Family Handyman Whole House Storage & Organizing

Family Handyman

Whole House Storage & Organizing

A NOTE TO OUR READERS: All do-it-yourself activities involve a degree of risk. Skills, materials, tools and site conditions vary widely. Although the editors have made every effort to ensure accuracy, the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials and methods. Always obey local codes and laws, follow manufacturer’s operating instructions, and observe safety precautions

SAFETY FIRST–ALWAYS!

Tackling home improvement projects and repairs can be endlessly rewarding. But as most of us know, with the rewards come risks. DIYers use chain saws, climb ladders and tear into walls that can contain big, hazardous surprises.

The good news is that armed with the right knowledge, tools and procedures, homeowners can minimize risk. As you go about your projects and repairs, stay alert for these hazards:

Aluminum wiring

Aluminum wiring, installed in millions of homes between 1965 and 1973, requires special techniques and materials to make safe connections. This wiring is dull gray, not the dull orange characteristic of copper. Hire a licensed electrician certified to work with it. For more information, go to cpsc.gov

and search for aluminum wiring.

Spontaneous combustion

Rags saturated with oil finishes, such as Danish oil and linseed oil, as well as oil-based paints and stains, can spontaneously combust if left bunched up. Always dry them outdoors, spread out loosely. When the oil has thoroughly dried, you can safely throw the rags in the trash.

Vision and hearing protection

Safety glasses or goggles should be worn whenever you’re working on DIY projects that involve chemicals, dust or anything that could shatter or chip off and hit your eye. Also, sounds louder than 80 decibels (dB) are considered potentially dangerous. For instance, sound levels from a lawn mower can be 90 dB and from shop tools and chain saws can be 90 to 100 dB.

Lead paint

If your home was built before 1979, it may contain lead paint, which is a serious health hazard, especially for children 6 years old or under. Take precautions when you scrape or remove it. Contact your public health department for detailed safety information or call (800) 424-LEAD (5323) to receive an information pamphlet. Or visit epa.gov/lead

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Buried utilities

A few days before you dig in your yard, have your underground water, gas and electrical lines marked. Just call 811 or go to call811.com

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Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms

The risk of dying in a reported home-structure fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. Test your smoke alarms every month, replace batteries as necessary and replace units that are more than 10 years old. As you make your home more energy efficient and airtight, existing ducts and chimneys can’t always successfully vent combustion gases, including potentially deadly carbon monoxide (CO). Install a UL-listed CO detector, and test your CO and smoke alarms at the same time.

Five-gallon buckets and window-covering cords

Anywhere from 10 to 40 children a year drown in 5-gallon buckets, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. Always store empty buckets upside down and ones containing liquid with the covers securely snapped.

According to Parents for Window Blind Safety, hundreds of children in the United States are injured every year after becoming entangled in looped window-treatment cords. For more information, visit pfwbs.org

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Working up high

If you have to get up on your roof to do a repair or installation, always install roof brackets and wear a roof harness.

Asbestos

Texture sprayed on ceilings before 1978, adhesives and tiles for vinyl and asphalt floors before 1980, and vermiculite insulation (with gray granules) all may contain asbestos. Other building materials made between 1940 and 1980 could also contain asbestos. If you suspect that materials you’re removing or working around contain asbestos, contact your health department or visit epa.gov/asbestos

for information.

Chapter one

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

Hidden Knife Rack

Charging Drawer

Custom Egg Crate Compartments

Diagonal Dividers

Adjustable Dividers

From Clutter to Clear

Kitchen Rollouts

Easy-Build Rollouts

Under-Sink Storage

Double Your Bathroom Storage

Sink Cabinet Shelf

Simple Bathroom Cabinet

Bathroom Storage Plugged In

Chapter two

GARAGE & OUTDOORS

Ultra-Organized Garage Cabinets

Garage Storage Tips

Super Storage—Simplified

One-Day Garage Storage System

Super Sturdy Drawers

Ultimate Garage Cabinets

Quick & Easy Shed

Garden Storage Closet

Pine Garden Hutch

Ultimate Garden Shed

Chapter three

LAUNDRY ROOM, CLOSETS & CLOTHES

Easy Textile Storage

Tie, Scarf and Belt Organizer

Small-Closet Organizer

Versatile Clothes Cabinets

Closet Design Tips

Closet Assembly Tips

Custom Clutter Buster

Handsome Closet Organizer

Triple Your Closet Space

Under-Bed Rollout Drawer

Clutter-Free Laundry Room

Fold-Away Folding Table

Laundry Room Wall Cabinet

Chapter four

AROUND THE HOUSE

Entry Organizer

Hide-the-Mess Lockers

Stackable Shelving

Ultimate Office Organizer

Suspended Shelf

Floating Shelves

Modular Masterpiece

Basement, Laundry and Utility Rooms

Taming Tech Clutter

Chapter five

WORKSHOP

Drill Dock

Benchtop Organizer

Workshop Storage Tips

Ultimate Tool Corral

Roll-Around Tool Caddy

French Cleat Tool Wall

Compressor Cart

Tool Tray Tower

Flip-Top Bench

Screw Carousel

Special Section

STORING SPORTS GEAR

Door-Track Bike Rack

Fishing Rod Catcher

Fishing Rod Saver

Rolling Bike Storage

All-in-One Ball Storage

Ski and Pole Organizer

Sports Rack

CHAPTER ONE

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

Hidden Knife Rack

Charging Drawer

Custom Egg Crate Compartments

Diagonal Dividers

Adjustable Dividers

Custom Silverware Tray

Deep Drawer Slider

From Clutter to Clear

Kitchen Rollouts

Easy-Build Rollouts

Under-Sink Storage

Double Your Bathroom Storage

Sink Cabinet Shelf

Simple Bathroom Cabinet

Bathroom Storage Plugged In

Hidden Knife Rack

A knife block takes up valuable countertop space. This insert puts all your cutlery inside a drawer in a safe, tidy, flat rack. Your drawer might be large enough to store all of your sharpening supplies as well.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

1-2 hours

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Handsaw (or power saw), wood glue, sanding paper

To make the blocks, glue up two layers of 3/4-in.-thick hardwood. A single thickness would set the knife handles too close together. Size the length and height of the blocks to fit your largest blade. When the glue dries, sand the blocks and then glue them to a piece of 1/4-in. plywood properly sized to fit your drawer.

Cut 1/8-in.-thick strips of wood to space the blocks while the glue dries. Pull out the spacers as soon as the glue starts to hold so they don’t get glued in place. A support strip under the handles makes them easier to grab. We added two more 1/2-in. dividers to make compartments for other supplies.

Charging Drawer

Turn your kitchen’s eyesore junk drawer into a valuable station for charging your favorite, and most-used, electronics.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

1-2 hours

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Jigsaw, sanding block or file, zip tie or cable staple

Here’s another way to remove clutter from the countertop. These power strips don’t require any electrical wiring; they just plug into an outlet. If your kitchen is up to current code, it will have an outlet for your sink’s disposal. All you need to do is route the cord to the outlet.

1 Cut the opening. Measure the power strip and mark the cutout on the back of the drawer. Drill a hole near each corner and use a jigsaw to cut the opening. Check the fit of the power strip, and then use the jigsaw, a file or a sanding block to adjust the opening as needed.

2 Install the power strip. Insert the power strip into the hole and secure it with screws through the mounting holes. Use a zip tie or cable staple to attach the cord to the cabinet’s back, allowing 2 to 3 in. of slack. Route the cord to your disposal outlet by drilling through cabinet sides as needed.

PRO TIP

Choose The Right Power Strip

The power strip you choose should be UL-listed for this specific purpose. We used a furniture power strip that has a switch to cut the power when the appliances aren’t in use. It’s UL-listed to be attached to furniture and plugged into a permanent receptacle. We found it online.

Custom Egg Crate Compartments

It’s easy to keep your plastic containers and lids organized with this super-simple divider.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

1-2 hours

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Table saw, clamps, sanding paper

Egg crate compartments are excellent for storing plastic food containers and other stackable items. The partitions aren’t fastened to the drawer, so you can easily customize compartments for different containers. All you need is a way to cut slots. We’ll show you an easy method using a table saw and a custom spacer. Determine the thickness of the spacer by subtracting the width of the saw’s kerf from the thickness of your material.

1 First cut. Use your containers to figure out the bin size, then lay out the slots on each partition. The first cut defines the left-hand side of the slot. Set the fence for the first cut and clamp a stop block to the fence so you cut only halfway through the partition’s height. Push the partition up to the block, and then back it out.

2 Second cut. Slip your spacer between the fence and the partition and make the second pass. This cut defines the right-hand side of the slot. If there’s waste left between the cuts, knock it out with a chisel or a utility knife.

3 Slip in the partitions. After sanding and finishing, stand up the bottom partitions in the drawer with the slots facing up. Then add the top partitions, sliding them into the slots in the bottom partitions.

Diagonal Dividers

Diagonal partitions not only optimize drawer space but also allow the drawer to accommodate longer items.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

1-2 hours

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Saw (hand miter box or power saw able to cut 45°-angle), driver/drill, screwdriver

Rip stock to match the drawer’s interior height, and then mark the drawer where you’d like the partitions. Use the marks on the drawer to figure the partition lengths, then cut each partition with opposing 45-degree angles on their ends. Check their fit and screw them into place, starting with the short pieces, then the long.

When you get to the last one, you’ll probably need a stubby screwdriver to get between the partitions. To make that installation easier, we installed one long piece, removed it and then installed the second long piece. This way, when we reinstalled the first piece, the holes were already threaded, making hand-driving the screws much easier.

Adjustable Dividers

No more sorting through drawers to get the pots and pans you need with these dividers. They keep everything organized and well within reach—all you need to do is decide what recipe you’re cooking up for dinner.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

Half a day

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Table saw, driver/drill, sanding paper

The most efficient way to store your pots and pans is to stack them up, with the largest one on the bottom and the smallest on the top. But that creates its own issues—it’s annoying and noisy to dig out the pan you need. Instead of rummaging around and creating a commotion throughout the house, install these adjustable dividers in a deep drawer to provide easy access.

1 Create slots. Cut strips to the width that best suits your drawer and pans; these are 1-1/2 in. wide. Sand, finish and attach the strips on opposite sides (front to back or side to side) inside the drawer. Use a piece of 1/4-in. plywood as a spacer between the strips, creating slots for 1/4-in. plywood partitions.

2 Slip in the partitions. Cut, sand and finish the partitions. Slide them into the slots created by the spaced strips to accommodate your pots, pans and lids.

Custom Silverware Tray

Don’t go to the department store for your silverware trays! Instead, take a little time and build your own—the results are well worth it.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

3 hours

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Handsaw (or power saw), driver/drill, wood glue, sanding paper

Store-bought silverware trays get the job done, but they never quite fit your drawers perfectly and are bound to cause frustration the longer you have them. They shift and slide around within the drawer, and they leave all kinds of awkward space around the tray.

Instead of getting your trays from the store, take the time to make them yourself. You can get it done in an afternoon, and you likely already have all the necessary tools you need for the job. You’ll be happy with the maximized storage space and minimized annoying sliding—and you’ll wonder why you ever had store-bought trays.

1 Start with the main dividers. We sectioned a big drawer with a T-shaped divider made from 1/2-in. plywood. We screwed it into place through one side and the back. If we ever want to change the configuration, it’ll be easy to do. Because these drawers are melamine, we sanded and finished all the parts before adding them to the drawer.

2 Add the partitions. Divide the large sections using 1/4-in. partitions. Since the parts are prefinished, we attached the spacers with countersunk 1/2-in. wood screws instead of glue.

Deep Drawer Slider

Deep drawers are ideal for large or tall items, but when they’re filled with lots of smaller items, they’re just a mess. Adding a horizontal sliding tray on rails neatly divides that depth into much more efficient space.

WHAT IT TAKES

TIME

Half a day

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Handsaw (or power saw), driver/drill, wood glue, sanding paper

Build a simple tray to keep your stuff neat and tidy. The tray can be whatever depth you want. The width, however, should be less than half the width of the drawer so that you can easily access everything below. Attach the front and back rails level with each other using screws, and set the tray on the rails. The partitions in the bottom of this drawer are optional. They’re just pieces of 1/2-in. plywood assembled with glue and 1-in. wood screws.

From Clutter To Clear

Here’s how to get gleaming, organized kitchen counters you can be proud of.

A. EXPAND THE COUNTER WITH A KITCHEN CART

A rolling kitchen cart is the next best thing to adding new cabinets and countertop space. The top provides extra work space when you’re preparing that big Thanksgiving dinner, and the sliding shelves below hold items that might otherwise clutter surfaces.

If you plan to use a cart for food preparation, choose one with a tough top, such as butcher block, stainless steel or plastic laminate. Carts come in a variety of wood finishes, so there’s a good chance you can get one to match your existing cabinets. Or you can go for an eclectic look with a shiny metal or painted cart.

B. TIDY FILE CENTER

Countertops are a landing pad for papers, and once they’re there the piles only seem to get bigger. Get that mess off your counter with folders and a file holder. The one shown here mounts with screws or double-sided foam tape. If you don’t have suitable vertical surface, get a file holder. It will still take up less space than a stack of papers.

C. UNDER-CABINET STORAGE RACKS

Pull-down racks give you instant access to kitchen essentials without the clutter of spice racks or knife holders on the counter. When the cooking is done, the rack swings up against the underside of the cabinet. You can find a few options for pull-down knife racks online, but your best bet might be to make your own. If you purchase hinges, you can create a storage rack that holds knives and other small knick-knacks, too. Go to www.wwhardware.com

and search for items KVUCKR or KVUCCB (cook-book rack).

D. OFF-THE-COUNTER MICROWAVE

Microwave ovens are the biggest space hogs on most countertops. To find a cabinet-mountable microwave and mounting hardware (which will come with an additional cost), search for under cabinet microwave online. Before purchasing any brackets, be sure to measure the height of both the microwave and the space above the countertop. If you have a smaller microwave, this solution might work for you. But if you have a larger microwave, the space under it might end up being too small to be useful.

E. CONCEALED MESSAGE CENTER

Don’t let shopping lists, phone messages, to-do notes and various other useful reminders take up your valuable counter space. Instead, mount a dry-erase board and a plastic desk organizer on the inside of a cabinet door with double-sided foam mounting tape. The bin will protrude into the cabinet, so you’ll need to be sure to position it where it won’t collide with shelves or the stuff inside. Get the board, bin and tape online or at a discount or office supply store.

F. COOKING CADDY FOR QUICK CLEAR-OFF

You always want salt, cooking oils and your favorite spices next to the stove if you use them frequently. But as necessary as they are to a great meal, they really don’t have to take up precious space on your counter. Place them all in a caddy that you can instantly stow in a cabinet after cooking—then they’re always right where you need them, but they’re not in the way. You’ll find caddies in various shapes, sizes and prices at any store that sells kitchenware.

G. SUPER SIMPLE WOODEN TABLET STAND

In today’s culinary world, life happens on technology—it’s where you find your recipes, your ingredient lists and even your helper when things don’t go according to plan. Who wants to be bothered with walking around the house to find your tablet when you’re in the middle of dinner? Solve the problem with this super simple tablet stand. It looks great, and chances are that you already have the power tools you need to build it. Best of all, when it’s not in use it can be disassembled and stored in a drawer. For instructions on how to build it, visit familyhandyman.com

and search for simple tablet stand.

H. DECORATIVE BACKSPLASH RACK

Backsplash racks offer easy access and stylish storage. Most versions take just a few minutes to install. Search for backsplash rack online to find a range of styles. You’ll find that they’re available at a range of prices from a variety of different retailers.

Backsplash racks have a few disadvantages, though. All your kitchen utensils have to look good, since they’re on display. And if you ever decide to remove the rack, you’ll be left with screw holes in the backsplash; not a big problem with drywall, but unfixable in tile. So before you go ahead and install it, be sure you’ll be happy with it for years to come.

Kitchen Rollouts

They changed our lives—and they’ll change yours, too!

It may sound like hype, but adding rollouts to your kitchen cabinets can be life-changing. We speak from personal experience. We’ve added roll-outs to our entire kitchen, and this is what happened:

The kids have complete access to everything they need—from cereal to the recycling. Now they can get their own breakfast and take the cans to the curb—no excuses!

Sore backs and bum knees are less of an issue since we no longer have to stoop to find things in our base cabinets.

Dinner prep goes a lot faster now that we’re not hunting for pot lids and baking pans piled on top of one another on our jumbled, dark shelves.

We’re saving money by not buying things we already had, but had been lost in the recesses of our cabinets. We can pull our shelves into the light and see everything, including the rancid oil and three boxes of cornstarch we somehow acquired.

The kitchen feels larger and works better. The rollouts maximize every cubic inch of storage space, so we can store rarely used appliances in our cabinets instead of on the counters.

Are you a convert yet?

This article will give you a wide range of tips for planning, buying and building kitchen rollouts so they can change your life, too. You can build a simple rollout drawer, like the ones shown here, in a couple of hours and for around $50. But I have to warn you—once you see that rollout in action, you’ll want to retrofit all your kitchen cabinets. What are you waiting for?

A. AVOID MISTAKES WITH A STORY STICK

The most obvious way to size rollout parts is to measure the opening of the cabinet and then do the math. But that’s a recipe