When planning for a home renovation, it’s easy to focus on things we use and interact with every day: but what about all the other personal things you have, even if you don’t use them every day? Before you renovate, think about “storage space”. Do you have enough, and is it accessible?
There are two types of “clutter”, the clutter you’ve acquired and then forgotten because it’s no longer needed or relevant; and things that may not be “useful” but still have some emotional and sentimental value. In either case, it’s easy to forget about all the things we keep but don’t use — until you need some more room in your house.
Storage space isn’t on anyone’s mind until they need some. But when remodeling, give some thought to where you’re going to put those heirlooms; memorabilia and things you don’t always use, but still want with you. Those family albums and memorabilia of graduations and christenings, school uniforms, and treasured family artifacts; anything that has some emotional value certainly will not end up in Goodwill or Salvation Army giveaways; but they will take up space.
One way to reduce clutter and save storage space in closets and basements is to display memorabilia as you would an object d’art — as a centerpiece in the living room or den. Another way is to replace your older furniture with furniture that can double as storage pieces: a coffee table that has drawers to store important papers or family albums; or an ottoman that can open up to store blankets, or winter clothes in summer.
And by all means, consult with your renovation contractor about your storage and closet needs, so that they become part of the renovation as much as your living spaces are.