Are you ever constantly looking for something in one place, only to remember that it is actually being stored some place else? This is what I like to call space misuse. Another example of space misuse is a closet that is not built correctly for the things you want to store there. We had a closet in our home that I always referred to as the non-closet. It was not deep enough to hold anything significant, and yet I continually tried shoving the towels and linens in there.
One day while grumbling over this closet I decided it was time to change the space. I took all the linens out, and placed all of our board games in the closet. It worked out perfectly. There was just enough space for the board games, and it freed up the office closet for the linens. The space was no longer misused; it was used perfectly, and I was much happier for it. So what do you do with a case of space misuse?
Recognize the Symptoms One major symptom of space misuse is the constant frustration with a space or an item’s location. Another key symptom is the feeling that something is not right, or does not look put away when it is in its space. Once you have identified that your space is being misused you can start the process of changing it.
Find the Cure Ask yourself a few questions. Where would I want to go to look for this item or items? Where do they fit best in the house? If the answer is in the space it already occupies, maybe there is another level to it that you aren’t considering. If it’s a drawer that constantly looks messy, try dividing it with some plastic containers or wooden boxes. This way the items that belong in the drawer won’t run into each other and create a mess. The cure is going to be wherever and whatever feels right to you. So walk around your house a bit with the item trying out different spaces.
Check for Relapse When you move something in your house you may have a tendency to continue to look for it in its old space. This doesn’t mean that it has gone to the wrong place if it goes away after a while. If six months down the road you are looking for the item in the old location still, it is definitely time to revisit the new space.
Change your spaces, and don’t limit yourself to your four walls. A closet that appears to be designed for linens may just be the perfect game closet in your house.