Effective storage requires organization

DEAR GAIL: We are desperate for storage space. We moved from back East where we had a basement and just can't fit everything into our house. Right now we have a lot of things in storage but want to get them out as the extra monthly fee doesn't make sense. Some of the things like holiday decorations and luggage we can put in the garage, but we have books, games, our winter clothes, collections and just stuff. Besides garage cabinets what can we do? -- Nancy.

DEAR NANCY: Storage space is a challenge because 95 percent of the homes do not have a basement and we have to be careful on storing things in the garage or up in the attic. We don't want them to melt, discolor from our heat or get covered in dust and grit.

Let's first look at those things you can store in the garage and what to use.

My husband teases me because when I get on a clearing and organizing mode it is amazing how much I can pack away. Luggage is perfect for off-season clothes. Since you came from back East, you'll probably find out this winter that you're not going to need most of them. But for now, instead of nesting the luggage into one another, bag your clothes and store it in your luggage. Assign a piece for each person in your family and write his or her name on the luggage tag. This will make it easier to unpack and find the clothes you need.

Storing holiday and party decorations in the garage makes sense. I only use clear plastic bins that stack on top of each other. Keep each holiday and party theme in a separate bin so that you can pull out just the one you need. I tape a plastic sheet protector on the side of the bin and write exactly what is in it. Then, to help keep the dust out, I tape the top and hinges or place a plastic bag in the bin first.

For things that you might be going in and out of through the year, use a plastic bag. For example, we have a lot of computer cables, power supplies and software. So, we've separated them into types and by labeling the bins it really helps. Otherwise, we'd just be buying new as the search for them could take hours.

Whether I'm storing things in the garage, backyard shed or a closet, I do the same thing.

For inside your home, try to make your furniture multifunctional. I have a storage ottoman and place extra blankets in it. It also can be used for clothing, games, sheets or gifts you've collected. I would just keep similar items together.

Is there anywhere you can place a chest or trunk? They are perfect decorative and functional pieces. Pieces with drawers can be used for greeting and note cards, office supplies (as we all have lots of those), candles or anything that is small and you'll be using regularly.

For books, first check to see if there are any that you can donate. Do you really go back and reread them? I had shelves of them and except for ones that I use for reference, I donated them to the library and took my novels to a book exchange store.

With the books you have left, look to see where you can add bookcases. It is amazing that when you really look, how many nooks and crannies you'll discover.

Now, if they will be in your everyday view, you might want to consider having them built in. If you have a lot of paperback novels, the shelves do not need to be 12 inches apart. With standard bookcases, I find that the novels end up getting packed in, two books deep, becoming unattractive storage. Things that are in plain sight need to be neat and attractive, otherwise you just create eye clutter.

For large collections, consider packing half of the items away, maybe in a closet or under your beds and rotate them instead of having them all out. I know storing under a bed is bad feng shui, but when we're lacking storage I consider everywhere.

So that you don't get overwhelmed, just take one group of items at a time. I would start with your largest items and those you want to get to on a regular basis and think out-of-the-box for where you can place them in a box to store.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.