Garage Storage: Making Good Use of Limited Space

Professional organizers have conferences, and I'm just back from one — which explains why blog posts have been light lately. The conference expo acquaints us with a number of neat products — and both this year and last, one of those products was the Monkey Bars garage storage system by Gorgeous Garage.




The company claims that "Monkey Bars have 2 to 3 times more storage capacity than other garage systems" — and they do indeed have a number of clever ways of making the most of limited space.




And let's look at a couple of other tools that could help you make the most of your space. I've seen many garages with stacks of bins — which makes it a real pain to get to the bottom bin. The Bin Warehouse would eliminate that problem.

Of course, the first question would be: Does it make sense to keep everything that's in those bins? But if the answer is yes, then storing them for easy access makes sense. The Bin Warehouse comes in two sizes, storing either 8 or 12 plastic bins, and there's also a file box version. You can find these products a number of places on the web, including Stacks and Stacks.




I was also pleased to learn about the Storehorse — a folding sawhorse from Crawford. Reviewer Chris Rodenius raved about these sawhorses, and the folding feature means they can be tucked away where others wouldn't fit.

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Small Space Organizing: Making the Most of the Walls

Have limited storage space? Using the walls is always something to consider, and these wallpockets from Amerpersand are one interesting way to make use of that space. They're manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, from recycled cardboard. They're for sale at three places in Cincinnati, and retail outlets beyond Cincinnati are planned.




Then there's #topos, from the German company Pulpo. I found this through Shoebox Dwelling, which writes: "The series of powder coated metal sheets can be attached to the wall to create a storage area as big or small as your space requires. All modules have slots into which metal triangular pockets are inserted. And if you need to store something more substantial than paperclips and trinkets, a bigger tray can be placed instead of the triangles, creating a shelf."

I've contacted Pulpo, which informs me there's no shop in the U.S. selling this product — but you can buy it directly from Pulpo. If you let the company know what you want, they'll get you a freight quote.




And if you're crafty at all, you might enjoy making an embroidery hoop wall pocket, using the pattern from Sew Daily. If you want to get really inspired, take a look at the very cool wall pockets shown on Spotted Stones and A Fabric Affair.

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Small Space Organizing: Using the Walls

When space is tight, one way to find more storage space is to use the walls. And one interesting way to do that is with the naoLoop Loft - somewhat reminiscent of the Strap from Droog, but a very different look. [via From Europe]









Another approach is to use pockets — sort of like the shoe pockets we put on closet doors. One version of these is the Wally from By Nord; Nordic Elements sells both the white and gray versions. [via Ohdeedoh]









Kangaroom Storage by g.u.s. also has a product called the Wally Wall Organizer, which is quite different. I like this photo from Franklin Covey (which also sells the Wally) because it gives you an idea of the size — and I like the idea of using more than one!









Restoration Hardware Baby & Child has three wall organizers — and while the style isn't one I would normally associate with children, it's still an interesting wall organizing option.









And for a little color and whimsy, take a look at the wall organizers from 3 Sprouts. These are three of the four options; there's also a penguin.



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Small Space Solutions: Storage in a Stool

Small spaces and dual-purpose furniture go together — and one such furniture piece is the storage stool. For storage and a splash of color, there's the Candy storage pouff from Calligaris; many different color combinations are offered. You can buy it here, here and here. [via From Europe]




Wildspirit, in Belgium, provides the Stoll 50, "serviceable as pouf, side table, serving tray and storage trunk." One place to buy it online is here. If you like color, check out the orange leather cushion option.




Pedersen + Lennard, in South Africa, created the bucket stool; you can get one here. [via The Design Tabloid]




This ikat storage stool comes from VivaTerra.




And finally, there's the Ava storage stool from Neiman Marcus.

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Bathroom Organizing: Shower Curtains with Pockets

If your bathroom lacks storage space, a shower curtain with pockets might be useful. This one from Maytex is widely available; see here and here. The same product — or something that looks very similar — is sold as Colormate and Home Classics.




The Wintertek utility shower curtain has "four large self-draining pockets, capable of storing eight regular-sized shampoo and conditioner bottles and two loops (one large and one small) to accommodate various sizes of toothbrushes and razors." It comes in five different colors. [via Freshome]




And Pottery Barn Kids has its Ocean Shower Curtain with some smaller pockets.

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May 2011 Organizing Tips and More

After a few months where I didn't publish a newsletter, my May 2011 newsletter is now available.

Tip of the Month: Organizing for the Unpredictable

Product of the Month: Cool Britannia Union Jack magnetic notice boards from Beyond the Fridge

Additional Reading: Feng Shui for Small Spaces, with my nine small-space organizing tips

Also: Organizing Quotes of the Month

If you'd like to get my newsletter by e-mail, you can subscribe.

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A GORGEOUS Barcelona apartment you don't want to miss

While searching Apartment Therapy for some eye candy the other night I fell in love with the 2010 Small Cool International Winner. This apartment is small on square feet but big on beauty.


I ADORE this beautiful reading room. Plenty of books, a big comfy couch, what else do you need?

For small bedrooms a bed like this one with under bed storage is the best use of space


So pretty - love the lighting!

Do you agree?

via Apartment Therapy

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Saving Space in the Kitchen: Nesting Glasses

Cute and space-saving - how could I not be attracted to these Babushkups nesting glasses sold by fredflare.com? [via ohdeedoh]




These Living Together stacking glasses are also clever. Note that the price shown is in Australian dollars - but they are still quite expensive. [via Debi van Zyl]




Then there are the Iittala Ote glasses, available from livingtools.de and other on-line vendors.




Finally, here's what L.L.Bean calls its nesting wine glass - but it "nests" in a very different way than the others!

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2 Storage Stools from Europe

This stool from the Danish company Rice provides a dash of color along with some storage space. I'm not seeing it on the Rice web site, but it's available from The Contemporary Home in the U.K. [via Channel4.com] Update on June 27, 2011: I'm no longer finding this product.




And this storage hassock, from the Dutch company Colorique, is part of that company's Daisy Mae collection. It's available from various stores in the U.K., including Berry Red.

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Space-Saving Options: Collapsible Wheelbarrows

Would you love to have a wheelbarrow - but you can't figure out where you'd store it? Maybe the answer is a collapsible wheelbarrow! The folding wheelbarrow above was just mentioned on Apartment Therapy today, and it gets mixed reviews - but there are other options.




The WheelEasy from Allsop is the collapsible wheelbarrow (or yard cart) I found most often as I searched around the web. And, of course, a wheelbarrow can be used for more than just yard work!




The most fanciful products are those from Fallen Fruits. You can buy them from TouchedByDutch.com (carrot and daisy patterns) and Greenfingers.com (daisy, tomato and leaf patterns).




Hammacher Schlemmer also has a folding wheelbarrow, with some handy pockets on the side.




And going beyond the wheelbarrow, there's the Fold-A-Cart. There are four different models, with capacities ranging from 150 pounds to 400 pounds. [via Toolmonger]

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Space-Saving Options: Collapsible Kitchen Tools

I really like my big metal colander - but it does take up a lot of storage space. If you need to save space, perhaps the Rösle collapsible colander would work well. It's available in red, green, purple and black - in two sizes.




If you'd prefer another style, take a look at the collapsible colander from Dexas, which sells products under its own brand and also as private labels. You'll see very similar products at Sur La Table, at Macy's (as part of the Martha Stewart collection), and as part of the Chef'n SleekStor collection.




And there are even more colander options! This one comes from Oxo.




Norpro has some "knockdown" colanders, too - three different styles.




And Joseph Joseph takes a different approach with its folding colander.




Another item that takes up a lot of space is a salad spinner. If that's your storage challenge, look at the collapsible salad spinner from Progressive Intl. [via Kitchen Critic]

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Saving Space: Using Stackable or Nesting Products

For all of us with limited kitchen storage space, items that stack or nest nicely can be a big help. Mixing bowl sets and plastic food storage are places where such options abound.

But what about coffee cups or mugs? Cost Plus World Market has options in solid colors and these stripes.




Diversified Ceramics has a range of stackable cups: for espresso, cappuccino, latte, etc. (Available here.)




And here's something very different: totem cups.

Other places to get stacking mugs include Crate and Barrel and - going further afield - Ceramic Tableware House Sendirian Berhad in Malaysia.




If you want stackable glassware, you could consider the Picardie glasses from Duralex - available from Cost Plus World Market, Williams Sonoma, Design Within Reach, History Company and more. [via Francophilia]




What about stacking wine glasses, with stems? Here are some that are acrylic. [via Daily Olive]




And here are some that are glass.




Moving on to another part of the kitchen, I was taken with the Stellar Eazi Store Pan Set, which Lakeland calls the "Russian dolls of the cooking world." [via Kitchen Critic]





And of course, it's not just kitchen items that can stack or nest - as the folks at Heckler Design so beautifully illustrate, with OneLessOffice.

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