10 Steps to Making Storage Boxes Work for You
Whether you're short on storage space, or have so much that you need a way to make it more orderly, these storage box tips will help
Hannah Young
29 October 2016
Professional Organiser in Yorkshire and a member of APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers). You can find me online at www.ReviveYourSpace.co.uk or in person helping others to declutter, organise and restyle their homes. I believe it's important to make the most of what we already have and love to share the benefits of being organised and efficient, creating more physical and emotional space for the things that are most important to us.
Professional Organiser in Yorkshire and a member of APDO (Association of Professional... More
Storage boxes are the perfect portable place to keep clutter, but we often find ourselves collecting containers only to leave them unused and empty. Finding the right storage boxes requires some forward thinking, so follow these tips to ensure you plan ahead and make full use of these handy containers.
1. Measure first, shop second
Calculate the space you have before you go shopping so you can purchase boxes to fit neatly. The box files here slot perfectly into the space provided. Think, too, about where you want to store each item. For example, it’s a good idea to keep frequently used things close to where they’re needed.
If you can’t find a storage box to fit a particular space, try making your own by decorating cereal or shoe boxes.
Browse more compact home offices
Calculate the space you have before you go shopping so you can purchase boxes to fit neatly. The box files here slot perfectly into the space provided. Think, too, about where you want to store each item. For example, it’s a good idea to keep frequently used things close to where they’re needed.
If you can’t find a storage box to fit a particular space, try making your own by decorating cereal or shoe boxes.
Browse more compact home offices
2. Corral your clutter
Keep the space under your bed neat and tidy with boxes that slide out for easy access. Boxes with lids are a good choice to prevent dust build-up. However, if speedy tidying is the priority, then open boxes will help keep things together.
Keep the space under your bed neat and tidy with boxes that slide out for easy access. Boxes with lids are a good choice to prevent dust build-up. However, if speedy tidying is the priority, then open boxes will help keep things together.
3. Revel in consistency
By creating a cohesive look for your storage, you’ll help your brain to quickly process the contents of a cupboard or shelf without becoming overwhelmed. Be creative and choose a colour or pattern you love. This will boost positive feelings and encourage you to maintain your newly organised system.
By creating a cohesive look for your storage, you’ll help your brain to quickly process the contents of a cupboard or shelf without becoming overwhelmed. Be creative and choose a colour or pattern you love. This will boost positive feelings and encourage you to maintain your newly organised system.
4. Collect outdoor oddments
Boxes are for containing stuff, keeping like with like, and ensuring items are safe, dry and dust-free. So they’re an obvious solution for outdoor storage. A box or storage bench is a great way to have some easy-access space for outdoor items and can double up as additional seating. Make it more comfy and pretty with a rug and some outdoor cushions.
Bring indoor style outside
Boxes are for containing stuff, keeping like with like, and ensuring items are safe, dry and dust-free. So they’re an obvious solution for outdoor storage. A box or storage bench is a great way to have some easy-access space for outdoor items and can double up as additional seating. Make it more comfy and pretty with a rug and some outdoor cushions.
Bring indoor style outside
5. Aim high
For those difficult-to-reach spaces at the top of wardrobes or the back of cupboards, boxes are brilliant. It’s much easier to move a whole box and retrieve the one item you require than scrabble around for bits and pieces.
Using containers in this way greatly increases the amount of accessible storage you have. Just make sure the box isn’t too heavy – you don’t want to drop it!
For those difficult-to-reach spaces at the top of wardrobes or the back of cupboards, boxes are brilliant. It’s much easier to move a whole box and retrieve the one item you require than scrabble around for bits and pieces.
Using containers in this way greatly increases the amount of accessible storage you have. Just make sure the box isn’t too heavy – you don’t want to drop it!
6. Box up the boxes
A few strategically placed boxes can help round up all sorts of things that typically end up scattered. In the kitchen, for example, a crate of spice jars can be lifted out so you can see all your flavours at a glance. Similarly, odd utensils that only get used from time to time can be kept together, as well as food container lids that so often fall down the back of a drawer.
Sleek looks for a stylish pantry
A few strategically placed boxes can help round up all sorts of things that typically end up scattered. In the kitchen, for example, a crate of spice jars can be lifted out so you can see all your flavours at a glance. Similarly, odd utensils that only get used from time to time can be kept together, as well as food container lids that so often fall down the back of a drawer.
Sleek looks for a stylish pantry
7. Treasure teeny things in tiny boxes
Boxes are a perfect solution for your craft room. Clear boxes will help you keep yarns and threads visible, but safe from moths and dust. Colourful, decorated boxes can add a creative atmosphere to the room.
You could also dedicate a box or two to any ongoing projects to keep all the elements together, but dust-free and safe.
Boxes are a perfect solution for your craft room. Clear boxes will help you keep yarns and threads visible, but safe from moths and dust. Colourful, decorated boxes can add a creative atmosphere to the room.
You could also dedicate a box or two to any ongoing projects to keep all the elements together, but dust-free and safe.
8. Divide and conquer
When it comes to toys, suitable and accessible storage is key. In this child’s bedroom, boxes of different sizes are kept at a low level for ease of use.
Try to think laterally when shopping for suitable storage. Here, there are several different styles of boxes, but they work together because they fit in the space. Remember, you might find the perfect toy storage in the kitchen section of your homewares store.
When it comes to toys, suitable and accessible storage is key. In this child’s bedroom, boxes of different sizes are kept at a low level for ease of use.
Try to think laterally when shopping for suitable storage. Here, there are several different styles of boxes, but they work together because they fit in the space. Remember, you might find the perfect toy storage in the kitchen section of your homewares store.
9. Hang it out
Hanging boxes are such a creative storage solution. They’re a little bit like a shelf, but so much more flexible.
In this tight space, boxes hung from the dado rail provide storage for those little things you need in a powder room. The containers don’t clutter the floor, making it much easier to clean.
Hanging boxes are such a creative storage solution. They’re a little bit like a shelf, but so much more flexible.
In this tight space, boxes hung from the dado rail provide storage for those little things you need in a powder room. The containers don’t clutter the floor, making it much easier to clean.
10. Keep things clean
Bathrooms and kitchens get dirty quickly, so help speed your cleaning along by popping toiletries and frequently used items in plastic boxes. You can quickly lift the box up to wipe underneath and, from time to time, you can clean the inside of the box too.
Containers made from natural materials do look great, but think carefully about what you store in them and how much moisture and dust they’ll collect. The wipe-clean, wicker-look basket on the top shelf here is ideal, while the natural ones on the lower shelves are perfect for towels.
TELL US
What do you think of these ideas? How do you organise your storage boxes? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more storage stories
Bathrooms and kitchens get dirty quickly, so help speed your cleaning along by popping toiletries and frequently used items in plastic boxes. You can quickly lift the box up to wipe underneath and, from time to time, you can clean the inside of the box too.
Containers made from natural materials do look great, but think carefully about what you store in them and how much moisture and dust they’ll collect. The wipe-clean, wicker-look basket on the top shelf here is ideal, while the natural ones on the lower shelves are perfect for towels.
TELL US
What do you think of these ideas? How do you organise your storage boxes? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more storage stories
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I love everything in its place which lead me to selling lovely wooden storage boxes have a look at my ebay shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thecrafthut/
get rid of things
Why do so many commenters think it is helpful to suggest getting rid of things? Do they not use towels and toilet paper? Some of us are lacking in storage due to the design of our houses, not our inability to edit our possessions.