1/12/14

Streamlined Storage

Hey everyone!  Is it just me or does "2014" already seem to be zipping by?  I guess that means we must "make hay while the sun shines," as my sweet grandmother was so fond of saying.  In my first post of the year, I shared some goals and plans for our home, and I'm happy to say we can soon check one of those goals off the list -- adding easier access storage to our home.  If you've followed my blog for awhile, y'all know The Man is a skilled craftsman/woodworker and there are not too many ideas I come up with that he cannot bring to fruition.  What has become more evident over the almost forty-five years of marriage and our growing "older" together, is that we don't always have to say the words or ask the question.  We can read that furrowed brow, the sigh, or the groan of frustration -- I am master of that one; well okay, I've got them all covered!  What I'm saying here is that we try to make life as good as possible for each other, but The Man is way better at it than I am.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a complaining or nagging wife, but I do have issues.  Two things come into play here -- I'm very OCD when it comes to order in our home, and I have a very bad & painful arthritic back (wow, does that ever sound "OLD!")  Because of the back issue, The Man has set about making as much of our cabinetry/cupboard storage as easily accessible as is possible.  He pretty much just thinks I'm weird with the OCD things.....lol!  Anyway, on with the post of the day where I want to share some "streamlined storage" that The Man has built.  

Today I'm sharing what has taken place in our master bathroom.  I'll do another post later on to share some other areas in our home that have gotten "The Man's Treatment!"

The linen cupboard
Having moved from a home that had very little storage, I was truly delighted to see this in the master bathroom.


It's hard to see in the photo just how big this cupboard is.  Each space measures about 25"X25"X18", so lots of storage space but extremely awkward to use.

Sad but true, this is how it looked shortly after moving in.  I knew I would have to tackle this space at some point, but I just couldn't come up with a plan and there were more high-priority areas to deal with first.

When I was shopping at Walmart one day, I saw these little plastic crates in the school supply aisle and had a lightbulb moment & bought a few.
It certainly was not a perfect solution, but at least if all the lotions & potions were contained in the crates, they would be somewhat easier to access.

I had to arrange the crates around the perimeter in order to more easily access their contents.
All in all, this was not too, too bad, but still caused a lot of sighs and groans of frustration....lol!

So, last month, The Man started doing this and........

Created these -- truly things of beauty!

Too bad The Man is kind of camera-shy, because I was so excited I really wanted to take a photo of him holding his hammer and drill!

As soon as the last screw was tightened, I measured the space of each drawer and took off for the Dollar Store.  I had determined I needed 12 of a certain size basket and had to go to two different stores to get them.

Not my first choice of color, but I definitely did not want black, so red is what I got, and 
they fit perfectly.

At this point I was in "organizing heaven!"  I kept the first drawer for all the things that we use every day or almost every day.

The bottom shelf holds some First-Aid things like Ace bandages, alcohol, ice pack, etc. that we do not need often -- hopefully!

There is quite a wide recess on either side of the drawers, so The Man made a shelf on each side of all three drawers to use for extras, like soap, deodorant, etc.  This way they are easy to see and do not interfere with the rolling of the drawers.  He is just so clever!

The top part of the cupboard is now organized with our bath linens on the first shelf & easily accessible by "Shorty" here.  Our travel bags & a container of travel-size toiletries are on the top.

A bit more updating too place a couple of months ago, but with the holidays, I never got around to sharing it -- the "loo."
 
Our little room was just the typical space for the toilet but no storage for tp or any other needs.  The Man resolved that issue by adding shallow storage between the studs inside 
that blank wall space.

The frame and doors only stick out into the room a couple of inches, but provide ample space for extra rolls of tp and some "library" needs -- wink, wink!  While he was at it, he added crown molding and painted the room. 

Clean, sanitary but not pretty.....yet!

Just a few little touches and the space is much more pleasant.  We already had the little wall shelf, but the painting is from a small art gallery in Jerome, AZ that we visited with some friends last Spring.

It's actually a winter scene of Jerome, and we both love the splash of color it adds to
this little space.

Well, there you have it -- going from groans of frustration to orderly and serene.  I love our master bath now and so does The Man!  Hope you enjoyed the tour and maybe even got some ideas for streamlining storage in your home.  Thanks for stopping by and please know you are always welcome in our home.

I love to party with these fine bloggers:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons for One Project at a Time
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets
Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading

21 comments:

  1. Well aren't you just truly blessed. All your wonderful storage ideas coming to fruition and they are absolutely perect.. Every space is perfect. I am blessed with a wonderful craftsmen in my house too. I also, understand the back and body pain... I have that to. My ideas get beyond my possibility of doing them.. I have been forced to slow down...I just cannot do what I used to.. I love wonderful useful and pretty storage and you have it.. Blessings!

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  2. Your pull out shelves are fabulous! I'm so impressed with your hubby's skills. You are one lucky girl!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  3. Love the pull out shelves, I would love those and the shallow shelves are fabulous too. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Wow!!!! Great storage space and those pull outs are wonderful! It's got to feel so good, getting things organized. When our dust settles that will be my priority!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  5. Your hubby gets a big thumbs up from me! This is brilliant! I think we all deal with storage problems, the more we have it seems the more we use it up! And I really love the idea of using the space between the studs. That is so smart and it looks attractive! Thanks for some great ideas. Cleaning out my linen closet is something I do every 6 months, I feel a little better about it now!

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. Awesome creation....both of them.. Such joy to have everything within reach. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. He is COMPLETELY amazing! First your storage area and now this! Love it!

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  8. I think this is the best organization post I've seen--awesome! I also love the change to your powder room! We have the same separate little room, so I can appreciate the difference. Have a great week! Dee :)

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  9. I totally Love what he did with the 'toilet' room. That is a great use of dead space! Also, I have the exact same linen cupboard in my hallway. Three shelves on the bottom, two up top. I've always wanted to make it have easier access. Now you have me thinking about trying to add the pull outs myself (since my hubby is in heaven). I've replaced my garbage disposal so I may just attempt the pullouts! We'll see! Doesn't it feel Great to check something off your 2014 list already? Great Job!!!

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  10. Please give your hubby a big hug for me! He is so sweet to anticipate and accomodate your needs and whims! I truly adore a man like that (hence, I'm married to one too!)! Love the way you organized your bath closet and that small nook is genius!!! I love the picture you hung too, a conversation starter for sure!

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  11. Love, love, love...what a keeper you have there!

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  12. Your shelves are wonderful! What a super idea! Love your bath closet and the bathroom looks so pretty. Beautiful painting!

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  13. Your pullout cupboards are amazing! Oh to be so organized!! I'm not getting your blog post emails anymore??

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  14. Love the pull out drawers and the storage between the studs is amazing! I like the red baskets too. He did a great job!

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  15. Oh My! is it ok to be green with envy over your wonderful new pull out's??? Sure hope so, because I am. What a great addition and helpful item to add.

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  16. Wow, it's absolutely gorgeous! I love all of the bright pops of color throughout the holiday decor!! Lovely space! Your arrangements are lovely! You always bring such grace & beauty to the world. Wishing you a wonderful.indoor garden

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  17. Wow, you are very creative. I love your blog and your work. I´m your new follower. Kisses from Spain.
    See you: http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/

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  18. Carol, this whole project is amazing. What a great cupboard--hard to believe a bathroom cupboard is so deep! I love that. But the pull-out shelves are the piece de resistance. Your husband and you did a great job with this project! And the shallow cupboard in the water closet? That's brilliant!

    Thanks so much for linking this to Grace at Home. I'm featuring you at this week's party!

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  19. Hey, Just saw you were Featured at Imparting Grace - Awesome :)

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  20. Your master bath storage is brilliant~

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  21. Love the cabinet storage! I have so much storage that is wasted because it's not convenient.

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol

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