used items can go in your less accessible storage locations, like attic space, high-up shelves or the garage.
• Try categorizing your belongings. For example, it’s more convenient to store all your holiday decorations together, tools near a workbench, cleaning supplies in one closet, etc.
• Have a family organization day twice a year, when you can clear out unused items and have a garage or yard sale or make a trip to the Goodwill or Salvation Army to donate items you don’t need and reduce clutter. Doing this regularly will help prevent clutter from getting out of hand!
• Store less unattractive items inside cabinets, closets or another storage place hidden from view.
• Label your storage bins and boxes for easier identification.
• Try to plan ahead for future storage needs by keeping extra space for things like photos, books, files and other items that you know you’ll have more of over time.

It’s always useful to keep a list of storage “hot spots” and potential solutions. Evaluate what you have stored in various cabinets, closets, cupboards, and drawers. Prioritize the storage you have space and the stuff you need to store, putting things you use the most in the more convenient storage spaces.

For instance, in your kitchen you may use certain appliances, pots, pans and dishware daily. These should be kept in the most accessible cabinets. Things you only use once in a while, like fine china, that large crock pot, and turkey roasting pan can be kept in higher up cabinets. While this may seem like simple logic, it still takes some planning to put it into action!

And as long as you have your pantry organized, you can save time from looking for that bottle of ketchup you need for your sandwich or that box of microwave cheese dinner you know you just bought a week ago.

You haven’t got a pantry? You’ve got to be kidding! As long as you have that extra bottle of shampoo or that can of Vienna sausage kept somewhere underneath a sink then you can organize a pantry!

Pantry Organization: Getting Started

The principle that underlies the meaning of the pantry is not the same as that of a simple storage place. Although it is good if you keep a certain cabinet for all your pantry goods, this is still not a pantry. The pantry should be thought of as a reservoir of consumable goods kept in any region of the house.

All houses can have a pantry, whether they be small apartment type or a huge pastoral farmhouse. It is beside the point whether or not some homes feature a definite storage place called “pantry.”

The purpose of setting up and maintaining a pantry are two-fold. One is to prepare the family to some unforeseen events. Another is for domestic convenience. A properly organized pantry means that the family will never ran out of stock of widely used items such as toothpaste, shampoo and toilet paper.

What is most significant is for a pantry to be well equipped even during adversity. Whatever misfortune befalls on the family (e.g., retrenchment, sickness, natural disaster, etc.), the family is still well provided for.

As a start, your pantry should have spare items for every storable necessity for the family’s convenience. The beginner’s pantry is easy to set up. Just put in your pantry a back-up item for every bag, carton or box utilized in the house. A fine initial goal is to have a three-day provision of groceries and sanitary goods enough to sustain your family and one extra person.

A lot complicated pantries have further targets in mind. A home with a middle range pantry can provide for its residents two weeks to a month in case of emergency. This pantry contains alternates for fresh foods, such as dried fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, and canned products. This type of pantry gives vital security and convenience.

What Should I Keep in the Pantry?

Some home organizations recommend a list of pantry items luring you with the idea that if you buy them you will create a pantry. However, after 18 months, you’re rummaging through cans of apricot halves, wondering to yourself what got into you to have bought them in the first place.

Be reminded that each home’s pantry will differ according to the family’s own needs and way of life. The family’s budget and the place to store the goods in also influence the pantry’s contents. For instance, households with young children and who live on single-income will most probably have pantries stuffed with breakfast cereal, baby’s formula, disposable diapers and healthy snacks purchased on sale with coupons.

Couples without kids who live a vigorous social life and with individual diet preferences will lean toward health foods, diet snacks, hostess gifts, party crackers and tiny jars of appetizers, and dips.

Those who love to bake will have in their pantries gluten, specialty flours, and confectioner’s sugar. Those who do not know how to cook, on the other hand, will probably stock up microwavable goods and frozen delis.

In general, each household can reserve fundamentals for kitchen and bath such as toothpaste, tissue paper, baby diapers and feminine hygiene products, laundry and dishwasher detergent, disposable utensils and garbage bags.

No idea what to put in your very own pantry? Then the first step is to look through your grocery list. As long as you use it and can easily be stored then it can go to the pantry.

By having a general idea of your needs through your grocery list you’ll be able to fight Pantry Mania: the arbitrary and unsystematic purchasing of unwanted and unneeded canned goods and grocery items that dust in your pantry for decades and decades.

A broader aspect of the pantry principle does not end with the usual dry storage of canned products and staple goods. Add in your pantry freezer storage and a few refrigerated products. Buy fruits and vegetables when on sale and store them in the corners of the vegetable bin of the pantry. Freezer convenience entrees are also eligible pantry items.

The underlying and most important thing I would like to point out is to construct a pantry that will fit your family’s needs. Display your folks’ favorites on the pantry shelves may they be boxes of thin spaghetti no. 9, canned Vienna sausages, or Spam.

Putting Things in Order

In order for you to utilize your pantry to the utmost, you have to learn to organize. You can get the ultimate capacity from you pantry when you know what you got, how long it will last, and how to stock it up safely. Learning how to properly organize and how to do an inventory will keep your pantry in smooth circulation.

Beginning pantries are relatively easy and does not entail complicated organization. You can make them by purchasing twice the number of every piece as necessary for a week’s consumption, then keeping the spares.

When you have consumed the last teaspoon of mayonnaise, get the extra jar from the pantry then include the word “mayo” to the week’s shopping list to change the one you took from the pantry.

In general, the beginner’s pantry can be kept along side with in-use or opened stuff. For instance, on the canned goods shelf, you may arrange cans of chicken noodle soup front to back.

You could also pile on top of the pantry box the open box of detergent. Do not forget to circulate the items! Remember FIFO – first in, first out! Place the new goods to the back of the pile or line; make use of the items in front first.

A well-organized pantry can be a big help especially for beginners. Have a shelf or a cabinet to store pantry objects. Categorize them, piling boxes and cans. Bags of dried beans, rice, or pasta can be placed in flat-bottomed plastic baskets.

In every rule there is an exception. For “store by category,” the exception is complete pantry meals. On a division of the pantry shelf, collect all the makings for three to five pantry meals: an additional can of chopped clams, a box of oyster crackers, a family-size can of clam chowder kept together makes replacing these goods easy after use.

Before your shopping day, go and see your “pantry meals” area and check its contents. Vacant places will jog your memory to replace the missing box of oyster crackers as needed.

Extensive pantries need a more systematized approach. Since larger pantries call for more storage space, they are often not in the kitchen and situated somewhere else. In this case, it is better to have a written pantry inventory that will jog the memory of forgetful cooks of the whereabouts of pantry items.

Keeping an Inventory

The things you will need to take an inventory are: clipboard, steno pad, and a laptop computer. Generate a pantry inventory form. Jot down the pantry contents, quantity and the place where you kept the specific good for easy reference. Before shopping in the grocery, take a detour to the pantry. Do you need to replace any used items? Then, add them on the list of things-to-buy for the week.

Bigger pantries may be divided into multiple divisions in the home, so focus on the food storage procedure as you stock up. A fine storage location for baking staples, fruits, or root vegetables is a cool, dry basement room. Canned goods and dried beans, on the other hand, can be placed safely in areas with greater temperature difference.

Selection, utilization, maintenance and storing of foods in long-term storage pantries need a more detailed approach. Homes keeping a provision of food and water adequate for a year must consider more closely the storage guidelines, secure packing, and inclusion of pantry supplies into one’s everyday diet.

Even a beginner’s pantry needs some investment of some sort. In addition to the components for three to five pantry meals, a spare item for every product utilized in the house represents a major financial cost.

It is true that following the pantry principle does entail shedding off some of your precious money for the present but really does pay off in the end. If you sum it all up and think in broader perspective, it is a great way to save time and money. So, in order to manage your pantry well, it is a great idea to spread the load.

Here are some tips to guide you:

1. Set aside a "tithe" for pantry-building – Every week, allot a regular proportion of grocery budget for the pantry. Just a couple of dollars per week can start the practice of accumulating and keeping pantry reserves.
2. Take advantage during sale – Buy and stock up during supermarket sales. These stores periodically offer canned products at very low prices to attract shoppers at their doors. As long as it can be stocked and it’s on bargain price, purchase several.
3. Purchase by the bulk – It really is worth it when you buy in bulk. Rather than spending some of the pantry “tithe” money for some five-pound bread flour for $1.39 at the supermarket, purchase the 25-pound sack of bread flour in the warehouse for $3.89. You’ll be saving and storing up at the same time, hitting two birds with one stone.

Tips for Storing in Small Areas

It is really a challenge to fit even a beginner’s pantries in little quarters or apartments. Find a pantry in the tiniest dwelling by trying these ideas:

1. Look beyond – Search for a location not only in the kitchen to store pantry items. As long as temperature and moisture are not a matter of concern, any room in the house is a potential pantry storage candidate. Who says you can’t put cans in the coat closet?
2. Camouflaging – Incorporate pantry items into the house. For instance, put together two large bulk-food storage containers and add a plywood circle on top and a round tablecloth. Your storage area for your 50-pound flour became a gorgeous end table.
3. Search high and low – Use the space beneath or above furniture as a storage location. Pack shallow storage boxes under the bed with canned food, label them up, and then thrust them back under the bed. In the same way, cardboard records boxes can be used as storage material. Decorate them with gift wrapper or textile, pack them with beans and rice, bags of pasta, and so on, then put them away on top of some tall cabinet or bookshelf.

But how do you protect all these discs long term?

If you’re like most people, you need a place to store your many CD and DVDs. Built in shelving, cabinets and many other home entertainment storage options can fit the bill.

With the ever growing collection of CD’s it is important to organize and store your media properly. This helps find music and movies easily when you want and keeps your living room bedroom or home theater clutter free.

CD and DVD cases help to protect them from the dust and scratches. Cabinets used for storage can be placed on the table, floor or can even be hung on the wall.

There are portable DVD and CD storage options in various designs and shapes. You’ll find small, medium and large types. You can choose the size, shape and the color according to the decor of the room. This serves as an important accessory in the house.

Cabinets and cases can be made of wood, glass, metal, plastic etc. There are even portable cases which are water resistant. Cabinets which are designed to store media may have a lid attached on the top or a detachable lid, which can be separated from the body.

There are quick button access CD storage cabinets also available in the market.  Cabinets also consist of drawers in it. This enables to store a wide number of CDs and DVDS. One can stack many CDs on top of each other.

Tips for Long Term CD and DVD Storage

• Try not to put finger prints on either side of your media. Grease and acid from your skin can cause damage. It’s best if you pick discs up with a finger tip through the hole and your thumb on the edge only.
• Always keep discs in the jewel cases. Those soft-sleeve cases may be convenient but they don’t protect discs from scratches. The plasticizers on some of these plastic sleeves may also cause long term damage.
• Never bend or drop your discs.
• Use only labels designed for CDs or DVDs. Other types of adhesive labels are not recommended.
• Store discs in a dry, cool place. While small changes in humidity and temperature won’t harm them, rapid changes from very warm, wet environs to much cooler, dry conditions may warp and distort the media.
• Always keep discs out of very bright light, which may damage dyes used in recordable DVD and CD media. Direct sunlight has high levels of UV which can also cause damage.



• You can remove fingerprints, liquid stains, dirt and smudges with a clean cotton cloth, wiping gently in a straight line from the center of the disc to the outer edge, but not in a circular motion.
• Try using methanol or isopropyl on more stubborn smudges.
• Store discs vertically in the jewel case for maximum lifespan. Long term it is best not to store in a horizontal position.
• Conditions of about 40% relative humidity and 65°C room temperature will be optimal for long-term storage.
• CDs and DVDs may get very hot while being read so it’s best not to leave your discs in the drive for extended time periods.

Storage temperature of wine has an impact on its flavor, quality and longevity.

Since most wines need to be aged for a period of months to years, your wine storage area should have a consistent temperature.

This means the popular nine bottle wine racks that sit on countertops are not effective in properly storing wine.

Wine storage temperature should be between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with the optimal range being between 50 and 55 degrees. Wine develops nicely when it is within this range. Before refrigeration was invented, wines were stored in caves and underground cellars.

Until a bottle of wine is opened, it should be ideally be stored at no less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, opened bottles of wine should be kept in your refrigerator. The average temperature of most refrigerators is 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This lower temperature will slow the chemical processes in your open bottle of wine and make the last glass of wine taste the same as the first.

Some wine experts debate the attention given to humidity in the storage of glass wine bottles. However, studies have shown that with most quality wines that are bottled and corked properly, the relative humidity within a bottle is maintained 100% regardless of the wine closure used and if the bottle is stored upright or on its side.

If you do not have ideal conditions for storing your wine (such as a wine cellar), it is recommended that you at least maintain optimal temperature levels. Ideally, a cellar or controlled temperature wine chamber is the best way to store your wines. You can purchase wine refrigerators that maintain the ideal temperature if you do not have a wine cellar.

Wine cellars offer the opportunity to protect alcoholic beverages from potentially harmful external influences, providing darkness and a constant temperature.

Left exposed to heat, light, vibration or fluctuations in temperature and humidity, all types of wine, including red, white, sparkling, and fortified, can spoil. When properly stored, wines not only maintain their quality but many actually improve in aroma, flavor, and complexity as they mature.

Residential wine cellars can be either active or passively cooled. Actively cooled wine cellars are highly insulated and need to be properly constructed. These types of wine cellars utilize specific wine cellar conditioning and cooling systems to maintain the desired temperature and humidity.

Many systems only control the temperature and not the humidity so it is important to look for a system that actively controls both with temperature and humidification integrated into the unit.

Passively cooled wine cellars take advantage of naturally cool and damp areas (such as basements with un-insulated outside walls in cool and temperate climates) when minor seasonal and diurnal temperature variations can be tolerated. Passive wine cellars may be less predictable, but cost nothing to operate and aren’t affected by power outages.

A wine rack is a storage device that holds bottles of wine horizontally, or at any angle where the wine remains in constant contact with the cork. You can find any number of commercially available racks or build them yourself as a fun DIY project.

Regardless of which style or type of tool storage you choose, there are a few key things you should look for when shopping for tool storage.

That 72" monster chest sure would look good in your garage, wouldn’t it? As Americans, we are all about ‘bigger is better’. But do you really need that giant tool chest? Are you going to be able to move it when it is full of tools? A fully stocked 60" box can weigh upwards of 1500 pounds. Do you really want to push that behemoth around? Will you have room to move it to where you are working?

If it is going to be a stationary tool chest that you are going to leave in one spot, this won’t be as big of a concern for you. But if you will be rolling it around, consider the room you have to move around in and how much weight you want to be pushing around.

This is fine for a garage or workshop where you do not need to carry the whole chest around, but if you plan on moving it anywhere to work on a project, a smaller option will work better!

Many homeowners opt to have a smaller tool case for each variety of tools they have – one for hammers, one for screwdrivers, one for clamps, etc. This method of tool storage allows you to know exactly where the items you need are located!

For larger tools, a wall storage unit will be a good choice. The tool storage cabinets will give you a variety of height and depth combinations, and allow you to store your larger tools with ease. Having a locking cabinet will help keep them safe from theft, as well!

Storage shelves offer several advantages, which make them the better choice among others.

Shelves are of course very accessible. This makes it an easy to use storage system where you can store your most frequently used tools such as gardening or sports equipment.

If you are using shelving indoors, it can be used to store holiday decorations, bed linens towels, and other items!

Shelves are also very efficient since they use only a very small area of your vertical space. And yet they still offer plenty of storage spaces for your things despite being space-saving.

Garage storage shelves are also very versatile. They come in a wide range of styles, configurations and designs to fit your needs. Whatever you need to store in your garage, there is a shelf design for it. They are also available in different materials.

Need a place to store your Harry Potter book collection? Built in storage shelves are the perfect way to keep your books and collectibles organized and display them neatly!

Shelving is also relatively less expensive than most storage systems. You can even construct your own shelving storage system using simple household tools. If you want to do things on your own, you can try building your own storage shelf using planks of wood and some tools. If you choose to make your own wooden shelves, choose hardwood such as fir or pine. These wood types can easily withstand heavy loads and will usually last a long time.

There are also plastic and metal storage shelves available. These plastic shelves are typically very easy to install. You can have additional storage space in no time at all using plastic storage shelves. And because they are made of plastic, they usually come in various designs and sizes that will not only be functional but attractive as well.

Plastic storage shelves will also last a longer time because they are typically durable and reliable. With plastic shelving make sure you pay attention to how much weight each shelf can hold though!

Storage sheds are becoming more and more popular, mainly because they are so versatile.

There are many things that you can use a storage shed for, and there are a variety of different benefits to having one of your own.

Extra Storage – One of the best benefits of having your own storage shed is that you can use it for extra storage. Many times you may find that you do not have room in your home for those boxes of Christmas and holiday decorations or for those keepsakes you just don’t care to display (but don’t want to get rid of!). Having a storage shed provides you with a nice sheltered place where that you can use for extra storage if you need it.

Space for a Workshop – Another great benefit of having your own storage shed is that you can finally have a place for that workshop you have been dreaming of. Perhaps there is no room for a workshop in the garage, and you really want a place for that wood working hobby. Having a storage shed will give you a place to call your workshop, and you can cut wood all day long!

Organization for Supplies – Getting organized is important, and having a storage shed can provide you with a place to get your tools, garden supplies, or even your pool supplies all organized. No doubt you want to be sure that you can easily find everything, and when you have a nice storage shed to store and organize your supplies in, it will make finding everything so much easier and also keep your supplies well protected too.

There are a variety of benefits to having a storage shed. Whether you need a place for storage, a personal workshop, or even just a place to keep your supplies organized, no doubt you will benefit from owning a storage shed.

One great benefit is that sliding closet doors don’t use up precious floor space, increasing the usable space, since there is no allowance for door clearance required.

You can choose from three primary types of sliding closet doors. Each type will have different pros and cons, depending on your application. Plan ahead and consider how you will use the closet space when deciding which type of sliding closet door to install.

Multi-fold Closet Doors
Multifold doors fold like an accordion. They are typically made of narrow panels of wood, plastic or fabric. When closed, multi-fold closet doors look like wall paneling or vertical blinds. When open, they use up very little space, leaving your room open and providing excellent access to the closet space.

Since the doors are thin they won’t provide much sound insulation, but they’re easy to install, mounting from underneath the door jam or along the ceiling. This also enables them to be used as privacy dividers between rooms so that you can close the spaces off from each other or open the room up into a larger space.

Bypass Closet Doors
Bypass doors are well suited to closets since they don’t require any door swinging area and do not use any avaialble floor space. They are usually made from panels of wood and can be covered with fabric or mirrors to match your room’s decor. Almost any door becomes a sliding door if you install it using a sliding door hardware kit.

Bypass doors are typically hung from a track installed under the door opening’s head jam. The track will be hidden by decorative trim. A secondary track or guide is installed at the bottom of your door opening and guides the sliding doors from the bottom, providing a smooth sliding action. One drawback with bypass doors is that only one side of the closet can be accessed; to get to the other side you must slide the doors the opposite direction.

Bi-fold Closet Doors
Bifold doors are great if you want to make the full width of the door opening accessible, like in the case of a laundry closet. Bi-fold doors can be purchased in a variety of styles; plain, raised panel, louvered and mirrored. Installing bi-fold doors is a great do-it-yourself project that most homeowners can tackle.

A drawback to bi-fold sliding closet doors is that you lose some floor space when the doors are open, but not as much as you do with regular hinged doors.

Instructions for replacing sliding closet doors:

Step One
Measure your old doors accurately, and then go to your favorite home improvement center or lumberyard.

Step Two
Choose a new set of closet doors that fits your style and room decor. You will find plenty of styles to choose from, finished or unfinished. Be sure the doors you buy are the same size as your old doors.

Step Three
Finish your new closet doors, if you purchased them unfinished. It is best to finish the doors before hanging.

Step Four
Remove the old doors by lifting them out of the track; most sliding closet doors hang in an overhead track. Some have a locking mechanism you can override by holding down a small lever. In some cases, you may find specific points on the track where the rollers have to be positioned over a cutout before you can lift the doors free.

Step Five
The old track must be removed from the top of the door opening with a screwdriver. You shoudn’t need the old hardware except if you have door guides mounted on the floor, which you can probably leave in place and reuse unless they are damaged or worn beyond what you find visibly pleasing.

Step Six
Compare the length between your new track and the old one. If its too long, trim the new one with a hacksaw so that it fits the opening correctly.

Step Seven
Mount the bracket in the same location as the old one, being sure the screws are seated properly so that the heads don’t interfere with the roller movement. Don’t overtighten the screws, or the track may warp out of shape and prevent your new closet doors from sliding smoothly.

Step Eight
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mount the rollers on the top inside edge of your doors. Some kits come with the rollers already mounted, in which case you can skip this step!

Step Nine
Hang the new doors on the track.

Step Ten
Check everything for fit and adjust the rollers if needed per your manufacturer’s instructions.

But before you run to the store to buy all this new  storage space, you will need to know what needs to be stored. If you need to add some space for pots and pans, dishes and glassware, trays and serving bowls, spices or packaged foods, you will need to measure the items you will be storing so you know how large your storage units should be.

Storage is more than just plain cabinets, there are so many more options these today. You can find solutions to various storage problems and be able to make the most of even the smallest of spaces.

It is possible to have a beautiful looking kitchen and lots of storage. A good place to start would be the kitchen cabinets and cupboards. You can purchase wire shelving that stands in your cabinets and can double the usable space!

But there are other places in the kitchen that could provide potential storage areas. You need to think beyond the cabinets, shelves and closets to look at available storage space.

Carefully examine all surfaces in your kitchen, for example look at areas above or below appliances, also look behind doors and any unused floor space your might have. Draw up a list of any potential storage areas in the kitchen that can be better organized.

You can also make your own kitchen storage units that can be custom-designed to fit your needs. You can build common kitchen storage cabinets and racks that will add storage space and help you organize your kitchen better. For instance you could build a wall mounted rack holder for storing pots and pans. It could also be hung from the ceiling. Another idea is to install some 3 tiered step shelves for storing condiments, cans, and spices in wall cabinets.

The false fronts on sink base cabinets are great for installing tilt out trays that can storage away sponges, soap, and other kitchen items.

You could add a towel bar to the back of sink base cabinet doors for keeping dish cloths and small hand towels close to the area you need them in. Installing pull-out baskets or shelving in base cabinets can make it easier to reach items in the back.

Tray dividers can also be installed in base cabinets to create more storage for trays, cookie sheets, and muffin pans.

However, even with the fact that the garage is frequently used for these multi-activities, it is often taken for granted by the family. No matter what the family uses the garage for, proper garage storage is essential in keeping the area tidy and clutter free!

Garage storage organization takes time, so you need to be patient. On the other hand, it would not be that case if you know how and where to start. Get the whole family to participate! This will make it go by faster and make it more fun!

Garage storage organization means proper categorizing, separating, and selling or throwing unneeded items. Place items in the properly labeled boxes and bins. Make sure pet supplies, holiday decorations, recyclable items, camping and sport gear, and chemicals are stored in separate labeled boxes.

One of the most unique and functional garage storage systems available is the Gladiator GarageWorks solution, which is completely modular and offers a variety of options.

The most important part of your garage storage organization project is having the right storage systems installed in the appropriate sections of the room. The storage systems can be installed anywhere in the garage room. You can maximize the space by using its walls, corners, and even the ceiling.

Different storage systems are available such as cabinets, lofts, shelves, hangers, hooks, and various other organizational systems!

When you are done with those things, stack the items neatly and efficiently, so when the time that their use is needed, you can easily locate each of them. Also, you may want to take into consideration on how frequently you use those items when stacking or storing them.

Placing the most used items at the front portion and those that are less used farther at the back will give you best times in the future. Achieving a well-organized and well-arranged garage storage system is easy if you organize and store things effectively!