“Deep storage” is a common term found in many an organizational book or article. If there’s no room, if you want to clear clutter, you move to the whole “deep storage” scenario. Deep storage means you put the stuff away where you can’t see it - an attic, under the bed, in the garage, at an actual storage center, and so on. Many organizing books I’ve read, and plenty of folks I know are totally obsessed with the deep storage method of clutter problem solving.

I’m not so much for deep storage. Basically because I can’t figure out why you’d deep storage stuff you have no room for in the first place. We discussed this before - to a point in the following posts:

• Organizing by Simplifying
• How To Start Getting Rid of Stuff - Get Rid of Maybe Items
• Four Tips for Clearing Out Sentimental Clutter

Because all the organizing gurus seem to be so deep storage gung ho, and because most things I read don’t differentiate between junk and useful deep storage, I figured we’d look at deep storage, and consider when it’s actually useful vs. when deep storage becomes junk hording.

All of the following items are recommended as deep storage candidates in organizing books I’ve read. I broke it down some more because I don’t agree that everything is a good deep storage idea.

Stuff that belongs in deep storage:

Holiday decorations - but not boxes and boxes. I’m talking decorations you actually put up each year.

Seasonal bedding.

Small boxes of sentimental stuff.

Items you’re saving for your children (significant baby outfits, cards, a few choice toys, etc).

Stuff that may belong in deep storage:

Holiday and special occasion dishes including textiles like holiday tablecloths - personally I think holiday and special occasion dishes are items you should purge. If you use something just once a year, you need to seriously consider if it has storage worth. I know some will disagree, but the path to clutter free and organized does call for tough choices. Dishes you don’t use daily are a waste of space. Also, if the dishes make the holiday, it’s worth it to consider whether or not your family is celebrating in a family focused way, or a visual stuff focused way.

Seasonal clothing. I’m torn. I don’t believe in deep storing clothing. I think you’re asking for trouble. One, if you buy clothes on sale out of season, it’s tough to remember what you have if you don’t see it often. I.e. if you see that stack of winter sweaters you won’t buy five more just because they’re on sale - you’ll remember that you have them. Two, once you start deep storing clothing it can become addictive. Anything that doesn’t fit in the closet can go into deep storage. Do you need more clothing than what can fit in a typical closet? Likely no. All that said, if you have an exceptionally small closet, deep storage may be your only option for seasonal clothing.

Canning supplies.

Stuff that does not belong in deep storage:

The bread machine or blender. Come on now; if you don’t use the bread machine when it’s on the counter, are you really going to pull it out of deep storage?

Knick knack collections. I read this one book that recommended keeping only one knick knack collection at a time in your living room, then keeping the others in deep storage, and switching collections out a few times a year. Talk about poor time management. Too many knick knack collections do look cluttered in one space, say, the dining room. However, having many collections stored away is just as silly, and just as cluttering. Choose collections wisely. Showcase one or two favorites in your home, or one per space (or room) and give up the rest.

Photos. Deep storage photos are photos that may never find a use, or get organized. I think photos to be sorted should be kept out where you’re more likely to take care of them.

Stuff to fix - ripped clothing, broken frames, a chair that needs refinished. Don’t ever put broken items in deep storage. That creates a pretty good bet that the item will never get fixed.

Extra bathroom items like Q-tips, shampoo, deodorant, and toilet paper. Frankly I’m surprised that people would even suggest these items as deep storage candidates. I know some people like to buy in bulk, in fact I used to buy a lot of stuff in bulk, but here’s the thing; when you get bulk obsessed you can save money, but your home can also become WAY overly cluttered. Bulk vs. clutter are two situations you usually need to choose between unless you have a huge home and unlimited extra space. In my world, I chose less clutter. We don’t buy in bulk anymore and it saves us space and keeps our organizing issues to a minimum.

NOTE: One item I do think is a good candidate for bulk buying and storage are children’s art supplies. Or adult craft supplies. If you’re careful, and don’t go nuts, art and craft supplies are not a bad thing to deep store. Why? Because these are supplies that can be majorly expensive. If you find a great deal on art paper, pastels, or so fourth, AND you will use it, then it can be a good deep storage item.

What do you think makes an item a good candidate for deep storage?

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The Hiro Dining Room set-up from Haiku Designs is simple, calming, and not cluttered at all. It still has character though; even though this is a showcase not a real home, you can see how it would work out. I’m not normally a dark wood fan, but this is so peaceful that I do like it. This showcase shows how you don’t need a lot to make a nice impact. Some cool lighting will do and you don’t need a bunch of knick knacks and wall art.

What do you think?

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In the last post I discussed saving space by transferring all your discs to one single holding place - such as a folder or box. This does, however, leave you with a lot of empty cases. You could toss them, but they’ll just sit in a landfill; then your great, great, great grandkids can find and use them I suppose.

You can recycle instead of toss:

Some people want your old cases. Sign up on Freecycle and see if someone needs them.

You can ask if your local library needs them. Some might.

Many cities do have recycling centers that take old cases. However, don’t just set them on the curb; CD and DVD cases are different than say a typical water bottle plastic. Some centers may allow curbside but sometimes there are specialty centers in town that take them. To find your local centers visit Earth 911 - they have a form you can fill in and it will locate you a center.

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I’m moving soon (in theory; I’m actually supposed to be looking at a place today) and have been thinking of dumping my CD cases. I don’t have too many CDs (I’m a vinyl girl) but I do have enough to make a mess of the shelf where I keep them.

To save space and save having to box pack them, I’ve decided to get a folder, put all the liners and CDs in said folder, and recycle the cases. I already do this with my computer work discs. For years I haven’t kept cases in my office, and it really does save space.

While looking around for a folder online, I found a really cool option for disc storage that I haven’t seen before:

Ideastream CD Cabinet: I love how this looks, although it’s heavier than a folder probably. This would fit nicely on a shelf and holds 165 CDs in Vaultz CD Folders, 60 CDs in slim cases or 30 CDs in full-size jewel cases. Of course, if you’re ditching the cases, your case would hold that full 165 x two.

There’s another case like this but it’s a double large, and has four drawers, each holding 165 CDs. Actually, this would be a good idea if you’re looking to simplify your DVD storage too. I can’t decide if I want to get rid of DVD cases or not; but really, they take up a lot of space. I may just try it.

If you’re looking to get organized and get rid of CD and DVD cases you may be wondering what to do with the cases. If you can recycle them? I’ll be back later to give you some ideas about how to manage the empty cases.

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During the summer when your family is in a rush to get up and go, try using a cereal dispenser to make mornings go a little quicker. Simply plop this dispenser down within easy reach of your kids, along with a few bowls and spoons in a little basket, and you have your own easy serve hotel deal going on.

Pros:

• If only the kids are in get-up-and-go mode, mama or dad can sleep in a little.
• Perfect for bulk cereal - you can save a load of packaging. Reuse bags at the store to grab bulk cereal, and then simply refill these containers.
• Good for other uses. Little kids (read my little kid) tend to leave boxes open in cupboards. Like Cedar will get out granola to snack on and then later I see the container sitting open - hello mice and bugs! This stops this issue, but allows kids some snack independence.
• This tool’s usefulness carries over to the school year.
• Other uses - If you end up not using it like you though you would, try storing Legos or kids beads in it. Or other food items - coffee (I do drink this much coffee), tea bags, sugar if you’re a baker, dry bulk pasta, oats, and so on.

Cons:

Most are pricey. If you always buy bulk cereal this is a good deal though.

Easy Morning Black Divided Container Dispenser by Rosseto: $74.99

Double Indispensable Cereal Dispenser: In stainless, cherry red, white or, black $47.99

Wall-Mount Snack Dispenser 3 Canister: $49.99

I’d use these for snacks probably. My son (oddly) doesn’t like cold cereal.

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