Storage gems

[eisbaer]

Please does anyone have tips on clever storage tricks that made a real difference in their own home? Am forever on lookout for new ideas re. Storage!

We have trofast storage for the kids toys, but now ds1 is older he has a lot of stuff in boxes and we wanted to have a large storage unit for one wall of his bedroom which incorporated a desk. We found the Ivar range at Ikea, and I am in love! You can choose the width and depth of the shelves (we have the deepest ones), how many shelves you want, the space between them. It was really easy to put together and looks great. We left a large gap between the shelves so that is he desk area.

I'm really impressed by it and keep raving about it to everyone.

drawer dividers make a heap of difference. Even just random small cardboard boxes without their lids eg kids shoe boxes work well to stop things becoming one giant muddle in a drawer ( you know... that messy one in the kitchen)

Row of hooks in DD bedroom for all her bags has been a lifesaver.

Also we have one of those IKEA mini wooden drawer sets - one drawer for each child. That's where all the random tiny bits go: Pokemon cards, Barbie shoes, hairclips, dice etc then I have somewher to tidy them up to, and they know where to look.

Better when the sunshines- is that the Moppe drawers you have ?

1. Put bedding into sets and then put each set into one of its own pillowcases, then stack neatly in your airing cupboard ready for use.

1. Put all the hoover attachments, bags and so on in a basket and keep it near the hoover.

1. Cull coats and shoes so you only have what you can comfortably store in your hall.

1. Have a basket with all the family's hats, scarves and gloves in the hall, ready for action.

1. Have hooks for school bags and PE kits by the front door.

1. Have an ironing kit with a basket containing coat hangers, sprays and over door hanger ready for when you have to do some ironing.

I'll think up some more later ...

Have kits for when you go out - emergency snow kit for car, beach kit in the summer, shopping kit for going out with young children. Store them in Antonius pull out storage baskets in the hall cupboard so you can grab and go.

Loads more on this website if you look around.

Here

Martha Stewart is nuts:

"Martha's guests know that a warm welcome and an organized stay awaits them. At Skylands, she has a schedule of weekend activities printed and placed in the rooms to keep guests informed about hikes, tennis schedules and the time of breakfast each morning. Of course, the rooms also have necessities like alarm clocks and stationery."

That bit's funny, but if you look in the other organisation sections and read the selectively there are some interesting ideas. Probably the bits she didn't write.

If I had to do a list of activities for our guests I would probably list the times of the regular tantrums and minor injuries that take place on a daily basis, for their edification and enjoyment, so they could witness them personally.

"100 easy organisers" is the best bit to look at.

However for amusement, try:

Cappuccino Counter

I think she's opening a branch of Starbucks in there. How many people is she expecting, FFS?