What's the new clutter dilemma sweeping homes across the country? Stacks of unused storage containers! Learn how to make smart storage choices and avoid impulse box, bin and folder buys!
The next time you walk into the organizing department of your favorite store, stop yourself if the urge to purchase something overwhelms you. Those pretty containers look nice on the shelf, but can you really use them? Or will they create more clutter and chaos?
Here are some tips that will help you make smart purchases, bring order to your environment and eliminate unnecessary stacks of storage stuff.
Storage Do's
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Select an organizing project. Then work the magic formula: Eliminate what you don't need, categorize the items you plan to keep and decide how to organize those categories.
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Before you go shopping, make sure you have room for those containers you want to bring home. The most ignored space is at the top of your closets. Take a look at your hall closet, clothes closet, panty, mudroom closet and storage cupboards. See a huge space between the top shelf and the ceiling? A simple wood brace placed on each side of the closet and a piece of raw lumber will give you the extra space you need for storage.
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Measure the available space to determine the size and number of containers you need to purchase. Now you can go to the store with a plan and a shopping list.
Storage Don'ts
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Avoid trendy colors and unusual shapes if you're organizing an ever-expanding collection of things like photos. If the store is out of those bright orange boxes in six months, you'll be up the creek, or worse, you'll amass a cacophony of colorful containers. Remember that your goal in getting organized is to create peace and calm.
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Don't overstock. No matter how attractive or handy containers appear to be, they can cause clutter in your environment. If you like to shop in bulk, bring a friend along and split the order. You'll both save time, money... and space.
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Don't window-shop. Why? You may be tempted by clever organizing products you don't need now but "may need one day." If you don't have a specific project in mind, make your shopping time more of a fact-finding mission than a shopping spree.
New stores devoted to containers are an organizer's dream. If you indulge in the goodies without a plan, however, you will add to your clutter rather than eliminating it. Think of it this way: You don't go to the store and stock up on major appliances just because you like the designs. In just the same way, you should only purchase and bring home containers that have a purpose ‑- that solve clutter dilemmas and bring order to your life.
