Creative Storage Solutions

When the things in your home start crowding in around you and you're short on cash, it's time to come up with some creative storage solutions. Don't be afraid to think "out of the box". You're the only one who has to know where everything is stored.

- A cedar chest can be used for blanket storage. I don't have enough cupboard space for blankets, and they all fit nicely in the chest. The chest also doubles as a coffee table in the living room. The blankets are easily accessible and can easily be folded up and put away at a moment's notice.

- My daughter and I found an old apple crate (fruit labels still attached) with a shelf built into it at a yard sale for about $5. The crate is a great storage area for books and doubles as a nightstand.

- An old china cupboard displays dishes I didn't want to hide away in the kitchen cupboards and also provides extra storage space for linens and silverware. This cabinet was found neglected in grandma's basement and was brought back to life with a little sanding and new paint. It is now a beautiful addition to our dining room.

- Large plastic containers are great for organizing kids' rooms. My daughter had a lot of "stuff" stashed all over her room, and we gathered it all up and put all her arts and crafts supplies in one big container, and her writing materials in another. Homework is organized in a plastic container set up as a file organizer, organized by subject.

- Look outside for creative storage ideas. We had to clean out our spare bedroom and had no idea where to put our camping equipment. We don't have a garage or a shed, so an old camper shell turned out to be the perfect solution. All our camping gear fit into it with room to spare, freeing up more room in the house.

- Organize seasonal decorations in large plastic containers. Plastic wears better than cardboard and if you buy similarly sized containers, they will stack easily and be easy to store.

- A long flat underbed-type plastic storage container is great for organizing holiday gift wrap. With the wrapping paper I store scissors, tape, gift bags, ribbon, bows, and extra cards. This container fits perfectly under one of our living room couches and all my gift-giving supplies are together in one place!

- Shop for furniture that doubles as extra storage space. We bought a cabinet for my husband's 55 gallon aquarium and the entire bottom part of the cabinet is open for approximately six feet of additional storage space.

About The Author

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit her web sites at http://www.creativehomemaking.com and http://www.creativehomemaking.com

whole house cleaning Deerfield ..

In The News:

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.

New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.

FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Creative Storage Solutions

Get Organized - Organization