Help! Student requires space-saving/de-clutter advice

Snow_Angel · 2 August 2006 at 8:22AM

Hello OS moneysavers. I need your expert help! First I'll introduce the current scenario! I am a mature student and have recently moved student houses. The room in my new house is much smaller than in my last one (but cheaper

). However, I have a LOT of stuff, some of which can't be helped....seriously!

First things first, all wall spaces are now taken up with shelves, clothes rails, desk etc, so I have no room to put anything else major in the room. Unfortunately the bed has no storage space underneath (where most of the problem lies as this is where most of my little used stuff was stored before). I have one canvas storage unit attached to the inside of my wardrobe and am about to go buy another.
As it's a student shared house I cannot store much in shared areas (i.e lounge) as this is impinging on everyone's space. (However, rather than sell all my old books and magazines I am thinking of putting them in the lounge as then everyone can then borrow them).

Basically, I'm going round in circles and I wondered if you have any wise gadget/gizmo space-saving ideas or simple advice re de-cluttering.

Any further info you need re: space available etc I'm happy to provide if you think you can help. Thanks very much in advance for your help and advice. :A

mummytofour · 2 August 2006 at 9:43AM

How about the loft? Or could you maybe store them in the loft of a friend or family memeber? Woudl you be allowed to change the bed? one which has space under, you could maybe get one from freecycle. Failing all those options, sell, sell, sell, if you are not needing the stuff now and have nowhere to put it then IMHO there are not many options left. Just one last thing do you have celling to floor storage shelves? that would make some more space.

Snow_Angel · 2 August 2006 at 10:15AM

Thanks mummytofour - I have just bought a set of really good DIY shelves that will take the weight of all my books and files. I've also switched my 3 drawer chest-of-drawers for a 5 drawer chest-of-drawers which was in another of the, as yet empty, rooms. I also found a genius device from Woolworths that you hang on the back of bedroom doors to put toys, socks, shoes etc in (it's actually for kids but it's colourful and looks quite cool! :T ).
There is what looks like a loft in the house - it's an old Victorian house though so it's got a really tall ceiling....am on a mission later to get OH round with step ladders to chek it out! (...now how can i repay him for the help??? :rotfl: ).
So I think I'm getting there - may have to do a car boot sale though.:eek:

Sarahsaver · 2 August 2006 at 1:26PM

Have less stuff, that is an option...
The coathangers which fix 5 hangers on so they take up less room, they are good.
Vacuum storage bags which sucks your things down flat when not in use...

I am having a major clearout again soon as I realised after I saw a lovely jacket priced at £135 I would rather have that plus more space than ten or so cheap ones, takes up less room and the cost is almost the same! And I can sell the old tat on Ebay.
Cheeky I know but...Can we have a pic of your clutter to give you some pointers?

Punky · 2 August 2006 at 2:13PM

Snow Angel

This sounds like a great opportunity for you to declutter and make some money for the new term!

Clothes: Sort through your clothes and make a pile of those not worn in the last 12 months. Sell them (car boot, ebay, etc), donate them or reuse them. With the clothes you keep, one sturdy hanger can hold 1 or 2 pairs of trousers or skirt and a top and jacket. You could even put together whole outfits and keep them on the one hanger. Socks can be rolled up and stored in shoes. I keep sets of pants and bras in clear resealable bags - takes up less room and can grab them quick in the morning when needed. Seasonal clothes (ie: winter jumpers) can be stored in vacpacs (best I've found from Lakeland) and stored on top of wardrobe.

Books / magazines: Be ruthless and go through all your books. Sell/donate/lend out any that you know you'll not read / re -read or use for reference. With the books left keep smaller books together - you may be able 'double stack' them on your shelves. Magazines - cut out the useful articles and file / scan them, then recycle.

Hope this helps a bit but you must be ruthless! I always felt I had a clearer mind to fill with more study once I had a good purge and clearout!

Punky

scottygirl_2 · 2 August 2006 at 5:40PM

:rotfl: :rotfl: A Great Idea I Use All The Time Is To Put All Your Bedding Set Into One Of The Pillocases, Example If You Have Differnt Changes Put Your Duvet, Bottom Sheet,sheets, Pillow Cases Ect Into 1 Pillowcase That Matches That Set,they Are All Together And All Fit Neatley Inside One Pillowcase So No More Hunting Around Airing Cupboards Ect Trying To Find All Your Bedding That Match, You Will Be Surprised How Much Room It Saves Too.

vivaladiva · 2 August 2006 at 7:24PM

Great idea scottygirl. Can you do anything for towels?!

Snow_Angel · 2 August 2006 at 10:19PM

Thanks so much for the advice so far everyone. I cracked on with it today (although still a way to go!).
Love the vacuum pack idea - I have loads of snowboard clothes I can do this with. And the duvet sets in pillowcase is a brilliant idea. :T
We have a floor to ceiling bookshelf in the lounge and, as there are only going to be 4 of us in the house, definitely means I have at least one large shelf. So I'm going to put all the fiction books I've already read and my magazines in there. Saves space in my room and nice for other housemates and visitors to have something to flick through.

Have been ruthless with clothes and shoes! I have 2 boxes full of stuff to ebay/car boot after just a 2 hour clear up.

All in all looking much better already. Thanks again - some of the things you've suggested are just so obvious when you think about them, but when you're faced with a room piled high with stuff, it's not so obvious! :A

Sarahsaver · 2 August 2006 at 10:27PM

An idea which is a tad extreme, but which I take from my month spent in france in a tent, (student days) is the 'one on, one off and one in the wash' rule for clothes. That is all I had. For a month.
If you give books away you can always keep a note of where they went in case you need to borrow them!
Saw a prog the other night about Japan where they interviewed a guy whose WHOLE flat was 5 metres X 5 metres.
Zen...

Punky · 2 August 2006 at 11:27PM

Well done Snow Angel. At this rate you'll be clutter free and half way to paying for your next term/ski trip - which ever comes first!

dolly_day_dream · 3 August 2006 at 7:04AM

I store the clean bed linen under the mattress of the bed it is intended for. Had to since I lost my airing cupboard! The towels for each person get hung up on a hook behind the door. I am able to keep a spare set for those who magically appear in my house - I have very hospitable children - but the rest have been disposed of.

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Help! Student requires space-saving/de-clutter advice

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