Traveling is easier with light luggage: so why is storage space still needed in a new house?
Even in times of Marie Kondo and the minimalism trend, unfortunately, there are some things you have to think about or avoid thinking about: the storage of necessary items. Why are there so many ways to fit a lot into a small space? On Pinterest and similar sites, there aren’t even cupboards shown to store things in...
But what exactly are necessary items? Who decides that?
On one hand, it’s determined by everyday life, personal and household care, clothing cleaning, our habits for comfort and technical equipment, but also things for personal development such as sports equipment, children’s toys, hobby supplies, other leisure items, or business needs.
Often heard: "The forum can say a lot – we manage perfectly fine in a three-room apartment – We are different!"
However, those who say this probably have to make compromises and want to build precisely because the available space is becoming tight: with the first child, the toy collection grows, the second child needs a room, personal hobbies are no longer pursued because the equipment is stored in the basement, and last year’s sleeping bag is packed away.
Also, belongings tend to grow the longer you live. A 30-year-old woman might not need a yoga mat yet because she prefers jogging, the man didn’t need crutches before his knee surgery. Unfortunately, the best years are often still ahead… from age 40, you are advised to change some things. And so, household items accumulate that you keep because you might still need them.
That’s why here is a list of items people have without really noticing. Or will have one day. Or never own but might miss someday. Or not. Not everyone has the same needs.
(The listed items refer to things best stored inside the house, not outdoors in a garage or garden shed.)
Many of these things represent other things—for example, a cat owner might not think about dog food, but they are reminded that cat food also needs a place in the house. This list should therefore be seen as guidance, not criticism.*
House Cleaning + Care Products:
Broom, mop with bucket, vacuum cleaner and bags, handheld vacuum, electric window squeegee, several cloths and cleaners for different surfaces (more than in an apartment), household robot, various charging cables or docking stations, replacement filters, paper towels, etc.
Clothing and Personal Care:
Washing machine, dryer (can also be stacked), drying rack for wool/sports/hand-washed items, laundry baskets (some have three!), space for ironing board + iron and a basket for clean laundry, various detergents and laundry bags, clips, tennis balls, lint removers, shoe care products, shoelaces, insoles, etc.
Hairdryer, razor, hair straightener or similar, epilator, hand care devices, travel makeup bag, bath foam and similar, infrared lamp, first aid kit, medications, joint supports, athletic tape, walking aids (crutches), toilet paper, etc.
Kitchen Aids:
Electrical kitchen appliances (fondue set, roaster, deep fryer, kettle, blender, electric pan, popcorn maker, microwave), soda water maker, baking tins, clay pot, champagne cooler, grill tongs and aluminum holders, empty canning jars, freezer or beverage cooler (second fridge), beverage bottles (case of water, beer and juice, case of wine), some storage supplies like onions and potatoes, 10–20 liters (2.5–5 gallons) of water for emergencies (pandemic/quarantine), tablecloths, sets, candles, etc.
Household Daily Tasks:
Yellow recycling bags (several filled), waste paper and glass recycling, deposit bottles, shopping bags and bags for gifts, decorations (2 boxes Christmas decorations, 1 box Easter, 1 box general), wrapping paper and gift boxes, empty shoeboxes, electric parts (fuses, etc.), several light bulbs, batteries, packaging film and tape, hand tools (cutter, hammer), drill, cordless drill, a few paint cans (at least white paint), leftover paint in jars, brushes and rollers (paint bucket with various painting supplies, silicone/acrylic), sandpaper and felt pads, carpet and tile remnants, more replacement filters, vases, trays, extra cutlery and dishes for guests, disposable tableware, instruction manuals including small packets of spare seals, picnic basket, cooler bag, thermal mug, suitcase, travel and sports bags, small/large step ladder, 2–3 flower pots and plant fertilizer, spray bottle for plants, watering can, rubber boots for drying, 10 liters (2.5 gallons) of potting soil for indoor plants, dog food, cat litter (placeholder for various pet products), sewing machine, fabric scraps, sewing basket, various office folders, stationery, office supplies, printer and so on, old clothes collection, grit or salt for the entrance, baby items, etc.
Personal Development:
Craft supplies for children (window paint, acrylic paint, brushes, jars of paint, chalk), photography equipment, stamp collection, old photos and photo albums, memory boxes, hobby items (wool and related, drawing materials, oil paints and canvases), dumbbells, yoga mat and fascia roller, already purchased gifts and presents, board games, playing cards, aquarium accessories, spare pump, items to exchange because of wrong purchases, borrowed items, cushions for outdoor furniture.
Badminton, boules, fishing rod, tent and similar gear can be stored outside. Many items suitable for outdoor storage are not listed here.
You can probably cross off 2–3 things, but I most likely forgot quite a few.
And why a hallway closet? Isn’t a hook enough? My husband only has one jacket, and I only have one pair of shoes.
Clothing:
Man: Work jacket, high-visibility jacket, sports jacket, garden jacket, common jackets for all seasons (biker jacket, all-purpose jacket, bomber jacket, winter jacket, leather jacket), various shoes, headgear (caps, etc.)
Child: fewer jackets, but rubber boots, outdoor boots, sports shoes, indoor shoes, 2 pairs of extra shoes, sandals, ballerinas…
Woman: Winter jacket, winter coat, transitional jacket, summer bomber, summer coat, cardigan, fleece and garden jacket, going-out jacket, and so on… (let’s not even start with shoes here…)
Seasonal accessories like scarves and hats for everyone
Bags: see storage space, plus sports bags for all residents, backpack, work bags, shopping bags and the woman’s handbags…
Personally, I can report that
- about 10 years ago, I didn’t use a handbag at all. For several years now, I’ve needed one too (things and life change, and you have to carry some things around…) and quite a collection has built up despite selling some on e*b*y.
- old shopping and plastic bags as well as empty Tupperware containers, but also baskets and paper bags unfortunately take up a lot of space in the utility room
- many things don’t immediately go where they belong but are first placed somewhere else. This requires additional space.
With or without children: life changes, you discover new sports, hobbies, develop different interests, even if it’s just listening to music, collecting souvenirs, or children’s baby teeth. The house demands involvement, even if you aren’t skilled in DIY, you still have to handle nails and screws.
Where at first there was no household appliance, after 10 years there are 2–3 new food processors, even if it’s just to chop food for the child or grandpa.
Whatever the case: make sure you have enough space in your new home!
@kaho674 thanks for the push
Best regards, Yvonne
*no but
Even in times of Marie Kondo and the minimalism trend, unfortunately, there are some things you have to think about or avoid thinking about: the storage of necessary items. Why are there so many ways to fit a lot into a small space? On Pinterest and similar sites, there aren’t even cupboards shown to store things in...
But what exactly are necessary items? Who decides that?
On one hand, it’s determined by everyday life, personal and household care, clothing cleaning, our habits for comfort and technical equipment, but also things for personal development such as sports equipment, children’s toys, hobby supplies, other leisure items, or business needs.
Often heard: "The forum can say a lot – we manage perfectly fine in a three-room apartment – We are different!"
However, those who say this probably have to make compromises and want to build precisely because the available space is becoming tight: with the first child, the toy collection grows, the second child needs a room, personal hobbies are no longer pursued because the equipment is stored in the basement, and last year’s sleeping bag is packed away.
Also, belongings tend to grow the longer you live. A 30-year-old woman might not need a yoga mat yet because she prefers jogging, the man didn’t need crutches before his knee surgery. Unfortunately, the best years are often still ahead… from age 40, you are advised to change some things. And so, household items accumulate that you keep because you might still need them.
That’s why here is a list of items people have without really noticing. Or will have one day. Or never own but might miss someday. Or not. Not everyone has the same needs.
(The listed items refer to things best stored inside the house, not outdoors in a garage or garden shed.)
Many of these things represent other things—for example, a cat owner might not think about dog food, but they are reminded that cat food also needs a place in the house. This list should therefore be seen as guidance, not criticism.*
House Cleaning + Care Products:
Broom, mop with bucket, vacuum cleaner and bags, handheld vacuum, electric window squeegee, several cloths and cleaners for different surfaces (more than in an apartment), household robot, various charging cables or docking stations, replacement filters, paper towels, etc.
Clothing and Personal Care:
Washing machine, dryer (can also be stacked), drying rack for wool/sports/hand-washed items, laundry baskets (some have three!), space for ironing board + iron and a basket for clean laundry, various detergents and laundry bags, clips, tennis balls, lint removers, shoe care products, shoelaces, insoles, etc.
Hairdryer, razor, hair straightener or similar, epilator, hand care devices, travel makeup bag, bath foam and similar, infrared lamp, first aid kit, medications, joint supports, athletic tape, walking aids (crutches), toilet paper, etc.
Kitchen Aids:
Electrical kitchen appliances (fondue set, roaster, deep fryer, kettle, blender, electric pan, popcorn maker, microwave), soda water maker, baking tins, clay pot, champagne cooler, grill tongs and aluminum holders, empty canning jars, freezer or beverage cooler (second fridge), beverage bottles (case of water, beer and juice, case of wine), some storage supplies like onions and potatoes, 10–20 liters (2.5–5 gallons) of water for emergencies (pandemic/quarantine), tablecloths, sets, candles, etc.
Household Daily Tasks:
Yellow recycling bags (several filled), waste paper and glass recycling, deposit bottles, shopping bags and bags for gifts, decorations (2 boxes Christmas decorations, 1 box Easter, 1 box general), wrapping paper and gift boxes, empty shoeboxes, electric parts (fuses, etc.), several light bulbs, batteries, packaging film and tape, hand tools (cutter, hammer), drill, cordless drill, a few paint cans (at least white paint), leftover paint in jars, brushes and rollers (paint bucket with various painting supplies, silicone/acrylic), sandpaper and felt pads, carpet and tile remnants, more replacement filters, vases, trays, extra cutlery and dishes for guests, disposable tableware, instruction manuals including small packets of spare seals, picnic basket, cooler bag, thermal mug, suitcase, travel and sports bags, small/large step ladder, 2–3 flower pots and plant fertilizer, spray bottle for plants, watering can, rubber boots for drying, 10 liters (2.5 gallons) of potting soil for indoor plants, dog food, cat litter (placeholder for various pet products), sewing machine, fabric scraps, sewing basket, various office folders, stationery, office supplies, printer and so on, old clothes collection, grit or salt for the entrance, baby items, etc.
Personal Development:
Craft supplies for children (window paint, acrylic paint, brushes, jars of paint, chalk), photography equipment, stamp collection, old photos and photo albums, memory boxes, hobby items (wool and related, drawing materials, oil paints and canvases), dumbbells, yoga mat and fascia roller, already purchased gifts and presents, board games, playing cards, aquarium accessories, spare pump, items to exchange because of wrong purchases, borrowed items, cushions for outdoor furniture.
Badminton, boules, fishing rod, tent and similar gear can be stored outside. Many items suitable for outdoor storage are not listed here.
You can probably cross off 2–3 things, but I most likely forgot quite a few.
And why a hallway closet? Isn’t a hook enough? My husband only has one jacket, and I only have one pair of shoes.
Clothing:
Man: Work jacket, high-visibility jacket, sports jacket, garden jacket, common jackets for all seasons (biker jacket, all-purpose jacket, bomber jacket, winter jacket, leather jacket), various shoes, headgear (caps, etc.)
Child: fewer jackets, but rubber boots, outdoor boots, sports shoes, indoor shoes, 2 pairs of extra shoes, sandals, ballerinas…
Woman: Winter jacket, winter coat, transitional jacket, summer bomber, summer coat, cardigan, fleece and garden jacket, going-out jacket, and so on… (let’s not even start with shoes here…)
Seasonal accessories like scarves and hats for everyone
Bags: see storage space, plus sports bags for all residents, backpack, work bags, shopping bags and the woman’s handbags…
Personally, I can report that
- about 10 years ago, I didn’t use a handbag at all. For several years now, I’ve needed one too (things and life change, and you have to carry some things around…) and quite a collection has built up despite selling some on e*b*y.
- old shopping and plastic bags as well as empty Tupperware containers, but also baskets and paper bags unfortunately take up a lot of space in the utility room
- many things don’t immediately go where they belong but are first placed somewhere else. This requires additional space.
With or without children: life changes, you discover new sports, hobbies, develop different interests, even if it’s just listening to music, collecting souvenirs, or children’s baby teeth. The house demands involvement, even if you aren’t skilled in DIY, you still have to handle nails and screws.
Where at first there was no household appliance, after 10 years there are 2–3 new food processors, even if it’s just to chop food for the child or grandpa.
Whatever the case: make sure you have enough space in your new home!
@kaho674 thanks for the push
Best regards, Yvonne
*no but
danixf schrieb:
I believe it hardly matters how big you build. Storage spaces always get cluttered. I grew up in a 75sqm (800 sq ft) apartment, including a full attic and a basement room of about 20sqm (215 sq ft), and we managed to store everything (4 people). It was definitely full, but manageable.
Then my parents built a house with over 250sqm (2,700 sq ft) of living space, a full basement, a finished attic, and a huge garden. We all moved out, and what happened? After just a few years, the place was packed to the ceiling. People just buy a new garden set for the 50th time instead of borrowing one from the neighbor. Now it just sits in the basement until the next big party.
It’s the same for me. One shared flat room, and everything fit. Then several apartments including basements, and still everything was full. Now a (small) house, and just a few months after moving in, it’s already full of stuff.
That’s where the problem begins. What does “within reach” really mean? If I have to ride my scooter once a week and collect my clothes from the attic, I don’t mind. But someone else insists on having them in the hallway closet. Same goes for coats, shoes, etc. The more space you have, the more junk you buy. Since the same happened to us and I still dread how it looked when we moved out of the giant house after 10 years in terms of amount and cleanliness... it’s far more important to develop a cleaning and tidying routine, especially when you have a lot of space.
In our 205sqm (2,200 sq ft) house with just two of us plus a double garage, I’ve given a lot of thought to how to handle this...
Before, we used to move every few years, and each time we sorted things out. There was the yearly spring cleaning, where you push furniture aside, clean blinds or whatever else... but as the house gets bigger and with a full-time job, all that can quickly become overwhelming.
Since moving in, I’ve had a cleaning and decluttering schedule—called FlyLady, for anyone interested...
Because my nightmare would be standing here in 20 years with everything overflowing...
It’s not for everyone, but ever since then I’ve been able to keep trash, mess, and the house under control...
I don’t own anything I don’t love or use...
So my “to keep” list naturally shrinks once I realize, for example, I don’t even take photos anymore—so off it goes on eBay...
There are few things I allow myself space-wise even though they don’t make much sense, like an unused piano and (currently a lot of) fitness equipment...
H
hampshire12 Apr 2020 18:18Routines for large houses are a nuisance to us. @Snowy36 describes this perfectly. That’s precisely why we chose to build a smaller, more manageable home with limited storage and took very little with us when moving. It’s truly liberating.
hampshire schrieb:
Large houses with extensive routines are a burden for us. @Snowy36 describes it perfectly. That’s exactly why we built a smaller, more manageable home with limited storage space and brought very little with us when we moved. It really feels freeing. The point is about deliberate storage space for essentials. It’s the laundry, the spare light bulbs... maybe some people should avoid confusing size with practicality. Often, a planned and focused 4 square meters (43 square feet) of storage is more effective than 30 square meters (323 square feet) spread out across the house.
H
hampshire12 Apr 2020 18:25ypg schrieb:
Often, a planned and concentrated 4 sqm (43 sq ft) is more effective than 30 sqm (323 sq ft) spread out.You express something significant quite casually. I see it the same way.ypg schrieb:
namely the storage of necessary items. Why are there so many methods to fit a lot into a small space? From my original thread...
F
Fummelbrett!13 Apr 2020 10:05I think the list is great. Everyone should really read through it at least once before starting the planning process. Of course, not everyone will need everything on the list. But it does provide some very helpful points to consider. Certain things are simply necessary, especially when it comes to plastering tools. A hand broom should always be easily accessible.
Inevitably, some items accumulate that are needed from time to time. Obviously, we are not a standard to compare with, and I don’t want to generalize from my own experience, as we are probably a bit extreme ^^
Just as an example: In the summer, there is a simple quick-up pool in the garden. It is stored away in the winter. But it’s not just the pool that needs to be stored, also the sand filter system, some hoses, the skimmer, net, pool noodles, etc. – this stuff takes up more space than the actual pool.
Inevitably, some items accumulate that are needed from time to time. Obviously, we are not a standard to compare with, and I don’t want to generalize from my own experience, as we are probably a bit extreme ^^
Just as an example: In the summer, there is a simple quick-up pool in the garden. It is stored away in the winter. But it’s not just the pool that needs to be stored, also the sand filter system, some hoses, the skimmer, net, pool noodles, etc. – this stuff takes up more space than the actual pool.
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