Storage Secrets on a Shoestring Budget

June 19, 2025 by

There are some home sellers that are so organized that their curtains are ironed, their spice rack is alphabetized, and their microwave is reprogrammed to military time.

But unfortunately, I have not met many. 

There have been a myriad of times over the past two decades where I have been called to stage a home and found that either 1) the homeowner has put away so much that only the bare minimum is left: a few token pieces of art, a couple of accessories, and stripped shelves. 

Or 2), and what is more likely, they have so much stuff that they are completely overwhelmed, making me prone to vent multi-syllable adjectives. 

For them, it’s as tough as keeping healthy habits like “eat whole foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, prioritize your social life, and find purpose in your work.”

Annoying, boring, and easier said than done, when they would rather watch a five-minute video where a twenty-one year old woman with no actual expertise or formal training tells them that their real problem is “not enough clear plastic boxes”. 

And 3), there have been those who really wanted to de-clutter—mostly by giving it to me. 

Lord help us all, could we not have been assigned something easier, like astrophysics or quantum mechanics?

So, as a real estate agent (therapist, confessor, business advisor and risk accessor to all the citizen pilgrims that cross your threshold), what do you do? 

Cue Hallelujah chorus and parting clouds.

Call me in before your seller does a thing––your silver bullet.

I will determine whether those dusty needlework cushions made by their great aunt stays or goes—and if so, how and where to display or store them.
 

A seller’s first inclination might be to shove all their extraneous stuff into closets, cabinets, or utility areas. Essentially one big list of future landfill.

But here’s the problem with that plan. 

Eager buyers, yearning for probably more storage space than they currently have, are going to peek in those very spaces.

You don’t want rolls of Christmas wrapping paper and pictures of junior high school photos falling out every time someone opens the door to the front closet. 

The key is hiding and/or organizing stuff, and doing it well, where it won’t be discovered, or horrifying well-meaning buyers.

Just remember human nature: If buyers can peek inside a closet, cabinet, or drawer, they probably will.

SOLUTIONS:
1. Purge and organize 
2. Rent a storage locker
3. Use the garage or basement   
4. Tap into your social circle and “find a friend you haven’t used yet” to temporarily store extra stuff.
 

ARTFUL KITCHENS
Move miscellaneous items and bulkier tools to the very back of the top shelf in overhead cabinets, getting it out of the line of sight. 

Store small items such as spices and teas in lidded opaque baskets that match in colour and size, lining them up like soldiers in the pantry.

Go vertical! Use stackable organizers to maximize space. 

SIMPLIFIED BATHROOMS
Put anything regularly used in a plastic caddy. When there is a showing, the “One Caddy” method can be quickly stored under the vanity. 

Organize under-the-sink space by using a two-tier sliding organizer to keep items tidy as well as optimizing valuable vertical space.  

Hide everyday shampoos on the bathtub ledge behind the open shower curtain.

Remove over-the-door hangers if the door does not stay open of its own accord. 

BEDROOM GRAVITAS
As long as they are not visible, under-bed rolling drawers are a powerhouse solution, giving you up to 40 ft.³ of extra storage space. 

MARIE KONDO CLOSETS
Now let’s talk about closets. Only wearables, please!

Purchase matching same size baskets to corral extraneous articles of clothing. They don’t necessarily have to be folded well, just make sure they do not overflow.

Hang everything on matching hangers facing the same direction. The slimline rubberized hangers are the best. Nothing slips off them. 

Colour-block the clothes in each section. i.e. suit jackets, pants, shirts, blouses, etc.

LUSCIOUS LINEN CLOSETS
Hands up if this is a space where they shoved the door shut on tossed items and hoped for the best. 

Discard bedding and towels that haven’t been used in ages or are from the Trudeau administration—the first one, and group remaining items in colour-coordinated piles, no higher than 50% of the shelf height. 

Small items such as vitamins, prescriptions, and small toiletries should be stored in lidded non-see-through baskets.

LAUNDRY ROOMS AND PANTRY
Use wall-mounted hangers to clear floor space.

Remember, these storage hacks are more than just tips for quick fixes. And it’s more than just aesthetics. It’s a small move, a little effort, but it totally differentiates the result.

It’s part of the blueprint for a strategic, enticing presentation of a home. 

Simple, effective, and most importantly, it resonates with the dreams and desires of potential buyers for an organized and beautiful space.

Thank you for reading to the end of this post. A baffling decision, but thank you
Filed Under: Blog