When storage capacity seems elusive in your home, it’s time to make a few decisions

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Published Date 10/4/2023

Finding ways to get organized can often be a bridge too far for some, as storage solutions are anything but one-size-fits-all.

While Realtor Magazine’s Barbara Ballinger says fall is the time to get organized, the truth is that any time of year is the time to do it. Getting organized breeds sanity and satisfaction no matter what the season. Still, she offers a few “best practices” for the tasks at hand.

“New homes are shrinking in size and storage space, and older homes have their share of storage woes as well, which makes it difficult for homeowners to keep their homes tidy and organized,” she says. “Though many homeowners in recent years have latched onto the decluttering philosophies of Marie Kondo and Swedish Death Cleaning, some didn’t organize and store what was left, leaving them with piles. Moreover, most homeowners continue to buy, making it unlikely that their rooms will have space for everything.”

Ballinger called on the expertise of South Carolina designers Jacob Laws and his partner who understand the challenges of limited storage space. They own an early 1800s home and intentionally limit their possessions to ensure it stays tidy. “But it’s easier for us,” he says. “This is what we do professionally.”

The good news is that everyone from home builders and architects to professional organizers and designers are swooping in to help with this issue. Commercial interior designer Mary Cook advises home builders on closet design, angling a staircase in one townhouse model to accommodate a second hall closet and also arranging the garage to make its ceiling higher to fit more storage. Wingspan Development Group offers extra closets as options in some of its multifamily units, including walk-in styles and pantries off kitchens. And many pros are weighing in, making visualizing possibilities easier with renderings.

Before organizing, homeowners should declutter, basing their decision on the traditional rule that says that if something hasn’t been used in three to five years or offers great sentimental value, it goes.

Another factor is that every homeowner should factor in how long they hope to stay, since built-ins, including closet systems, can be more costly than many freestanding furnishings, which may be transported to a future home. “Live in your space for a few months before you commit to any storage investment,” Laws says.

The best questions for homeowners to ask themselves, says architect Bob Zuber are: What am I storing? How accessible does it need to be based on frequency of use? Does what’s being stored involve special considerations such as temperature control?

When once big entertainment centers and armoires ruled the day, “Costco Closets” have blossomed in suburban homes for bulky items. Any systems installed should be adjustable whether shelves in a bookcase or clothing rods in a closet, since needs change.

Storage should also reflect a home’s design style and price point. That means more expensive wood shelves in move-up homes, and wire shelving in more affordable categories. “Think carefully about which materials to use. In general, metal costs more than wood, except for exotic species; stained wood is more expensive than painted; and melamine and similar materials are the least expensive yet still very durable, says designer Rebecca Pogonitz. Wood offers the advantage of being able to be customized, says designer Suzan Wemlinger. Avoid over-personalizing storage unless what’s stored warrants extra expense. “This rule may apply to a fine wine collection in a custom cellar,” they advise. “An alternative is a refrigerated wine cooler that can be taken to another home.”

“Storage should never be placed so it blocks doors, windows, furnishings and traffic flow,” says Ballinger. “Its purpose is to support daily life rather than make it harder.”

When the pandemic hit, many homeowners did not consider future needs and began filling up every storage option as space for home offices and home classrooms became huge issues. Some found it by converting an extra closet into a functional cubicle.

Of course, one can consider off-site public storage. But that option is costly and often becomes an excuse for delaying decluttering. The bottom line is that every room should have some storage.

RealtorMag, TBWS

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