storage solutions

[cpslashm]

This may not seem a useful suggestion but I used to work at a fast-food place, looking after the stock. There was never enough room to keep it all easily accessible and in order, new stuff would be used and old stuff go out of date, so I created a location index which anyone could use.

If you have lots of small spaces and not enough large ones, make a list of locations and give each one a code. Then make a list of items with their location code next to them.

Perishables will have a list of location codes, oldest first. As you use them, cross off the emptied location codes.

Example:

G3.2 Garage shelf 3, box 2.
S1 Behind the sofa
S2 Under the bathroom sink

Baked beans S2, S1 (Use the ones under the bathroom sink first, then behind the sofa.)
FAK refill G3.2
Torch batteries S1, G3.2

A computer file is good. Use a printout as a working copy and update/printout occasionally. Stick a date on it and destroy the old one!
Easy to keep track of everything and bring things together in one location as space permits.

Hope this helps.

[Decaff]

List of what, where and expiry date is a must!! Couldn't cope without my excel book.

[Winklebury]

Hello Everyone,

I love the really usefull boxes. They are fantastic!

I use the 35 Litre translucent ones. The strong version, in near white look good, but hadn't seen them before looking at the link above (http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/u ... ge_rub.php)

I have 6 of them, and also 4 x 18 litre ones. These have the same foot print as the 35 litre ones, so stack nicely. I have also got a 7 litre one, with a sorting try inside, which is great, has a smaller footprint, but sits nicely in the centre of a 35 or 18.

There bottoms have a hexagon pattern which reinforces them. They are strong, and great value.

BTW!!!! They are 2 for 20 pounds at Ryman's - the stationary shop.

I am just a bit frustrated I didn't know about the 'strong' ones before buying circa a dozen of them. Not that they feel weak, but its always nice to have good strong things which may last even longer.

[Winklebury]

N.B.

If 2 x 18 litre boxes are stacked, they are perhaps 40% taller than a single 35 litre box. Not a problem, but its not a nice round ratio, eg 2:1 or even 3:2

[Winklebury]

This may not seem a useful suggestion but I used to work at a fast-food place, looking after the stock. There was never enough room to keep it all easily accessible and in order, new stuff would be used and old stuff go out of date, so I created a location index which anyone could use.

If you have lots of small spaces and not enough large ones, make a list of locations and give each one a code. Then make a list of items with their location code next to them.

Perishables will have a list of location codes, oldest first. As you use them, cross off the emptied location codes.

Example:

G3.2 Garage shelf 3, box 2.
S1 Behind the sofa
S2 Under the bathroom sink

Baked beans S2, S1 (Use the ones under the bathroom sink first, then behind the sofa.)
FAK refill G3.2
Torch batteries S1, G3.2

A computer file is good. Use a printout as a working copy and update/printout occasionally. Stick a date on it and destroy the old one!
Easy to keep track of everything and bring things together in one location as space permits.

Hope this helps.

I keep trying to be that organised, but I just cant do it!

[Devonian]

I keep trying to be that organised, but I just cant do it!

Glad its not just me

[Rearfang]

I got a few of these air and water tight barrels -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00A3C4 ... mp_s_a_1_7

The more square shared one stack well and are tough as old boots and they're not too much more than the useful boxes.

I have loads simular to these but round £10 each

[FEISTY]

This may not seem a useful suggestion but I used to work at a fast-food place, looking after the stock. There was never enough room to keep it all easily accessible and in order, new stuff would be used and old stuff go out of date, so I created a location index which anyone could use.

If you have lots of small spaces and not enough large ones, make a list of locations and give each one a code. Then make a list of items with their location code next to them.

Perishables will have a list of location codes, oldest first. As you use them, cross off the emptied location codes.

Example:

G3.2 Garage shelf 3, box 2.
S1 Behind the sofa
S2 Under the bathroom sink

Baked beans S2, S1 (Use the ones under the bathroom sink first, then behind the sofa.)
FAK refill G3.2
Torch batteries S1, G3.2

A computer file is good. Use a printout as a working copy and update/printout occasionally. Stick a date on it and destroy the old one!
Easy to keep track of everything and bring things together in one location as space permits.

Hope this helps.

That's a good method, but I don't do the codes. I simply have a Word table in a Word document. I have columns beginning with date, then amount (eg, 4 x 340g), then item and location. There are several sections to the table, eg Food, Medications, Water, etc. The date is the use by/best before date if there is one and the rest is obvious. I usually keep this in date order, by section. Therefore all food is in the order by which it needs to be used. If I need baked beans, I can scan down to find the first entry for baked beans, which will be the ones I need to use next and the location will be given (bookcase (behind books), second shelf, LHS (left hand side)). If I want to see at a glance all the baked beans I have, I can "re-order" that section alphabetically by item (baked beans, custard, salmon, etc) and they will still be in use by date too. I try to keep a copy of the date order and an alphabetical copy, just in case the lights go out, but I can quite happily cope with just one or t'other. Having used Word tables for years for lots of different applications and having used Excel, etc, too, I much prefer the simplicity and ease of use of Word.

[Decaff]

I'm currently reassessing the bathroom storage, although a big bathroom I feel I have lots of wasted space that could be put to getter use. I'm fed up with looking at a loo roll mountain, boxes of dishwasher tablets and various other mountains of "stuff" been online and ordered a few more containers, for soap powder etc.

Told Mr Decaff I would like a giant cube on the wall above the loo to stash the loo rolls with a door on to hide from view, another one behind the bathroom door which I want floor to ceiling with a magnetic door on so its not obviously a cupboard, almost like its boxing in pipes or something. Let's see how long I have to whinge before he makes a start... I could threaten him with another wardrobe clear out too!