Ideas in store

Space management is every home-maker's nightmare. Finding the right place for every item that makes a house into a home is a challenging task. Here are some handy hints that offer a new perspective to storage management

That deeply frustrated sigh elicited when you open the wardrobe and find the contents on the verge of spilling all over you... it's a fairly familiar situation which could either be caused by an indecisive attitude ('let me keep this thing for future use') or a simple belief - no space.

Well, one has to first accept that space is never enough. It comes with a premium and an adage - you have to create it.

No matter how much space you have, storage is always a problem. Better storage management is a challenging endeavour, but once you get it going, the rewards are quite lasting.

So, if you plan to invest in an exotic vase or change your wardrobe (by way of clothes not the wardrobe itself), first create appropriate space to keep the new things.

Sorting

A good way to start is by sorting. Make a list of the contents arranging them into regularly-used items, rarely-used items, wait-and-watch items and items to be trashed.

This can apply everywhere from bathroom cabinets and wardrobes to kitchen cabinets. Be firm and throw away the things you do not need. These items just unnecessarily clutter space.

With regularly-used items displayed on the forefront, you can easily reach out to them. Some items are not always in use - and can be put away, like woollens or suitcases.

By putting the 'wait-and-watch' items on one side, they would not clutter the space required for everyday essentials. And if you find the items are not being used even once in six months, then you might as well trash them or give them away in charity.

Storage looks like clutter and an eyesore when it is not organised properly. But housed on shelves or within pretty boxes or bags, they look neat and are easily accessible too. That is the secret of good storage management.

Living room and lobby