5 Ways to Find More Room in Your Rooms

Introduction

Do you ever feel as though there's just not enough room in your rooms? Challenges include storage as well as workspace. Freeing up space in your existing home will take some effort, but the five tips below can help.

1. Get a storage unit.

Your storage unit in Provo can help you in several ways. By moving large pieces, you can free up floor space. You can move seasonal things out of the way. Finally, with a storage unit, you can stash what you want to sell or donate until you're ready to just let it go.

However, to save both space and money, monitor your unit! Is there a box in there you haven't touched in over a year? Donate or sell the items in there without a second thought.

2. Look for double duty.

Need a desk but have a table? Put your table to work as a desk and set up a station to store your office items, such as a filing box and your laptop, nearby. This can save you the floorspace and expense of a desk and still give you a space to work.

This is where bins and shelving can work. Open shelving, properly managed, can be an eye-catching addition to your space. Consider adding a surge strip to your shelves to create a charging station for your electronics, and check out the bins suggestion below.

3. Consider the when.

If space is very tight, consider when you'll be using items. For example, a Murphy bed can provide you with a great place to sleep and fold up to give you floorspace during the day.

This also works well with drop-leaf tables, folding chairs, and tray tables. If you need more space to function at certain times of the day, keep an eye out for items that can be folded up when not in use.

If you're into do-it-yourself projects, there are many easy option out there and great hardware kits to turn your existing items into fold-away treasures that offer both function and space.

4. Create visibility.

Avoid cardboard or opaque storage, particularly in closets and cupboards. Clear plastic storage bins are your best option for actually finding the items you've taken the time to store.

Also consider color coordinating your belongings. If you have open shelving and want to go with baskets or bins for your storage containers, choose a color for bathroom objects, another color for kitchen items, and so on. Your belongings will look great on the shelf and you'll be able to track what you need for which space or activity.

Shoe hanging racks are a great way to add visibility to the items you have. A shoe rack, hung over the bathroom door of your studio apartment, can give you space for everything from body wash to cleaning supplies, as well as your shoes.

5. Get portable.

A kitchen island can be nifty, but if you don't have the square footage it won't help much. However, with the right plans, you can put rolling carts to work and build your own workspaces!

Your rolling cart doesn't have be fancy. A basic metal rolling cart, found at a hardware store or school supply vendor, can be a great beginning. You'll need self tapping screws to attach to any metal on the cart, but your cart can be turned into a rolling kitchen island or potting bench with little effort.

Additionally, consider adding a folding wooden panel on the top to expand the surface even further. A fold-out panel might even give you the space you need for your laptop. Now you have a rolling office!

Final Thoughts

Having a home full of things you love is a joyous oasis to come home to. Review your belongings regularly to make sure you're not holding onto things that no longer serve you.