Musings from Moore Manor: Week #2 Jan 4-10. Focus on storage areas

Well, the holiday season is over and now it is time to put away all those decorations. But where? Do you dread the changing of the seasons? Is your storage area scarier than a haunted house? Would you have better luck finding Al Capone’s vaults than last year’s Christmas lights? Here is a compilation of different organization and storage tips to help you tame your tinsel and calm the clutter

1) Designate your area. It helps if you plan out your space before you start shoving things in there. Think of size, access, and how often will you need to access these items you are storing. Due to my shoulder, we no longer store Christmas in the attic so I am in the process of making room in the garage. This means moving some other items around.

2) LABEL LABEL LABEL – it doesn’t have to be pretty, just identifiable. IF you want a more detailed inventory of what is inside the box – use a numbering system and write out a more detailed inventory listing. Keep your detailed list in your household binder.

3) Try to use the same sized boxes. You don’t have to go all Martha Stewart and get matching color coordinated totes; but if you have shelving space, it is easier to access and looks neater if the same size boxes are there. Ask your IT department at work for the green bar printer boxes (if they still use that) or copy paper boxes for a free option.

4) If you have to buy storage containers -

a. Use clear totes. Labels are great but they can fall off and seeing what is inside is a good visual reminder if you need to cut the clutter.

b. Measure BEFORE you buy. Keep the measurements in your phone contacts or purse. I found a lovely sale on clear boxes only to find out later that they were a smidge too high for my garage shelves.

c. Think of what you are storing that is making you buy a container. Is it some clothing you need to pare down? Which means you will not need the tote when you are done. Or is it Christmas décor which will be used yearly and need to be sturdy to last for years to come? Are you storing in a damp place (basement) where plastic containers would be better suited or is your storage area in plain view where something more decorative would be appropriate?

d. Do NOT overbuy. This is a work in progress. Don’t go hog-wild and buy 10 clear totes only to find out you only needed 4.

e. Buy ON SALE.

i. Use cardboard boxes as much as possible until you are SURE your storage plan will work

ii. Storage containers are mainly on sale before the fall school season and in late January/February. Look around, keep a list of sizes you need and check online to see which store has the best sale.

f. Get a container that can be re-purposed if needed. The totes I originally bought to store Christmas décor in (see “b.”) worked out wonderfully to store Ozzie’s hay.

g. Banker’s Boxes are cheap and can be stored flat when not in use. When I had my apartment, I covered them with wrapping paper since they were in plain view. I am currently using some to help sort all of our paper clutter. I also use them around Christmas time to keep supplies together for the different gifts I am making.

5) BE FLEXIBLE!!! This is a work in progress. Your space requirements may change due to reasons beyond your control. Roll with it.