Simple Storage Hacks To Declutter The Mess That Is Your Life
Between work, family, and other responsibilities, it's easy to let your home become a cluttered mess. If you're tired of the mess and want to live life clutter-free, then try the simple storage hacks in this slideshow. We think the storage hack for purses is nothing short of brilliant and bet you will, too.
Clever Remote Control Storage
If you're tired of your video game or TV controllers being left all over the place (and inevitably getting lost), then you'll love this simple hack. All you need to do is place velcro strips on the controllers and cabinets to easily hang them up when you're done using them.
This brilliant storage solution also makes your tabletops easier to clean since they're not in the way.
Better Bathroom Organization
Toothbrushes strewn all over the countertops not only make your bathroom look disorganized and messy, but it's also quite unhygienic. Fortunately, there's an easy solution to this common problem, you just need to think outside the bathroom!
Just pick up a utensil organizer, the kind you'd usually use in a kitchen drawer, from the dollar store. Stick it in a drawer in the bathroom to organize your toothbrushes and floss.
Shoe Organizer For The Win
Using an over-the-door shoe organizer is also a great way to reduce clutter. This picture shows it being used for mittens and hats, but it also works for storing crafts, baby products, toys, and more.
You can also grab one of these for a buck at any dollar store, like many of the storage solutions we're talking about today. It doesn't cost a fortune to stay organized, you just need to think creatively!
Tidy Up Those Purses And Clutches
Do you find your clutches strewn everywhere? Or are your purses cluttering your dresser and closet? It's a common problem, especially if you like to switch out your handbags to go with your outfit every day.
If this is a problem you share, then grab a file organizer and stick a clutch in each slot. Not only will this storage hack keep things tidy, it'll keep your significant other from griping about your purse situation as much.
Now, A Tip For The Men
It's so easy for ties and belts to get strewn all over the place, too, and thanks to this simple hack, it's now simpler than ever to keep them organized. Here's what to do. Grab a pack of shower curtain rings and attach them to your clothes rack just the way you would in the shower.
Then, slip the belts and ties over the rings. It's best if you use one tie per ring but you can double up if needed!
Wrapping Paper Space Saver
To stop wrapping paper from piling up and falling all over the place, try running two pieces of wire at the top of your closet. Not only are you using a space that virtually gets used for nothing, you also keep the wrapping paper out of sight and out of mind.
After all, when you need to quickly wrap a gift as you're heading out the door, the last thing you want is a mess of paper to dig through.
How To Store Larger Handbags
We've covered how to store smaller clutches to reduce clutter, and now here is a way to store larger handbags. For this one, you'll need some S-shaped shower rings. Get as many rings as the number of purses you're looking to store.
After hooking the rings over the closet rack, slide the handle over the open end. This also works well for scarves, or anything else you'd like to hang up out of the way.
Reclaim Your Bathroom Counter
If you're one of those glamorous people who has dozens of eyeshadows, lip glosses, mascaras, etc. in your collection of cosmetics, then you'll be relieved to find this great, yet simple, storage rack.
You can pull this off by repurposing an old picture frame and line the middle with fabric. Paint it any way you like, and then stick velcro strips on the back of your containers. Voila! Now your bathroom looks like an upscale makeup boutique!
Put Your Old Mason Jars To Good Use
This storage hack is meant for a workshop, but it can also be used in the kitchen or anywhere you need to store small items. And what's even best is that they're stored from the top of a cabinet so you're not losing any space.
Attach mason jar lids underneath any cabinet and fill each jar with screws, bolts, etc. and screw the jar into place. Try painting the mason jar lids a different color to match your decor!
Look Ma, More Drawer Space!
If never being able to close your clothing drawers all the way leaves you completely frustrated, then this hack is for you. All you've gotta do to achieve that beautiful drawer to the right is to fold your shirts more neatly and place them up instead of laying them flat. This neatens things up plus gives you extra space.
In fact, this is the way that the clutter guru Marie Kondo organizes her clothing, so you know it's good.
Brush It Off
Here's another tip for people who are into cosmetics! Doing makeup is time-consuming enough without having to search everywhere for the right brush. For better storage and organization, grab a wire rack, a few cups or small baskets, and place your brushes in them by size.
Now your countertop is clutter-free and it's super easy to see which brush you need! It's also easier to remember to clean your brushes more often when they're out on display.
No More Whining About Crafting Clutter
Whether you are into crafting or have a home office to keep tidy, this hack is useful! And not only can you declutter with this easy hack, you can also do it in the cutest way possible.
Just place some cups on an extra wine rack and fill it with your pens, markers, and other office or craft supplies. Everything is more organized, plus it's easier to see what you have available.
The Cutest Hat Storage Ever
If you're sick of your kids (or yourself) always misplacing their hats and gloves, then this easy hack should not only nip that in the bud, but it'll reduce clutter as well. You'll only need a few nails, string, and clothespins to pull this off.
The extra nice bonus at the end is that it also doubles as a colorful decoration wherever you decide to put this up. Bring some color into the room!
Tidy Up That Desk
It can be incredibly difficult for some people to work when their desks are cluttered. And it's pretty tough to keep your work space organized when you're busy because there's just so much else to do.
Here's your solution. Utilizing a spice rack as a place to store office items such as paperclips and thumbtacks can reduce that clutter. Set aside one jar to keep small snacks in for a total win.
Everything In One Place
This easy hack for storing your manuals will declutter your drawers and countertops and help keep your sanity next time you need instructions for one of your gadgets or appliances.
Just use a three-ring binder with tabs to organize manuals for everything from electronics to kids' toys. Now you'll have everything on-hand and won't have to go on a mad scramble searing for instructions the next time you need them.
The Hat Trick
Not only does this simple hack store hats in a way that keeps things free of clutter, it also makes it easier to see what you have so you can easily pick out the right hat for any occasion.
Simply use a lightweight towel bar or suspension rod, add some shower curtain rings, and you can pull off this storage hack. Look how easy it is to see your whole hat collection at once!
Tidy Up Your Laundry Time
Nothing screams "cluttered" quite like laundry baskets full of clothes waiting to be folded lying around everywhere. This simple hack of utilizing shelves and a slab of countertop works two-fold: first, it provides ample storage for your laundry baskets and secondly it works as a space for folding clothes.
Now, it's especially easy to keep your clothes and household linens sorted before laundry day. It's one less thing to worry about as you take care of your household chores!
Plus One For Muffin Tins
The next hack in our slideshow that will declutter your life is this neat way to store your kids' craft supplies. You'll only need a muffin tin and some clear plastic cups for this one. Place the cups in the tin and fill them with everything your kids use during craft-time.
It's yet another example of putting items to work in places you normally wouldn't think of. Why keep the muffin tins in the kitchen if they're useful somewhere else?
That Pantry Is On Point
It's easy for your pantry to become a total mess really fast, but that no longer has to be the case for you, especially if you use a lot of canned goods.
Just place a few wire baskets in your pantry and stack up the cans so that you can a) see the label and b) they roll forward when you take one out. Finding something good to eat has never bene so easy!
Backpack Organization
One way to make sure that your kid isn't coming home from school and trashing their room in five seconds flat is to provide them with low hooks on the walls of their room. This way, they can hang their backpack, sweatshirt, or whatever else you might not appreciate being on the floor.
If you have several kids, they'll love getting their own personal space for their belongings. Let them make name tags to go over their hooks and they'll feel extra special.
Store Your Knives In Style
It's no secret that counter space is crucial, especially if you like to cook. So sometimes, having a big wooden block that takes up a lot of space can be a nuisance. So, try the more sleek and effective option which is to hang your knives on a magnetic strip. Just make sure it's high enough if you have kids!
A Workshop Win
This storage hack is awesome because not only does it keep your power tools and chargers in one place, but it also provides storage to keep drill bits and other things that normally tend to get lost easily all in one place.
You only need to repurpose an old shelf to get this storage unit. This hack can really be used for any electronics you want to keep stored out of the way.
Hang Items Together!
Not only is it aesthetically pleasing to look at a well-organized closet with items hung together but it makes your life easier! Now, you will know exactly where to find a pair of shorts, shirt, hat, whatever it is that you're looking for! Say goodbye to digging around for clothes!
By keeping all your shirts together, pants together, sweaters together, etc, you're setting up a closet that's easy to scan for the item you want.
Keep Your Vanity Looking Nice
We can't stress enough how important it is to organize the things you need access to when you're getting ready for the day.
Sometimes you don't even need to buy supplies in order to get organized. One of the best examples is for makeup. You can utilize unused mini loaf pans and other containers to store your jewelry in. This way, nothing gets lost or damaged and your significant other will thank you for it.
Cookie Jars Are Your New Friends
More often than not, people use cookie jars for more things than actually putting cookies in. That's because they're perfect for storing things! While it's up to you what you want to fill with it, one great idea is to put all those nail polish bottles into it so you know where they are at all times.
Cookie jars are also super cute and help add a special decorative touch to any room you use them in.
Put Those Old Glasses Cases To Good Use
The majority of people who wear eyeglasses have a few old cases lying around. Whether they're for an unused pair of reading glasses or used to hold the sunglasses that are now broken, don't throw them away!
They can be great for holding small and even fragile items while keeping everything contained. You'll be amazed how versatile they are. You can even use them as gift boxes for small things.
Tools Be Gone!
If you're someone that has a lot of tools or spends a lot of time in the garage, you desperately need a pegboard. Not only are they extremely cheap and easy to install, but all you need are also some hooks! Not only is everything out of the way but you can see where it all is too!
Pegboard has been used in workshops for years, and it's easy to see why!
Vacuum Sealed Bags Work Wonders
Some of the hardest things to organize are things such as winter clothes, linens, towels -- anything that is soft and takes up a lot of room. Well, if you use vacuum-sealed bags that will never be a problem again. They decrease the size of bulky items by half and can be a total lifesaver.
You can find the devices used to vacuum seal things online, or look around at your local thrift stores and see if you can locate a gently used one.
Have Easy Access To Your Scarves!
Fashionistas, listen up! Anyone who has a lot of scarves knows that they can be hard to store. Many times, they end up in a bin or drawer where they get tangled and difficult to find. Luckily, with just a tension rod and a pack of shower curtain rings you can solve this storage problem.
Just put the rod up anywhere that's convenient, hang those shower curtain rings on it, and slip a scarf into each ring. Now they're easy to see and won’t become tangled or wrinkled.
The Old Soda Tab Trick
Looking to get the most bang for your buck with the space in your closet? No you can using a simple soda tab by placing it on the hook of one wire hangar and then hanging another hangar on it. This way, it's like hanging up two articles of clothing but by using the space of one hangar!
This hack might leave you wondering what other common household items you can find a new use for.
No More Wet Shoes In On The Floor!
It's a fact of life. When you walk through the door with wet shoes, the water is going to end up on the floor. Even if you take them off and leave them by the floor there will still be water.
To take care of this messy and annoying problem, all you need is a baking sheet and some rocks and your problems are solved! Muddy floors are ancient history.
Don't Let Those Boots Lose Their Form!
If you're tired of having your boots lose their shape and taking up space flopping around everywhere the ultimate solution is pool noodles. That's right, pool noodles! Simply cut a pool noodle to the correct height and shove them right into your boots.
They'll keep their shape while also saving precious closet space, if you have them all standing up straight. Bonus: you can usually find pool noodles at the dollar store, depending on the season.
No More Looking For That Other Shoe
You can pull of this little hack just using any extra wire hangars that might be lying around. You can usually get them at the dry cleaner when you take your clothing in for cleaning.
Simply bend those hangers into shape so that they can hold your shoes and you're done! This is great for shoes that maybe you don't wear every day. This way, you'll always know where they are.
Know Whose Is Whose
There's nothing worse than not being able to find your charger. Even worse is when you find one and don't know if it's rightfully yours. With this hack, even if someone "steals" your charger, you'll be able to distinguish it right.
All you need is a little washi tape and your problem is solved! Don't forget to get creative with it. And you can get the whole family involved in this fun craft day activity.
You Can Even Keep The Cabinet Under The Sink Clean
For most people, the cabinet under the sink is where most of the cleaning supplies are kept. However, this area usually turns into a giant mess over time. Next thing you know, you're on your hands and knees looking around for the Windex.
Nex time, use a tension rod to hang up all your cleaning bottles and you'll be amazed at how much less intimidating cleaning can be! Plus, you have all that extra storage space.
Make Grocery Shopping A Breeze!
We all know that the worse part about grocery shopping is unloading everything when you get home. Well, a simple laundry basket can make this whole process a lot easier. Using the basket, you can fit multiple grocery bags into it so you don't have to make all those trips back and forth from your car to the house.
Also, the basket will help keep your grocery bags from spilling over in the car -- double genius!
Think About What You Actually Wear
One of the key aspects of organization is to make sure that you don't have a whole lot of clutter. So, if you're planning on tidying up your closet, it would behoove you to look once a year and see what you truly don't wear.
If you can part with something get rid of it by donating it, or having a yard sale to make a few extra dollars for some new clothes!
Buckets Have Multiple Uses
The great thing about using buckets for organization is that you can stuff a lot into them and they're effective and still look good! If you get a few of them, then you can organize according to what each bucket is for whether it's car washing, arts and crafts, you name it and a bucket can hold it!
They don't need to be hung up, either. You can keep a bucket wherever you need it for storage.
Keep Your Herbs Handy
Do you have a green thumb but no space to plant a garden? Perhaps you enjoy fresh herbs and want them close by while you're cooking. Those handy-dandy curtain rods can help you become a window gardener!
All you need to do is mount a rod inside a window frame. Choose a window that gets the right amount of sun for what you're trying to grow. Then, use clips or hooks to hang up some lightweight pots and you’re set. This is particularly convenient for herbs since they need very little space to grow.
Beautifully Organize And Display Jewelry
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to untangle a bunch of necklaces that have become knotted in a big ball, especially when you're in a hurry and trying to get out the door. Traditional jewelry boxes are really no help when it comes to storing items that are better off hanging.
With a couple of small tension rods, you can turn any little space in your closet or dressing area into a jewelry display center that's worthy of a boutique shop! Everything stays untangled and easy to see, making getting dressed a lot easier.
New Way To Store Frozen Foods
Who hasn't struggled to fit all of their frozen veggies or other foods into the freezer? There's limited space to pile all of those goodies, and things can quickly go forgotten when they’re covered with a dozen other packages.
Stop wasting food and store your groceries where you can easily see them. Just mount a tension rod in the back of your freezer, get a few clips, and hang all those bagged veggies on it!
Paper Towels, Anywhere You Need Them
It's great to have paper towels on hand throughout the house for any spills or messes that happen. But a big roll of paper towels is not necessarily the most attractive thing to have sitting out on the counter.
You can store them in any cabinet with a short tension rod. The paper towels will still be right there when you need them, but hidden out of sight when you don't.
Keep Paper Clutter At Bay
The office is one of those areas that can be really hard to keep organized. Paper clutter is a real issue for many people, but it doesn't have to be anymore.
To take care of this problem, just convert any desk drawer into a filing cabinet with the help of two tension rods and a pack of filing folders. Now, all that messy paperwork can be organized and out of sight.
Easy And Cozy Reading Nook
Kids of all ages enjoy having their own private nooks to play, read, or just hide out in. If you want to give your favorite bookworm the perfect spot to curl up with their latest read, you can turn a corner of any room into a cozy little fort.
As seen in the photo, you can mount some heavy-duty tension rods between a piece of furniture and a wall and hang up some fun curtains. Add a blanket on the floor and some comfy pillows, and your child might just want to camp out in their new nook.
Stylish Shoe Racks
Shoe racks are one of the most convenient ways to store your footwear. It's no fun to go digging through a bunch of shoes that are piled up on the closet floor, trying to find a matching pair and discovering that your patent leather pumps have gotten all scuffed up in the jumble!
Shoe racks can solve this problem, but we've all bought expensive stand-alone versions only to have them collapse once they’re loaded up with shoes. Why not make your own inexpensive racks using tension rods? Space them about 12-18" apart in your closet, or however far apart you need them. Your shoes will thank you.
Keep Cleaning Supplies Out Of The Way
Cleaning supplies are a must in any home, but there's no reason they have to take up an entire kitchen or bathroom cabinet anymore. Instead, try hanging them at the top of the cabinet to leave some space for other things underneath.
Mount a thick tension rod at the desired height, and your spray bottles and cleaning rags will have a new home that's out of the way but easy to access when it’s time to clean.
Think Vertical When It Comes To Cutting Boards
Cutting boards and baking sheets are some notoriously hard-to-store kitchen items. When stacked in a drawer, they can be really hard to get to.
Standing them upright is a better way to keep them organized and easily accessible. With the help of some small tension rods placed a few inches apart, you can turn any pantry shelf into a convenient storage spot for all those cutting boards, serving trays, and cookie sheets.
Make Your Shower Do Double-Duty
Unless you have an enormous laundry room, it can be tough to find a spot to line dry all of those clothes that can't go in the dryer.
Create a temporary drying area in your shower with a tension rod or two. Sweaters, delicates, and all your other non-dryable clothing will hold up a lot better now, and you can just put the rods away when you're not using them.
Inspire Creativity With A Puppet Show Theater
Rainy days stuck inside are no match for this hack. Your kids are going to think you're the best parent on the block when you set up an impromptu puppet show theater next time there's a bad weather day!
Purchase some fun fabric and make some short curtains from it. The bottom one should be one solid piece and the top one should be two separate curtains that open in the middle. Then, mount two tension rods in a doorway, hang the fabric, and let your kids’ imaginations go wild.
Unsnarl Those Scarves
Fashionistas, listen up! Anyone who has a lot of scarves knows that they can be hard to store. Many times, they end up in a bin or drawer where they get tangled and difficult to find. Luckily, with just a tension rod and a pack of shower curtain rings you can solve this storage problem.
Just put the rod up anywhere that's convenient, hang those shower curtain rings on it, and slip a scarf into each ring. Now they're easy to see and won’t become tangled or wrinkled.
Customize Your Home Office
Here's another home office hack that will appeal to people who like to add some flair to their décor. A fabric skirt mounted under the desk can transform any boring old desk into a custom piece of furniture.
Three tension rods (one long, two short) mounted inside the top of the desk frame, along with some DIY or store-bought curtains, is all you need to personalize your workspace and spark some creativity.
Clever Crafting
No more cluttered craft bins or overflowing junk drawers filled with ribbons and tape! Turn your crafting and gift-wrapping space from an unsightly mess to a highly-organized and efficient storage center with the help of a couple of tension rods.
You'll want to use thin (7/16" or so) rods for this one. Buy as many as you need to neatly hold all of your ribbon, sheets of scrapbooking paper, tape, and other crafting supplies.
Cover The Kitty Litter Box
Part of being a cat owner is dealing with the fact that you have to keep a litter box in the house. As much as you probably clean Whiskers' box and change the kitty litter, it's still not really a pleasant thing to look at. Plus, cats love privacy, so this solution is perfect.
Turn any cabinet into a hidden hutch for your litter box by mounting a rod just inside the door and hanging up a piece of fabric in any color you like. Your kitty will definitely thank you for this one.
Organize Tub Time Toys
Kids sure love to play with bath toys but they are a pain to store when they're not in use. You could place a special basket next to the tub to keep them all, but not every bathroom has enough floor space for that.
Instead, get out some trusty tension rods and a few small baskets, and turn the walls of your tub into a convenient place for the kiddoes to store their toys.
Keep Pots And Pans Out Of The Way
If you don't have a ton of extra kitchen storage, then you know how much space all those pots and pans can take up in the cabinet. Luckily for you home chefs, there's a better way to store all your cooking utensils. Bonus: they’re easier to access!
Mount a tension rod under a top wall cabinet. Then, add a few S-hooks from the hardware store and you’ve got yourself a custom cookware storage center. Bon appétit!
Make Your Bedroom A Sanctuary With A Custom Bedskirt
Dust ruffles, or under-bed skirts, can be surprisingly expensive. Not only that, but if you have a specific décor in your bedroom it's sometimes tough to find one that matches the look you're going for. DIYers are going to love this solution.
Make your own bed skirt and hang them on some tension rods you’ve mounted between the bedposts, and voila – you’ve created a truly custom look for your bedroom.
Create A Cheerful Window Awning In The Kitchen
Are you tired of the sun glare in your eyes while you're washing dishes but don't want to hang a full curtain that blocks all that natural light? Well, you can craft a cute French café-style awning using two tension rods and any fabric of your choice.
Just mount the rods between the cabinets on either side of your sink. This is such a charming look, and it’s an easy enough project that you can even create a couple of different-colored awnings and switch them out with the seasons.
A Nice Coffee Station
Coffee lovers will certainly appreciate this idea. It's time to put your curtain rods to good use and help make your morning coffee routine even easier. This will make you feel like you're living in a nice B & B!
Grab your rods, S-hooks, and a wooden box, then make sure the box gets secured properly to the wall. After that, you can decorate under in any fashion your heart desires. Your friends will be impressed by your creativity.
A Handy Room Divider
If you live in a studio or a loft, this idea should be delightful to see. With all that open space, wouldn't it be nice to have a tad bit more privacy?
If you answered yes, then grab a rod and a floor-length curtain. This even works for dorm rooms or your master bedroom as well. Any type of open floor plan can benefit from a room divider like this
Organize Your Gift Wrapping
When the holidays come around, this can be a lifesaver. Instead of stashing all that wrapping paper in your closet or under your bed, get creative and make a station using your curtain rods.
How advanced and creative you want it get depends on your taste, so don't feel as if you need to go all out. You can even place it in a small closet or a tall enough cupboard. All you have to do is roll the paper tubes onto the rod!
DIY Gate For Babies And Pets
If you have children or pets, then you're all too aware of how much space their baby gates can take up when you're traveling. There’s a simple solution for that, fortunately. What you’ll need: several heavy-duty (1" or larger) tension rods.
Since the rods are so easily adjustable, you can quickly create a barricade in just about any doorway. As with regular baby gates, you’ll still want to keep a close eye on your child (or pet) when using these, but this is a great solution when you’re on the go.
