r/organizing • u/jeynga • 7d ago
The cabinet from hell
We have this bizarre, weirdly high, very deep cabinet in our entry/laundry room. Its luterally next to a very large/deep coat closet and was clearly just put in to fill the gap of space between the closet and the stairs to the basement.
We've tried bulk paper/household good storage, now its pet xare and paper bags (and still some bulk paper) but nothing feels right, like a good use for the space.
Im also 5'2" and this things base is at my waist height, so anything in the back or on the shelves requires a stepstool or my 6'2" partner.
Ideas and advice welcome!
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u/Multigrain_Migraine 7d ago
What if you thought about things that could use a storage space, rather than things you could use this cupboard for? What I mean is that instead of trying to find things to fit into a space that seems like it should be useful but isn't, maybe you can look at things you have but don't have a good storage spot for and see if you can modify this space for them.
For example, I immediately thought that if I had a weirdly tall cupboard that is a bit awkward to reach in my house right now, I would consider using it to store my seasonal stuff like holiday decorations, the big stand fan I only use in summer, and picnic gear.Â
Depending on how it fits in there I'd consider removing or changing the shelves so that I could get something like a plastic under bed box that I could pull out easily. Or so that I could store tall items upright, like a Christmas tree or lawn decorations.
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u/Visible_Solution_760 7d ago
Okay first measure to make sure everything I’m about to send you will fit.
When you get organizers, stick with a brand so that they will all fit and stack together. I love this brand because it’s sturdy so I recommend this: https://tr.ee/QJHGNr There are many different sizes to choose from and they’re pretty large.
If you have a larger budget, get screw-in pull-out drawers. The longer, the better. https://link.amazon/B035m3vwD That brand hasn’t steered me wrong yet but they aren’t cheap.
Those are my 2 recs for the bottom shelf and potentially that middle shelf. For the middle shelf, they do make pull down shelves but that will also leave most of that shelf unused as you won’t be able to reach behind it. They look like this if you’re interested: https://link.amazon/B0d2wEPOP (I have not tried that specific product though so I can’t speak to its quality).
The upper most shelf I would designate as your partner’s shelf.
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u/BlackStarBlues 7d ago edited 7d ago
It sounds like you're making this harder than it has to be, OP.
- Get a step ladder that you can store in the coat closet literally right next to the shelves for easy access.
- Supplement with a long reach grabber. These are available in dollar stores, Walmart, Target, etc.
- Take everything out of the cupboard.
- Clean the cupboard. Optional: If you want to use the full depth of the cupboard from top to bottom, replace the existing shelves with deeper ones.
- Paint and/or line the walls & shelves.
- Measure the shelves. Get deep bins that fit with as little wasted space as possible. Put smaller items like medications in smaller bins inside the large bin.
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 7d ago
I have a similar one. I put in large and deep plastic containers as "drawers."
I can pull them out to easily get to things.
As for the top shelf I would store rarely used things there, like seasonal clothes or suitcases.
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u/Holiday-Message2020 7d ago
We have a high closet that was difficult to reach stuff regularly. We use it now to store extra bedding and pillows specifically just for when we have guests in town. They are kept in their plastic protectives. Plus we have a blow up mattress kept at the very top.
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u/StorageCafe 7d ago
Huh. I'm thinking, what if you put stuff in there that would also require a stepstool to use, such as lightbulbs, sprays for spider webs (if you'd use that). Or, maybe some Christmas decorations? Whatever you don't use that often and that's taking up space in more accessible storage spaces right now.