Where do you store stuff when you have no space?

[PurpleHairAndPearls]

I really want to start prepping properly. I have lots of lists and a little stash at the bottom of my wardrobe.

But...we have no spare space. Small house, lots of DC and I'm disabled so have things like wheelchair in cupboard under the stairs which is the only realistic "spare" space. Wardrobes, under beds etc is used eg I store my summer clothes vac pacced as don't have wardrobe space for everything. We also camp so things like the tent is under the stairs.

The loft isn't boarded for storage and we can't afford it anyway. If I left stuff outside it would get nicked (and I mean now, not post apocalypse ) unless it was in a large enough container eg shed that people couldn't take. But we can't afford a very large container or shed...

I'm anxious any ideas oh wise ones?

Any chance of doing 'rough flooring' in the loft? You can usually find spare lumber lying around outside and in friends' garages to do things yourself - if the beams will take the weight of the wood and whatever is on top of it - and that might even help with general long term storage if you can manage it. (I wouldn't recommend going in and out of the loft every day if it isn't floored properly.)

Look on eBay maybe for one of those metal bike stores?

Is there space on top of kitchen cabinets or on top of wardrobes?

Could tins go behind the kick board in the kitchen? This is what I'm going to do.

(I'm not a prepper but I keep coming back to this board and throwing extra tins in the trolley)

behind the kick boards is a great idea. Well hidden there too.

You're a prepper now kondo

Boarding the loft. DH bought some loft boards from B&Q and just put them up on top/across the joist. I'm sure the boards are very cheap.

Cans in cardboard boxes stacked up in a disused corner, under the stairs etc.

Or a lockable garden storage container.

Thanks atticus although I'm not sure how pleased my family are going to be when they all get torches and wind up radios for Christmas

Where do you store your suitcases? Can you fill your suitcases with the presents?

Thanks for all ideas

I could get DH to board the loft with odd lumbar I suppose, but this is the man who (lovely as he is) cannot put together a billy bookcase from IKEA plus I worry about the ceilings below the loft, they already have a few cracks in.

I might ask around and see if I know anyone who could help. I just had a peek at the kickboards and they are welded together.

There are literally no disused corners in this house any area that can be used is used. We don't have a lot of useless clutter, but with multiple teens and my collection of clothes (some inherited and lovely so I'm keeping them) and books it's tricky...the only suitcases we have are my assortment of vintage travel cases with toiletries/hairbrush sets in :) and these are currently being used to store Christmas stuff

I do think the best way is a secure lockable box outside. I would love a shed anyway. I shall start a shed saving fund after Christmas

This is the stuff my DH used
www.diy.com/departments/chipboard-loft-panel-pack-of-3-l122m-w325mm-t18mm/61765_BQ.prd

I'm sure he didn't have to weld anything together. However he can put together billy bookcases.

And when you put stuff in the loft, remember the ceiling 'floor' isn't deigned to hold as much weight as the other floors. So don't put the heavy things up there. Clothes, christmas decorations etc will be fine. And heavy things should go on top of the joist, not in between. HTH.

kondo my DSs each have a small but very powerful cree torch, emergency whistles and compasses in their stockings this year

Ooh that looks good head thanks. That might be within the realm of DIY possibility

Otherwise I will just have to wait for the DC to move out and commandeer their rooms.

DH had the idea of "taking up the floorboards and digging out a cave under the house"

So look out for a thread on here shortly "AIBU to think dw is being unsupportive over my plans to build a cave under the house?"

Have you checked to make sure he hasn't already started his cave under your nose purple, like the prepper's version of the shawshank redemption?

Wow atticus that's brave, it'd have to be a full scale zombie apocalypse before I gave my kid's an extra noisy whistle!

Yes I might live to regret that one! Damn Amazon and its helpful suggestions as to what emergency supplies I might like to purchase sneakily disguised as gifts for the DCS...

Just remembered, I've seen on pinterest people taking the bath panel off and storing tins behind it. There's a surprising amount of space with some baths.

In you position I wild store bags of dried fruit every where they tuck into the smallest corners, last quite a while and are high energy. And buy some eater purification tablets.

What in particular do.you want to prep for -,72 hrs or?

at Shawshank style cave tunnelling under the house. With my dh's skills, the whole house would probably fall into it. Maybe that's what these sinkholes we see on the news are...errant DHs tunnelling for caves

Winchester ideally I would like to have at least three weeks worth of supplies. I fret about a cyber attack/technology issue cutting off access to utilities and/or cash. I know it's not likely but I am A Fretter

Atticus we tried to get the bath panel off when we had a leak once, wow is it all boxed in tightly. I think it was the same contractor who did the kickboards. It involved a lump hammer IIRC. It's a shame though as I know the bathroom would be our go to room in the event of emergency

God I sound like an absolute loon don't I!

Do you have access to any kind of water so could have water purification tablets or bleach rather than trying to store lots of bottles?
If so id go for having extra packets of things like cous cous, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, seeds etc as they use up little space for the calories. Then have small bags tucked into clothes drawers, maybe one of those shoe holder racks you hang in the wardrobe, inside stored bags etc. I'd just thing that easier than trying to find one place ot trying to stash loads of tins around the house.

be careful about dried fruit, mice love it: definitely needs to be in a sturdy container not just in its bag!

Hmm. I feel a trip to IKEA for small secure storage containers is required

DH has now announced plans to source a boat as he feels this is the best option. He has obviously worked out the deficiencies in his Shawshank cave plan...