As the weather shifts and you reach for all that summer gear, you may want some new ways to stash your stuff. Here are some storage tips, from portable pieces to more permanent solutions, for all the seasonal items and other contents that fill your home.
For one client, Barbi Stalburg-Kasoff, interior designer and owner of Stalburg Design in Bloomfield Hills and Washington, D.C., worked on a kitchen with a scullery that keeps many items behind the scenes. The spacious pantry can be refreshed as needed. “When we create space for storage, sometimes we do it in the design and the architecture itself with storage rooms and pantries,” says the designer who collaborated with Perspectives Cabinetry and Sterling Development on the project.
In another home, a clever solution adds storage to an oversized hallway that can hold whatever the family needs for any season. “We built a command center on the second floor where some people would put a console or bench,” says Stalburg-Kasoff.
Storage was important for the second-floor renovation that also features a built-in desk and a refreshment center. “They can all charge their cellphones and they have storage for electronics,” says the designer who worked with Chris Morgan & Associates and Perspectives Cabinetry. “The family wanted to incorporate more storage that could be easily accessible after hours near the bedrooms down the hall.”
A well-planned laundry room, also on the second floor, offers added convenience. “You need a special balance when creating storage. Some people want to use every nook and cranny, but I like to have a space that can breathe,” she explains. “We put a drying rack in there to be more functional. Some storage is temporary and flexible. If we had lined upper cabinets everywhere, there would not be enough space.”
In addition to custom storage, Stalburg-Kasoff shares other options. “We often build prefab pantry cabinets that stick on a wall or prefab assembled wall units,” she says. “Storage doesn’t have to be expensive. You can think outside the box and find shelves for a hallway that you fill with baskets for a makeshift pantry or hooks above a bench for a mini mudroom. You can easily do this yourself. It doesn’t have to be custom all the time.”
Easy does it
Corey Pence, senior manager of in-home organizing services at the Container Store, offers some portable storage options like clear stackable bins that make it easy to see what’s inside. “For bulkier seasonal items, vacuum-sealed storage solutions are especially effective,” she says. For those who prefer under-bed storage, flat vacuum bags can be an equally efficient alternative. “Their slim profile makes them easy to slide into tight spaces while still offering the same space-saving benefits,” adds Pence. “These storage solutions are also great for sheets and comforters and will fit on most closet shelves or inside dresser drawers.”
Seasonal transitions by category can help maintain order in your closet and feel less overwhelming. “Instead of overhauling everything at once, you’re making steady, manageable swaps,” she explains. “When paired with defined storage limits, like bins, vacuum bags or under-bed containers, it naturally encourages editing because space becomes intentional and finite.”
Pieces like these can lead to a better approach. “Clear bins also make it easier to see what you actually own, which can highlight duplicates or underused items,” adds Pence. “Vacuum-sealed storage, in particular, can act as a natural checkpoint: if something isn’t worth compressing and storing, it may not be worth keeping at all. In this way, the storage system itself helps make seasonal transitions feel more streamlined and curated over time.”
These storage pieces can also be flexible. “Vacuum-sealed bags are great for travel in addition to seasonal storage, especially for packing bulky items efficiently,” she explains. “Clear bins can easily transition into general household storage for holiday décor, keepsakes or off-season clothing.”
Lidded storage boxes or woven bins can stretch beyond the closet to your living spaces for blankets, magazines or everyday essentials. “Under-bed storage containers are just as useful for organizing gift wrap, hobby supplies or shoes year-round. The benefit is choosing pieces that are modular and flexible, so they can evolve with your needs,” says Pence.
Space savers like over-the-door hooks and hanging organizers require no installation, making them ideal for accessories and other frequently-used items. Wall-mounted hooks, peg rails and modular track systems can also create flexible vertical storage, especially in entryways or closets. For cabinets, stackable risers, shelf dividers and tension rods can double your space and keep your items more organized.
Lastly, adds Pence, “Even smaller tools like slim non-slip hangers or cascading hooks can make a big difference by increasing hanging capacity, while keeping everything visually streamlined.”
Divide and conquer
When it comes to organization, Amanda Preston, marketing manager for IKEA Michigan relies on products from the popular retailer like Uppdatera boxes. “I use them to store everything from phone chargers and spices to small craft supplies, food containers, and even medicine bottles in my hallway closet,” she says. “I probably own at least 20 of them throughout my home—they make it so easy to group and organize similar items neatly, and with their handle you can pull them off the shelf, similar to a drawer.”
Preston also repurposes pieces like the Variera pot lid organizer that holds her storage container lids. “It keeps them from sliding around in drawers or cabinets, and I can easily find the right lid every time,” she says. The Variera lazy Susan corrals beauty products on her dressing table. “It keeps everything visible, accessible and right at my fingertips, which makes my daily routine so much easier,” adds Preston.
As a mom to a five-year-old, she also likes the Trofast toy storage system with the added desktop option. “I’ve seen so many creative parents on Pinterest customize it by adding a desktop surface on top to create a multifunctional space for kids—a place where they can play, create and still easily store and organize their toys,” says Preston about the feature now available at IKEA. “It’s such a smart, intentional solution that helps keep kids both creative and organized, while making the most of the space.”
Other flexible solutions like the Kallax shelf unit remain popular picks. “It’s incredibly versatile—you can position it vertically or horizontally to suit your space and needs,” she adds. “With a wide range of boxes, bins, drawers and doors, it’s easy to customize a solution that’s both functional and stylish. It’s also become a favorite among fans, with many using these units to store everything from vinyl records to craft supplies.”
Another classic that can be personalized, the Billy bookcase, has been around for decades. “Its versatility and clean simple design make it perfect for more than just books—it can be customized with doors, adjusted to different heights and used to display and store some of our most treasured items,” says Preston.
Jeanine Matlow writes the Smart Solutions column in Homestyle. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Smart storage hacks to reclaim your home space
Reporting by Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
