The levels of a shelving
system really stack up when it comes to vertical space to store supplies and
showcase décor. Here are some ideas for
one system, 5 ways.
Place a shelving system in
your front entryway. A bench alongside
is a great spot to stop and put shoes on or take them off, and a mirror over
that can make a narrow space feel bigger.
Place a boot tray on the bottom shelf to hold pairs of shoes. Use a row of bins to house accessories like
scarves, dog leashes and balls, or sidewalk toys. Place a tray on one level for incoming mail
with a dish for keys and sunglasses. Fix
a line of hooks to the side for jackets and umbrellas.
For that empty wall space in
the kitchen or breakfast nook area, use a shelving system to extend your
counter and pantry space. Free the
“pretty” storage pieces from behind closed doors and use a row of glass
canisters or containers to hold staples like baking supplies, noodles, rice,
and ground coffee. Alternate cookbooks
in short stacks and sections of standing books, keeping them at hand but off
the countertop. Fill a tray with those
frequently used items like a glass bottle with pourer for olive oil and salt
and pepper pots for cooking. This is
also a good spot to display dressier serving pieces instead of in a cabinet. A decorative hook mounted on the side can
hang up your favorite apron.
Shelving systems in the
living room can be the go-to places for entertainment storage. Use rows of bins to hold DVDs and video
games, plus all the chords and controllers.
Stack up travel photo books for easy perusing. Frame a few great vacation or family shots to
display alongside them. Have a spot for
magazines and catalogs.
When a bathroom could use
some extra storage space, go vertical with a shelving system. Some have open wall space, and some may only
allow an over-the-toilet wall system.
Regardless, expand your counter and cabinet space. Attach hooks to the side for hanging up
towels. Use bins like drawers for
toiletries, extra toilet paper, tissues, and cotton swabs. Roll hand towels or washcloths and stack them
up for easy access.
Add a shelving system to the
laundry room to hold cleaning supplies, detergent, paper towels, and dryer
sheets. Affix a calendar or memo board
to the side to stay on track and hold reminders. For decorative touches, fill apothecary jars
with clothespins or detergent pods.
One piece can be used five
ways to climb the ladder of household organization success and double as a
decorative display. Where could you put
one to good use?
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 4th.
