Storage -- Law and Order

Utilizing all spaces makes for well-organized storage.

In the well-organized home there are two ways to handle things. You regard every nook and cranny as a place to store and keep things out of sight -- or you take your stuff and trash it. Obviously, when it comes to good clothes, jewelry and family heirlooms, clever storage beats the dumpster every time. The same goes for small kitchen appliances, gadgets and tools. Organization and storage not only make your home look better, they save time when you're trying to find things -- because you know exactly where they are. So what's the law of household order? First, think consolidation and double-duty. Are you storing big empty stuff like suitcases? Fill them with small stuff. Then double your closet and cabinet space by means of clip-on, under-shelf wire baskets and plastic storage boxes with lids. Then rethink every inch of your home. Is there wasted space under the stairs? Only three coats in a hall closet? Room under the bed, in the attic, in a crawl space? Find it and use it. It's the law of organization and the way to get your life in order. And that's the On The House tip for today.

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