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.
Tati
Hi Karen,
Love the suitcase idea. If you don't mind sharing where did you get those suitcases from? Or any website/company you can suggest for vintage looking suitcases...would greatly appreciate!
Karen
Hi Tati - I got those particular suit cases at a garage sale if I remember correctly. But I'm not sure. Either a garage sale or a flea market. Those are the best places to get these kinds of things. Antique stores/markets too, but they'll be more expensive there. As far as companies or websites, I'm not aware of any that specifically deal in suitcases, but I'm sure there are some. The other place I'd look is Etsy.com. Good luck. ~ karen!
Erika
Erika went to Ikea just once. Husband hyperventilated at check-out. Erika is not permitted to go to Ikea anymore. This is probably for the best. Although if Erika just went for the hotdog at Ikea it might work. Without husband. :)
Karen
Erika - Well if you like Ikea and you like their hot dogs you will like this ... https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/ode-to-the-ikea-hot-dog/ ~ karen
Karen
Went to IKEA yesterday to get a lightbulb for their crazy lamps that take their special bulbs. Came home with: 4 pairs of shoe trees (husband was looking for a pair and couldn't find any less than $20....these were 99 cents/pair.) But four???? He needed ONE! Add to that 3 bars of dark chocolate, a glass food storage jar, a towel hook and 4 glass spice jars which I don;t really need. I hate/love IKEA.
But I love, love your blog.
Karen
I love, love your dog! I'm assuming that's her/him in the avatar. ~ karen
Michelle
They have hot dogs at Ikea? Cool! You should look in to getting a copy of The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems.
kim
I love the jug idea. I wish I could find them!
Nicole
I love your writing, it makes me smile :) Thanks for your post!
Karen
Thanks Nicole! ~ karen
Maggie
Karen - Long time reader - first time poster! So, I love your storage solutions - but I have to say, typically boxes and covered storage don't work for me. Why, you ask? Because I can't remember what I have put into them and I go out and buy more. The scene is "Where the hell did I put those seeds? Did I throw them out? God, I'm such an idiot! Geez, now I have to buy more."
"Well, where to store these new seeds? Oh, that box would be good." Opens box. Oh good lord. Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind the most.
Thanks for always giving us a good read!
Karen
Maggie - I have the same problem with green onions. I ALWAYS think we're out of green onions. My crisper currently holds about 12 bunches of green onions. ~ karen
Jules
Are those boxes on the bottom shelves from Ikea as well? I could use them for my Billy cases.
Karen
The big black boxes are Ikea, but I looked for them on their website last year to get another 2 or 3 and they weren't available anymore. Not sure if they're in stock again or out of rotation forever. The smaller boxes, within the box is from the Dollar Store. ~ karen!
kelliblue
*high five* sistah! As an avid collector of crapola (remember my messy dining table you posted on Facebook?) hiding away my stuff is a never ending job at home. But lucky for moi (or...maybe not), I have an IKEA literally 5 minutes from my office. Makes it just that much harder to block its siren song!
So now that it's spring...hmm...throw out 50 things? Maybe I'll try to add an extra zero to that one this year.
Tricia Rose
My house suffers a similar lack, and we have hidey-holes all over the place. One of my best moves was taking out the living room ceiling, which gave us access to the tiny attics above the bathroom on one side and study on the other. I just put things into the nicest boxes and baskets I can find, and stuff them up there.
Karen, I'm Concerned about your biggest, lowest piece of luggage which has two little holes. Can you plug them, or put rope through them or summat so they look more intended?
Karen
Tricia - Them theres are rivets. Not holes. ~ karen!
magali
I like the moral of this story. I am going to read the story to my boyfriend, who shivers with fear every time I say I need to go to IKEA.
ev
Spent some time in California, where they speak IKea. Not so much in Ohio, where I live forever now. Boo Hoo!
Kasia
I also noticed the "Gangs and their Tattoos".... hmmm.... is The Fella in a gang??!?
:)
Cindy @ Design Love
HaHaHa...the hotdog rule is so true! I usually get the frozen yogourt and those thin ginger cookies.Hubby gets the hot dog! So funny!I swear its their way of saying..."It's okay, don't worry about how much stuff you just bought!" Eat and be happy!!! Maybe I'll see you sometime in the line up at Ikea. If I do , I'm gonna video you on my phone eating your hotdog,lol.
Cindy
debra b
I already use these ideas as my house is 161 years old. I have a ton of suitcases, I can slide 6 large ones under each bed, so great for storage. I use those expandable wooden wine racks turned on their side attached to the wall in the bathroom to hold hand towels and TP, those wonderful old wooden orange crates are scattered around my house as they make great shelving units, old wooden bed rails make fabulous shelves, towel racks will hold a bunch of spray bottles, or install them on the ceiling to use to hang stuff off of with hangers or hooks. I use steamer trunks to hold bedding and blankets. I like the hat box suggestion, will have to keep an eye out at the yard sales
Anna
I will be moving into a kitchen that has 3, yes 3 drawers, so I am getting used to the utensils on the counter idea. I was just at IKEA this past weekend, purchasing blinds, curtains, etc... The hot dogs never interest me much, but the cinnamon buns call to me like sirens... I used lazy susans in my skinny little pantry closet to maximize space, as well as glass jars -- all from IKEA. LOVE it.
sera
I also have had antique suitcases as storage for many years. My problem is that I never remember what's in them so I open them one day and think, "oh yeah, I do have a yoga block." and then can't find the other thing I was looking for, close it up and forget that I have a yoga block. There is still a pile of crap on the floor and the table, but mainly because our house is under construction so I don't have my bookshelves up. sigh.
Spokangela
So happy to see you are a shameless fan of the gnarly dog :) That's what my sister and I call them.
I love your storage solutions. I have two vintage crocs storing my utensils and a fab hat box from the 50s storing my kids' wii stuff in the family room :)
I LOVE IKEA!! Our nearest one is 4 hours away... waaahh!
KarenH
I love Ikea and I love their meatballs, their chocolate and their hotdogs. BUT...I am sad to say...they raised the price on the hotdogs!!!!!! 75 cents now! (at least here in Ontario)
Cora
When I got to Ikea I have to get everything I love. Because Ikea is an 8 hour drive away. There is no going back for one little jug.
I have a similar Ikea jug but it is ceramic. I adore it but those three enamel ones make me want to take an 8 hour drive and go ... uh... check on something.