Too much storage is great until it’s not.

Previously, I have discussed spare rooms and my dislike for them. They are just magnets for clutter. I have the same opinion about having heaps of storage. Too much storage you say? I can hear the words of Shayna Blaze from The Block ringing in my ears saying “you can never have too much storage in a home”.

From a storage point, yes – an ample amount is great. But from an organisational point, I disagree.

You see, there’s a big difference between tidiness and organisation.

I hear the cogs in your mind turning. Isn’t storage a crucial element of organisation? Yes, but storage without purpose is another version of a magnet for clutter.

Organisation vs. Storage

As a Professional Organiser, I have worked with far too many clients who have beautiful large homes with more storage than they actually need. They all seem to build a similar habit: when they’re tidying up hurriedly, they pick up the entire pile of items on the bench or table and dump it in the empty drawer. Likewise, if they are unsure of where an item should live, rather than taking some time to decide on a designated area for it, they just pick it up and add it to the nearest empty drawer or cupboard.

Before they know it, they can no longer recall where they put anything. Their home is immaculately tidy, but within each drawer or cupboard, everything is a miss-match of all of their belongings. Tidy on the outside but a huge mess on the inside.

This is exactly why clearly zoning the purpose of each storage space in your home is incredibly vital. Once you start designating specific storage areas for your items, organisation becomes much more practical. When you are tidying up your home and have intentionally set a particular drawer for all your electronics and power cords, and another one for your stationery and craft items, it becomes much easier to put these items back where they belong. It may take you a minute or so longer than usual but it will save you a considerable amount of time later on.

If you have reached a point where all the drawers in your home are close to becoming junk drawers and you don’t even know where to begin, we would be happy to support you. Contact us today.