Today’s organisation challenge may even be too simple to really talk about, but sometimes it’s in the tiny tips that we have the ‘a-ha’ moments that make things that little bit easier. Do you ever feel like things are overflowing or that there are some things you need to store for special occasions (like travel or the holidays) but you just can’t seem to work out where they would fit? Then this challenge is for you!
There are little pockets of hidden storage all around your house. They are spots that you could store things but you might not notice them, because they’re not really the obvious places. If you’re somewhat of an infrequent traveller but do have a collection of suitcases, then your first gem of hidden storage is found within them.
Yes, that’s right, why not use your empty suitcases to store seasonal items or other travel items or even things that you just also use infrequently. I use my suitcases to store things like soft toys with sentimental value, back packs, handbags, travel gear and winter boots (in the summer). The larger cases take up so much room anyway that when you add things to the inside they often don’t take up any more room. If you don’t travel at Christmas (or other holidays like that) then you could use them as a place to keep wrapped gifts hidden, and maybe even birthday gifts too!
You could also use this hidden storage to keep your seasonal decorations like those for your Chirstmas tree if space permits. This wouldn’t work if you’re using your cases all the time, as it would be a pain to constantly re-arrange things, but if they don’t get much use during the year and take up space, then they can be great!
Another place for finding hidden storage is at the back of large cupboards that you can never reach all the way back too. If you have an older house you might find these in the kitchen cupboards or at the top of a linen press. If you have a few of these like I do, these are great for adding well labelled storage boxes of things you don’t need very often but can’t get rid of. They tend to be forgotten easily because they’re so difficult to access, so if you’re going to use this, it could be an idea to create a little document in your computer of where you’ve put what!! I know we’ve found some long forgotten things when we finally looked right back in the corners.
The little hidden gems will be different for everyone, and yes decluttering is great for when you feel like you have too much stuff, but sometimes they are the things worth hanging on to, but just aren’t needed year round. Having less things sitting around your home feeling out of place and more floor space for you to enjoy is always a good thing in my book!
Do you use hidden storage in your home? Where’s your favourite?
I have my wedding dress folded into an old suitcase we don’t use anymore. It was just being pushed from one cupboard to the next. It was so huge that it needed a permanent home. The suitcase is great. It’s sealed, fits under the bed and it’s not wasting space like it used to.
That’s ace, Annaleis! I love that! What a great use of that hidden storage! x