The Biggest Home Storage Mistakes

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

27 May 2009 09:37 AM

If you want to save yourself some big headaches when it comes time to organize, then avoid these common storage mistakes. You don't want a big mess on your hands.

Storage Containers

When people are ready to organize then tend to run out and purchase lots of storage containers. A bette idea is to first figure out what you need to store and then plan out what types of containers you want to use to store all of your stuff. You may find that you can de-clutter enough items to require fewer containers than you thought, or you may have underestimated the number and the type of containers that you need.

Another common mistake when it comes to storage containers is to gather a bunch of opaque (not clear) containers and then not label them. How on earth will you be able to find your Christmas decorations, for example, if all of your boxes look the same? Labels should be applied to the top of the box, as well as each side, so you can still read a label no matter what the orientation of the box or what might be stacked on top of it.

You can also go with clear containers, but even these should have labels. This way, when you say, "Honey, can you get the winter bedding out of the attic?" he won't have to interpret the pink cloud looking thing in the box to be a comforter.

Storage containers that are of all different sizes can also be a problem. You want like items to be able to be stacked together, so while you can have different sizes for things, make sure that they will all work together in your storage space, or you will have things tumbling down and sticking out. You'll also waste a lot of space.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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