One thing that we always notice we need after the holidays: more storage space. Whether it’s all the decorations coming out or the new gifts that got unwrapped, something about the holidays always reminds us of our need for storage. Often, it isn’t a matter of needing more space, but rather organizing what you have. Here are some tips on how to best organize the big and little spaces around your home. The Fridge and Pantry – We know that the holidays just ended, but that actually makes this a great time to organize the fridge and pantry. That’s because you now have a clean slate, just about all of that holiday food should be gone by now, meaning most of what is in the kitchen is relatively new. Check your expiration dates and make sure that everything is properly sealed. This will probably take a lot less time than you think. Pots and Pans – A great storage idea for pot and pan lids, is a tension rod in the drawer where they are kept. Use a short tension rod to section off a small part of the drawer, then lean the lids against the rod. You can also use a desk organizer on the counter to hold cookie sheets, cutting boards, and rolling pans. Plastic Bags – Have you ever wanted a neat solution for where to put all those plastic bags from the grocery store? Next time you go through a box of tissue, save the box and use it to store those plastic bags. When you need one, just pull it out like you would a regular tissue. Closet – The weather is getting colder, which makes this a great time to organize your closet. Give it a thorough cleaning: vacuum the floor, dust the walls and shelves and put away the last of your lighter clothing. Consider using clear storage containers from a department store if you’re running low on space. Garage – You should start with safety proofing. If you have kids, you’ll want to be sure that dangerous items, like power tools, are securely stored high up and out of reach. Always make sharp items difficult to access. Consider applying a floor covering to help prevent slipping, especially in places where drivers will track-in snow during the winter. This will also make clean-ups easier. Decorations – Here’s how to make sure that decorating next year is a breeze. You can use clothes hangers to organize wrapping paper and gift bags. Just pin sheets of wrapping paper on pants hangers and hang gift bags over the hooks. Use the box from the largest gift to hold rolls of wrapping paper. Wrap anything sharp and seal it with colored tap as a precaution. Always remember to remove batteries from anything being stored to avoid corrosion. Lastly, tie cords with cable ties and store them separately. We certainly hope you had a great holiday and are having a happy new year. Using these tips will help you stay organized and start the year off right. For more tips, check out our moving tips.
