Now, Where Do I Store All this Toilet Paper?
So here we all are, locked in our homes with children, pets, significant others and if you are among the fortunate a boatload of toilet paper. This makes you painfully aware of the limitations in your kitchen and bathroom storage. Where on earth do I keep all this stuff? Well, what better time to ponder how to improve your storage needs than when you are stocking up on the essential and not so essentials because everyone in your house seems to be hungry and bored at completely different times.
While you may not be able to remodel your kitchen in the midst of all of this, you can plan for your future remodel and come up with some creative solutions in the interim. For example, you could create a guest bed out of packages of toilet paper and a fitted sheet. No, seriously here are some creative alternatives to remodeling your kitchen or bath and some strategies for planning your future storage solutions.
Let’s start with some solutions that work without the need to hire a contractor.
Is there a coat, broom or linen closet in your home that isn’t getting a ton of use? With the addition of simple shelving, you can create a glorious pantry space to store your essentials or perhaps just the extra that doesn’t need to be within arm’s reach when you’re in the kitchen.
Is there a shelf in your basement or garage filled with cans of old dry paint and a 20-year-old baseball mitt? Admit it, we all have one of those areas we’ve ignored for a decade. Now’s the perfect time to clean off that shelving unit and store your extras and bulk items.
Have you annexed your adult child’s bedroom as your office/guestroom/home gym? Odds are there’s also a closet in that room. Consider moving infrequently used items like platters, large cookware, and awkwardly shaped items into this space to make room for the everyday items in your existing cabinets, pantries, and drawers. By every day, I am referring to the 27 extra juice boxes, 42 types of snacks, and an abundance of hand sanitizer now readily on hand. Do you see what I did there with the hand sanitizer being on hand? Laugh now, we could all use a good chuckle.
Do you have one of those kitchens that was built in the ’90s and still have that awkward desk unit in there? It’s okay if you do, it means we have more to talk about when planning your remodel. However, you could consider using the space under the unused desk to store bulky items like toilet paper and extra water. I know, you think it will look messy. A tension rod and some fabric can surely hide a multitude of sins or cleaning products. It’s not a perfect solution but until we’re ready to push that remodel button it will do.
Okay, now let’s talk remodel. Because in truth I really want everyone to rip out their old kitchen and let us design new beautiful ones with perfect storage solutions. Also, Bathrooms. Because I know you all dream of a proper linen cabinet to match your vanity with just enough space to store your 48 pack of Mega roll toilet paper. (or toilet paper math equivalent) So let’s do this!
Before you rip out that wall between your kitchen and dining or living room to create a glorious open-concept space consider leaving a bit of wall for some much-needed pantry solutions. You could do shallow (non-standard depth) pantry cabinets if you don’t want to encroach on space. 12”-15” deep cabinets are great for food storage and partners who can’t seem to find anything if it is behind something else. This is my life maybe you can relate. If only they made 8” deep refrigerators I wouldn’t have to scream “look behind the almond milk” at least twice a day.
To Roll out or not to roll out, that is the question. Roll-out shelves are a wonderful convenience in a pantry. Heavy-duty guides make most roll-out shelves capable of storing 50-75 lbs of stuff, but I beg you not to test the theory. It will put unnecessary wear and tear on your shelf. Consider spreading out the heavy items to prevent difficulties in function over time. Roll out shelves also save you from getting down on the floor to find the “what’s it” on the bottom shelf. Remember roll-out shelves aren’t just for food. Pantry units with roll-out shelves make great storage for small appliances, pots, and other bulky kitchen items. If you have space in your kitchen, I recommend having both a roll-out pantry and a standard adjustable shelf pantry. That adjustable shelf pantry unit is great for bulk items, like bottled water and toilet paper. Given the title of this post, I must mention toilet paper every 142 words. It’s a blog rule, I think.
Should I buy the cabinets or build the closet? This is an interesting topic and one to be looked at from multiple angles. That answer will be determined by your space, budget and storage needs. In a perfect world, I have a walk-in pantry with cabinetry to match my kitchen, built-in shelving and some pantry units to match. But, enough about me. Building in closet space with a door, or sliding doors in many cases, is a more cost-conscious solution that can also be tackled by a DIY can-do attitude. Wire shelving, wood shelving, or shelving units can be added to customize the space to fit your needs. You may already have a closet or old laundry alcove that can be converted into a pantry. The downside, sometimes this takes up valuable real estate otherwise needed in your kitchen. Pantry cabinet units can often be placed in multiple locations in your space to maximize counter space, workflow creates a built-in look for your Refrigerator. Either way, have a chat with your designer so they understand your family’s storage needs and guide you in the right direction.
This is the part where I talk about bathroom storage. I will also mention toilet paper again numerous times because here it feels appropriate and also Blog rules dictate I do so. Many older style homes have linen closets that reside in the hallway or outside of the bathroom door. My childhood home was this way and if you forgot a towel you would be awkwardly reaching out the bathroom door whilst simultaneously screaming for someone to get you a towel because the length of your arm and physics dictate that you can’t, in fact, get it without leaving the privacy of the bathroom. This can happen with toilet paper as well but that’s a much more awkward visual for you. You’re welcome. Because so many of you have been scarred, like I have, in your childhood it has become desirable to remove the closet and add the space back into the actual bathroom. Cue the beautiful matching linen cabinet to your vanity with ample storage, hamper option and sometimes even drawers on the bottom. The options are many. (they are not endless that would be pure hyperbole.) Now all your essentials and the extra toilet paper can live in the bathroom where they belong.
If you have a fairly standard size bathroom, the strategic use of the linen cabinet can also serve as a divider or hider of the commode (that’s fancy for toilet.) In some cases, multiple linen cabinets can be used, much like with pantries offering one with accessories like drawers, roll-out shelves, or hampers, and one with adjustable shelves for bulk items like toilet paper (last one) and cleaning products.
The bottom line here is while you’re planning your dream remodel you can certainly seek out advice from one of our talented designers and use your time at home to implement some creative albeit temporary solutions to your storage needs. Also, if you come up with something exceptional please share your ideas. We’d love to see and hear what you are doing. Share your images to our Facebook or Instagram using #storagegenius #pageshowroom