Home space organizing specialists?

MichaelR

Hello,

Are there consulting specialists who could help with organizing the inside of a home? Thing is, the home is objectively not too small (92 sq.m) but always cluttered etc., and simply adding shelves and cabinets does not seem to resolve issues. And I really think 92 sq.m. should be enough for a family of four!

Learning from neighbours is not really an option because of different needs and lifestyles. (Most people around are elderly, and the two families with kids have way more time on their hands; also both adults in the family need work spaces at home).

So ideally we'd want some kind of experienced advisor to survey the home and give us ideas how to improve things. But what do I even look for?

(Limerick area. But I can google service providers myself if I could only know the name of the service that is usually advertised).

ldy4mxonucwsq6

MichaelR wrote: »

Hello,

Are there consulting specialists who could help with organizing the inside of a home? Thing is, the home is objectively not too small (92 sq.m) but always cluttered etc., and simply adding shelves and cabinets does not seem to resolve issues. And I really think 92 sq.m. should be enough for a family of four!

Learning from neighbours is not really an option because of different needs and lifestyles. (Most people around are elderly, and the two families with kids have way more time on their hands; also both adults in the family need work spaces at home).

So ideally we'd want some kind of experienced advisor to survey the home and give us ideas how to improve things. But what do I even look for?

(Limerick area. But I can google service providers myself if I could only know the name of the service that is usually advertised).

Plenty of companies around that specialise in this, they might give you some hints and tips (but you tube has loads of good home organisation videos free of charge).

Storage solutions/clever storage is all well and good but if adding storage/shelves hasn't worked for you so far then you know the answer don't you?

You have too much stuff, get rid, clear out, stop buying, declutter. Pick a room and go through everything in that room - if you don't use it or love it then time to get rid, sell, donate, pass on, bin it.

This is likely the issue and probably what a home organisation company will charge you to tell you anyway.

You have enough space just probably have too much 'stuff'.

Muahahaha

Would agree on the advice to declutter first and then see where you are at.

If after that you still need more storage space then a good way to go is to replace the beds with either ottoman beds or beds on legs that allow storage underneath. IKEA sell a range of boxes designed to slide in underneath beds or with an ottoman you just place it in the void below. I've only replaced one bed so far with an ottoman but it now stores all the stuff I only use a few times a year such as DIY tools, painting gear, snowboards, helmets and winter clothes, backpack, etc

Theres also units out there that slide out from underneath your stairs to give you more storage. But tbh for the cost of them you dont gain massive amounts of space.

MichaelR

Decluttering might work in some areas. However: right now the biggest pain is about "outside stuff" which can't be gotten rid of. Shoes, bicycle (thankfully only one right now but might need a second one in some years), strimmer for garden... These things can not be gotten rid of.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

MichaelR wrote: »

Decluttering might work in some areas. However: right now the biggest pain is about "outside stuff" which can't be gotten rid of. Shoes, bicycle (thankfully only one right now but might need a second one in some years), strimmer for garden... These things can not be gotten rid of.

Easily taken care of with a garden shed or outdoor storage unit.

Muahahaha

Theres a few innovative ways to store 2 bicycles. One is an IKEA pole that goes floor to ceiling with one bike on the ground and the other hanging off the pole directly above it like this


Also there are brackets available to store them on a wall- check out this article for ideas
http://www.chadwicks.ie/blog/8-cool-ways-to-hang-or-store-your-bike/

For other stuff like garden strimmers you really need a shed. You can buy really small ones that are like a sentry shed just for storing the strimmer, yard brush, old paint tins, etc.

MichaelR

So how do you safely store an electrical appliance like a garden strimmer in an unheated shed that can get damp?

The bike problem is really that it seems to require some creative handling to let the shoes exist, as the entrance hall is quite cramped. Unless I build out a bike shed *in the front* (back garden can only be accessed through the house, and nobody wants bike tracks through the house); but that would have to be a strong shed to avoid having the bike stolen - and a strong shed could be planning trouble.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

MichaelR wrote: »

So how do you safely store an electrical appliance like a garden strimmer in an unheated shed that can get damp?

The bike problem is really that it seems to require some creative handling to let the shoes exist, as the entrance hall is quite cramped. Unless I build out a bike shed *in the front* (back garden can only be accessed through the house, and nobody wants bike tracks through the house); but that would have to be a strong shed to avoid having the bike stolen - and a strong shed could be planning trouble.

If you don't want to store the bike out back there are purposely designed storage units that are lockable and secure that might be an option for the bikes out the front. You can also get neat wall or ground lock anchors, so this means you can secure the bike and maybe get a weatherproof cover.

Lawnmowers, strimmers, power tools etc are all regularly kept in sheds. I have done this for years and no problems.

MichaelR

Googled and yes, there are secure front garden storage solutions for bikes. They are high-price but might be an option.

Does storing power tools in sheds mean you can't use them for some hours after the temperatures approach zero? Condensation happens. Or are your sheds insulated? We do have a shed but it has free flow of air to the outside.

budhabob

MichaelR wrote: »

Googled and yes, there are secure front garden storage solutions for bikes. They are high-price but might be an option.

Does storing power tools in sheds mean you can't use them for some hours after the temperatures approach zero? Condensation happens. Or are your sheds insulated? We do have a shed but it has free flow of air to the outside.

I leave tools in the shed (which is ventilated) and dont have any issues with them.

As for storage, there is alot to be said for efficient storage. Our house had old build in wardrobes in 2 rooms - they were massive, but very inefficient. Modern ikea built in wardrobes in 1 room give us more storage than both combined. I would recommend a visit to Ikea, not to buy, just to look at different storage options for all rooms in your house.