Storage Space on Budget

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Creative Ways To Increase Your Storage Space On A Budget

The demand for smaller homes is increasingly on the rise, as more and more people choose to live simpler lives or not have children, while others simply can’t afford a bigger place. Whether you are in a small home by choice or by necessity, chances are that have encountered a problem with storage. Space for storage is essential to keeping a home looking uncluttered and pleasant, but it tends to be one of the first things to go in a small house or apartment. 

Luckily, there’s nothing some DIY and shopping savvy can’t fix. Here are a few creative solutions you can use to boost your storage space without breaking the bank.

Shop Smart

If you are on a tight budget, always make sure you are checking online deals available at major retailers. There are plenty of stylish and practical storage options that fit in nicely with your decor without having to do any DIY. For instance, a Macy's coupon coupled with an additional discount will keep your costs low while helping to make your rooms look prettier and better-decorated. Alternatively, you can look to stores like Big Lots or HomeGoods to find heavily-discounted items to boost your storage capacity. 

Build A Shelf Around The Top Of The Room

It may feel like there is no space left in your house, but have you looked up? Most walls are completely bare, especially the two feet or so below the ceiling. Install a long shelf around the perimeter of a room in this area, and you can gain loads of storage space for things you like to see but don’t need to use often, like books, knick-knacks, special tableware, or houseplants (just make sure there is a ladder or box you can climb on to reach them). This how-to uses cheap materials, and can be done with very few DIY skills.

Use Your Doors

We often neglect the space available on our doors when thinking about storage space, but with the right items, these can make a huge difference. Most major retailers have door-hanging storage options, whether it’s baskets, pockets, or boxes, and they tend to be cheap. You can store almost anything in these spaces -- check out this blog post by One Good Thing for 12 creative uses for hanging door storage. You can find great deals on door-hanging storage and similar options at retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, which frequently offers additional discounts. Boost your savings further by digging around online for coupon sites that can provide extra money back or other promotions. 

Install An External Clothing Rack

If you have a small closet, finding space to hang things like jackets, shirts, and dresses can become tricky. A rack mounted to the wall or ceiling can be set up in any unused part of your room, boosting your closet space without the closet. Select a few of your prettiest items for this rail to make it a feature in your room, and don’t forget to utilize the space below the rack as well. This DIY version uses copper pipes for a beautiful hanging rack that comes together for less than $50. 

Build A DIY Storage Bench

A storage bench serves as a functional and comfortable place to sit, read, and relax, while also hiding plenty of deep storage space. While these are available to buy in many furniture shops, it is possible to make one quite cheaply if your DIY skills are up to the task. Bob Vila has compiled five great designs that can easily be incorporated into any room, and which use inexpensive materials for a great result.

Give It A Good Clean

If it’s been a minute since you did a deep clean, now is the time to act, especially once you’ve got new organizational systems in place. Arm yourself with homemade cleaning supplies to save money, or splurge on a maid service to get a deep clean in half the time it will take you alone. The average cost of maid service in Minneapolis is around $154, but if you’ve got a small home, it’s likely to be even less. 

People in big homes often take storage space for granted. However, good storage is more a matter of creative thinking than actual space. There’s plenty of unused space in any house, including on walls, around doors, under furniture, and in alcoves. You just need to be able to see the possibilities. These clever storage solutions are almost always cheap and simple to construct, and they also help you personalize the space as your own.

Hanging Holiday Lights

Tis’ the season for snow-capped roofs, cozy nights by the fireside and holiday festivities. During the winter season, many homeowners will look to their roof for some DIY hanging of holiday lights. Here are a few things to keep in mind before the merriest season becomes more like a scene worthy of the name of Clark Griswold.

Preparation

Make sure that you check all of the lights before you get on the roof. If there are individual bulbs that will not light up, consider replacing the whole string as opposed to the individual unit. This will ensure that other bulbs will not go out in the process of replacing the single bulb. Know what type of lights you would like to use and on what parts of the roof. Icicle lights should be strung closer together, too much distance and their special, charming effect will be lost. Traditional LED incandescent lights should be spaced farther apart as their cozy effect already emits a homey quality.

Map Your Route

Have a plan before you get out a ladder and lights. In the long run, this will save not only time but headache as well. Knowing which color and type of lights you are going to put on what parts of your roof will make for a swift and easy install.

Installation

Do not set your lights too far back on the roof. Not only will it diminish the effects of the lights but extending beyond your arm’s reach could open you up to possible safety issues. We at Kaufman Roofing suggest using all-in-one clips to secure the lights to your roofing system. Using nails or staples could possibly damage the roof or, if nothing else, void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Safety

Hands down the most important aspect of any roofing job is the attention to safety, especially during the winter months. The most common roofing-related injury seen by doctors occurs during the installation and take-down of holiday lights, and most could’ve been easily avoided by taking a few tips into consideration. Be vigilant in paying attention to the weather and only install when it is at its best. Use the buddy system! No matter the roofing project, always work with another person, this way, everyone’s safety is the #1 priority. Know how to properly operate your ladder as well as the safest way to climb up and down. Make sure the feet of the ladder are anti-slip and are properly stabilized against the ground. Always secure your ladder to the roof, not the gutters, to ensure slipping will not occur. This measure will also protect your gutter system from unintentional damage. Do not place your ladder on icy or wet patches of ground. Even a wet patch can become dangerously slippery in a matter of minutes.

~ Meghan Beck

DIY Roof Safety Tips

10 Safety Tips When Tackling DIY Roofing Projects

DIY roofing projects can extend the life of your current roofing system as well as give you the satisfaction of completing your home’s needs on your schedule. However, if the proper precautions are not taken, you could be hurting in more ways than one. Following these 10 safety tips, you could avoid most roof related accidents.

1. Buddy System
Working with one or more partners will not only provide assistance with the project but also allow you to safely meet your goals knowing that others are active in the project and aware of the surroundings.

2. Appropriate Attire
To prevent slipping and ensure proper stability, wear shoes with good support and rubberized soles. Also, taking precautions against sun exposure will keep you healthy and ready to tackle your next project.

3. Map It Out
Create a plan of action before stepping on the roof; knowing what, how, where, and materials needed will make the project less stressful, run smoother and much easier. You’ll thank yourself later for the extra planning and strategic thinking.

4. Surrounding Environment
Before you begin any roofing project, it is important to check the building’s surroundings to ensure that no children, pets or pedestrians are around the hazardous zone. Electrical wires must also be taken into careful consideration, as they are sometimes hidden and can cause irreparable damage.

5. Weather Warnings
Watch the weather a few days in advance to maximize the project’s potential. Working on a dry roof will not only assist in completing the project sooner but a dry roof is a safe roof. Roofing injuries increase tenfold when a damp environment is involved.

6. Preparation of the Roof
One small detail that makes the biggest difference in the success of your project is making sure the roof is clean and free of debris. Take care to sweep the entire surface and watch for signs of bigger roof issues, such as cracked or buckling shingles.

7. Tool and Material Education
Properly familiarize yourself with the tools and materials you will beusing for the project; doing this simple and easy step will help into prevent any unnecessary injuries.

8. Ladders
Injuries associated with ladders are one of the most commonly reported roofing accidents. For this reason, it is extremely important that careful precautions are taken to avoid situations that may provoke issues with safety. Make sure you use a ladder designed for your specific project and with weight limits that are appropriate for the project at hand. Additionally, securing your ladder to the gutter spikes, when applicable, will provide a strong and steady support.

9. Safety Harness and Foot Brackets
Once on the roof, maintaining your stability is the key to safely and successfully completing a project. Foot brackets, although seen as a nuisance, can easily be created from a wood board and a few nails, creating a more secure environment than before. However, when dealing with a steeply slanted roof or if you are new to the DIY roofing scene, a safety harness is highly recommended and can be affordably purchased at your local home improvement store.

10. Know your limits
Listen and watch for the signs; don’t demand more than your body can offer. Recognize your body’s limits and don’t try to push them as overworking yourself might cause more harm than good. Take breaks often when working in the sun to avoid heat stress, and be sure to drink plenty of water. A healthy, well prepared body is ready to face the demands of a DIY roofing project anyone would be proud of. 

~ Meghan Beck