One of the many things I love about my house is how it isn't all cluttered up with space sucking things like closets. And linen cupboards. And closets. And any storage areas in general. Yup.
That's what you get when you purchase a 170 year old house. A lot of centipedes and nowhere for them to hide. I mean, unless you count the rubble walls in the basement. But that's really more of a party atmosphere for them, rather than a place to hide.
So when you have a house that was only intended to store a bonnet, a pair of lace up boots and some smelling salts, you have to get creative with storage solutions.
Conversely if you buy a brand new condo, storage is also at a premium. Basically unless your house was built between the era of Bewitched and Dynasty, chances are you're out of luck in terms of closet space.
These are a few of the storage ideas I've used for the past few years that would work for pretty much anyone, anywhere.
Luggage. Whether it's nice vintage luggage like this stacked up in a corner, or your actual luggage in your closet, fill it up. The top case is my sewing kit, the middle is my secret hiding place for small presents (which I suppose I'll have to change now), and the lower, big case is for extra sheets and blankets. I owned these suitcases for 5 years before it dawned on me I could use them for storage. Because sometimes I'm dumb, and sometimes I'm brilliant. All depends on the year I guess.
Bookcases were something I brought in when I did my house over a few years ago. I got them for the sole purpose of storing the ridiculous amount of books I have. This is one of 3 large units I now own. BUT ... the real storage solution here isn't the bookcases themselves, but rather ...
... all the bins on the bottom shelves. Each of these wood Ikea boxes holds a ridiculous amount of ugly stuff that would look like a mess out in the open. Things like tax receipts, craft supplies and a few sentimental items. Some of the boxes even have smaller boxes from the Dollar store on top (like this one) to keep smaller things like seed packets separated and easy to access.
Slip away the upper seed tray, and underneath are the craft supplies. 5 of these boxes in a bookcase hold a LOT of crap, but keep everything looking neat and organized.
I love these jugs. They're among my most favourite things in the house. They're just inexpensive enamel jugs from Ikea, but the Scandinavian Modern farmhouse design is perfect. I don't have a lot of kitchen cupboards and drawers. These utensils alone used to take up an entire drawer. So one day I took every single kitchen utensil I use on a regular basis and put them in the jugs so they're right at my fingertips beside the stove and freed up an entire drawer at the same time. (which I've since filled with more kitchen utensils and a questionable amount of Tupperware)
This is how the purchase of these jugs went by the way. (I'm so mortified by this story I'm going to tell it in the third person in an attempt to distance myself from it)
Karen goes to Ikea to buy all 3 jugs. She decides she's too cheap so she buys one jug. The middle sized. She gets it home and loves it. At which point she goes back to Ikea to buy the little jug. It's so cute, she just has to have it. Karen returns home with the little jug. A week goes by. Karen can't stop thinking about the biggest (and most expensive) jug. Karen gets in her car and goes back to Ikea to buy the large jug. With each trip to Ikea, Karen buys more than just the jugs of course. Each time she picks up candles, maybe some lightbulbs, a cute basket, and a kitchen throw rug. She finds an orchid, laundry baskets, small ferns and modern black candleholders. Each and every time Karen returns to Ikea she also purchases and eats a hotdog. If Karen went to Ikea 10 times a day she would have to purchase and eat a hotdog upon leaving. It's a rule. The moral of this story? Don't ever go to Ikea. No. Just kidding. If you love it and you know you love it, just buy it. It'll be cheaper in the long run.
My house is still the same size. I still only have enough closet space for a Ricketts cane and a buggy whip ... but with a little bit of ingenuity I've managed to find space for all of my modern conveniences. You know ... like books. And wooden spoons. Heh.
If you're interested in EXACTLY how to make an Ikea Hot Dog at home ... click on my post about it here.
p.s., I've been eating healthy lately and now I'm craving an Ikea hotdog. They're so cheap, er, I mean frugally friendly, how could anyone resist?
Yep, we also live in an old house, although not quite as old as yours. Craftsman homes, however, were notorious for awesome built-ins and nooks and crannys for hiding all our crap. We have built-in benches in the dining room and breakfast nook. However, we still need more room for our stuff (we refuse to get a storage space). So, we purchase dual purpose furniture, like a sofa with space underneath to store blankets and an ottoman that can hold kid toys. We also use the baskets in bookshelves. I have an entire 'craft room' bookshelf that looks so nice & neat now due to baskets and painted peg board.
Wow...love all the storage ideas. Ah...the hiding of crap drawer bins...that's so great. I love the Secret storage sexy looking suitcases too. Is that log growing. jk. I love that fern.
I keep my cooking utensils on the counter in containers also..I use vintage hatboxes in my bedroom to store things..Love the Karen at Ikea story..Your suitcase looks very happy!!
I was just complaining the other day "WHY don't we have an IKEA herre"!?! No one could answer me!
My question is: when you buy an Ikea hot dog, do you have to assemble it yourself and do they give you a little allen key?
Bahahaha! Too funny!
LOVE IKEA!!!!! Willing to travel the 2 hrs to go feed my addiction!!!! So I limit myself to only a couple visits per year!!!! Besides - I'm in the "Getting rid of stuff" mode, so I'm not allowed to buy anything else (much less shelves to store the stuff I already have), until I get rid of more stuff!!! But I love those jugs!! I have 2 round containers doing the same job, one is dark marble ($1 at a yard sale) the other is cobalt blue from Pampered Chef (but bought on ebay for 1/4 the price) and both stuffed beyond reason with utensils - but still have 2 drawers in my tiny kitchen that only has 6 full size drawers anyway! Time to get rid of stuff - again! Thanks for posting your ideas - helps prompt me to change my ways!!!
I am enjoying the juxtapositions of the books.
Dogs of Canada next to Gangs and Their Tattoos. Chocolate next to Naked next to David Sedaris (love his writing BTW).
Apologies, I am an artist, we are trained to read meaning from images ...
Love your bookcases, too. We have 12 bookcases in our house, most of them are double-stacked.
And whoever built our house clearly didnt read the 'between Bewitched and Dynasty' part. Yes we do have closets in the bedrooms, but the linen cupboard is ridiculous. So skinny, you can just fit the pillowcases on the shelves. To fit sheets you have to fold them a bazillion times and then stuff them in. By the time you have done that you can fit one on a shelf, maybe. At least we have an attic and two (yes two) basements.
I've always been a "clear counters" kind of girl. I thought I would hate having my utensils out in a little crock on the counter, but then we bought a house with no accessible drawers near the cooking area and I was forced to do it. I can't believe how much I love it. It is SO much easier to just grab something from the crock than open a drawer and dig around.
PSS Do you HAVE any gang tattoos?
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I so wish for an IKEA here in Kansas City! I promise I will (try to) go only once a week...
PS I was holding my head sideways trying to read the titles of your books!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
In Arizona there are no attics (too hot) or any basements (the soil is rock hard). So I appreciate great storage ideas. I think I need the large Ikea jug to hold my Easter tree branches. I better bring some extra cash for the meatballs. The meatballs~ sigh.
One last thought, it is said you can really tell a alot about a person by reading their book titles.
"Gangs and Their Tattoo's" Hmmmm. I like it.
LOL! Laura, I had *no* idea so many people would be checking out the books. I guess it is pretty interesting. :) ~ karen
Thanks for this post Karen! The concept of storing things out in the open is one that I am having to get used to in my tiny home devoid of storage space. Using lovely things to create visually appealing and unique storage options is a must!
I love your Sockerart vases and will probably pick some up this week. I go to Ikea almost every week; it's too close to where I meet some friends for a run. Because of the run (which happens after the Ikea visit), I forego the hot dog, but always gaze at the food concession longingly the whole time I'm in line.
I also love your tiled countertop - it looks so homey and inviting (you know, from the corner I can see). I want to replace my yucky laminate with something else and I would like something that is not granite/ marble/ stone. My first choice is wood (Ikea butcher block?), but I think tile could work too. Do you like it?
LoriD - Other than the grout which is difficult to keep clean, I LOVE the tile. You can put hot pots on it, spill stuff on it etc. etc. For someone who actually *uses* their kitchen it's a great choice. ~ karen
Shoot, J9 needs to go to Ikea ASAP...
i have that magnetic knife thingy from ikea..its mounted on the back of our pantry door aka the "phone booth" . i call it my scare cupboard..if the peeps are pissing you off just whip the door open to display a row of wicked looking knives! they usually back off ..lol
Ikea is my best friend. Hot dogs are the AWESOME icing on the cake. Those hot dogs are one of those 'treats' that I just know is soooo bad for me, but it is my way of living on the edge. haha.
I am heading out to the woods today for twigs ( aka curtain rods in the house) ...cheap cheap way to make a curtain rod , btw's ....and MOSS to hot glue on styrofoam balls (from the dollar store). Ohhhh, you would love it here today !
Happy Spring!!
Lynne xx
Since I can't possibly compete with your craftiness, here's my ikea hotdog story. Long story short: couldn't fit everything we bought plus infant car seat + pregnant me in the car. So- hubby drove 45 min (each way) to take whatever we brought home while my baby girl & I waited in the cafe. I should mention I hate hotdogs, to a very pregnant me, though they were crack & I had to stop myself at 4. Never been pregnant at Ikea since.
Your bottom suitcase is smiling at me.
Black fronts would be cute painted with blackboard paint. Could doodle pictures of contents with chalk!