Everything Has A Place (Sort of)

Awhile ago I had a blog reader ask me about storage. Here is what she wrote.

After your tour of your house last week, (and my reorganization of my storage), I thought of you and how you do your storage (to rotate decorating themes).

I know we have toured your studio and and how things are grouped together there,  but do you have a "system" for everything else? Colored bins, cardboard boxes, closets? And lordy, what kind of space do you have?

First, I don't live in a big house. It is around 1900 sq. ft. I am lucky to have a fairly decent storage/laundry area and then storage above our garage.  It is pretty much packed with stuff. Pretty much.

Most of my holiday decorations are packed in bins and held on shelves in my laundry/storage area in the basement.  I just buy regular clear plastic bins as I can see what is in them. I try and keep like holiday bins together. I do use cardboard boxes as well if they fit into the shelves. It becomes a storage jigsaw puzzle. It looks quite jumbled, but I can find stuff.

I have three shelving areas that are packed floor to ceiling with bins. 

I don't just store holiday in this area.  I also have household stuff like a rice cooker, blender, trays etc. You may also notice some vintage items that I have not popped into the appropriate bins...they are newer finds that I have not tucked away yet.

The ceiling in this storage area is open so there are rafters. I hang stuff from them as well.

While the majority of my holiday decorations are downstairs, some find their way onto the main floor.  I have two vintage suitcases tucked under a cabinet that are full of my New Year's goodies.

I live in an 1940s tudor house that has original built ins.  The built ins hold pottery and dishes. This one holds my wedding topper collection and is  one of a pair in the dining room.  I have a larger one in the nook in the kitchen.

I have storage over my garage/studio in the backyard.  This is where we also keep sleeping bags, golf clubs, ice chests and other misc. household stuff.

One corner of the attic holds my collection of Santa blow molds.

One corner holds my (messy, as I am adding to it week to week with estate sale finds) assortment of Christmas ornaments and doo-dads for crafting. I drag them out closer to the holidays for crafting. 

I also have some extra stuff up here...like a box of vintage boxes. I have trouble passing them by with the graphics. I also have some overflow crafting supplies up there like this big bag of vintage bump chenille which had its own blog post.  I am slowly crafting my way through it.

In one corner of the garage I also keep some of the props for my shows.

I wish I had some ultra organized space for all my collections, decorations and crafting supplies. I make do with what my house has and utilize every space I can. I also have a understanding husband.

I just pulled out my vintage Easter decorations.  It was easy to do as they were all in one area in my basement storage area.   This pile left me wondering where I store it all too?!!

Happy Weekend!

Comments

[Doreen]

You need to write a book on organizing or something. Love your tips and ideas! A understanding husband always helps too. I have stuff stored in our closet and under our bed in storage bins on Phil's side too. Love the vintage suitcases to store stuff. I've been hoarding those lately. SIGH....It's even fun looking at your stuff in storage LOL.
Nice sneak peek of your Easter stuff too :-)

[Musings from Kim K.]

Fascinating tour. My husband will be joining me with his morning cup of coffee to look at your post too. We've had to get creative storing our holiday decorations (specifically Halloween). I dream of big storage units in our back woods. It's not happening, but it would be nice.

PS. Your Easter chicks arrived yesterday. I have big plans for them. I'm glad they were still available.

[Erica]

You have to be organized! Brian had a shed built a few years ago and one side of it is dedicated to my holiday decorations and the other side is camping stuff. Well the other day he said "it looks like my camping stuff is going to have to be moved out to the shop". I didn't even have to ask!

I'm excited to get out my Easter stuff. I'm thinking Spring Break, then Maddie can help. Still trying to figure out what to do with my part of the bunny crib. A certain enabler I know talked me into it :-)

Hanna is in town this weekend and we are headed to the Portland Flea tomorrow. Do you ever go?

~Erica

[Melissa]

Hmmmm.....it appears that I am not the only one pushing you to do a book. :o)

[vivian]

I have my stuff all stored in a small bedroom upstairs.. bins and bins and bins! no one else knows what is what.. but I do!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that little pink bunny in the last picture you posted. so cute!
have a great day
xoxo
vivian

[Kathy]

Kudos to your creativity in making room for everything. My house was built in the same time period but it is much smaller and I learned years ago that I have to put every inch to use to make it work. Well done!

[Su Gardner]

You are so amazing, I think the book idea is super. I would like to know how you organize your time; you accomplish so much and I could use some good, helpful ideas. I retired a year ago and I can't seem to pull the 'I have all day' thing together and make it work.

[joy]

Well~ what a terrific idea for this post (haha)
I so enjoyed seeing your organization!! Might even dream about it tonight as a digger sale where everything is a quarter! Had my husband look at this post and he said "Good God!!!! Thats awesome!!" (he is a junker too)

[Annette]

Clear bins are a key! I am gradually trying to shift over to them so I can tell what is where. You are really good at using every little space you have. Good job.

[Maureen]

It's a good thing you are so organized... I can't imagine trying to find something if you weren't.