What to Look for When it Comes to Home Storage

At some point in your life, you’ll probably realize that you have too much stuff and not enough room to put it all. Maybe you’re trying to declutter your life and were inspired by Marie Kondo, or you’re downsizing, or whatever else—you need some home storage solutions. Unfortunately, there are so many that it can become overwhelming.

Even if you’re the most organized person in the world with the very best products from The Container Store, you might need a better solution for all your extra belongings and memorabilia. Whatever your situation might be, here are some tips to help take your home from cluttered to organized, all in a few simple steps.

Cost is Important

Perhaps the number one variable you want to consider when looking at home storage solutions is the cost. It’s not exactly cheap to go out and buy a bunch of containers, shelves, and storage bins. If you aren’t careful, it can all start to add up fairly quickly. Seriously, have you ever been to The Container Store? It’s expensive!

To avoid spending too much cash on expensive home storage items, plan ahead. Look at your space and the items you need to store and make a list of exactly the kinds of home storage items you need. Look for coupons, sales, or even shop secondhand to save money. When starting a home organization project, a budget is key, so before you even go shopping, get one made and plan to stick to it as closely as possible.

You Don’t Want Storage Solutions That are Too Bulky

Once you know what you need from the store and are ready to go shopping, it might seem like all fun and games. And honestly, it can be! Home storage items these days aren’t just your basic plastic totes and bins anymore. Places like Target, Homegoods, and Pottery Barn have a ton of attractive options to make the most of your space at home. However, a lot of home storage solutions are super bulky, which kind of defeats the purpose in the first place.

If you’re looking for the best way to store your items at home, it’s important to find products that won’t take up more space than you’re saving. You want items that can fit in a closet on a shelf or snugly against the wall or even hang from a door. Definitely try to keep the space where you’ll be storing the items in mind while out shopping.

Think Outside the Box—Literally

To get organized, you don’t have to simply store items away in boxes or storage cubes. If you want to store sentimental items, for instance, look for a cool way to display some on the wall, or get a keepsake box for others. If you want to organize your kitchen or pantry, look into cute jars or containers, preferably clear ones so you can see at a glance what’s inside. The same can also go for extra toys or clothes you might have lying around: look for storage items that are unique and that you won’t get sick of looking at every day, like drawers or even an over-the-door organizer to display favorite stuffed animals.

Home storage certainly doesn’t have to be boring, and it doesn’t have to be ugly, either. Choose items that go with your personal aesthetic and your home’s style, and it won’t even feel like storage as much as it will feel like you’re simply decorating.

Rent a Storage Unit

At the end of the day, as much as you might try to organize and declutter your home by placing items into attractive boxes, bins, shelves, and more, it can still just not be enough sometimes. If you find yourself with an abundance of extra belongings that you don’t want to get rid of but also don’t use on a daily basis, consider renting a storage unit.

Renting a storage unit is a lot easier and more affordable than you might assume, and it’s a great way to make space in your home for you and your family to enjoy time together—and make room for new things, too!

Home storage is something that’s generally stressed over, but it doesn’t have to be! No matter what space in your home you want to organize, there are plenty of solutions for you. And if you end up renting a storage unit as well, Affordable Storage is here to help you get it done so you can just relax and enjoy your new, clutter-free space.