Staying organised and finding room for all your bits and bobs when you live in a small house can be a bit of a nightmare for many, especially when you have a family bigger than the average. But here's the thing - it doesn't have to be that way if you use some clever storage hacks.
If you get creative, you can make room for all the things you want using clever hacks. Want to know how? Here are some innovative storage hacks to store things around your home without taking up to much space or that cost you an arm or a leg.
For the LEGO lovers
Gone are the days when a large LEGO head would suffice as a storage solution and of course with toddlers or babies on the prowl, LEGO all over the floor is not viable. Consider investing in a swoop bag, a bag that lies flat so your kids can spread their bricks out and use it as a playmat. Then when they are finished, you pull the drawstring and whisk everything in the bag. It is rather genius, I think.
Say goodbye to teddies
Ever walk into your little one's room and feel like you have stepped into a stuffed animal apocalypse? We have tried everything, even downsizing and donating black bags of stuffed toys to animal shelters, but they keep coming back in their hundreds and taking over our home. Hammocks are cute until they want to play with them and they avalanche their way around the room. Look into investing in a beanbag type storage ball so that it can double up as a comfy little seat.
Spice rack storage hacks
If you're a dab hand in the kitchen you may have spices overtaking your cupboards - and let's face it, we live in Ireland, so a pantry isn't a thing here. If you don't want your spices cluttering your kitchen, invest in a spice gripper or racks that can be screwed or taped directly to the inside of a cabinet door. This way, you will also be able to see them more clearly saving you time (and probably money too).
Fridge organisers
Stock up on fridge bins to organise fruits, vegetables or even snacks. They seem to be all the rage now. As they are transparent, these containers allow you to see what's inside at all times, and you can take the whole tub out when making lunches or dinner. We have three in our house - one for meat, cheese, and another for yoghurts - and they are super handy.
No space left in the wardrobe
Are you running out of room in your closet? Break off the pull ring from a can of fizzy and add them to your hangers to stack more clothes - this hack allows clothes to sit flush against each other when hung. Alternatively, you could buy s-hooks. Another great tip is to use hanging organisers behind the door for pants, socks or even shoes.
Cable caddies
Do we need that Nokia 3210 charger from the '90s taking up space? Probably not. But we like to keep these things just in case, don't we? Admit it - we all have a messy press at home that stores all the bits and bobs. If you are finding your home overrun with wires and cables of all sorts, buy a flat tool bit organiser with removable and adjustable dividers to store and tackle that drawer once and for all. They can also come in handy for LOL storage hacks too.
Kids' corner
When you decide to upgrade your child's bedroom, be clever and use strategic storage solutions. Want to create a safe space, or maybe a reading snug? Build a bench that will double up as storage for shoes, toys and whatnots. Utilise space under their bed if it doesn't already have built-in pull out drawers with some colourful rigid plastic storage boxes. Make the most of the wall space and use floating shelves for books, toys and more.