Thinking outside the (storage) box

When we decided to give up, for the time being, the idea of moving to a larger property, we knew that we needed to make the most of what we have, where we are, now.  We knew that we needed to accept the fact that the garden wasn't big enough to keep chickens, and we couldn't magic space for a separate utility/laundry room.  What we had to do was to take a fresh look at what we have got and how we could make the most of it.  Optimisation and maximisation have become our by-words.

One of our biggest issues is lack of storage space, so we've been giving as lot of thought to alternative storage solutions, trying to find creative ideas to solve this problem.  We have a cupboard in the hallway which is home to all those things we can't find a home for anywhere else.  We took a good long look at what we were storing in that cupboard, and we know we can make it work better for us.  There are tools and electrical leads which would really be better off in the shed (although we will certainly keep a small tool-box in the house for emergency repairs).  I have a circular washing basket but a square or rectangular one would take up less space.  We are considering an ottoman in the bedroom for storing bed linen and towels which would in turn free up more space in the cupboard.  And we think there is probably a way to incorporate a hanging rail for coats which would help with clothes-storage.  By the time we had batted a few ideas around, we were beginning to see the hall cupboard in a whole new light.

We've done the same in the bedroom.  A piece of furniture we had ear-marked for the lounge would actually work better for us in the bedroom, replacing the desk that N wants rid of.  It has far greater storage capacity and would be the solution to the printer and paperwork that seems to be spreading.  That means we need to find an alternative arrangement in the lounge, and yesterday afternoon was spent moving furniture around trying to come up with a different configuration.  Despite trying every piece of lounge furniture in just about every conceivable position, we ended up back where we started! LOL.  I think we've had to concede that how the furniture is at present is actually the most suitable arrangement for our needs.  Sometimes just a little decorating is what's needed, not full-scale change around. 

The other main area we're looking at the is the kitchen, and we are considering a refit.  It's a big decision and if we go ahead we want to make sure we have managed to fit in as much as we can to make the most of the small space.  Between us, N and I have quite a list of kitchen 'wants' and not all of them are possible, but we know there are solutions to our storage dilemma.  It's just finding them at the right price!

On a smaller scale, I store my shoes in wine carriers!  Neat, tidy and re-cycled.