If you have found yourself short on storage space and looking for ways to improve this, you’re not alone. It doesn’t take long to fill up the attic, garage, or spare room with things that you may not want to throw away, but simply have limited space to keep these items in.

I found myself in a similar dilemma when it came to storing firewood. We were trying to use an old outbuilding to store it all, but it was simply too small to hold all the wood we needed for the winter. We also found that we wanted to use the shed for storing other things too, such as bikes, boxes, mowers, rakes etc. – so before long, the shed was cluttered with wood and a whole bunch of other things…it was time for more space.

We decided that we either needed to build or buy a new shed. After searching for sheds and shed plans on the internet and in the library, we became overwhelmed with the large selection of choices available to us.

We finally decided that one of the most affordable solutions was to build a lean to shed. Since a lean to is open on one entire side, it is (in my opinion) cheaper and easier to build than a conventional shed. I also liked the lean to design since it works well as a wood shed. Wood sheds need plenty of ventilation so the wood stored in it can season and dry out, but still stay out of the rain and snow.

Lean to sheds can be built against the side of an existing building or can be free standing. There are many different purposes for a lean to shed too, and their designs may all look slightly different, depending on what you’re using them for. There are garden lean to sheds, loafing sheds, run in sheds, lean to potting sheds, Livestock sheds, lean to wood shed, to name a few of the more common ones. For the purposes of this article, I’m not focusing on all the differences among these lean to shed styles. A quick online search or trip to the library or book store should provide you with an abundance of information.

I also discovered that lean to shed kits can be purchased online. And, of course, your local box store such as Sears, Home Depot, Lowes etc. also have a wide selection of lean to or other simple storage sheds. But to save money, you may want to consider building one yourself.

I found a few free lean to shed plans online, but VERY few of them. However, I was encouraged that there were many shed plans that could be purchased online at a reasonable price. For my purposes, I was simply building a lean to for storing wood and wasn’t as concerned about how it would look and simply wanted to cut costs where I could. So I didn’t purchase or order any lean to plans online. If you are interested in doing this, however, the plans generally range in price from $5.00 to $50.00. Many of them are very user friendly too, and can usually be downloaded as soon as you buy them. I found a nice picture of a lean to wood shed I liked, and developed my own building plan for it. I’m no contractor, though, so I really took my time when constructing it.

I found that, with the money I saved in doing the work myself, I could build 2 lean to sheds for what it would cost to buy a shed from the local stores…so I did! I built one lean to against an outbuilding, and another free standing one close to our house. We have a few goats, so one of them is used as shelter for our goats and the other for storing firewood.

We have been happy with the extra storage and I’m glad we put in the hard work of building them. I highly recommend building your own, if you’re up to the task. I’m not overly skilled in construction, but this is a project the joe-average homeowner can take on with the right amount of planning and preparation. The sheds can be big or small, depending on your needs. And I’m sure you’ll appreciate the extra space they’ll give you. Good Luck!

Tom Zondman has an M.A. in Clincal counseling and also has an online hobby business. He enjoys writing about and discussing his favorite hobbies! For more information and pictures of his lean to sheds, visit his website at http://www.leantoshed.com

For years people have been storing things whether it’s personal belongings or items that are just not being used regularly but cannot be thrown away. Storage units have become much more sophisticated than they used to be, but the main principle remains the same. The amount of storage units has increased over the years and they are a lot more sophisticated these days. Many units these days have climate control, 24 hour CCTV and intruder alarms and fire safety precautions. Some also offer free unlimited access during Opening Hours, assistance with removals plus professional help with domestic and document storage as well as the use of trolleys and pallet trucks.

If you are considering renting some storage space then you should first think how much space you will need. Inevitably the more space you will need, the more you will have to pay. But there are ways of making the most of the space. If you are storing large objects like mattresses remember you can always pack things in between them like pictures or mirrors.
Some tips on storage – some more obvious that others.

* Create a pathway through you storage space so you can access everything easily.
* Label everything
* Think about climate control – do you need it.
* Items you need access to store at the font
* Items you know you wont need for some time store at the back
* Location – does the storage unit need to be close?

If you have furniture you will need to measure the size of the objects and keep in mind if they are strange shapes you will be wasting some of the space. Remember to use all the space so if you are storing a table without being able to remove the legs then there is the space under the table that can be utilized. If most of what you want to store can be stored in boxes then this will be much easier to store. Using square boxes allows you to stack the boxes neat and easily and you will get more for your space.

Self-storage is an inexpensive way to meet your increased storage needs. They come in handy for storing items such as garden furniture or tools that only get used in the summer. Also seasonal sports equipment can be stored throughout the seasons that you can’t use them. Maybe you just need to store some items for a short period like when you are redecorating or remodeling your home. Some people use storage units for storing many household objects to make their house look tidier and less full of clutter when they are trying to sell it.

Contact Keep Safe Self Storage today for all your Domestic Storage, Document Storage and Self Storage needs.

Several types of materials are used to make Closet organizers, ranging from low-end wire shelving all the way to high-end solid wood. No matter which type of material you decide on implementing in you closet, it helps to know a little about them, and whether it suits your needs and compliments your home decor. Here is a list of some of the material used:

Wire shelving: Wire shelves are on the lower end of closet organizers, as far as functionality, looks and decor. They are made of metal and either painted or chrome plated. They come in different levels of quality ranging from the very thin metal “wire like” shelving to the heavy duty steel. There are kits available at most home centers and online that you can purchase and install. They are simple and inexpensive alternative, but they do come with limitation of options available, such us, drawers, doors, built-in hampers and other closet accessories. This is a good alternative to the traditional reach-in shelf and rod closet.

Particleboard: Particleboards are one type of Engineered Wood, also referred to as Fiberboard. They are manufactured by using scrap wood, wood chips, even saw dust combined with a resin, which is usually formaldehyde based, which has been classified as human carcinogen by the WHO (World Health Organization). Although particleboards are cheaper alternative to real wood, if untreated it has the tendency to disintegrate in humid and moist environment. To somewhat remedy the problem, it is usually painted, or covered with plastic resin, like Melamine, that are glued to the surface. It is also difficult, or in some cases, impossible to repair if damaged. It can also sag or snap over time since it is the weakest kind of Fiberboards. For closet organizers, they are available as kits at most home centers and online.

MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): MDF is another type of engineered wood which is also referred to as Fiberboard. Although it’s a lot denser and heavier than Particleboards, it has similar characteristics, and it’s made with similar scrap wood, and formaldehyde resin. Like Particleboards, MDF is widely used as material of choice to make closet organizers, especially by the so called “custom closet organizers” because it is cheap, and readily available. Also, it comes in variety of colors achieved by laminating the surface with plastic material, like Melamine resin. They are also available at most home centers and online.

Melamine: Some closet organizer companies refer to the material used to make their closet organizers as Melamine. It’s nothing more than particleboard or MDF laminated with plastic Melamine resin to imitate the color and grain of real wood.

Plywood: Plywood is another type of engineered wood. It is made by piling very thin layers of wood, called wood veneer, on top of each other held together by adhesives, usually formaldehyde resin. They come in many grades and quality ranging from indoor use to outdoor use, referred to as marine grade, and from construction grade to decorative grade, which is achieved by gluing a very thin layer of real wood on top of the other layers of wood. Very few custom closet companies offer closet organizers made with plywood, but generally, they charge 50-80% higher than closet organizers made with Particleboards or MDF, and even fewer companies offer it online.

Solid Wood: Unlike all other materials which are engineered from scrap wood and chemicals, solid wood is solid lumber, real wood. Its appearance is unmatched by any other material used for closet organizers, or any other piece of furniture. Solid wood is strong, stable, and lasts longer than any engineered wood. Some worry about warping of solid wood in high moisture areas, which can be true for long, thin, unfinished pieces of wood. Others, worry about cracking, but if the wood in kiln dried correctly, sealed, and finished with multi-layer process, it performs much better than any engineered wood. If you want proof, just take a look at any antique piece of furniture made with solid wood; no engineered wood would last as long.

One major disadvantage of solid wood is the cost, primarily because of harvesting, kiln drying, and selecting pieces without defects. Very few companies offer solid wood for closet organizers online, and fewer custom closet organizers offer it as an alternative to engineered wood, primarily because of cost. Some closet companies suggest that their material is solid wood simply because it’s not hollow, and made of real wood saw dust, others claim their material is solid wood because they use plywood covered with real wood veneer. Beware, and make sure you’re getting the real solid wood, and certainly, getting what you’ve paid for. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to hire a closet company to design and install your closet organizer, or you’re buying a closet system online to install it yourself, it pays to ask questions about what type of material is being used to manufacture the closet organizer that is going to be installed in your home.

Solid Wood Closets, Inc. is set out to change the closet industry by offering exceptional, modular, full panels, formaldehyde free, furniture quality, 100% real Solid Wood Closet Organizers at a fraction of the cost of similar products.

To find out more, please visit our main website at http://www.SolidWoodClosets.com
Or our blog at http://www.SolidWoodClosets.com/blog

If you are like many others, you don’t have any proper garage storage system. Your garage has turned into an overloaded storeroom crammed with stuff you don’t want in the house. With sports equipment, gardening tools, bicycles, toys, boxes, lumber, snow blowers, spare tires, and (yes, you saw this coming) even the kitchen sink, it’s a wonder that there is any room for a car in there!

There is usually a lot more room inside the garage for storage that is not being used. Reorganization and a little bit of common sense is all you need to get your garage into shape. In order to find a garage storage solution follow these guidelines.

First, decide what you want to store in the garage. Take into account that not all things do well in an exposed environment like that. Anything that can be damaged by humidity and extreme temperature change should probably be stored in a more stable environment. Once you have a clear list of items, then you can divide them into those things that you need easy access to (like tools) and those you don’t (like Christmas decorations).

Once you have your 2 lists, you can start to think about garage shelves and garage cabinets. A good rule of thumb is to start at the top and work your way down. Ceiling mounted racks, lofts and storage solutions take advantage of all the unused space up there. This is a great way to store bikes, as well as off-season sports equipment, boats, gardening tools, etc. There are racks that are fixed permanently, as well as more versatile ones that can be raised and lowered on a pulley system. It’s cheaper to install the fixed lofts, but obviously it’s more difficult to get to the stuff that you store up there. You might consider a combination of the 2, putting the more used things on the pulley system, and saving money to store the other stuff that you really don’t need all that often.

Once you’ve decided what your ceiling storage needs are, you can then turn to your walls.

For wall-mounted shelves, it is a good idea to install a system that allows you to mount hooks where you need them, and move them when your needs change. This way you simply move the hooks around, no need to drill more holes or patch up the walls. This is a more expensive option, but it will save you headaches and damaged walls in the future. Also, these wall systems come with a variety of specialty hooks hangers brackets and baskets, designed especially for bikes, sports equipment, golf bags, boats, gardening tools, you name it!

Cabinets are the next option. They have the advantage of keeping dust and dirt off of your stored things, and also there are lockable units that are good for keeping dangerous chemicals away from children. If you are still concerned about floor space, there are wall mounted garage cabinets available as well.

Okay, now that you’ve decided what you need, you should discuss the issue with the whole family, and set aside a day to overhaul your garage. Include your whole family in the project. Buy all the equipment and tools that you’ll need beforehand, and make sure that everyone understands what they’ll need to do.

Start by emptying out EVERYTHING. It’s easier if you start with an empty garage. While the adults and older kids start installing the ceiling and garage wall storage units, the younger ones can sort through the stuff outside and put it into categories. Also, they can help to clean out the garage and sweep it.

Don’t forget to take many breaks, keep it light and entertaining for the kids, and maybe have some favorite foods on hand to make the work go a little easier.

Once the stuff is organized, and your storage units are installed, it’s time to repack the garage. Keep an open mind about where to store the stuff, and remember that the garage is for everyone, and the kids will be more interested in taking part in the whole process if they feel that it affects them.

Once all the work is done, everyone will be amazed at the change! You will have a garage that is spacious, organized, neat and tame. It’s a hassle to think about doing, but once your finished you’ll be very pleased that you did it.

Many homeowners forget that they can expand their living spaces by remodeling their garages. Think about it – your garage is usually just sitting there, crowded with stuff if not your car. It is the perfect space for your new studio or pool house. You can turn your garage into the room of your dreams. Would it really be so bad to park your car in the driveway? If you live in a temperate climate, a car is not going to suffer much out of doors. Granted, if you live in Minnesota, you have a garage attached to your house for a reason. You can go straight to your car without having to step out into the cold. But if you live in a pleasant environment, try parking your car in the driveway and look at all the space you just opened up for yourself. You just added hundreds or even thousands more square feet to your living space.

Garages are so much fun to remodel because you can really personalize them. Have you always wanted an art studio, or a place to write your great American novel? Have you always wanted a workshop or a place to play music or whittle wood? Decide what the best use of the space would be. Do you need a place to put a washer and dryer set, or space for a deep freezer? If you have the money to do a big remodeling job, then consider turning the garage into a small apartment. You can either rent it out and make some extra money, or let one of your older children live in it. You could even reserve the apartment for an elderly parent or grandparent that you want to keep close to you. The apartment can be on the first floor, or you can add a second story to the garage, maintaining the parking space below. You can add a separate door on the second story with a staircase located outside the garage. This will be a nice retreat for anyone.

Garage remodeling jobs do not have to be huge. They are sometimes the simplest form of home repair that you can do. Most garages already have electricity, and many are already attached to the home and can easily be hooked up with plumbing. You do not necessarily have to install a bathroom in the garage, if the cost of that investment scares you. When you go to sell your house however, a separate “house” will always be a selling point. Just spend your remodeling money wisely and do not blow it on a lot of customized extras that will not come back to you in resale value.

If you do not need a new workshop or apartment, then consider turning your garage into a home gym. You do not even have to do major remodeling to put a treadmill or a stair climber in the garage. You can put a set of free weights in there as well, and plug in a TV to watch while you are working out. Many people also decide to convert their garages into music studios. However, if you are going to go with this option, make sure to invest in some soundproofing so you do not alienate your neighbors.

Modern storage building kits are quite easy to follow and the average person could have one built in just three or four days. You can find these kits at most outdoor or hardware stores, along with the ubiquitous big box stores as well.

Some storage building kits are easily upgradeable, they are also energy efficient and if you can build it yourself then you will be saving money, instead of having a contractor build it for you. If you are inexperienced, you could always ask a friend to help. Plan to do some research as well, study some internet sites to give you an idea what you are getting yourself involved with. You do not want an unfinished project sitting in your yard for several months or even years.

If you are not interested in building your own, you can buy pre-built storage sheds and have it delivered to your address. For the hands on kind of person, storage building kits are the way to go. These types of buildings can hold many of a home’s outdoor belongings. Depending on the size of the shed, you can store anything from boats, camping trailers, motorcycles, classic cars and any other large toys. Obviously, any garden tool, lawn mower, lawn tractor or anything else associated with a backyard can be stored in these types of buildings.

The basic steps for putting a storage building kit together consist of pouring the foundation, then installing the floor joints, which is followed by installing the wall panels. Once that is done then it is time to cut the openings for the windows and doors. Next, it is time to install the roof, followed by attaching the insulation and siding. This is just a basic plan of putting a storage building together.

Storage building kits when put together are designed to withstand all weather conditions. This type of storage option is great for the homeowner that does not have a garage or not enough space in their basement.

Storage building kits can be made of wood or metal in most cases. Metal units are east to put together and are more durable than most other types of materials. They are also quite economical. Homeowners want more storage space for less money. They also do not want to be encumbered by a shed that requires plenty of maintenance. Therefore, when researching your purchase, make sure you get a low maintenance unit.

Part of your research should consist of deciding how much space you have available for your storage building kits. Make sure you can actually build it in your yard. Many localities may require a building permit depending on the size of the shed. In addition, you do not want to cause any problems with your neighbors, so make sure you do not cross any property lines with the unit as well.

One area that people tend to overlook when searching for storage building kits is the size of the doorway. If you have large items that will be stored inside, remember to install a suitably sized door.