Armoire Crafty Conversion

Entertainment centers, armoires and similar furniture items can be converted into craft centers.

While a room dedicated to crafts can be great, it isolates the crafty person while others are in the entertainment sector of the home having fun without them.

Sad.

Having a place to quickly access and store craft projects makes for a room that more people can share.

Sharing is good.

Chair in the Air Storage

Chairs are great for storing things, until somebody wants to sit in one.

Free up your chairs by getting an extra one. Nailing them to a wall frees up floor space and prevents people from whining about not being able to sit because of all the clutter.

Sometimes they even work better upside down. 

Declutter with an Old Dresser

I have demoted old dressers to the garage for tool storage, and they do help with the clutter outside. Here is how to salvage one to help with the clutter inside.

Four Things to Do Before Buying a Closet Organization System

Closet organization systems may seem expensive, but consider this: you use your closet multiple times, every day of your life. 

The cost of the system is more than made up for in the time saved in finding your clothes quickly. 

It also saves you money by allowing you to easily see what you have, so you won't waste money buying an item that you already own.

But first, before you go and buy an expensive system, do some closet therapy:

1. Remove clothes that could be stored elsewhere and store them there:  Place them in a dresser drawer, demote to a guest room closet, etc.

It may be cheaper to get a second hand dresser than buying a closet system.  If you have the room, this is a much easier system to set up. Just plop it down where you want it and fill it up. Shoes can go there too.

2. Throw some away. Harvest the buttons and make rags out of some, if you must, but dispose of them in some way.

3. Remove clothes that need mending. You aren't wearing them anyway. If the mending pile gets too big, refer to rule #2.

4. Give some away. Be careful here. It might make you feel better giving your junk away than actually putting it in the garbage can, but people don't want your trash. Don't make them do it for you. Try putting a box of the better stuff out for some college kids to pick through. Toss out what is left.

Still need room? OK, now get that system installed and begin enjoying the benefits of your new closet.

Bins Great in The Right Place

Some ideas work great but they won't work everywhere.

Some bins have sides that do not go all the way up. They allow you a peek at the contents before you open them. They are easy to open.

But if you live in an area where there is high humidity, the contents can get damp. Insects can get in and out easily as well.

Use the bin system where these factors are not a problem. Otherwise, you may be organized, but you will not want to open those bins.


Storage Ideas for Using the IKEA Trofast at Home

Linen Closet Time Saver

Keeping those shelves orderly is OK, but I think the real benefit of this idea is in the time it saves.

Some Big Ideas for Some Small Balconies

Those small places, like balconies, can be put to good use if are creative. Here are some ideas to get you started.

20 really cool ideas to make your balcony the best place in your apartment