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With adults in the UK spending an average 4 hours 2 minutes online each day during the lockdown (up from 3 hours 11 minutes in September 2018), plenty of social media influencers have been sharing their tips on creating the perfect living environment.
A number of decluttering influencers, some of whom are professional organisers and cleaners, have been entertaining their followers with hacks that incorporate a touch of genius. Read on for some handy tips on smart storage ideas for your wardrobe...
Where's the best place to start?
An average person sleeps for eight hours a night – so that’s one-third of our life in bed! If your bedroom is untidy, with clothes draped over chair backs and piles of shoes and garments on the floor, it doesn't create an environment conducive to relaxation and sleep.
The obvious place to start tidying is your wardrobe. Following our recent feature on getting your home autumn-ready, let's focus on some smart storage ideas for your wardrobe. It can be difficult to keep up with storage, especially if you have a lot of clothes, shoes and accessories, so let's take a look at what's trending in terms of top tips from the experts.
Extra storage space
When you can't find what you're looking for in your packed wardrobe, but you don't want to throw anything out, just add some extra storage space. Simply put your excess clothes away in free-standing containers, placed strategically around the bedroom, where you can access them easily.
For example, putting a chest-type container at the bottom of the bed is a classic storage solution, but rather than going for the standard wicker basket, try something more contemporary. Invest in a large lidded storage trunk made from durable plastic, in a colour that complements your decor. Unlike wood and wicker options, it will last a lifetime, and the lid will keep the contents dust-free.
What are the best clothes folding techniques?
Scientists have actually researched the best way to fold a t-shirt so it takes up less space and doesn't get creased. The technique was devised by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, who carried out a research project that programmed robots to fold clothes for maximum space-saving.
First, lie the t-shirt flat and fold in both sleeves. Then, fold each side in again, creating a rectangular shape. Finally, fold it in half into a square, making sure the sleeves are inside, so the outside surfaces are flat. This is the simplest and most effective space-saving technique, according to scientists.
The same study revealed you should also fold your socks to create more drawer space - don't roll them into a ball like most people!
Storage for children's clothes
Children’s bedrooms are especially prone to being messy, no matter how old the kids are, so any furniture item that can serve multiple purposes is a winner. While the wardrobe may be packed with clothes, there's always room to store other stuff such as video games, toys, books, sports gear and more.
Turn the wardrobe into a store-all with clever use of the available space. If there are toys all over the floor, it makes it harder to vacuum and they are also a tripping hazard. If they are played with every day, make sure they're put away at night in a sturdy container in the bottom of the wardrobe. Kids are messy and can easily break things, so don't spend a fortune on storage boxes. Go for a cost-effective sturdy container that will last forever, without costing the earth.
If you're putting away toys that they've lost interest in for now, put them in boxes on top of the wardrobe, as you won't need to access them every day, but they will be kept safe for future use.
Accessories storage
It's all too easy to lose jewellery, sunglasses and other accessories in an untidy room. They can get jumbled up and then you forget about them. Keep all of these small items together in a brightly-coloured chest or box that you can pop on top of your wardrobe.
You can separate your jewellery and other small items within the container by putting them into small clear plastic boxes, so you can see what's in each one at a glance without having to open them. This stops necklaces and bracelets from becoming tangled up and keeps pairs of earrings together.
Storage for shoes
Shoes are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to clutter in your bedroom. They are hastily discarded when you come in from work, or at the end of the day, often being left in the middle of the floor until you wear them again. This may be because you have so many pairs, you don't know what to do with them all!
According to surveys, the average British woman owns a staggering 24 pairs of shoes, including trainers and boots. If you're struggling for space, try going vertical! Use open-fronted containers and stack them on your wardrobe's shelves or on top, putting a pair of shoes in each one. This is much tidier than leaving them to pile up and you'll be able to keep them in pairs too.
A wardrobe that is well-organised can help you put an outfit together much quicker and easier, as you'll know exactly where to find everything. I believe rain is in the forecast for the foreseeable, so there’s no time like the present - contact Solent Plastics for details of our space-saving storage solutions!