Breathing Life Into Dead Spaces

"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common cry amongst the disorganized. But sometimes, they just aren't looking closely enough. You can find additional storage in the most unlikely places. All of those wasted areas -- ones that can't be used for active living space and seem inappropriate for conventional storage -- are normally considered DEAD SPACE. But you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse with the right tools and a little imagination.

LOOK, UP IN THE SKY!

Some of the best storage space you will ever find is over your head. What do you do with those high, short SHELVES in the tops of your closets? They're perfect for hats, smaller luggage, and items you don't use very often. What could you easily hang from the ceiling? Cookware, sporting goods, baskets -- just about anything. You can purchase special suspended racks, or create your own with standard supplies for your local hardware store. Keep an eye on those sturdy rafters in the attic, garage, or basement -- great for heavier items. The only rule is BE CREATIVE. A metal pole strung between to beams is custom-made for off-season, dress-up, or vintage clothing -- a large square of netting tacked at the four corners can hold stuffed animals -- and some thick plywood laid across your attic rafters will create an entirely new storage space.

LAYING LOW

Oftentimes, we focus too heavily on storage that is at eye level -- forgetting about the extra space we have near the floor -- under the bed, at the bottom of a closet, along the base of a wall in the garage. However, the last thing you want to do is simply create another pile that clutters up the floor and trips you up. Like any other storage, floor space will serve you much better if you subdivide -- create some structure. Long, flat boxes are great for subdividing the space under your bed. Shoe racks will help you make the best use of your closet floor. And you can create a ton of additional storage in your basement, attic, laundry room, or garage by lining the base of the wall with low shelves, pull-out baskets, and bins.

JUST HANGING AROUND

Another great place to find extra storage space is hanging along your walls. Almost anything can be attached to a wall -- just make sure that you use strong wall anchors if you plan to hang anything heavy. Give your tools and garden implements a permanent home on a peg board in the garage or basement. Hang see-through mesh bags of kids toys -- blocks, balls, army men -- from colored hooks on your child's wall. If your home lacks a hall closet, create one with an attractive coat rack in your entryway. Make room for belts, scarves, and purses along the walls in your closet. Hang coffee cups from the underside of your kitchen cabinet shelves. Or store grocery bags in a holder on the inside of your pantry or kitchen cabinet. All it takes is a little creativity, and a hammer!

SHUT THE DOOR ON THE WAY OUT

And as long as we're hanging things, let's take a look at your doors. Make sure that you attach all organizing paraphernalia firmly -- you don't want your racks or pegs coming loose the first time you close the door. And be careful about hanging anything that is too heavy -- or that will bang into your door and scuff it up. Other than those two rules, your options are limitless. Closet doors are just begging to be used for storage -- to hold a shoe rack, belt hooks, purses, or even a jewelry organizer. Your bathroom door is the perfect place for hanging a towel rack or a bathrobe. Putting a rack with shelves on the inside of a pantry door can sometimes double your food storage. And if your child needs someplace to hang bookbags and coats, why not consider a series of hooks on his or her bedroom door.

MAKING USE OF ODD-SIZED SPACES

One final word on using "dead space" -- don't be deceived by UNCONVENTIONAL storage areas. They may initially appear useless, but you can always do something with your storage. You might be able to fit a bicycle or cleaning supplies in that low closet under the stairs. Or use those tall thin cabinets for cookie sheets and serving platters. Does your pantry or linen closet stretch up higher than you can easily reach? Do you like to shop at Sam's or Costco? How about adding some shallow shelves for bulk toilet paper or extra canned goods? Never be afraid to outfit a strangely shaped storage space with whatever accessories are required to make it useful.

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com -- a web-based one-stop shop offering everything that you need to get organized at home or at work. At OnlineOrganizing.com, you may get a referral to an organizer near you, shop for the latest organizing products, get tons of free tips, and even learn how to become a professional organizer or build your existing organizing business. And if you would like to read more articles about organizing your life or building your business, get a free subscription to the "Get Organized" and "Organized For A Living" newsletters. Please visit http://www.OnlineOrganizing.com or contact Ramona directly at ramona@onlineorganizing.com for more information.

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Google News Updated : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:25:40 GMT Boeing union leaders recommend strike - MarketWatch Washington Post Boeing union leaders recommend strike MarketWatch - 1 hour ago By MarketWatch Leaders of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Friday rejected Boeing's third and final contract proposal and recommended its workers vote to go on strike. Union Leaders Reject Boeing Contract Offer Wall Street Journal Boeing Union Urges Workers to Reject Offer, Setting Up Strike Bloomberg Bizjournals.com - guardian.co.uk - The Associated Press - TheStreet.com all 1,041 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:15:15 GMT Microwave baby killer convicted - BBC News BBC News Microwave baby killer convicted BBC News - 3 hours ago A US court in Dayton, Ohio, has convicted a mother of murdering her one-month-old daughter by burning her to death in a microwave oven. Video: Prosecutor: Ohio Mom Killed Baby in Microwave AssociatedPress US jury convicts mom in microwaved-baby case International Herald Tribune ToTheCenter.com - WZTV - NBC6.net - Dayton Daily News all 689 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:30:22 GMT US Economy: Spending Slows, Inflation Accelerates (Update1) - Bloomberg Washington Post US Economy: Spending Slows, Inflation Accelerates (Update1) Bloomberg - 6 hours ago By Shobhana Chandra Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- US consumer spending grew at a slower pace in July as the impact of the tax rebates faded and a pickup in inflation eroded Americans' buying power. Bonds fall on mixed economic reports CNNMoney.com Consumer spending flags, but confidence rises Reuters Wall Street Journal - New York Times - MarketWatch - AHN all 520 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:06 GMT Protests Rise in Thailand In Challenge to Regime - Wall Street Journal GulfNews Protests Rise in Thailand In Challenge to Regime Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago By JAMES HOOKWAY and STEPHEN WRIGHT BANGKOK -- Waves of antigovernment protests spread beyond Thailand's capital Friday as clashes between police and demonstrators intensified, forcing the closure of several regional airports and disrupting rail ... Thai protest alliance not so happy with democracy The Associated Press US asks Thailand to end crisis through democratic means AFP New York Times - BBC News - guardian.co.uk - Reuters all 2,421 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:33:23 GMT Earwax: Too Much of a Good Thing? - WebMD eFluxMedia Earwax: Too Much of a Good Thing? WebMD - 5 hours ago By Kelley Colihan Aug. 29, 2008 -- The body is a miraculous mechanism. Consider the once-lowly earwax. People used to try to remove it. Leave That Ear Wax Alone Washington Post National Guideline Against Ear Poking eFluxMedia MSNBC - RedOrbit - MedPage Today - eMaxHealth.com all 36 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:32:14 GMT Obama’s Plane Palin Problem - FOXNews BBC News Obama’s Plane Palin Problem FOXNews - 2 hours ago by Major Garrett Reporters covering Barack Obama heard the news aboard Obama 1 (the campaign for the first time chartered a second plane for the swelling press corps), just before takeoff. Video: Raw Video: Schwarzenegger Praises Palin kcratv “Tougher in Alaskaâ€� host Geo Beach discusses Sarah Palin Christian Science Monitor CBS News - Chicago Tribune - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Seattle Post Intelligencer all 5,468 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:07:29 GMT Aid agencies scramble to help flood victims - CNN CBC.ca Aid agencies scramble to help flood victims CNN - 39 minutes ago (CNN) -- The grinding misery triggered by the massive floods in a downtrodden part of northeastern India and across the border in Nepal persisted Friday, with government and aid agencies swinging into action to help the 2 million-plus people fleeing ... India: Up to 2000 feared dead in Bihar floods guardian.co.uk Millions displaced in Bihar floods PRESS TV Reuters India - CNN International - New York Times all 551 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:45:57 GMT RSStoBlog Add RSS Feeds to My Website

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