Every Drawer, Every Shelf: How to Make Your Home Actually Work

Smart Home Storage Planning Checklist

Struggling with clutter? This step-by-step storage planning checklist helps you design a home that stays tidy — without effort.

Room by room, it guides you through essential storage zones, smart furniture choices, ideal measurements, and organization strategies that match your lifestyle. Learn how to plan shelves, drawers, bins, and cabinets that actually work — and preview it all in Room Planner before buying a single box.

 1. Start with Lifestyle Analysis

•  Who lives here? (Adults, kids, pets?)

•  What needs to be stored daily vs. seasonally?

•  Any hobbies, gear, or work-from-home items that need space?

•  Do you need hidden or visible storage (minimalism vs. access)?

•  Are you more of a “put away” or “leave it out” type of person?

 Tip: List everything you store in each room BEFORE buying storage solutions.

2. Plan Storage by Zone (Room by Room)

 Entryway

•  Closed cabinet for shoes (at least 2–3 pairs/person)

•  Hooks or rod for jackets

•  Closed drawers or baskets for gloves, keys, small items

•  Bench with storage (ideal for putting shoes on)

 Living Room

•  Closed cabinets or TV unit with drawers (hides wires, remotes)

•  Storage ottoman or coffee table

•  Shelf or basket for books/magazines

•  One designated “charging station” zone

 Kitchen

•  Full-height pantry (ideal depth: 30–40 cm for visibility)

•  Drawer organizers (cutlery, spices, lids, knives)

•  Hooks for mugs or utensils

•  Vertical trays for cutting boards and baking sheets

•  Trash + recycling zone built in

 Bedroom

•  Wardrobe with internal zoning: hanging, drawers, shelves

•  Under-bed storage (drawers or containers)

•  Bedside table with drawers

•  Seasonal storage: vacuum bags, suitcases

•  Valet hook for "worn-but-not-dirty" clothes

 Closet / Dressing Room

•  Use full wall height (add top shelves for rarely used items)

•  Shoe rack + vertical dividers

•  Boxes with labels

•  Open shelf for items in daily rotation

•  Lighting inside — makes a huge difference!

 Bathroom

•  Closed cabinet under sink

•  Wall shelves for small zones

•  Drawer dividers for makeup or first aid

•  Over-toilet cabinet or niche shelf

•  Baskets for laundry or towels

 Kids’ Room

•  Open bins at child height

•  Labeled containers with words or pictures

•  Rotating storage (some toys stay hidden)

•  Wall shelves for books

•  One “dump zone” for quick cleanup

 Laundry / Utility

•  Tall cabinet for brooms, mops, vacuum

•  Closed shelf for chemicals

•  Surface for folding

•  Dirty clothes sorter

•  Hooks for ironing board, drying rack

 3. Smart Layout & Measurements

•  Use vertical space: full-height cabinets save floor area

•  Ideal shelf depth:

  • Kitchen: 30–40 cm

  • Closet: 50–60 cm

  • Bookshelves: 25–30 cm

•  Leave space above drawers and doors for easy opening

•  Place storage close to point of use (e.g., laundry near washing area)

 Tip: Use Room Planner to test cabinet and drawer positioning in real scale.

4. Declutter Before You Organize

•  Declutter each category BEFORE assigning storage

•  Use the 1-year rule: not used = donate or recycle

•  Keep only what you have space for — avoid overfilling

•  Label everything (kids especially love this!)

5. Keep It Tidy (with Minimal Effort)

•  Each family member has a “drop zone” (for keys, bags, etc.)

•  Make categories clear — shoes, books, chargers, papers

•  Avoid open shelves for items that always look messy

•  Use baskets or drawers instead of piles

•  Schedule monthly storage check-ins (10 minutes per zone)

Bonus: Must-Have Storage Helpers

• Pull-out drawers (even in deep cabinets)

• Hanging organizers (inside closet doors)

• Drawer dividers (kitchen, closet, bathroom)

• Lazy Susans (spices, bathroom, fridge)

• Clear bins (see contents at a glance)

• Vacuum bags (seasonal clothing/blankets)

Plan your ideal storage in Room Planner before making it real.

Place full-height cabinets, drawers, shelves, and boxes in real scale. Walk through your layout in 3D to test door swings, drawer access, and usability. You can:

• Check if everything fits before you buy

• Experiment with built-in vs. modular systems

• Visualize your space in live size

• Adjust according to how your family lives

Less clutter. More clarity.

Download Room Planner and create a home that’s not just beautiful — but livable.

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