Have you been overcomplicating your home organization? Getting your house in order has a lot to do with how you manage your inventory. Many people think they need a bigger house, but usually, they just need better systems. I’m spilling the tea on the best methods I use in my own home to help you maximize storage space, too.
The Bin Your Space Philosophy
Before we dive into the tips, let’s talk about the Bin Your Space method. I believe that your home should be a place where you can breathe. When every surface is covered, your mental load increases.
Therefore, we look for ways to tuck items away without making them hard to find. We want to maximize storage space by using the areas you already have in smarter ways. You don’t always need a trip to the container store because sometimes all you need is to rethink your cabinets.
Smart Kitchen Drawer Solutions
1. Maximize Storage Space by Rolling Hand Towels
First, let’s look at your linens. Instead of stacking hand towels in a singular pile, try rolling them! When you stack towels, the ones at the bottom often get forgotten.
In contrast, rolling them allows you to see every single towel at a glance. It also lets you fit more into the same drawer. This is a quick win to maximize storage space in any kitchen or bathroom.
2. Maximize Storage Space with an In-Drawer Knife Mat
Next, look at your countertops. Bulky wooden knife blocks take up valuable “prime real estate” where you prep food. You can create a clear kitchen counter by ditching the block and using an in-drawer knife mat instead. These mats keep your knives sharp and reduce dust. As a result, your kitchen feels more open and airy.
Creative Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
3. Rethink Your Dish Placement
It is an unspoken rule that dishes must live in an upper cabinet. However, I decided to break that rule. I relocated my dishes to a bottom cabinet right next to my dishwasher. Consequently, unloading the dishwasher and prepping meals became much faster. This simple storage idea worked so well that it has stayed in place for years!
4. Relocate Seasonal Cookbooks
Moreover, a lot of kitchen space is wasted on cookbooks that people never use. If you only use a book once a year, it doesn’t need to be in the kitchen. Store your “daily drivers” in the kitchen and move the others to a bookshelf in another room. By doing this, you maximize storage space for the tools you actually touch every day.
5. Give Your Mugs Breathing Room
When you store mugs, face them forward with the handles to the side. On top of that, try not to crowd them. Creating breathing room in this area allows you to see what you have. It helps you make a quick decision before pouring your morning coffee, which is a great way to start a calm day.
6. Move Paper Towels Under the Sink to Maximize Storage Space
Additionally, consider moving your paper towel holder off the counter. Storing paper towels under the kitchen sink reduces visual clutter. Furthermore, it often cuts down on using them out of habit because they aren’t right in your face. As with any new habit, this will take some getting used to.
To help the transition, we invested in microfiber cloths for quick spills. You could also try reusable paper towels. This small move helps you maximize storage space on your counters for actual cooking.
7. Hide the Heavy Stand Mixer
Unless you are a professional baker, you likely don’t need your standing mixer on the counter daily. These appliances are heavy and take up massive amounts of space. Instead, find a spot in a deep bottom cabinet for it. This clears your visual field and gives you more room to breathe while you work.
8. Flip Your Cake Stand to Maximize Storage Space
Similarly, you can use a unique hack for your cake stands. Since the top of a cake stand is flat, storing it upside down creates instant vertical space in a cabinet. Because of this, you can now store a large bowl right on top of the stand. It turns one awkward item into a stable shelf for another.
9. Create a lunch prep station
In addition, creating a dedicated lunch station is extremely helpful for busy weeks. Gather your containers, reusable bags, and lunch boxes into one specific cabinet or drawer. By doing so, you ensure that lunch boxes have a home that isn’t the top of the fridge. This keeps the morning scramble organized and contained.
Maximizing Storage Space in the Rest of the Home
10. Audit the Front of Your Fridge
As the seasons come and go, pictures and artwork pile up on the fridge. Take a moment to take it all down and wipe the surface. Then, be very intentional about what goes back up. While this isn’t a “cabinet,” clearing the visual clutter of the fridge helps the whole room feel like you have maximized storage space.
11. Find Hidden Drawer Space for Blankets
Another great tip is to look for unconventional blanket storage. Before you buy another basket, look around your living room for empty drawer space. Is there a drawer you can declutter to store folded throws? Alternatively, can you rotate them out so you only have two favorites available? This keeps your floor space clear and your blankets dust-free.
12. Maximize Storage Space with a Car Trunk Organizer
Finally, let’s talk about the car. A trunk organizer is a game-changer for maintaining an organized system on the go. These bins can store reusable bags, dog leashes, extra diapers, and water bottles. Because these organizers have sections, your items stay separate and don’t slide around while you drive. It turns a messy trunk into a functional storage unit.
Here are some options for car organizers to fit exactly what you may need.
The Goal to Maximizing Your Space
Remember, the goal of these tips is to help you feel less overwhelmed. When you maximize storage space, you aren’t just hiding things; you are giving your items a logical home. This allows you to spend less time “managing stuff” and more time enjoying your life.
Ready for the next step? I created a downloadable guide to help you organize every corner of your home. I break down areas like the pantry, fridge, and closets with a clear plan. The Organized Home Guide is the perfect way to get started.
I also provide tons of storage hacks on Pinterest. Follow along and try them for yourself! If you want to get started with a professional by your side, contact me today. I offer in-person and virtual sessions to help you maximize storage space and find your room to breathe.
Bonnie Hintenach
Professional Organizer | Bin Your Space
