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Planning to move house? Or tidying up after the holiday season? Both of these are great opportunities for a spot of home organisation and sorting out of storage solutions. After all, there’s a lot to be said for packing a neat stack of containers into a moving box rather than a jumbled mess. The same goes for the Christmas pack-down, or summer-to-autumn wardrobe shuffle – use these as a chance for a clear-out and refresh. From the living room and laundry room to the kitchen and beyond, these organising tips will have you ready to leap into action!
The first step is to have a clear-out. Work systematically through drawers, storage shelves and cupboards, one room at a time. Remove everything, wipe down the cleared area with appropriate cleaning supplies and only put back things you want to retain. Arrange everything else into donate, sell, repurpose or bin piles, and deal with them accordingly.
Categorise your belongings, suggests Lachlan King from Flexi Storage. “Group similar items together – this makes it easier to locate and manage them,” he says.
“With clothing, grouping items based on seasonality allows you to save hanging space in your wardrobe. Soft wardrobe storage organisers are great for storing your winter woollies during the warmer months.”
Keep items you use often easily accessible, but for things like platters or party shoes, you can be more inventive. Make the most of high shelves and wire baskets, tuck lidded containers under beds and stack nesting boxes vertically, lightest items at the top – just don’t overload shelves or create a teetering tower.
Sort your Christmas decorations by type, such as lights and ornaments, says Lachlan. “Opt for plastic storage bins or containers with secure lids and choose specialised containers for fragile items like glass ornaments,” he says. D.I.Y. options include winding tinsel carefully around empty wrapping paper tubes and popping small baubles in an empty egg box, labelled and taped shut.
Review your built-in wardrobes and make use of any dead space. For a wardrobe with half empty rails, use extra coat hangers for tops and pants to free up drawer space – during a move, you can transfer hanging items straight into a specialised moving container. For a longer-term solution, invest in a retrofit with new shelving units, drawers that have organisers and dedicated shoe storage.
Choose boxes with compartments for small items like make-up and large plastic tubs with lids for blankets. Be inventive with your storage solutions – a tall waste bin could accommodate rolls of wrapping paper, for example. Select clear tubs or wire baskets for items on high shelves, so you can easily identify the contents, and reserve pretty wicker ones for on-show spaces. Note that square containers make better use of shelf space than circular ones.
Streamlined storage makes a house move easier and stress free. Ada Urbanski of Wrap & Move advises investing in moving supplies such as sturdy packing boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap for protecting delicate and fragile belongings. “Pack items you use the least first,” she says. “As moving day approaches, put essential items such as a change of clothes, toiletries and important documents in an overnight bag. Label each box with its contents and its room in the new home.”
Check our guide to planning and organising your pantry.
Photo Credit: Marcel Aucar, Alex Reinders
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
