As much as one can declutter, there will always be a need for good storage space in the home. Closets, basements, attics, and garages all have their purpose, whether it be to house sporting equipment, holiday supplies, or your bulky winter clothes.

If left unchecked, storage spaces like these have a knack for getting out of hand. The key to keeping them under control is to implement some simple organization tactics.

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Here are our best tips for keeping your storage spaces more organized.

Make a Plan for Your Storage Space

Take some time to consider what exactly will be stored and whether you’ll need to access the items frequently.

It’s one thing to fit everything into a space using your best Tetris skills, but don’t expect to easily find what you’re looking for when you need it.

This often results in dismantling all the work you’ve done and then leaving the storage space a mess because you don’t have the time and energy to put things back in that special Tetris format.

So make a plan first.

Labels for Everything

You might think you remember what you’re storing away in that box now. Give it a few months, though, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t implement a simple label system in the first place.

It could be as easy as using a Sharpie and some masking tape.

Or, you could get super crafty using your Cricut machine. However you do it, just do it.

Use Clear Storage Boxes

Being able to see into the boxes without having to open every single one will make your life so much easier.

We get that not everyone has the funds to go out and buy all new containers. These budget-friendly organizing containers might be your best option – just don’t forget the labels!

Use Similar Sized Storage Containers

Having uniform storage containers makes everything work together and store nicely. An awkward-sized container might make it impossible to fit something else in the wasted gap on a shelf.

Also, stacking small narrow containers in between boxes of mismatched size adds stress to the storage situation.

Utilize Wall Storage & Shelving Units

Even in a closet, it makes sense to think about utilizing wall space to help create a more organized storage space. Get creative using some of the ideas on this list!

Make the most of the floor space by installing shelving units in your basements and attics. Shelves work great in closets, too!

We love shelving units when organizing because you get to use vertical space without needing to precariously stack 10 containers on top of each other.

Group Like Items Together

Something so simple can make a huge difference when keeping your home tidy and organized.

When you know that sporting goods go in the garage storage bin and holiday decor goes on the top shelf of the garage storage rack, it makes it easier to find what you need and put it back where it belongs.

Make Sure Frequently Used Items Are Easily Accessible

Functional storage spaces save us time, stress, and money. Yes, even money!

When you can easily get to what you need, you are less likely to end up forgetting it, losing it, and replacing it with a duplicate.

Common Mistakes Keeping Your Storage Spaces Disorganized

There are a few dealbreakers that will ensure you never reach that awesome level of organized storage. If you can avoid doing just these 3 mistakes, you’ll be off to a good start!

1. Keeping too much stuff.

It doesn’t matter how organized you are. There’s no amount of labels that can save a cluttered basement packed to the brim.

Make sure decluttering is peppered into the organization process of your storage spaces.

2. Not leaving room to grow.

To add to the last point: If there’s no extra “white space” in your storage spaces, it’ll be next to impossible to maintain a sense of organization when something new is added to the mix in the future.

Where will it be stored – or stuffed – when the time comes?

3. Not starting on the project at all.

There’s never a perfect time to declutter or organize. The best time, however, is now.

If you have a few extra minutes, start tackling bits and pieces. It will make a difference over time while not starting the project at all will make no positive change whatsoever.

Bonus Tips for Organizing Your Storage Units

Perhaps you have an external storage unit that you are trying to organize in a more meaningful way? All the tips above work wonderfully for storage units, but there are a couple of points that can help out even more:

1. Shoot for a bigger space than you think you need.

This will help you create walkways and easier accessibility to items throughout the unit. You never know what you might need to remove from the very back of the storage unit when you least expect it.

2. Create an inventory list.

Since a storage unit is generally something you don’t access quite so often, creating an inventory list will have you keep track of what you have inside and where it lives.

This tip could be useful for your home storage spaces, like attics and basements, which might house a lot of stuff that is easy to lose track of.

 

What tricks do you use to better organize your storage spaces?