Kelly Daniels
17 August 2022
Did you know that over 70% of the space in your home is never used? Even if you have just moved into a new house, chances are that you haven’t even begun to use all of its potential. This is because houses tend to be built for functionality rather than for aesthetics or practicality. Unless you’re ready to make some major changes and give up on any aesthetic ideas about your home, this means that there will always be unutilised space.
Luckily, there are so many clever ways to bring some usable space into your home without having to spend a cent or take up any extra land.
Storage solutions don’t have to break the bank either; they can be as simple or as involved as you want them to be. Depending on your budget and what you already have in your home, there are plenty of options available that won’t cost much money at all. Here’s our guide to Clever Garden Storage Solutions for Australian Families
Build it yourself
This is the cheapest and easiest way to store your stuff. You can build this into your wall or baseboard, using a strong but lightweight material like cardboard. This is a great option if you want to bring a new function into your home without spending too much money on it.
It might seem tedious at first, but you’ll find that building it yourself is actually very quick and easy once you get started.
Store your outdoor gear
One of the simplest and cheapest ways to utilise unused space in your home is by assembling an outdoor gear storage solution. All you need is a piece of plywood, chicken wire and a few hooks to get started! This is an easy way to store your gardening tools and other outdoor equipment that you don’t use as often.
Hang shelf while you hang Baskets and Shelves
You can create a hanging shelf for your kitchen by simply finding some unused space on the wall and hanging a shelf with command hooks. As long as you have a bit of wall, you can easily create this storage solution without having to spend any money or take up any extra space in your kitchen.
Stay organised with baskets, bins and hooks
The best way to manage your excess storage space is by using baskets, bins and hooks. These are all items that you can find at any hardware store or online for very little money. They don’t take up much room, so they’re perfect for small spaces like dorms or apartments. Baskets are great because they make it easy to group similar items together and keep them in the same place. They can be used as a storage solution for anything from shoes to clothes to blankets and towels.
In addition to baskets, bins and hooks, you may want to consider some other ways of storing things like planters, large boxes or drawers. In order to use these options effectively, you’ll need enough space in your home; otherwise they will just be wasted space.
For example, if you have a small living room but you want to store some large objects like boxes or planters in there without taking up too much room, then an option would be a crate (or two) next to the TV stand under the window with shelves on top.
You can also purchase a piece of furniture that has lots of drawers on the bottom – like a chest of drawers – and store smaller items in there instead of taking up floor space with cardboard boxes. These are all great solutions if you have limited space!
Make the most of your space with hanging plants and trellises
It’s easy to forget that plants are primarily a decorative option in your home. They can add so much colour and life without taking up extra space, which means you have room for other things like furniture and more. Hanging plants from a wall or trellis are an elegant way to bring some life into any space.
These options can be used in the living room as well as smaller spaces like kids’ rooms. It’s also worth considering hanging flowers from these structures, which will give the area a sweet, calming touch.
Take advantage of every bit of vertical space
Vertical space is more difficult to use than horizontal space. Vertical surfaces are usually harder to access and also harder to reach. However, clever garden storage solutions can help you make the most of your room with minimal effort.
For example, if you have a tiny balcony or even just a window ledge, pack it with plants. You could also line your shelves with succulents or cacti that can grow on vertical surfaces. Take advantage of the available vertical spaces in your house by using them for plants.
Another idea would be to stack up some boxes full of toys or books on an unused shelf that’s high enough off the ground so your kids or pets can’t reach them easily. If there’s not enough space for bookshelves, you could use jars as shelves and fill them with books instead of trinkets.
Keep your dog dry and your belongings dry too
If you have a dog, there are plenty of ways to make sure that your pet stays drier than the rain. You can buy a waterproof-friendly bed for them, or you could erect a shelter in your garden.
If your dog is energetic and loves to run around and play, one option would be to buy a pair of dog gates. These will keep them contained within an area of your garden that you specify, but give them access to their favourite places.
Another smart idea for keeping your belongings dry is installing water-tight roof tiles onto the house. This will help avoid any damage from leaks as well as saving on energy bills by reducing the amount of heat loss through evaporation. When it gets cold outside, there’s nothing worse than having wet clothes before the sun even rises!
Don’t underestimate the power of a rain barrel
Rain barrels are one of the simplest and cheapest ways to bring usable space into your home. They seem expensive to set up, but at the end of the day, if you can get 2-3 rain barrels for a dollar each, that’s not bad.
The beauty about rain barrels is that they don’t need a huge amount of room; you just have to have something to catch water from falling from the sky. Just think about how much water falls during a storm! In addition to this, rain barrels are great for gardens: you can use them for irrigation or for fruit and veg production.
If your garden needs some extra help with moisture retention (such as in winter), then rain barrels will be an excellent investment.
Conclusion
It’s easy to take for granted the space around your home and garden, which is why clever garden storage solutions are so important. But you don’t have to be a professional builder, to build a shelving unit or install a rain barrel.
And rest assured, there are plenty of DIY projects that can be done in a weekend or less. There are endless ways to maximise your space while staying organised at the same time.
So what are you waiting for? Get started with these garden storage solutions now!
