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Space saving organizational systems such as a wall magazine rack or a recessed toilet paper holder for the bathroom makes everything look neater and easier to keep clean. That isn’t the only room in the house that can benefit from these systems.

A cabinet spice rack can free up an incredible amount of space in the kitchen. For the bedroom, a jewelry cabinet may be just what you need to tame your favorite items. Many times, it is simply a matter of coming up with the right idea for the room.

Bathrooms

For being one of the smallest rooms in the house, this area has to hold a lot of stuff. Recessed medicine cabinets are a great start. If you would like something unique, consider a recessed toilet paper holder with a wall magazine rack built in. You’ve even seen some of these multipurpose type units in commercial grade stainless steel in public bathrooms. But they are also available in wood for the home!

These multifunctional units come in a variety of configurations to suit your needs. A recessed toilet paper holder might have a trash bin and paper holder with a separate wall magazine rack, or they can have tissue dispensers, paper, garbage, magazines, and a medicine cabinet all in one unit.

Even better, many of these types of units are “modular” in that you could customize them to choose the different “modules” you want your unit to have and the order they appear in the unit!

These come in almost any finish or you can order them unfinished and complete the system yourself. To make them really stand out, add a glass or mirrored door to the system or simply frame it in with intricate molding. A recessed toilet paper holder or wall magazine rack can have an arched top to give the lines in your bathroom some variety.

Bedrooms

Small bedrooms pose a particular challenge. In many instances, there isn’t enough room to include dressers or stand alone jewelry cabinet for small items. An in-the-wall system may be just what you are looking for. On the outside, these are very similar to a recessed medicine cabinet often with a mirror face and artistic wood frames.

Instead of wide shelves, the inside of a jewelry cabinet is full of bars, hooks, and small shelves designed specifically for holding these delicate items without tangling together. They can even have a hidden hinge and locking mechanism to make them safe and secure without harming the visual appeal of the piece.

For pierced earrings, stretch a pretty piece of cloth across an inexpensive embroidery hoop. Then, push the earrings through the material, put the backing on the other side, and hang it up next to the jewelry cabinet.

Kitchens

The spices and small bottles are the first thing to become horribly unorganized. It is rare to have enough space for everything causing them to start spreading to other cupboards or the countertop. A cabinet spice rack can help you deal with this problem. A cabinet spice rack comes in almost any size and is available in either a single or dual version.

They can hang on the wall or you can purchase a recessed cabinet spice rack to save space. Add a door and even a mirror on the front, or you can leave them open to show off your culinary prowess.

A wall magazine rack, cabinet spice rack, jewelry cabinet, and a recessed toilet paper holder are just a few of the space saving storage ideas you can incorporate into your home. They are easy to install. The lower stress level and beauty they add to each room will make you wonder how you ever lived without them.

Resources: Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on wall magazine racks, cabinet spice racks or jewelry cabinets, visit http://www.WGWoodProducts.com/.

A medicine cabinet may not seem like the focal point of a bathroom, but this one item can change the entire the look and feel of the room. The medicine cabinet is usually the only fixture positioned at eye level in this small room, meaning that it is normally the first place our eye goes in the room.

Old metal styles of medicine cabinets that are tacked on the wall of many American bathrooms make the room appear small and dated not to mention difficult to use. With a few hints and tips, you can replace it with one of the many fashionable wood medicine cabinets that look great and keep your bathroom organized.

Recessed Or Wall Mounted?

One of the first decisions you will encounter is whether to install recessed wood medicine cabinets or one that is mounted onto the wall. Generally, styles that attach onto the wall are great for larger bathrooms that have a wider vanity or corner. It will not get in the way of the sink or toilet and give you an extra ledge to store decorative items or extra supplies.

A recessed system can be used almost anywhere and is particularly handy in small bathrooms where space is in short supply. When purchasing these, you want to watch the sizing carefully. They need to fit between the studs, which are standard, but you will want to keep an eye on the height and depth. In a 2×4 wall, for example, recessed styles get fairly narrow making it difficult for wider bottles to fit on the shelves.

A hybrid between the two is a little more difficult to find, however it is a far better option for 2×4 walls. This system sits between the studs, but it sits out from the wall by a couple of inches. You get the needed storage space of a wall mount with the space saving benefits of an in-the-wall medicine cabinet.

If you are having difficulty finding a unit big enough, look outside the box! Other units may be billed as Spice Cabinets, Curio Cabinets, Wall Niches or regular in-wall cabinets, but they can actually function as any type of cabinet.

So don’t let the title fool you. For instance, an on-the-wall spice cabinet can range in size from 18-72″ and some can even be found in single and double versions. This gives you the flexibility to choose how large you want the cabinet to be.

And many on-the-wall cabinets are shallow enough that they could even be mounted behind a door for added storage! As an added benefit, many wall spice racks are modular making them inexpensive to ship.

Matching Bathroom Decor

These storage systems come in a variety of shapes, colors, and details to fit easily into any decor. Mirrored styles are great for small bathrooms because it eliminates the need for a separate mirror and makes the room look larger. These systems come in more shapes than just square or rectangular.

Styles with an arched top add a touch of elegance and visual interest to the space. Decorative frames and accents such as etching are great when it comes to adding to the decor. If you would like to match the existing finishes in your home, order an unfinished system and coat it with leftover paint from the trim in the bathroom or give it a custom finish all your own.

Wood medicine cabinets add a luxurious feel to any style of bathroom. Decide which style of medicine cabinet will give you the space you need and match it to the decor in the room for a custom look that rivals the fanciest of hotels.

Resources: Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on wood medicine cabinets or medicine cabinets, visit http://www.WGWoodProducts.com/.

Mornings can feel very frustrating if you have an unorganized closet. You don’t want to be searching for your clothes all morning long and be late for work. Most people struggle to find the appropriate clothes, because their closets are just to messy. They just don’t want to set time aside to clean and organize there closets. It is not difficult at all to have a nice and neat closet, all you have to do is invest a little bit of your time each day.

Here are some tips that will aid you in organizing your closet:

1. Closet Evaluation - Take a look at your closet. Try to find clothes that you are currently not wearing. Take out all of the clothes that don’t fit you any longer. When evaluating your closet, make to be honest with yourself. Don’t try to keep any clothes that you won’t wear anymore, just because you are emotionally attached to them.

2. Donate To Charity - After you have cleaned out your closet, you may want to consider donating to charity. You could also have a yard sale, and make a few extra bucks. You can even give some of your clothes away to your friends. Either way, the main idea here is to get rid of your unused clothes.

3. Start Organizing - Now you are ready to start organizing your clothes. You may organize your clothes by season, style, type, color, etc. Make sure to fold your clothes the proper way, and make use of those hangers. Take your time doing this activity, you don’t have to finish in one day. Work on your closet 20-30 minutes each day until it is completely organized.

4. Extra Storage - If your closet is not big enough to store all of your clothes, you will have to use extra storage. You can purchase closet organizers from your local hardware store. If you need something a bit smaller, than you should get a shelving system. You can find a decent shelving system for under $200. Don’t buy anything to big, always make sure you have the correct measurements with you before heading out to the store. If you are not on a small budget, your best option would be getting a custom closet organizer build.

By following the tips above you should have your closet organized in no time. You will save so much time throughout the day by having an organized closet. You no longer have to search for hours to find your work clothes, or your gym pants. Even when your are completely finished organizing all of your clothes, the work is still not over. You will still have to put a little bit of effort each and every day to maintain an organized closet. Most people will fall back to old habits like not putting clothes on to hangers, and not folding the clothes correctly. By doing this, you will be back to square one. So remember, the toughest part is going to be maintaining the closet not organizing it.

Resources: Henry has a site called Closet Organizing Guide where you can find information on closet organizing systems, and general information on organizing your closet.

By building a storage shed, you can achieve total organization for your lawn equipment, tools, holiday decorations, and the extra items you want to keep but just don’t have the space for in your home. The most difficult part about building a shed is figuring out what size you need. Determining the perfect size should be one of the first steps in the planning process. The following paragraphs detail things for you to consider when deciding on the size of your backyard shed.

Homeowner Association Rules

If you live in a subdivision with a homeowners association, start there when first making your plan for building a storage shed. Many subdivisions require board approval and have special rules you must follow when constructing a backyard shed. Don’t go any further in your planning until you know the rules, including size limits, height restrictions, property line issues, setbacks, design limitations, roofing and siding choices allowed, deed restrictions, the process for having plans approved, and anything else you need to know.

Local Zoning Regulations

After checking with your homeowners association, contact your local zoning and building inspection department. Inquire about regulations for building a storage shed, including size limits, setbacks, and the need for permits or special building ordinances.

Finally! It’s Time To Determine The Perfect Size

Taking your homeowner association rules and local zoning regulations into consideration, answer the following questions that will help you decide what size storage shed will best fit your needs.

How Much Backyard Space Do You Have To Build Your Shed?

Measure how much building space you have to work with in your yard. Keep aesthetics in mind when placing your shed, as you want it to look nice and complement your yard since a well-placed shed can actually add to the value of your property. In addition, consider the traffic flow of your yard and whether you want your shed taking up a good amount of your backyard space. This lets you know the maximum room you have available.

What Do You Plan To Store In Your Shed?

Many times, the items you plan to store will automatically set the size of shed you need. Consider the small items that can hang on a hook or pegboard, medium sized items that will store nicely on shelves or from ceiling hooks, and the large items that can only be stored on the floor. In addition, keep easy accessibility in mind for items that will be used often, like lawn equipment, and less accessible storage for lesser-used items, like holiday decorations.

Will You Use Your Shed For More Than Storage?

If you plan to use your storage shed for other things than just storage, keep these activities in mind when determining the best size. If you plan to do woodworking and need a workbench, plan where it will go, how big it should be, and add enough room to move before building a storage shed. If you plan to park bicycles in your storage shed, make sure you allow for safe parking and easy accessibility.

Draw The Interior Of Your Shed

After defining the purpose, the items to be stored in your shed, and any restrictions you must work around, you should draw out a plan for the interior of your shed, including shelves, pegboard, cabinets, floor storage space, a workbench, and anything else that will go inside your shed.

Move In Before It’s Built

Once you have a drawing, spray paint or tape off the dimensions of your storage shed in the area of your backyard where you plan to build it. Mark off the door and any windows so you have a real visual look at the amount of usable space you will have.

Move the actual items you will store in the shed into the marked perimeter, especially large items. After moving items in, stand in the center and take a look around. Visualize where you will hang shelves, hooks, and pegboard. Walk through the perimeter, establishing an acceptable traffic pattern from the door to every area of your shed to ensure it is easy and makes sense. If it seems cramped, consider enlarging the perimeter, changing the location of the door, or increasing the height of your shed to take advantage of vertical storage space if you can’t enlarge the perimeter when building a storage shed.

By keeping these questions in mind, you will be able to determine the perfect size that will fit all of your storage shed needs. Keep the future in mind when building a storage shed. A tiny shed may work today, but you may need a larger one tomorrow as you collect more equipment, tools, and stuff to store.

Stephanie Quinn is an author for Build A Shed Plans. If you want more tips for building a storage shed, check out their free resources and learn about backyard sheds, tool sheds, and more.

Your backyard shed is a handy place to store extra things when you don’t have enough room in your home. However, if your shed becomes unorganized, it can actually be a hazard instead of a help. Luckily, there are great solutions for keeping your storage shed organized. You can easily and inexpensively customize the interior of your backyard shed with organizational tools like shelves, hangers, hooks, pegboards, cabinets, and more. The following tips show you how to make organization simple by taking full advantage of the storage space in your shed.

Make A Plan First

To make a plan, stand inside your backyard shed and look around. Visualize where you can best place shelves, hangers, hooks, pegboards, cabinets, and other organizational helpers. Keep traffic flow, the need for large item storage space, and the location of doors and windows in mind. Don’t place organizational helpers, like shelves, too close to the door of your storage shed. By keeping the area around the doorway clear, you will not have trouble navigating in and out of your shed. Small items, such as hand tools, store great on hooks and wall-mounted pegboard. Consider boxes on shelves for medium sized items. Large items, like lawn mowers, are usually best kept on the floor in a corner or out of the way of traffic flow. Corner cabinets and shelves are perfect for taking full advantage of storage space in awkward corners.

Install A Workbench With Drawers

If you have the space in your backyard shed, install a workbench with drawers. This makes working on projects simple and the drawers maximize the amount of storage space you have much better than a plain countertop. Organize the drawers of your workbench with drawer organizers so you can separate tiny items like fasteners, screws, and nails. The wall space in front of your workbench is the perfect place to hang pegboard and hooks to make hand tools easily accessible.

Categorize The Items You Store

Separate the items you will store by category and keep alike things together in marked cardboard boxes or plastic bins. If certain items will not be needed regularly, consider placing them in a cardboard box and taping it shut. Keep items you will access frequently in plastic bins with easily removable lids. Keep similar storage items together, like Christmas decorations, but separate storage items that should not be stored together. For instance, flea repellent spray and dog food may both be for your dog, but they should not be stored in the same box. In addition, consider temperature when choosing what to store in your backyard shed because some things may not be able to tolerate extreme high or low temperatures.

The Order Of Importance Is Important

One often overlooked aspect of organizing a backyard shed is to store less used items in less convenient spaces and to keep often used items where they are most easily accessed. This is also true for when you stack boxes. Place the boxes you will be getting into most often at the top, not at the bottom of the stack. In addition, consider ease of access when choosing the entry for your storage shed. A wider door makes moving in and out easier and a ramp makes moving lawn mowers and other large items simpler than steps.

Use Your Vertical Space

If the ceiling height of your backyard shed is high enough, consider using the available vertical space for storage. Build a small loft or install ceiling hooks. Store tall items wherever space allows and store other appropriate items up and away.

Locks For Your Backyard Shed

While you are organizing your backyard shed, it is a good time to think about installing locks. If the door to your storage shed does not have a door lock, install one immediately. In addition, consider installing locks on cabinets to secure chemicals, sharp tools, dangerous items, and valuables. Locks will provide you with security when you are away from home and will give you peace of mind if you have small children or pets who might like to get into some of the things stored in your shed that they shouldn’t.

You can easily organize your backyard shed with some simple organizational accessories and planning. Just remember - if it is easy to access and replace an item back into your storage shed, you will.

Stephanie Quinn is an author for Build A Shed Plans. If you want more tips for organizing your backyard shed, check out their free resources and learn about storage sheds, tool sheds, and more.

DIY shed plans are widely available at your local home improvement store, in books and magazines and online. You can buy the shed plans you need on the Internet and actually download free plans so you can have an idea of what is involved in this type of do-it-yourself project. You will get a good idea of what materials you need, how much space you need and most important of all, how much it will cost you to build a shed. You do have to decide what type of shed you want to build because there are many different kinds to choose from.

Look at your budget and figure out how much money you have to spend on this project. You can go with the option of choosing a shed plan that comes with all the materials you need or you can just buy the plans. Then you can purchase the material when you need it so you don’t have to spend a lot of money at one time. If money is an issue, you can sort through the various plans to find one that is not expensive and will give you the extra space you need.

The foundation of the shed is an important factor. It does need to be solid and there are many different types of foundations you can choose from. These include:
- Patio stones. This is the simplest method if you are planning on having a wood floor in your shed. They are great for a shed that is not too large and for areas where the ground is relatively level.
- Cinder Blocks. This is another way of providing a foundation, but are not very good for areas where the ground is soft, they area heavy and provide support, but will sink into soft ground, thereby making your shed to look uneven.
- Super Spikes. If you want to build your shed in an area where one part of the ground needs to be raised, super spikes will save you a lot of work. However, they should not be used in areas that receive frost.
- Concrete Footings. These are the perfect solution in areas where the ground is uneven or where you need a building permit to build a shed on your property. They should be at least 10 inches in diameter and drilled well below the frost line.
- Concrete Pads. These provide a base from which you can mount your shed walls. If you intend to store heavy loads in the shed, this is the choice you should make.

Always make sure the shed plan you choose has a picture of the finished product. This will help you in your decision because you want something that will look great and match the exterior of your home. You may even be able to find a set of plans that matches your home perfectly.

Now take a look at the level of difficulty of the plans. If you have never built anything like this, you should opt for a simple plan or one that has all the instructions spelled out for you. Check the plans to see how much work will be involved and make a decision about whether or not you think you will be able to do it on your own.

For more information on DIY shed plans,DIY storage sheds, how to make a shed ramp and other DIY related information visit http://www.DIYHomeAdvice.com