Home Organizing Storage Projects

Built-in shelves can add a large amount of storage space to any room, hallway or closet. Compared to buying a freestanding shelf unit, built-ins use existing walls for structural support and to form the back of each shelf, allowing them to store more in less space. Built-in shelves also have a more finished look that blends into the surrounding space, especially if you paint or stain them to match the walls or existing woodwork.

Pots and pans are some of the bulkiest items in the kitchen, and storing them can leave you with little additional space. To free up cabinet space, hang pots and pans from a wall or ceiling rack. Ceiling racks hang above a kitchen island and place pots and pans within easy reach without reducing floor space. Wall racks may encroach on the room but still offer a better option than stacking pots and pans in a cabinet that could store many other kitchen items instead.

Closets are built for storage, but figuring out how to make the most of that space can still be a challenge. For bedroom closets, use over-the-door racks for hanging shoes, hats or other items that have odd shapes and are difficult to store. Make sure every closet in the home has space for hanging clothes, along with shelves for folded items or boxes. Hooks are useful for hanging belts, ties and tall items such as umbrellas. Adding a modular shelving unit, or even a small dresser, inside a closet can greatly increase the amount of space available for storage.

Storing and organizing documents in the home can be difficult when space is limited. To keep receipts, tax documents and personal records safe, use a scanner to produce digital versions. Scan old documents from your files (as long as there's no need to present the original) and organize the digital documents in a series of folders on your computer. This will make it easier to search for specific files and will also free up the space that paper documents take up. Shred paper documents to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, and use a password to protect access to your new digital files. For even greater security, copy the digital documents to a CD or flash drive and keep it in a safe deposit box or home safe where it will survive a major emergency such as a fire, flood or burglary.