What Two Words Will Double the Space in Your Home?

Just two words and a bit of explanation about them will help you to double, maybe even triple, the space in your home now. Those two words are "Go vertical."

FUNCTION FIRST, LOOKS SECOND

That means that when you buy bookcases or other types of furnishing with shelves, make sure these items have five or six shelves. Two or three shelves per item are just wasted space. When it comes to home organization, you want to buy furnishings based on the criteria of function first and then looks second.

So if two items are both of acceptable appearance to you, always purchase the one that is most functional. If one item is slightly prettier than the other but the other item has more vertical shelving, cubby holes and nooks, choose that second item. The peace-of-mind you'll get from having a more organized home will be much more valuable to you in the long-run.

DON'T FOLLOW YOUR EMOTIONS

Always remember that stores want to sell to you based on your emotions. That's a fact. Most marketing research agrees with that statement. If the seller can hook your emotions, they're closer to a sale. For example, you see a pie safe cabinet that's outrageously priced but beautiful. So you say to your spouse who's shopping with you: "Oh, look at that pie safe cabinet. It's gorgeous. Look at that blue color. It's a little a high priced but maybe we can get it on credit..."

Stop right there!

As a smart shopper (and a smart home organizer), you want to buy based on what your brain tells you. So for example, now you look at that same pie safe cabinet and say: "Oh, look at that pie safe cabinet. It's gorgeous. What a pretty blue color. But we need something a bit more functional. That cabinet only has four shelves and the one next to it has six shelves and is cheaper. The second one is maple stained, not blue. But that's okay. It's still a handsome piece of furniture and it's more functional. We'll get more space to use in our home and more product for our money."

Use your head, not your heart, to make decisions about furnishing items for your home. Then you'll have functional home furnishings that double your home storage space. Think like a home organizer versus a home decorator. Think function first.

ANALYZE FURNISHINGS IN YOUR HOME NOW

Look around your rooms. Do you have a two shelf horizontal bookcase? Do you have a tiny three shelf freestanding pantry in the kitchen? Do you have a little three drawer jewelry or lingerie armoire in the bedroom? Go room-to-room and make a list of any type shelving unit like these or others (e.g. microwave cart, television cart/stand, etc.)

Unless these items truly hold sentimental value, it's worth selling them to a used furniture store or at a yard sale for a bit of cash. (I'll tell you why sell in a minute.) Or spend a few bucks to put an ad in your local "Pennysaver" type newspaper advertising the item for sale.

SELL HIGH; BUY LOW

Then negotiate with the potential buyer so you get the best price possible for the item you're selling. That means you must suggest a price that's beyond what you expect to get. Why? Because these days potential buyers will almost always ask you to come down on the price. In fact, I guarantee three out of four buyer prospects will try to get you to lower the price. So start high so they feel like they're negotiating the price down.

Why sell the item in the first place? Because you want to use the cash you make to upgrade to a taller unit of the same item. If you watch those home decorating/organizing shows on television, you may recall that there is a certain show that uses just this strategy. They have a big yard sale with all the participant's useless items and use the money to upgrade to more useful and stylish items for the same space in the home. The difference in the home is usually extraordinary at completion. You're striving for a similar method and outcome.

NOW DOUBLE YOUR SPACE

You want to use the cash to buy a comparable piece of furniture that serves a similar function as the piece you just discarded. You can even put the new furniture piece in the exact same spot where you had the previous piece. But make sure the new piece of furnishing is taller with more shelving or nooks. Remember, the big two word secret in this article is "go vertical." So in the end, you'll use the same floor space in your home but double its storage capacity.

And when replacing your items with comparable items, don't hesitate to buy used furniture (even from the same shop you sold yours to). If it's in good shape in regard to quality (e.g. no rotting, flimsy wood panels, etc.) but not exactly your favorite color, you can fix that. Get a four dollar can of spray paint and a primer spray coat and change the color. Or get creative such as use some pretty contact paper to redo the outside. And one final piece of advice: Don't forget to negotiate when you're the buyer!

Karen Fritscher-Porter writes about home organizing solutions at http://www.EasyHomeOrganizing.com

Visit http://www.EasyHomeOrganizing.com to read more than 50 FREE articles containing dozens of home organizing ideas and solutions. Plus subscribe to the FREE newsletter updating you about the latest home organization products sold in stores.

---

Family Fun ? Is Swimming In A Safe Pool

Family fun is one of the most important things you... Read More

Garage Doors

You may think choosing garage doors is straight forward, however... Read More

The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Mattress

Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Illegal Building Works - Is there an Upside?

Many times throughout the year we are called in to... Read More

Spring Chores at the Cabin

Whether you live in your cabin year round or it's... Read More

How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More

Glass Sinks ? 4 Unbreakable Rules of Buying a Glass Vessel Sink

1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These... Read More

Prefabricated Home Packages

This is by no means an exhaustive list of what's... Read More

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More

Do You Have a Master Bedroom? You Shouldnt! Tips for Remodeling Your Bedroom

The word "master" is an antiquated term that suggests control,... Read More

Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix

You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some... Read More

Lighter Fluid: The Best Label and Scuff Mark Remover

The first time my husband saw me scrubbing the black... Read More

Heat Up the Hot Tub from 20,000 Feet

Homeowners are getting high-tech when it comes to controlling the... Read More

Planning Permission UK - Tactics if Appealing to the DOE for a Planning Refusal

Tactics of Appealing to the DOE - There will be... Read More

Planning Your In-Wall Speaker System

So you've finally decided to get your favorite music throughout... Read More

Duvet Covers Are Easy to Make Yourself

Duvet covers are rather versatile when you think about it.... Read More

Is YOUR Home A Safe Home?

Do you or one of your family members suffer from... Read More

Replacing Your Sliding Glass Door Rollers

If the sliding glass doors in your home are more... Read More

Buying Replacement Windows

While most buyers of double glazing are looking for replacement... Read More

Beginning Interior Design

Beginning interior design is a challenging, exciting adventure that one... Read More

Be Cool and Comfortable While Saving Money

The cost of energy is on the rise, so if... Read More

Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement the House

Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries... Read More

Persian Carpets - Popular Styles

There are numerous styles of Persian carpets. In fact there... Read More

Change The Style Of Your Interior With A Minimum Of Costs

The style of your interior depends for a great part... Read More

Enjoy The Beauty Of Hardwood With The Endurance Of Laminate Flooring

Everyone likes the beautiful, timeless look of hardwood floors. Elegant,... Read More

The Right Bathroom Accessories Will Make Your Bathroom Unforgetable

Bathrooms aren't just about the basics but are about the... Read More

Does Your Home Need Concrete Waterproofing?

Many areas of your home can benefit from concrete waterproofing.... Read More

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter, Think Again!

If You Think Mold and Mildew Hibernate During The Winter,... Read More

The Four Major Types of Air Filters

Hygienic air is essential to human life, and in this... Read More

6 Saving Tips When Moving

Moving households, whether it is due to a job transfer... Read More

Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal

If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project,... Read More

Cordless Impact Wrench - Not the Same Tool as Your Cordless Drill

The cordless impact wrench is quickly gaining in popularity among... Read More