Proper Storage Cuts Clutter Problems

Swamped by stuff? You’re not alone. The average homeowner spends at least 20 minutes a day “looking for things,” according to home storage experts.

“People have more household stuff these days,” said Mark Hillman, home storage merchandiser for Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. “Customers ask us over and over: How can we control the household mess? Some people take storage lightly, but organization creates time. Good storage makes life easier.”

A specific plan can help immensely. Hillman advised homeowners to tackle one room at a time, starting with their most frustrating or cluttered one.

Shop for remedies after your plan takes shape. Bring room measurements to compare against storage product dimensions.

Hillman said storage is usually a combination of solutions: wall-mounted or free-standing shelving, plastic containers and cabinets. Most are offered as kits that assemble quickly. Separately sold components can be expanded as needs grow.

Wire shelving rates high on must-have lists for its sleek looks and functionality. Wire storage allows air to circulate around clothes without trapping humidity. Wire units often are wall-mounted to combine shelf space, hanging racks and pullout drawers.

Another ventilation option is solid oak slat shelving and stacker storage with holes for air circulation. Interest in laminate cabinets is on the rise, in part because of low expense. Laminates can be used in combination with wire. “These ‘towers’ handle additional shelves or drawers which stack from floor to ceiling without items in view and really supplement the dresser,” Hillman said.

Semi-clear plastic boxes can be stacked with pullout drawers at low cost.

See-through plastic boxes and changeable wall shelves are ideal for kids’ rooms. “Most shelves are fixed height, but adjustable wall-mount systems in children’s closets are very popular,” Hillman said.