With constant consumerism and the ease of pushing a button to buy something on Amazon, it’s easier than ever to buy items on a whim, often forgetting that we may already own something similar.
The trick to curbing unnecessary spending is implementing storage solutions that organize your belongings and display them so that you can easily see and appreciate what you have. Here are five ingenious storage ideas that will help you keep track of your possessions and save money in the long run.
One: Open shelving
Open shelves are more than just a trend in home decor; they are a functional choice that forces you to keep things neat and allows you to see everything at a glance. Decluttering experts may disagree with this recommendation, as it can make things look more cluttered and messy, but it can be done well.
Open shelving can display everything from dishes and cookware to books and decorative items for your kitchen, bathroom, or living room. This visibility constantly reminds you of what you own, helping you resist the temptation to buy duplicates.
Two: Clear storage bins
Clear storage bins can be a game-changer for items that you don’t necessarily want out in the open but still need regular access to. These bins are ideal for seasonal clothing, shoes, crafts, or even pantry items. They offer a neat way to store your belongings while keeping them in view.
This method is particularly effective in closets and pantries, where items get buried and forgotten, leading to unnecessary repurchasing.
Three: Pegboards
Pegboards are not just for the garage or workshop. A well-placed pegboard in a kitchen, craft room, or even a bedroom can transform how you store everything from utensils and tools to jewelry and accessories.
Pegboards’ customizable nature makes them incredibly versatile. They allow you to create a storage system that evolves with your needs. Seeing all your tools or accessories displayed artfully encourages you to use what you own.
Four: Magnetic strips
Magnetic strips ingeniously mounted on walls or inside cabinet doors can transform how you store your metallic items. Ideal for kitchen knives, tools, beauty accessories like tweezers and bobby pins, or even keys, these strips save space and make these often-used items highly visible and accessible.
This storage solution not only declutters valuable drawer space but also keeps these small but essential items in plain sight, reminding you of what you already own. It saves you time searching for those clever tweezers at the bottom of a drawer.
Five: Organize
I recently heard a story about someone helping his mother move and finding five shampoo bottles. She isn’t a “prepper” or someone clipping coupons for the best deal; she would just forget she had shampoo at home and buy more.
Put on your favorite music and dedicate time to organizing your home so that you are taking inventory of what you have. If you keep shampoo bottles in three different places, put them in one location to see what you have. Do you keep towels in every room? Consider narrowing down the need and donating the unnecessary.
When life gets busy, it’s helpful to create an inventory list on your phone. No one expects you to remember exactly how many bars of soap you have. Whenever I need something, I add it to my shopping list and stick to that list when I go shopping. This helps prevent items from accumulating in our house.
When your belongings are organized and visible, you can appreciate what you have, making it easier to resist impulsive purchases. This not only promotes a more economically savvy lifestyle but also cultivates a sense of contentment with your existing possessions, fostering a healthier approach to consumerism and financial well-being.
