Index

A

Access ladders, building attic, 201

Adjustable shelves, building, 190–191

installing metal standards for, 229

installing pin-style supports for, 229

Annual declutter, 27

Armoire, building, 110–113

Attics

building

access ladders, 201

joist shelves, 172–173

storage decks, 198–201

storage ideas for, 14, 163

storage strategies for, 163

temperature-sensitive items in, 159

B

Basements

building

adjustable shelves, 190–191

joist shelves, 172–173

storage wall units

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

understairs storage, 168–171

utility shelves, 180–183

moisture and, 159, 161

storage ideas for, 161

storage strategies for, 161

Bathrooms

installing glass shelves, 84–85

shower & bath supplies storage ideas, 65

storage options, 9, 62–63

storage strategies for, 62

toiletries, makeup & medicines storage

building full-height medicine cabinets

overview of, 66–67

step-by-step, 68–70

surface mounting, 71

building wall-hung

cabinet with towel

rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for, 9, 64

towel storage

building towers for overview of, 78–79

step-by-step, 80–83

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for

fresh, 9

used, 65

See also Shelves/shelving

Bedrooms

closets & closet systems for storage

building

adjustable organizing

system, 92–95

new, 96–99

organizers in, 100–101

planning, 90

shoe cubbies, 118–120

tie & belt racks, 121

ideas for, 11, 90–91

transforming into home

office, 146–149

furniture for storage

building

armoires, 110–113

chests of drawers, 106–109

headboards, 114–117

ideas for, 12, 88–89

storage ideas for, 12, 129

storage strategies for, 88

underbed storage, building roll-out box for, 102–105

Belt racks, building, 121

Blanket chests, 89

Bookcases

building modular shelving, 228–229

building understairs

overview of, 140–141

step-by-step, 142–145

ideas for, 125, 129

strategies for, 125

See also Shelves/shelving

Boxes, hardware storage, 208, 211

Built-in furniture for storage, 88

Built-in racks for pots, building, 37

Butt joints, 227

C

Cabinets

building freestanding pine unit, 54–57

building garage, 192–195

building stock, for hobby areas, 154–157

ideas for

add-ons, 6

bathrooms, 8

media centers, 126

slide-out, 6, 30, 31

inside door storage idea, 208

installing pull-down shelves, 58–59

installing vertical dividers for, 46–47

kits for inside facing, 32

slide-out features

building shelves/trays, 40–43

ideas for, 6, 30, 31

Carousel shelves, building, 213

Catch-all areas, maintaining, 23

Ceiling storage

building garage units, 196–197

quick projects, 210, 211

Charities, 23

Chests of drawers, building, 106–109

Children

cubes/blocks for storage

building stackable, 150–151

motivating to declutter, 20

Cleats, 227

Clips, 227

Closets & closet systems for storage

building

adjustable organizing system, 92–95

new, 96–99

organizers in, 100–101

planning, 90

pull-out pantries in, 44–45

shoe cubbies, 118–120

tie & belt racks, 121

ideas for, 11, 90–91

transforming into home office, 146–149

utility, 33

Clutter

containers and, 26

defined, 18

effects of, 18–19

See also Decluttering

Collection bins, 23

Craft areas

building

adjustable shelves, 190–191

cabinets, 192–195

ceiling storage units, 196–197

fold-down work shelves, 214–217

joist shelves, 172–173

storage decks

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

storage wall units

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

utility shelves, 180–183

building stock cabinet, 154–157

installing slat walls in, 222–225

storage idea for, 14

Crown molding shelves, building, 152–153

Cubby system idea, 14

Cubes/blocks for storage

building, 130–131

building stackable kids’, 150–151

ideas for using, 128–129

D

Dado joints, 227

Decks for storage, building

for attics, 198–201

for garages

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

Decluttering

about, 20

decision-making questions to ask, 22

getting started, 21

goal setting, 21

maintaining, 23, 27

memory triggers and, 23

scheduling, 21

selling discards, 24

touch it once rule, 22

Dishware storage

building dish racks, 48–49

idea for, 31

Donating to charities, 23

Drawers

built-ins for spices, 7

chests of drawers, building, 106–109

dividers for jewelry, 12

preventing development of junk, 23

Drawer slides, about, 41

Drill bits, storage ideas for, 208, 211

Drilling templates, using paper, 131

E

Entry areas

building cubes for, 130–131

installing wall systems for, 135–139

storage ideas for, 15, 127, 128

Extension cords

coiling method, 212

storage ideas for, 209, 211

F

Family rooms

building

stock-cabinet hobby areas, 154–157

storage cubes for, 128, 130–131

understairs bookcases

overview of, 140–141

step-by-step, 142–145

storage ideas for, 6, 124–125, 129

storage strategies for, 124–125

Fold-down work shelves, building, 214–217

Freestanding pantry shelf divider

units, building, 50–53

Freestanding pine cabinets, building, 54–57

Furniture for storage

in bathrooms, ideas for, 9, 63

in bedrooms

building

armoires, 110–113

chests of drawers, 106–109

headboards, 114–117

ideas for, 12, 88–89

in living areas, ideas for, 124, 125

G

Garages

building

adjustable shelves, 190–191

cabinets, 192–195

ceiling storage units, 196–197

joist shelves, 172–173

storage decks

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

storage wall units

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

utility shelves, 180–183

ceiling storage ideas, 210, 211

installing slat walls in, 222–225

storage ideas for, 15, 162, 204–210, 212

storage strategies for, 162

using pegboards in

about, 218–219

installing storage systems, 220–221

storage ideas for, 204–209

Garage sales, holding, 24

Glass shelves, installing, 84–85

H

Hanger-rod racks for pots, building, 35

Hardware

storage ideas for, 208, 211

styles for pegboards, 219

Headboards for storage

building, 114–117

ideas, 12, 89

Hobby centers

building

adjustable shelves, 190–191

cabinets, 192–195

ceiling storage units, 196–197

fold-down work shelves, 214–217

joist shelves, 172–173

storage decks

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

storage wall units

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

utility shelves, 180–183

building stock cabinet, 154–157

installing slat walls in, 222–225

storage idea for, 14

Home offices

building storage cubes for, 128, 130–131

installing suspended shelving for, 132–135

installing vertical cabinet dividers for, 46–47

storage ideas for, 6, 14, 129

transforming closets into, 146–149

Hopper-style basket ideas, 10

I

Island ideas for kitchens, 6, 7

J

Jewelry drawer idea, 12

Joist shelves, building, 172–173

Junk drawers, preventing, 23

K

Kitchens

cleanup & recycling storage, 33

counters, 30

dishware storage

building dish racks, 48–49

idea for, 31

dry foods & spice storage

building slide-out shelves for, 40–43

ideas for, 7, 32

installing pull-down shelves, 58–59

pantry shelving

building freestanding divider units, 50–53

building freestanding pine unit, 54–57

building pull-out, 44–45

ideas for, 32

general storage ideas for, 6–7

installing vertical cabinet dividers, 46–47

organizing principles for, 30

pot storage

about, 34

building

built-in racks for, 37

hanger-rod racks for, 35

suspended-shelf racks for, 36

wooden ladder racks for, 38–39

storage strategies for, 30–33

L

Ladder racks for pots, building

wooden, 38–39

Laundry centers

building adjustable shelves, 190–191

creating, 164–167

ideas for, 10

storage ideas for, 164

L-brackets, 227

Linen storage, for towels

building towers for

overview of, 78–79

step-by-step, 80–83

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for

fresh, 9

used, 65

Living area considerations, 123

Living rooms & family rooms

building

stock-cabinet hobby areas, 154–157

storage cubes for, 128, 130–131

understairs bookcases

overview of, 140–141

step-by-step, 142–145

storage ideas for, 124–125, 129

storage strategies for, 124–125

Lumber, storage idea, 205

M

Makeup storage

building full-height medicine cabinets

overview of, 66–67

step-by-step, 68–70

surface mounting, 71

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for, 64

Media centers storage ideas, 13, 124, 126

Medicine storage

building full-height medicine cabinets

overview of, 66–67

step-by-step, 68–70

surface mounting, 71

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for, 9, 64

Memory triggers and decluttering, 23

Mudrooms

building cubes for, 130–131

installing wall systems for, 135–139

storage ideas for, 15, 127, 128

N

Niches for wall cavities, 63

Nightstands for storage

building cubes for, 128, 130–131

ideas for, 89, 129

O

One-in, one-out rule, 27

Organization

basic rules of, 27

finding areas for, 25–26

principles of, 26

P

Pantries

building freestanding pine unit, 54–57

shelving

building

freestanding divider units, 50–53

pull-out, 44–45

ideas for, 32

Paper drilling templates, using, 131

Pegboards

about, 218–219

installing storage systems, 220–221

storage ideas using, 204–209

Perfboard. See Pegboards

Perforated hardboard. See Pegboards

Pine cabinets, building freestanding, 54–57

Pot storage

about, 34

building

built-in racks for, 37

hanger-rod racks for, 35

suspended-shelf racks for, 36

wooden ladder racks for, 38–39

Pull-out pantries, building, 44–45

R

Recycled items, using for storage, 207, 209

Recycling areas, 33

Replacement cost vs. real-life value, 22

Roll-out storage box for underbed

storage, building, 102–105

Router bits, storage ideas for, 208, 211

S

Sanding belts, storage idea for, 209

Saws

making blade carrying caddy, 207

storage idea for, 208

Shelf pegs/pins, 227

Shelves/shelving

building

adjustable, 190–191

installing metal standards for, 229

pin-style supports for, 229

carousel, 213

crown molding, 152–153

custom, 228–229

fold-down work, 214–217

understairs basement storage, 168–171

utility, 180–183

for cabinets

building pull-down, 58–59

building slide-out trays, 40–43

for closets/closet systems

building with adjustable shelves, 92–95

ideas for, 91

idea for custom hanging, 206

ideas for, 32, 125, 161

installing

glass, 84–85

suspended, 132–135

wire, 230–231

load weights, 226, 227

materials for, 226

for pantries

building freestanding pantry

divider units, 50–53

building pull-out, 44–45

span, 226, 227

for storage cubes, 129

strategies for, 125

support systems for, 95, 227, 229

Shoe cubbies, building, 118–120

Shower supplies storage ideas, 65

Slat walls, installing in garages/

workshops, 222–225

Slide-out features

building

for cabinets, 40–43

for pantries, 44–45

ideas for, 6, 11

Spaces, assessing organization and

function for, 25

Spice storage, 7, 32

Storage cubes/blocks

building, 130–131

building stackable kids’, 150–151

ideas for using, 128–129

Storage decks, building

for attics, 198–201

for garages

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

Suspended-shelf racks for pots,

building, 36

Suspended wooden ladder racks for

pots, building, 38–39

T

Tables, bedside for storage, 89

Tax-deductions, 23

Templates for drilling, using paper, 131

10-minute declutter, 27

Tie racks, building, 121

Toiletries storage

building full-height medicine cabinets

overview of, 66–67

step-by-step, 68–70

surface mounting, 71

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for, 64

Tools

ideas for carrying caddies for, 206, 207

installing pegboard storage systems, 218–221

storage ideas for, 204–206, 207

drill and router bits, 208, 211

extension cords, 209, 211

hanging from ceiling, 211

sanding belts, 209

saws, 208

using magnetic bar strips, 205

Touch it once rule, 22

Towel storage

building towers for

overview of, 78–79

step-by-step, 80–83

building wall-hung cabinet with towel rack

overview of, 72–73

step-by-step, 74–77

ideas for

fresh, 9

used, 65

Toy storage, building stackable kids’

blocks, 150–151

Trash storage idea, 33

U

Underbed storage

building roll-out storage box for, 102–105

ideas for, 89

Understairs storage

building

basement shelves, 168–171

bookcases

overview of, 140–141

step-by-step, 142–145

carousel shelves for, 213

ideas for, 14

Utility shelves, building, 180–183

Utility shops. See Workshops

Utility spaces

closets, 33

ideas for, 7, 10

W

Walls

building basement storage units for

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

building shelves on

adjustable, 190–191

crown molding, 152–153

fold-down work, 214–217

understairs basement storage, 168–171

installing

slat in garages/workshops, 222–225

suspended shelving against, 135

installing systems for entry areas, 135–139

pegboard storage using

about, 218–219

ideas for, 204–209

installing systems, 220–221

storage ideas for

bedrooms, 90

garages & workshops, 15, 162, 210, 212

using niches in cavities of bathrooms, 63

Wine storage, 51, 53

Wire shelving, installing, 230–231

Wood, storage idea for, 205

Wooden ladder racks for pots,

building, 38–39

Wood plugs, about, 52

Workshops

building

adjustable shelves, 190–191

cabinets, 192–195

ceiling storage units, 196–197

fold-down work shelves, 214–217

joist shelves, 172–173

storage decks

overview of, 184–185

step-by-step, 186–189

storage wall units

overview of, 174–175

step-by-step, 176–179

utility shelves, 180–183

installing slat walls in, 222–225

storage ideas for, 15, 162, 204–211, 212

storage strategies for, 162, 204–205

tools

ideas for carrying caddies for, 206, 207

installing pegboard storage systems, 218–221

storage ideas for, 204–206, 207

drill and router bits, 208, 211

extension cords, 209, 211

hanging from ceiling, 211

sanding belts, 209

saws, 208

using magnetic bar strips, 205

Y

Yard sales, holding, 24