10 Storage Hacks for the Home, Garage and Beyond
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Keeping your space organised and clutter-free can be a challenge, especially if you have limited storage options or live in a small house or apartment. However, with a little creativity and some helpful storage hacks, you can maximise your available space and make the most of what you have, helping you to find things quicker and easier. In this article, we'll share ten storage hacks that can be used in various areas of your home, garage and beyond.
10 storage hacks for the home, garage and beyond
Whether you need more space for clothes, tools, bikes, or kitchen gadgets, these hacks can help you create a functional and organised space. We'll cover over-the-door organisers, warehouse racking, drawer dividers, wall-mounted bike racks, rolling storage carts, labelling systems, under-bed storage and more.
With these hacks, you'll be able to store your items in a way that makes them easy to access and keeps your space looking neat and tidy. So, let's get started and see how these ten storage solutions can transform your home and garage!
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Over-the-door organisers
Over-the-door organisers are a versatile storage solution that can be used in various areas of your home. These organisers typically feature pockets or compartments that can hold small items, such as shoes, hats, scarves, toiletries, or snacks. You can hang them over the back of a door or on a wall to free up valuable floor or shelf space.
These are great for small spaces where wall and floor space is limited. As well as having pockets, you can also get over-the-door hooks which create space for hanging coats in a hallway or downstairs toilet next to a porch area.
In the bathroom, over-the-door organisers can be used to store toiletries or cleaning supplies or hooks can be used to hang towels and bathrobes, while in the pantry, over-the-door storage can be used to store snacks or packets of food, or to hang tea towels and aprons.
Over-the-door pockets can be used in children's rooms to organise toys, crafts, or school supplies. They can even be used as teddy storage!
Hooks that hang over the door are also ideal in bedrooms for extra clothes storage for clothing items that can easily be hung on hooks such as coats, hoodies, scarves, handbags, ties, belts and anything else that can be stored better on a hook rather than in a drawer.
Over-the-door organisers come in various materials, colours, and sizes, so you can find one that suits your needs and decor. They are ideal if you rent a property and don’t want to fix permanent storage solutions to the walls or doors, or if you are not allowed to drill holes as these are removable and simply hang over a door without causing any damage. They are also great space-saving solutions for small bedrooms.
Olive magnetic wood knife strip
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Magnetic knife strips
Magnetic knife strips are a great storage hack for anyone who loves to cook. Instead of taking up valuable counter or drawer space with a knife block or tray, you can mount a magnetic strip on the wall and store your knives out of the way. This also makes it easier to access the right knife for the task at hand.
Magnetic strips are also hygienic since they don't trap moisture or food particles like wooden knife blocks can. They come in various materials, including stainless steel and bamboo to match your kitchen decor and aesthetics, and can be mounted with screws or adhesive strips. Magnetic strips can also be used to store other metal utensils, such as scissors or spatulas.
If you don’t have the wall space, then you can consider adding the knife strip to the cooker splashback if you have enough height, or there are even freestanding magnetic knife blocks that can at least save space from a drawer and make it easier to see the knives and easily locate the knife needed.
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Pegboards
Pegboards are a versatile storage hack that can be used in the garage, workshop, or kitchen. By hanging a pegboard on the wall, you can create a customisable storage system that can hold various tools, supplies, or cookware.
Pegboards come in different sizes and with various-sized hole patterns, so you can choose the one that suits your needs. By using hooks, baskets, rails, or shelves, you can add more storage options to the pegboard. These are also great as a space-saving solution in a small kids bedroom.
In the garage or workshop, pegboards can be used to store hand tools, power tools, or gardening equipment.
A pegboard can also be a helpful tool for storing sports gear in a cupboard or garage, such as helmets, balls, or rackets. By hanging these items on the wall, you can save floor space and keep your gear organised and accessible.
In the kitchen, pegboards can be used to hang pots, pans, or utensils. This can help keep your counters and cabinets clutter-free, and also make it easier to find the right utensil for the task at hand.
In a home office, you can use a pegboard to hang up headphones, a keyboard, a calendar, stationery pots, staplers, hole punches and more.
If you love crafts then it’s a great storage hack for all crafty bits and pieces to keep them organised. It can store various supplies, such as scissors, tape, ribbons, or fabrics. You can hang baskets, cups, or shelves on the pegboard to keep your supplies within reach.
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Warehouse racking
Warehouse racking is a storage solution that can be a game-changer for garage organisation. By using a tall and sturdy racking system, you can maximise vertical space and create a stable structure to store heavy or bulky items, such as boxes, storage bins, tools, gardening gear, car equipment and tyres.
Warehouse racking typically comes in different sizes and weight capacities, so you can choose the one that suits your needs. Many are heavy duty so you can store your heaviest items in your garage without worry!
Racking can be used to store household paints, holiday decorations, sports gear and cleaning supplies, amongst many other things to keep things organised. By using racking, you can make the most of your garage space, keep your items off the floor and start organising your home.
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Drawer dividers
Drawer dividers are a helpful storage hack that can keep your drawers organised and easy to navigate. By dividing your drawers into sections, you can create a space for each item and prevent them from getting jumbled or lost. It can also ensure you make the most of the items you have and things don’t become lost at the back of drawers and never used!
Drawer dividers are especially useful in the bedroom or office, where you might have a lot of small items to store, such as socks, underwear, jewellery, or stationery.
They are also handy in the kitchen to separate cutlery, kitchen utensils and other small kitchen items such as straws, cocktail sticks, cleaning cloths and tea towels. Cutlery drawers are a great way to easily divide cutlery with predefined sections.
Dividers come in different materials, such as plastic or bamboo, and can be adjustable to fit different drawer sizes. By using drawer dividers, you can save time searching for items and keep your space looking tidy.
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Wall-mounted bike rack
A wall-mounted bike rack is a great storage solution for those who don't have a lot of floor space in their garage or home. These racks can be mounted on a wall or ceiling and hold one or more bikes securely. They can free up valuable floor space while keeping your bikes safe and out of the way.
When we lived in a maisonette on two upper floors without a garden or outdoor storage, we stored our bikes on the wall using heavy-duty bike hooks on the stairs that lead up to the flat. It was a great way to stop our bikes from being in the way and not take up any of our precious rooms in our small maisonette.
Wall-mounted bike racks come in various shapes and sizes and can be installed using brackets or screws. They are a perfect storage option for avid cyclists or families with multiple bikes, keeping bikes neat and tidy and easily accessible for bike rides.
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Rolling storage carts
Rolling storage carts are a versatile and portable storage option that can be used in various rooms in your home, from the kitchen to the bathroom or even the garage. With wheels on the bottom, these carts are easy to move around, making them perfect for those who like to rearrange their space frequently.
These carts come in a range of sizes and can be used to store a wide variety of items, from kitchen appliances to craft supplies or gardening tools, helping you easily manoeuvre things around a room to where you need them most.
They can also be used to serve food and drinks to guests, or thin versions can slide into gaps between cupboards or white goods in the kitchen or utility room.
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Labelling systems
A labelling system is an excellent storage hack to keep your items organised and easy to find. Labels can be used on storage bins, drawers, shelves, or even entire sections of your garage or home. They are particularly useful if you store dried food, grains, herbs and spices in jars, so you remember which is which!
By using a labelling system, you can quickly identify where an item is stored and reduce the time spent searching for it. This is ideal in large households with multiple people so everyone can find what they need easily, especially in garages, cupboards and lofts.
Labelling systems can be created using pre-printed labels or DIY options, such as a label maker or chalkboard labels.
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Under-bed storage
Under-bed storage is an often-overlooked storage hack that can be incredibly useful for anyone living in a small space or looking to maximise their storage options. The area under the bed is usually unused, making it the perfect spot to store items that you don't need to access frequently.
Under-bed storage can come in a variety of forms, from flat storage boxes to rolling drawers that can be easily pulled out. These storage solutions can be found at most home goods stores, and many are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and fit with your home's décor. You can opt for clear plastic to easily see what’s inside, or something more homely like wooden drawers on castor wheels.
One of the best things about under-bed storage is its versatility. You can store a wide range of items in this space, such as out-of-season clothing, extra linens, shoes, or even books. Using under-bed storage allows you to free up space in other areas of your home, such as your closets or dressers while keeping your items easily accessible and organised.
Another benefit of under-bed storage is that it's relatively inexpensive compared to other storage options. You can purchase storage boxes or drawers for a relatively low cost, and they can be reused for years to come.
Alternatively, if you’re in the market for a new bed then you can buy one with readymade storage solutions. An ottoman bed would offer the largest amount of under-bed storage as the bed rises to reveal the space underneath the bed and you can completely fill the gap underneath with belongings. Or a divan bed with drawers is another storage bed solution with pre-built drawers in the base. If you have a box room you’re trying to increase space in, then a higher-up bed with drawers and a wardrobe underneath could be a great space-saving solution.
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Hanging pot racks
Our final storage hack to save space and be more organised in the home is a hanging pot rack. This is a great idea for those who love to cook and have a collection of pots and pans. Hanging pot racks can be mounted on a ceiling or wall and hold your pots and pans, freeing up valuable cabinet space.
Not only do they provide a practical storage solution, but they can also add a touch of style to your kitchen when done right. Hanging pot racks come in various materials, such as stainless steel, wrought iron, or wood, and can be found in different sizes and shapes to fit your kitchen's style and needs. With a hanging pot rack, your pots and pans are easily accessible while adding an element of décor to your kitchen.
To round up
Staying organised and clutter-free can be challenging, particularly in a small house or apartment, but with these ten storage hacks, you can maximise your available space and create a functional and organised living area.
Here is a recap of the ten storage hacks shared in this article:
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Over-the-door organisers
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Magnetic knife strips
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Pegboards
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Warehouse racking
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Drawer dividers
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Wall-mounted bike racks
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Rolling storage carts
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Labelling systems
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Under-bed storage
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Hanging pot racks
By using these hacks, you can find things quicker and easier, store your items in a way that makes them easy to access and keep your home looking neat and tidy. Try them out and see how these ten storage solutions can transform your home, garage, and beyond!