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
Fummelbrett! schrieb:
Quick-up pool. It is stored away during the winter. But it’s not just the pool that needs to be put away, there’s also the sand filter system, several hoses, the skimmer, nets, pool noodles, etc. – this stuff takes up more space than the pool itself. Your example is very good.
But in an emergency, couldn’t all of that also fit into the garden shed? (Along with fishing gear, flower pots, gardening tools, mushroom basket, winter tires, outdoor sports equipment, …)
F
Fummelbrett!13 Apr 2020 11:01ypg schrieb:
Your example is very good.
But couldn’t that also go into the garden shed in a pinch? (For the fishing gear, flowerpots, gardening tools, mushroom basket, winter tires, outdoor sports equipment, ...) Of course. If you have a garden shed. Or two. Or three. Neighbors have a townhouse without a basement and no attic. At first, it was one garden shed. Then two. Then three. Now four. A little garden terrace community, which actually looks quite nice.
We demolished our shed last year because it became too small. A new one is going there this year. For the ride-on mower, scarifier, single-axle tractor with attachments, motorized wheelbarrow, three wheelbarrows, small vibrating plate, circular saw, and stone saw, we now also need space for a larger vibrating plate, wood chipper, log splitter...
In addition, we have a temporary hut for the smoker.
The grill is on the covered patio. In the large carport are the big ladder, sawhorses, concrete mixer, and mobile scaffold. The annex houses various saws, gardening tools, fertilizer, charcoal, and the small generator. At my mother-in-law’s shed live all the flowerpots and seed trays; in winter, the garden hoses are stored there as well.
Fummelbrett! schrieb:
At first, it was a garden shed. Then two. Then three. Now four. A real little garden townhouse settlement, which actually looks quite nice. They immediately controlled this with a design framework in our area: no free-standing garden sheds—if any, they have to be connected to the house or garage/carport. Not to make it look like a rundown place. Some people have already defied this design framework.
The result: three trash bin enclosures in the front yard, holding garbage cans, recycling bags, and garden stuff... pool equipment would be stored there too...
Do your neighbors find it hard to part with some things? Four sheds is quite a lot!
I really like those half-sheds—covered but enclosed spaces—for garden tools. Also good for firewood and wood splitters.
Yvonne, some points on your list on page 1 might be debated, but overall it makes sense. If you build without a basement, you do need storage space elsewhere. Even rental apartments usually have a bike storage room or similar.
Therefore, a small storage space under the stairs won’t be sufficient. My idea has always been to make the utility room large enough for the washing machine, etc., and for storing supplies. Use external rooms for garden and hobbies—in our case, a garage and a metal shed. Use the attic space efficiently instead of a basement and make it easily accessible. We have a staircase instead of just an attic hatch and ladder. Otherwise, you end up with clutter.
Regarding costs: the additional cost for an insulated attic with a staircase and fully walkable space is about 14,000 euros gross. A Biohort shed costs 1,500 euros including foundation. A prefabricated garage, electrified with a side door, finish coat exterior, and roof parapet costs about 8,000 euros. That’s roughly 25,000 euros gross total for these auxiliary rooms, which we definitely don’t want to miss. All our winter jackets are now up in the attic. Travel bags are stored there, too. The old, still working Philips vacuum cleaner, some boxes with Christmas decorations, a few tools for the house (most are in the garage), the model railroad setup. In the garage are the bikes, garden furniture and wicker chair in winter, spade, rake, cultivator, etc., bark mulch and flower pots, paints and tools. In the Biohort shed, gasoline and mower. And much more.
Therefore, a small storage space under the stairs won’t be sufficient. My idea has always been to make the utility room large enough for the washing machine, etc., and for storing supplies. Use external rooms for garden and hobbies—in our case, a garage and a metal shed. Use the attic space efficiently instead of a basement and make it easily accessible. We have a staircase instead of just an attic hatch and ladder. Otherwise, you end up with clutter.
Regarding costs: the additional cost for an insulated attic with a staircase and fully walkable space is about 14,000 euros gross. A Biohort shed costs 1,500 euros including foundation. A prefabricated garage, electrified with a side door, finish coat exterior, and roof parapet costs about 8,000 euros. That’s roughly 25,000 euros gross total for these auxiliary rooms, which we definitely don’t want to miss. All our winter jackets are now up in the attic. Travel bags are stored there, too. The old, still working Philips vacuum cleaner, some boxes with Christmas decorations, a few tools for the house (most are in the garage), the model railroad setup. In the garage are the bikes, garden furniture and wicker chair in winter, spade, rake, cultivator, etc., bark mulch and flower pots, paints and tools. In the Biohort shed, gasoline and mower. And much more.
Yes, it is also important to consider how storage space will be accessed (carrying outdoor items up to the attic can be quite inconvenient), and how items are arranged. For example, sometimes a 2 m (6.5 ft) shelf with a depth of 30 cm (12 inches) is more effective than a 1 m (3.3 ft) shelf with a depth of 60 cm (24 inches), simply because items can be displayed more clearly and stored more easily, for instance, by avoiding storing them in 2 or 3 rows behind each other.
Regarding wardrobe space... there are different approaches. One is to keep all wardrobe items (jackets, hats, scarves) in one place and use whatever is needed from there. Another is to have wardrobe space dedicated to spring-summer or winter clothing, while storing the rest elsewhere in the house and swapping items seasonally. In any case, you definitely need a proper place for storage. Shoes should be managed similarly.
And then you also need "decluttering strategies"... mine for clothing is that for every new item purchased, at least one similar old item must be removed. Until two years ago, it was two similar items because I had accumulated too many. Now this has settled a bit, so my rule is at least one clothing item per new piece.
Regarding wardrobe space... there are different approaches. One is to keep all wardrobe items (jackets, hats, scarves) in one place and use whatever is needed from there. Another is to have wardrobe space dedicated to spring-summer or winter clothing, while storing the rest elsewhere in the house and swapping items seasonally. In any case, you definitely need a proper place for storage. Shoes should be managed similarly.
And then you also need "decluttering strategies"... mine for clothing is that for every new item purchased, at least one similar old item must be removed. Until two years ago, it was two similar items because I had accumulated too many. Now this has settled a bit, so my rule is at least one clothing item per new piece.
Nordlys schrieb:
Yvonne, some points in your list on page 1 might be debatable, but basically, it’s correct. If you build without a basement, you need storage space elsewhere. Even rental apartments usually have a bike storage room or something similar.
Therefore, a small storage area under the stairs won’t be sufficient. My idea has always been to make the utility room large enough for the washing machine and supplies. Use exterior rooms for gardening and hobbies, such as a garage and metal shed in our case. Make good use of the attic space instead of a basement and ensure it’s easily accessible—ours has a stairway instead of a hatch and ladder. Otherwise, you end up with chaos.
Regarding costs: Additional cost for an insulated attic with a stairway and fully walkable is 14,000 euros gross. A Biohort shed costs 1,500 euros with foundation. An electrified prefabricated garage with side door, exterior paint, and roof parapet also cost around 8,000 euros.
That makes just under 25,000 euros gross for these ancillary spaces that we wouldn’t want to be without. All our winter jackets are now stored upstairs in the attic. That’s where the suitcases stand. The old, still working Philips vacuum cleaner, some boxes of Christmas decorations, a few tools for the house (most are in the garage), and the model railway. In the garage, the bikes, garden furniture and a beach chair in winter, spades, rakes, cultivators, bark mulch, flower pots, paints, and tools. In the Biohort shed, petrol and lawnmower, and much more. My list isn’t something to argue about, as I wrote that not everyone will have every single item, but certain things will exist in one household or another at some point. IT IS NOT ABSOLUTE! I would never question your model railway!
With a bungalow, I would do the same as you and build a basement replacement room in the attic—with a fixed stairway!
We have a similar setup: the attic space is integrated into the finished upper floor behind our laundry-utility room. But I won’t go into that here in detail, as what bores people is dismissed.
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