Due to circumstances, I have to move. I found a cute little one bedroom place that I will be moving into in a few weeks (I am in a 2 bedroom now) I am excited about this move however, the space is a lot smaller than I have now, so I need creative ideas so that I can store some of my stockpile without having the apartment look too cluttered. KWIM I have been looking at all the stuff I have where I am now and am probably going to put a lot into a storage unit until I can afford/find a larger place again (probably in january) So do any of you have a small house or apartment and what do you do to store your stuff without it making the house look cluttered? TIA

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Don't have a small place, but, I don't like clutter, so I just don't hang on to a lot of stuff.

Is it just "stockpile" stuff you are looking to store?? Shampoo/toothpaste,etc?? If so, how about keeping just a few of each, and giving the rest away??

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I do plan on giving a lot of my stockpile away, My problem is storing stuff that I am going to need to keep a little extra of like paper towels and toilet paper. Also, the kitchen is extremely small with just two cabinets and a small counter so I am trying to think of creative ideas for storing pots and my crockpot

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

How about a hanging pot rack? I once saw a neat one made out of a wooden ladder. Like a ladder you would use for bunk beds or soemthing like that.

Is there a d/w in the apt?? Doesn't seem like there will be a lot of people living in the apt, so if there is a dish washer, you can use it for storage of pots and such.

store things under your bed and couch, in canisters if you have them and don't use them.

I would not pay for a storage unit to store paper towels and TP, tho.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Well, I know the college kids raise their bed up on cinder blocks to allow for additional storage space. Not too attractive, but perhaps you could spray paint them cute somehow. Good luck on your move! Lynne

We live in a one bedroom house. I have many of the same storage problems. I bought an old fashioned country kitchen hutch and a pantry cabinet and we keep our food and a lot of stuff in there. We had one whole wall of kitchen with no cupboards so these work nicely.
And it's all about being organized. You have to keep things in their place and have functional ways to keep things where they are handy but out of the way.
Shelves, cupboards, drawer and closet organizers, baskets, etc all have helped me.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

When I first divorced, I moved into a two-bedroom apt., but when my son married, I rented a small one-bedroom. It was TINY!!! I did use a storage unit, but it was one I already had after I divorced. Basically, I just started getting rid of things I didn't use. I used to say that I was going to get to a point where all I was going have was two grocery bags filled with my possessions! That didn't happened....ended up getting re-married several years later, and I bought a house. My house, however, is very small, too! Getting ready to clean out again today. It makes no sense having a lot of junk you don't use!

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If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space.

off topic, mdrpooh, but who is that sweet little piece of sunshine in your avatar?? adorable!!

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I've lived in some small places and had to be creative with space. I use old refrigerator drawers under the bed to store things. They slide right out and don't break down like those darn cardboard storage boxes. Also, look around and see where there's other wasted space. I have a grandfather clock that runs on batteries. The door still opens and there's room for about 6 rolls of paper towels in there. I'm sure you don't have one of those. LOL But, you probably have some space that can be used. Good luck to you.

cjs--That is my third grandchild, Wyatt. He will be six months old on the 7th, and he is a cutie. He's always smiling, and he really brightens my day. I am so lucky that all three of them live within 30 minutes of me. Since I'm off this summer, I'm spending as much time as possible with all of them; just came back from the beach with the other two. And...thank you!

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If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space.

I live in a 12'x60' trailer so space is something I don't have a lot of.

Store paper products, off season clothes, etc under the bed.
Get one of those over the toilet shelving units and stash extra hba items on it in non see thru bins.
Make a storage nightstand. Take two milk crate or similar storage boxes and stack them up. Get a piece of wood for on the top and cover the whole thing with a long tablecloth. Set your alarm clock in the middle or maybe a knick knack or two and use it as a night stand for your glasses, rings, etc. Whenever you need something out of the totes, just lift up the wood and help yourself!
Make storage items do double duty as furniture. A good looking old trunk of the right size can be used as a coffee table and a place to store stuff, etc.

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Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons!