"No storage solution works if there's just too much stuff. Learned that the hard way myself..."
Haha, same here. Shelving and cabinets definitely help, but honestly, the biggest game changer for me was getting ruthless about what stays and what goes. It's tough at first—especially with sentimental stuff—but once you start seeing clear surfaces again, it's so worth it. Don't beat yourself up though, clutter happens to everyone. Just take it one corner at a time and you'll get there.
"Shelving and cabinets definitely help, but honestly, the biggest game changer for me was getting ruthless about what stays and what goes."
Haha, exactly this. I once spent an entire weekend organizing shelves only to realize I'd just neatly stacked stuff I didn't even need... Ever tried the "one-year rule"? If you haven't touched it in a year, maybe it's time to reconsider.
Totally agree about shelving—seen it plenty on remodels. People think adding storage solves the clutter issue, but usually it's just a temporary fix. Had a client once who built an entire custom wall unit, beautiful craftsmanship, perfect measurements... and within two months it was stuffed full again. When we revisited, she finally admitted she hadn't tossed or donated a single item beforehand. I've found that planning what stays and goes before investing in storage solutions makes a huge difference. The one-year rule is pretty solid advice, though for some seasonal items or tools, I extend it to two years—depends on your lifestyle and needs, really.
Yeah, shelving alone definitely isn't a magic fix. I've tried the whole "just add storage" thing myself, and it ended up being more places to stash stuff I didn't really need. What finally helped me was doing a serious purge first—donating, recycling, tossing stuff out. Then I got some cheap baskets and bins from thrift stores to organize what was left. Way cheaper than custom shelving, and weirdly enough, having less space forced me to be pickier about what I kept around...
Good points about decluttering first—can't organize clutter effectively, no matter how fancy the shelves. I'd also suggest looking into multi-functional furniture pieces. I've found ottomans or coffee tables with hidden compartments pretty useful for keeping necessary items close but out of sight. But I'm curious, has anyone experimented with sustainably-built or repurposed furniture for this kind of storage? Wondering how practical that route is in everyday use...
