Today's question: What are some ideas for having a home storage when living with in-laws, family or friends? (where personal space is limited to one room--most likely a bedroom, these ideas are also helpful for college students who usually have limited space)
When living with others, it may be more difficult to have some or any home storage, it depends on the situation including length of stay, the desires of the home owners, etc. Be aware of the wishes of the home owners and work with them rather than against them. Some home owners wouldn't mind additions to the household home storage, especially if the arrangement is one where the food and other costs are to be shared, but if that isn't the case and you are to provide for yourself, you will need to fit your personal things, including any personal home storage in your own given personal space. If all that is being offered is a couch or floor to sleep on, the only home storage space may be what can fit in a backpack or suitcase, but if a whole room is given for personal space, below are some ideas on using that space for a small amount of home storage.
Ideas to fit in a little home storage into small personal spaces:
1. Backpack/Suitcase home storage: think very basics--water, a few hygiene items, maybe some lightweight food items. This would be where having just a 24 to 72 hr storage time frame would be all that likely can be done.
2. Under the bed: If there is space, however small, under the bed it can be used to store things--canned goods are good for this since they shouldn't leak and can be turned to the side to make them shorter. Other things that can usually fit in the short space under a bed (without altering the bed frame or height): toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, other hygiene products, first aid products, bagged (store bought or mylar bagged) items like pasta, rice or cereals, boxed cereals, boxed crackers. There are under bed storage bins, but they aren't necessary to store things under a bed, though I would suggest them for things that bugs or critters could get into easily.
Altering the bed height or frame can make it possible to store other, bigger items. One idea is to use buckets (5 gallon size) and plywood on top as a bed frame instead of a regular bed frame. Others (think college) use cement blocks to raise up the bed frame a few more inches to a foot more.
3. Closets: Think of the space at the very top where normally space up to the ceiling wouldn't be used. If storing things up high, store items that are lighter--bagged items, toilet paper or the like. Store heavy items on the floor of the closet. Many shelving units fit into closets, making it possible to store food on shelves rather than just stacked on the floor.
4. Tables/stands/dressers: Use any extra space found within or under tables, stands, dressers, desks, etc. for storing items. Or if there are no tables, create one with food storage, covering it with clothe or something to make it less noticeable. If putting food into a drawer, be sure the weight can be supported.
5. Personal vehicles: Cars can be helpful for storing some items. Obviously things in a vehicle are subject to changes in temperature and such, but even certain food items can be stored in a car for short-term. Food that is subject to higher temps and humidity must be rotated through much sooner, but it can still be stored for small periods of time (depending on the item, up to a few months). If storing things in the car, shoot for the trunk so that the items are out of sight, certainly don't want to lure prospective thieves into the car by having valuables and other desirable items out in the open.
These are just a few ideas on making use of small spaces, particularly for those living with others.
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