How a Pro Organizer Improved Her Own Home’s Storage
New kitchen drawers, an upgraded laundry workspace and extra garage storage create a more functional, organized space
I’m not fortunate enough to live in a home with practical built-in storage. With more time in my schedule at the start of the pandemic, I focused my attention on a few problem areas in my own home. I was so thrilled with the results that I wanted to share my ideas.
As a home organizer, I have worked in a wide variety of homes, from new custom builds with well-thought-out storage to 100-year-old Victorians with small closets and impractical kitchens. In every case, I was able to make storage spaces more functional and visually pleasing without a major remodel. I have no doubt that any home can be improved with the right products and strategies.
As a home organizer, I have worked in a wide variety of homes, from new custom builds with well-thought-out storage to 100-year-old Victorians with small closets and impractical kitchens. In every case, I was able to make storage spaces more functional and visually pleasing without a major remodel. I have no doubt that any home can be improved with the right products and strategies.
Blind corner lazy Susan. I have a deep lower cabinet in the corner of my kitchen that is extremely inaccessible. I use it to store serveware I don’t use often. My handyman installed a blind corner lazy Susan, which makes accessing these items so much easier.
There are several models and options available depending on the size of your cabinet and whether you need a right or left pullout. Remember to measure your kitchen items carefully to make sure they’ll fit after the lazy Susan is installed.
Work with a handyman in your area
There are several models and options available depending on the size of your cabinet and whether you need a right or left pullout. Remember to measure your kitchen items carefully to make sure they’ll fit after the lazy Susan is installed.
Work with a handyman in your area
Vertical storage for cutting boards, trays and cookie sheets. Since I didn’t have a tall vertical storage space, I would stash these items in a large drawer under my oven. Items rested on top of each other, and it was always difficult to find what I was looking for.
My solution was to remove the middle shelf from a small lower cabinet so I would have enough height to store taller items. I purchased a slide-out organizer designed for storing large trays, cutting boards and cookie sheets.
The design makes it easy to quickly find what I’m looking for and to put items away after use. It was such a simple solution to an annoying storage problem. I highly recommend making the change if your kitchen allows for it.
My solution was to remove the middle shelf from a small lower cabinet so I would have enough height to store taller items. I purchased a slide-out organizer designed for storing large trays, cutting boards and cookie sheets.
The design makes it easy to quickly find what I’m looking for and to put items away after use. It was such a simple solution to an annoying storage problem. I highly recommend making the change if your kitchen allows for it.
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Rollout storage caddy under the sink. I have attractive storage containers for dish soap and other cleaning supplies, but reaching the products was difficult.
Due to the placement of my garbage disposal and pipes, I had scant storage for taller items. After measuring the space extremely carefully, I purchased a narrow pullout storage caddy designed for dish soap and supplies. I wasn’t able to find the perfect fit, but the space is much easier to access than before.
Due to the placement of my garbage disposal and pipes, I had scant storage for taller items. After measuring the space extremely carefully, I purchased a narrow pullout storage caddy designed for dish soap and supplies. I wasn’t able to find the perfect fit, but the space is much easier to access than before.
Make a Laundry Closet More User-Friendly
My hardworking laundry closet was small, dark and cramped and always seemed to be disorganized.
I removed a dingy wooden hanging cabinet and replaced it with two smaller white cabinets. I added a hanging rod that spans the space between the cabinets. The rod is ideal for hanging clothes I don’t want to put in the dryer. I chose to paint my walls bright white, but the silver metallic tile backsplash shown here could also brighten up a dark, windowless laundry space.
Since I have a front-loading washer and dryer, my handyman installed a shelf over the top, like the one shown here. This new workspace is a prime location for sorting and folding laundry.
Browse laundry room products
My hardworking laundry closet was small, dark and cramped and always seemed to be disorganized.
I removed a dingy wooden hanging cabinet and replaced it with two smaller white cabinets. I added a hanging rod that spans the space between the cabinets. The rod is ideal for hanging clothes I don’t want to put in the dryer. I chose to paint my walls bright white, but the silver metallic tile backsplash shown here could also brighten up a dark, windowless laundry space.
Since I have a front-loading washer and dryer, my handyman installed a shelf over the top, like the one shown here. This new workspace is a prime location for sorting and folding laundry.
Browse laundry room products
Add Extra Storage in Your Garage
Although I don’t usually hang on to unnecessary belongings, I recently inherited family heirlooms that I had a difficult time parting with. Due to the configuration of my home, creating usable storage space in my attic wasn’t an option. I did, however, have a high ceiling in my garage that I was able to turn into a storage loft.
I hired a contractor to create an attic space with a pull-down ladder. He added several structural beams across the width of the garage and created a floor strong enough to store heavy boxes and for me to walk on. I also had a light installed. This was a relatively easy way to add storage space and remove some of the items cluttering the main garage area.
Although I don’t usually hang on to unnecessary belongings, I recently inherited family heirlooms that I had a difficult time parting with. Due to the configuration of my home, creating usable storage space in my attic wasn’t an option. I did, however, have a high ceiling in my garage that I was able to turn into a storage loft.
I hired a contractor to create an attic space with a pull-down ladder. He added several structural beams across the width of the garage and created a floor strong enough to store heavy boxes and for me to walk on. I also had a light installed. This was a relatively easy way to add storage space and remove some of the items cluttering the main garage area.
Another option for overhead storage in a garage is to install racks that attach to the ceiling. Several of our clients have used this solution because their garage doesn’t have a high ceiling. Check with your contractor or handyman regarding weight limitations.
If you aren’t in the position to remodel your home, there are many practical storage products available for a variety of needs. With a little research and creativity, you might be able to improve some frustrating areas of your home.
Shop for garage and tool storage
More on Houzz
How to Work With a Professional Organizer
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Find a professional organizer in the Houzz pro directory
Browse products
If you aren’t in the position to remodel your home, there are many practical storage products available for a variety of needs. With a little research and creativity, you might be able to improve some frustrating areas of your home.
Shop for garage and tool storage
More on Houzz
How to Work With a Professional Organizer
Get design ideas
Find a professional organizer in the Houzz pro directory
Browse products
Pullout drawers for cabinets. During a kitchen remodel several years ago, I made the decision to paint my kitchen cabinets rather than replace them. Although this was the right decision from a budget perspective, my older cabinets didn’t have all the bells and whistles that new cabinets offer. Even though my kitchen looks great, storage was a problem.
My lower cabinets are quite deep, and pots, pans and small appliances have always been difficult to access. Keeping the contents organized was often problematic. Less-used items were often shoved into the back and were difficult to find when needed.
My solution was to install slide-out drawers in the lower cabinets. I carefully measured the dimensions of the cabinets, noting any obstacles such as electrical conduits or gas lines. I also measured my pots, pans and small appliances to make sure they would fit in the new drawers.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to select a product that suits your needs. You’ll also lose some cabinet space because the drawer is not custom-made to fit your specific cabinets. Although I had to get rid of a few items that no longer fit, the added functionality was worth it.
I opted to have a handyman install my rollout drawers once they arrived. The drawers make finding and putting away items in my kitchen much easier.
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