Just
about every home has those hot spots that we tend to avoid like the plague when
it comes to the thought of “tidying up a bit” . . . especially when what we
really need is a complete overhaul. You
know what I’m talking about. I bet with
wide eyes and pursed lips, you have some places in mind that hit a little too
close to your home.
However,
there are solid ways to tackle those taxing
projects (pun definitely intended) without giving up a whole season to
accomplish them. Well, if you work
efficiently, that is. Let’s start where
the monsters lie: under the bed. Don’t
let it be an abyss of lost socks, luggage, broken toy parts, and – Heaven
forbid – misplaced snacking paraphernalia.
Instead, set up a “drawer” system by only using under-the-bed storage
for items that can be housed in long, plastic 58 quart containers with
double-sided lids that open on each end.
They slide easily on carpeted floors and keep items together, clean, and
neat; and nothing gets lost in the middle because everything can be easily slid
out from under the bed.
Closets
are another project that can cause daily frustration, and yet be left to their
own devices because a makeover seems so overwhelming. Yet, there is hope. Stick to these principles: pare down, part
with, and position correctly. Identifying
the excess that is not worn or used is half the battle; free your space. Remove those items by way of donation or
resale. And store the remainder in a
logical way for how it’s used and the space you have. Incorporate bins, baskets, containers, hooks,
and even additional shelving to use your closet space to the max so everything
is organized and easy to retrieve.
The
garage can turn into a full storage room and leave its owners’ cars in the
driveway or on the street just to satisfy its voracity for becoming a major
catch-all. Minimize this possibility by
going vertical. Use your garage wall
space right up to the ceiling if needed.
Bring in free-standing shelving units to hold labeled plastic containers
to store seasonal decorations and outdoor gear of all sorts. Install custom wall units and cabinets that
provide shelving, hooks, bins, and a perfectly-spaced place for every tool,
gadget, and piece of sporting equipment you own. Use the perimeter for storage and free up
those prime parking spaces.
Big? Messy?
Overwhelming? Yes, home projects
can be all of those things. But don’t
let the size of the mess dictate your actions and cause you to stand quietly by
and just get by in your own space. Own
it. Show it who’s the boss. Take your problem projects from taxing to
tackled. Then soak in the victory.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 15th.
