By Emily Creswick of Zillow
All homes benefit from increasing the amount of available storage space, regardless of whether the home is a small apartment or large family residence. Not only does storage alleviate household clutter, it also helps create better organization in living spaces and uplifts the entire atmosphere of the home.
With the buzzing summer season in full swing, homeowners should have interiors orderly to welcome family and friends to barbeques and other social events. Well-organized and tidy interiors are comforting and inviting to visitors, and make a positive first impression on house hunters. Summer is a busy time in the real estate market and de-cluttered spaces are enticing for those looking for new homes.
Here are some cost-effective and innovative ways to tame clutter and create dedicated storage spots in the home.
- Decorative Buckets: Decorative buckets are a quick and easy and way to store everyday items such as flips flops, handbags and kids’ plush toys. To create, choose a circular lampshade in a trending print that suits the current room décor and remove the internal metal fittings using a wire cutter or Dremel tool. Create the bucket base by adding a cork trivet that neatly slots into the smaller end and secure using craft glue.
- Vintage Suitcases: Vintage suitcases are great storage solutions for linens, clothes, reading materials and rarely-accessed keepsakes that tend to take up a lot of space in the house. Create a vintage-chic nightstand for the bedroom or trendy coffee table for the living room by stacking three to four worn leather suitcases on top of each other. Stabilize the structure by filling each suitcase starting with the heaviest and bulkiest on the bottom.
- Mounted Wall Boxes: Utilize vertical space by adhering wooden wine crates to empty walls. Vintage wine boxes are ideal as are wall cabinets available from hardware or décor retailers. Customize the boxes with paint and treatments to blend harmoniously with the living space and attach using wall anchors and mounting hooks. Add a box to the kid’s bedroom, to neatly store books and toys, or the nursery to keep diapers, wipes and creams at hand’s reach.
- Stationary/Utensil Tins: Add organization to the home office or craft area by creating proper storage solutions for stationary items. Customize mason jars or recycled tin cans with spray paint. Let cans dry completely before personalizing with decorative, painted stencil designs. For the kitchen, create rustic-style cooking utensil holders by wrapping recycled tins in burlap ribbon. Secure with glue or pins and finish by adding twine around the middle.
These innovative and creative solutions are fun and easy to make, while increasing the amount of aesthetic storage. Check out more inspirational and innovative storage solutions on Zillow Digs.