Does this sound familiar? You realise you haven’t used that fancy espresso machine taking up space on the kitchen worktop for six months. You keep moving it to clean under it, wiping around it, and dusting off the top.
But you stopped making coffee with it a long time ago.
Light dawns. You don’t need it on the counter anymore. So you stash it in a cupboard and congratulate yourself that you’ve cleared space on the counter.
Except… you didn’t actually clear any space, you just moved the clutter to a different place.
We all do it. That machine cost a lot of money. There’s no way you’re just going to chuck it out. Suppose you fancy an espresso one day?
Scale It Up
It wouldn’t be so bad if we just did that with one or two gadgets. The trouble is the hoarding — ‘just in case’ approach takes up space in just about every room in the house.
In our wardrobes, an abundance of clothes from previous seasons fills the shelves, reminding us of times when our sizes may have been a few pounds lighter. Among the array of garments, some no longer fit quite as comfortably as they once did, prompting a need for reorganization and decluttering. .
Hobby gear we haven’t touched in months or years clutters the cupboards, and doesn’t even mention the loft. That’s likely full of TV boxes and those from other expensive stuff, the idea being we’d need them to safely pack up the item when we move house. But they stay there, don’t they, even after we upgrade to a new TV and recycle the old one.
A Better Way
It’s a rare person who can let go of possessions without a single twinge of regret. There’s some truth in the concept that you never need a thing until you let it go.
No matter how much storage your home has, it’ll never be enough when every nook and cranny is filled with things you don’t need, use, or love.
William Morris said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.
Everything else, all the stuff that might be useful again one day (maybe soon, maybe in years to come), the antiques, valuables or collectibles, should be stowed safely away somewhere else, leaving plenty of room for the things used and appreciated on a daily basis.
The Solution on the Doorstep
You see the solution every time you drive into town, to a retail park, or along the main road. If not, you might have come across pamphlets of firms like ezstorit or similar ones offering storage options for your needs. Self-storage facilities are dotted about everywhere and are often overlooked for simple home storage because we tend to assume they’re only for those with vast storage needs.
But there’s a huge variety in storage space sizes available, making it a practical solution to everyone with more possessions than space, and that’s the majority of us. Sizes range from large lockers to spaces that’ll swallow your entire house contents with room to spare. Here are some other practical benefits:
- Short term room rentals. You normally rent by the week, so there’s no worry about vacating space or upgrading if you need more or less in the short term.
- Easy access. As mentioned, they’re just about everywhere, so easily within striking distance for most people. Access to storage rooms is good too, with lifts and trolleys for bulkier items and plenty of parking space.
- Secure and damp free. You don’t have to worry about rising damp like you might get in the garage, seeping up through the bottom of boxes, and there are no pests either like you might get in the loft, such as moths.
- It costs surprisingly little to rent small storage spaces.
But the biggest benefit is an uncluttered home. Until you’ve got one, you can’t imagine how mentally liberating it is to release all that space for the things you love and use, but still have the comfort knowing your precious items are still there when you want them. Cleaning is easier, keeping rooms tidy is quicker and less hassle, finding anything is a breeze, and there’s room to play, work, eat and sleep in comfort, surrounded only by those things you know to be useful and beautiful.
Alternatives to Self Storage Facilities: Home Storage Options
When it comes to home storage, there are numerous options you can explore. One popular choice is investing in new wardrobes. These wardrobes, often installed by Carolina Closets Plus, can be tailored to your specific needs, with features such as adjustable shelving, hanging rods, and integrated drawers, providing efficient storage solutions for clothing, accessories, and other items.
Additionally, incorporating custom cabinets in your kitchen can maximize storage efficiency by making use of every available inch of space, from floor to ceiling. These cabinets can be tailored to accommodate specific needs, such as deep drawers for pots and pans, pull-out shelves for easy access to pantry items, or built-in organizers for utensils and spices.
Another option is making use of underutilized spaces within your home, such as attics or basements, and converting them into functional storage areas. Attics can be transformed into cabinets or storage rooms, equipped with shelves, bins, and organizers to store seasonal items, holiday decorations, and other belongings. Similarly, basements can be renovated to include built-in cabinets, shelving units, or wall-mounted storage systems, offering ample space to store household items, tools, and recreational equipment.
When it comes to your garage, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your storage space. For example, you can consider utilizing overhead racks to store items such as sports equipment, or bulky items that are not frequently accessed. Another handy option can be using storage hooks, which are simple to mount and can be perfect for hanging your heavy items like skateboards, bicycles, ladders, and other garage essentials. These solutions can help keep your garage organized and clutter-free while making everything easily accessible when you need it.
Additionally, consider incorporating multifunctional furniture pieces into your home, such as storage ottomans, bed frames with built-in drawers, or coffee tables with hidden compartments. These versatile furnishings not only provide extra storage space but also serve a dual purpose, maximizing efficiency in smaller living areas.
By exploring these home storage alternatives, you can declutter and organize your living space effectively while avoiding the costs and limitations associated with traditional self-storage facilities.