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Storage Ideas For Families With Lots of Hobbies

February 15, 2019

Hobbies are fun and relaxing, with great benefits for people of all ages. They can teach skills, boost creativity, improve confidence, and lead to new friendships. But if there’s no place to put the items hobbies require, they can create quite a mess! When your family has lots of different hobbies, you can’t just throw everything into a single drawer or container. You should have an organized system so every family member can easily find and access what they need. Luckily there are a lot of great options out there. Read on to find inspiration for some creative, effective storage ideas. Start by Taking Inventory Before you start looking into storage ideas, make sure all the items and supplies you have will actually be used. Is anything broken or too worn? Are there any hobbies your family members don’t enjoy anymore or that the kids have outgrown? If so, consider getting rid of those items to minimize the clutter. Dedicate a Space Just for Hobbies Some families prefer to keep all or most of their storage in one separate area, as opposed to all throughout the house. Will a spare room be available? Consider turning that into the perfect hobby room. This can include an effective work station with surfaces such as a small island or desk that also double as extra storage. If you don’t want to set aside an entire room, you can also find spaces for hobby stations within your home. Of course, a great advantage of designing your own custom home is that you can include whatever extra space you need in your floor plan. If you use an open concept floor plan, there will surely be a place for hobbies in the flexible and spacious living area. And this layout will allow you to keep an eye on your kids’ hobbies while you prepare dinner in the kitchen or hang out in the family room. Add Built-In Storage When most people think of storage, the first ideas that come to mind are cabinets and shelves. Instead of using separate units, consider adding built-in shelves and cabinets to your custom home. These storage options are less bulky, allowing more floor space to do activities. And they are more aesthetically pleasing as they fit in with the architecture of the home’s surroundings. This storage can even be built in areas you may not have expected, such as under the staircase. They really allow you to take advantage of every square inch of the home. Built-in cubbies are a great storage option for kids’ rooms. You can also put built-in cubbies and cabinets right by the entryways, so your family members can put away their hobby accessories as soon as they walk inside. Select Clear Containers Clear, plastic containers are a favorite storage idea for good reason. Because they’re see-through, everyone can easily identify which items are in each container so they won’t have to spend time searching everywhere. These containers are also durable, usually inexpensive, and easy to find. And there are varieties that stack on top of each other for extra space. You can also find clear plastic drawer towers that may better suit your needs. Glass or plastic mason jars are becoming incredibly popular. They’re versatile, perfect for storing smaller objects, and don’t take up much room. If you have young children, it’s probably better to use the plastic options just to be safe. Opt for Wall Storage Storage ideas don’t just include containers and cabinets. Look into the storage possibilities your walls offer. This includes pegboards, which you can attach to a wall and store items on using hooks, elastic bands, hanging baskets, or cups. You can also paint the pegboard for a decorative touch. Many hobby items can also be stored by hanging on hooks. Gluing magnetic strips to the wall is a great storage idea for metal tools. There’s also wall-mounted shelving, which gives you the storage benefits of shelves without the bulk of a whole unit. Go With Portable Storage A rolling cart is a popular option for many arts and crafts hobbies, including scrapbooking and knitting. An advantage of this storage is that it can easily be moved out of the way, such as back into a closet, when it’s not in use. Portable storage also makes it easier to take the hobbies out of the house. Tackle boxes, plastic cases, or totes are great for hobbies such as fishing or jewelry making. Other options include buckets, bins, and wicker baskets, which are versatile and easy to carry around. Drawer Organizers are Great A lot of hobbies require smaller parts that should be set aside so they don’t get lost. Add dividers within drawers or containers to keep individual items separate. You can use a cutlery tray, or purchase adjustable drawer organizers for a more flexible option. Consider Unexpected Storage Ideas There are certain items that you may not think of as storage, but will end up working for your family’s hobbies very well. And you’ll probably have many of these items in your home already. Re-use an over-the-door shoe holder for smaller items, such as paintbrushes, pencils, and markers. Attach a towel bar to a wall for hanging various items. An adjustable shower curtain rod can be perfect for storing wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, you can reuse empty cans and cardboard boxes, and decorate them using paint or wrapping paper. Remember, Accessibility is Key Whatever storage ideas you choose, keep in mind that you’ll have to make accommodations for certain family members. For young children, make sure the storage for their hobbies is at a lower level. Neither you nor they want to ask for help reaching something that’s just too high. And you’ll both want to avoid any potential accidents that could happen if they tried to grab something out of reach. Also, if the storage isn’t easily accessible, children will be less likely to put items away. If there are any tools used for other hobbies that you think might be harmful to children, be careful and keep them out of reach. Sometimes it’s enough just to put them on a higher shelf, but the safest option is to lock them away in a cabinet or drawer. What if elderly family members are living with you? If they have limited mobility issues, their storage also needs to be within reach. In general, the storage should not take up too much room, so they still have enough space to move around comfortably. If you’re using labels, make sure the print is large enough to read and avoid any containers or drawers that are difficult to open. At New Tradition Homes, we can customize your home for all your family’s wants and needs, including storage. From our floor plans to our design center, our numerous personalization options set us apart from other home builders. Let’s work together to make your home a space where creativity and fun can thrive!