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diy tips: a fresh start for your space (part 2)

DECLUTTER YOUR SHELVES

Shelves are quite tricky, simply because of their awkward dimensions. Oftentimes, the clearance and depth of the shelves are not right for your stuff. So, it’s always preferable to have adjustable shelves, especially for kitchen cabinets, to avoid wasted space. If you’re just planning to build your shelves, make sure you first do an inventory of the the things that will go in them. Measure your books, boxes, jars, etc. This way, you’ll know how deep or how high apart your shelves should be.

To keep books neatly aligned, use typical bookends. As an alternative, you can also make use of decorative jars and figurines. Just make sure they are sturdy and heavy enough to be used for this purpose.

Books can be arranged in two ways: upright in a row, or stacked in a pile. For taller books, set them in a row, while the shorter books, as well as the the ones that are too tall for the existing clearance of the shelves, can be arranged in a pile to maximize the shelving space. As shown in the photo, piled books can also function as book ends.

Again, remember to compartmentalize, especially for non-book items that need to be stored on your shelves. Do a “boxing match” for smaller items like cds, remote controls, extension cords, and other knick-knacks and gadget accessories. This means match the size of your items with the size of the box/bin where you’ll be storing them. There are bins and boxes that even have clear front pockets where you can insert a label or a photo of the items inside the bin (as shown in the image above).

Labeled boxes are especially useful in the office, craft room, workshop, kitchen and closet. Or, you can just write/print tags and tie them onto the handle of the bin. (image above from domino magazine)

For a uniform look, try what Ms. Creative Director did. She used different sizes of woven boxes with a similar finish to complement the natural texture of their furnishings. She even found a box for her cds.

I know some of you might be hesitant to buy such pretty boxes. They can be a bit expensive if you go to the mall to purchase them. So for a better deal, check out Dapitan Arcade in Dapitan St., QC.

Or, if you’re a diy person, you can just make your own boxes. Re-size and dress up old shoe boxes using craft paper (brown paper which you can buy from national bookstore in rolls) or cheap canvas fabric. If you have enough time, you can also cover the exterior of the box with abaca rope/twine to resemble a woven box.

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Next: closets & drawers, functional walls