Storage spaces

Whenever someone starts to talk about preparing for circumstances where we would need to live off "the grid" , the subject of storing supplies inevitably comes up. Many people want to get a few extra things to store, but are not sure where to put it. The best rule of thumb is "Store what you use, and use what you store". If you store food items that you already are familiar with and have a working knowledge of, you are much more likely to have a less stressful transition to using your stores exclusively (if that need arises). I know of plenty of people that have purchased large quantities of wheat berries without having a grain mill or any working knowledge of what to do with them. If you store extras of what you already use, or are willing to incorporate into your everyday life right away, you will begin to see storage as a huge asset. I know someone that purchased a couple of cases of chili and figured that come what may he/she would be completely prepared. It is important to have a plentiful storage and a large variety, but more on that later.

As you store items for future use, a good idea is to see if there is storage space near where you will be using the item. Putting up 15 bottles of Ibuprofen in your basement may be easier to access if it where near your bathroom. If you have tons of space, then it is very beneficial to have a single location and just set up your own personal "department store". If you have a shelf here and a spot there, then figure out the logistics of locating the items when you need them. Is there a shelf in your bathroom that could hold a few extra bottles of shampoo and a few dozen bars of soap? Put the bathroom stuff there if you can. If you have the ability to build shelving above existing items, think of storage spaces up high as well as underneath furniture/appliances/etc... A bed could possibly be put up on blocks or something, you can use the space underneath for containers. If nothing else, I read an article about someone who used under the bed storage for a can rotation system. She would put the new cans under the bed on the left side and take cans from the right side when she would go to use something. Clever.....

Most of us have closet space that could be better used or could give up part of a space by purging out unwanted stuff and repacking it with wanted stuff! Our sofa is in a position that we could put 2 or 3 totes behind it without much notice if needed. I saw a picture of a project that created a good sized cabinet underneath a front loading washer and dryer. The height of the appliances became easier to use with no bending over for loading and unloading and the space below was put to great use with homemade wooden pedestals. The creativity to find space is actually part of the fun. We've had a few houses where we put the dirty clothes hamper(s) in the bathtub to be able to use extra floor space elsewhere. The hampers are easily set or stacked outside of the tub temporarily during showering and then easily transported back into a very usable storage space. If you have any other ideas for storage spaces, please comment with them. It is great to hear how others use what they've been given to its potential. We lived in one house where we even stacked our dressers! The main thing is to begin to think about spaces to put the things that you are preparing to store before you are pressed with a pile of stuff and pressured to shove it wherever it will fit.

Even if you have to pick a room to make "smaller" by making a curtained area for storage, just think of the options you have for picking out a fabric that would essentially be the new wall for your room....like wallpaper only much easier, less mess, and easily changed. So, start looking for spots, because it's time to start stashin' (or keep stashin' if you're already doing it).

Happy hunting!