Storage spaces and ingenuity
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40248)
United States
December 28, 2017 11:06am CST
I do love my apartment. Even though it is only 660 square feet - it is laid out in such a way to maximize use of space and does have plenty of closets and a pantry - all of which are spacious.
However I am a quasi-hoarder and have a lot of things which I love. Well, earlier this year - the apartment building got inspected and I got told that I had to re-arrange furniture for the fire code. Well alright. I was mildly annoyed since the new configuration is less efficient as to storage space but alright.
Now we were required to clear all of our items out of the "storage" room.
As you can guess, I had a lot of items in the storage room.
Big window fan, "Christmas" storage, large luggage, seasonal clothing....
I suppose I can be happy that I downsized my Christmas stuff at the start of the season, so that there is less to deal with. But still.
So I am currently looking for any suggestions about how to maximize space. lol.
Photo: Pixabay
15 people like this
17 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
28 Dec 17
I think this site has tons of ideas..I can't use many of these ideas Faye, but the site is interesting enough for me to read on sometimes.
https://www.houzz.com/maximizing-a-small-space
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Thanks for the link -- that is a cool site. :-)
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
29 Dec 17
@FayeHazel Its handy old site Faye..hope you may find something
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Under-bed storage is often underused and think up, it you can put shelving higher up, it gets things off the floor and if you use attractive baskets or boxes it looks good too.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@JudyEv Even at good deals when you can find them :-)
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Oh that is a great idea about nice looking storage baskets or boxes, ... thanks! :-)
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Dec 17
We have a tiny house with tiny closets . . . but we have a ton of stuff 
. Luckily we have a garage not used for cars . . . it's our "storage" area but we will eventually clear it out for better use. I'm currently trying to refigure our living space too for better storage solutions. One thing is making use of height . . . getting tall shelving units and hutches - make use of that empty wall space. And as we get new furniture, we're trying to get ones with storage space in it.
. Luckily we have a garage not used for cars . . . it's our "storage" area but we will eventually clear it out for better use. I'm currently trying to refigure our living space too for better storage solutions. One thing is making use of height . . . getting tall shelving units and hutches - make use of that empty wall space. And as we get new furniture, we're trying to get ones with storage space in it.1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Jan 18
@FayeHazel At the same time, I would like to have a garage for the cars 
. Thank you and hope you find those storage solutions too!
. Thank you and hope you find those storage solutions too!1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah that's what my parents did - park the cars outside so that the garage could be used for storage space.
Good luck with better storage solutions
Thanks! That is a good hint about making use of height- the wall does go all the way up to ceiling may as well make use of it :-)
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
2 Jan 18
@much2say Thanks! So far I have everything crammed in. Ha. Oh a garage for cars is very nice esp. in winter. I hope you get your garage back
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes... it's so much better than where I came from - so even these things seem mild to me... well, mildly annoying... but still so much nicer....
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ahhh, well, did manage to get rid of 2 large boxes of stuff yesterday, and consolidated some other things as well. It's tough though
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
29 Dec 17
@FayeHazel - ive got a ton of sports cards. comic books. and lately ive gotten into the metal figures by JADA.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@Plethos I could see where storage would be interesting with the cards and esp. the comic books. There are some cool metal figures out there
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes, and there is so much to like, too, isn't there? What are the things that interest you?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85468)
• United States
2 Jan 18
Your furniture setup violated fire code?! I can't imagine how that came to be. I don't have a pantry, but my bedroom closet is actually pretty big for an apartment. I think my entire apartment is 625 sq. ft. I don't use a dining table so it feels spacious to me.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85468)
• United States
2 Jan 18
@FayeHazel I had to look up some stuff on my apartment complex, and apparently my apartment is 675 sq. ft. I think they are off.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
2 Jan 18
Ah yes. They said it was because I had a low book shelf below a window , and because my bookshelf stuck out too far into a hallway incase they would need to bring a stretcher. It is annoying to me, but I tolerated it. This is much preferable to my previous situation. :-) When laid out right these spaces can be quite nice. :-) I'm happy you have enough space :-)
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
3 Jan 18
@AmbiePam More room is always better :-)
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
29 Dec 17
You need to dispose of unwanted stuff at the first instance.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes. I donated 2 boxes of things yesterday. *sigh*
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I wish I had some comparison for space. :-) It's not a big amount of room, though it is laid out really well . Even with that it would be crowded to have 2 people in here. Yes, does stink to not have access to storage. I already got ride of 2 more boxes of stuff to clear up more room.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Dec 17
I just put stuff wherever. I am definitely not efficient!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Lol! I am trying to be more organized myself
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Thanks! It took way more time than I expected... but I got it mostly done. I wish you pre-emptive good luck
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20261)
•
30 Dec 17
@FayeHazel My 'strong' will said, 'do it!'. My tired body said, 'Why?' 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@YrNemo Ah yes the good old mind and body debates lol
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
29 Dec 17
I don't know, I'm sorry, but I hope you figure it out.
1 person likes this
@khagendra1994 (1226)
• Kathmandu, Nepal
3 Jan 18
I think you should search on YouTube that may be useful
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
3 Jan 18
That's a good thought too, I hadn't even thought of YouTube. Thanks!
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes. You got it right. It did sort of force me into clearing some clutter out / consolidating. There were some like new boots I hadn't worn in years/never wore much- because they simply weren't comfortable, so I finally donated them... went through my toiletries etc... so... it was good all around . Space like that must be great :-)
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes, that is a concept I have struggled with for a long time. I like stuff, lots and lots of stuff unfortunately it is an effort for me to let go of things. :-) I'm happy you've found a good place to be at
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
28 Dec 17
You might have to downsize some more - but of course first check the site suggested by @TiarasOceanview
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Ah yes, got rid of 2 boxes worth yesterday. That was a cool site :-)
