April 2025 Newsletter
- Judy Granlee Gates
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Hello Friends!
This month we have a lot of new readers, so WELCOME, and be sure to check under the blog tab for past newsletters..
Newsletter Topic of the Month
Closets and Storage Containers!
Ok, linen closets, hall closets, coat closets and even the top shelves of clothes closets can be tricky to work with, so let’s break it down and make it work for you!
Hall and linen closets often are shallow, or they are extra deep…rarely a happy medium. The shelf in the clothes closets is often hard to access, but tall inside, so hard to use easily.
I recently helped a client get settled in after a move, and these spaces were really wasted in her house. She had lots of clear acrylic storage bins, all sizes. But they did not stack, and they had no lids. The spacing between her shelves was 18 to 24” each, and they were not adjustable. So, we had to reconsider and still try to use what she had.
First, let’s look at the best storage options (my humble opinion) for these types of spaces. Simply stated, there are two options…bins with lids and mini or stacking drawers. Now, it gets tricky when you have all kinds of bins that are not the same. And while I don’t want you to toss perfectly good stuff to go by new, it can be important to have same sized stacking options. Watch sales or buy in bulk. I always suggest you buy a dozen of each size, keep a photo of the label so you can add more. The colors may change, but by brand the sizes stay the same. I personally like the Sterilite brand. Sold everywhere, lots of sizes, colors and options and the prices are generally quite fair.
For bins with lids, I like what I call the shoe box and bootie box.
Shoe Box | Bootie Box |
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Bins are best for bulky or bigger items, or items you don’t need all the time. To access these, you often need to unstack, open the lid, retrieve item, close lid then restack.
You can also get Sterilite stacking drawers, which I love, pull the drawer open, grab, push draw closed. Lovely, but they are more expensive, though very worth the cost.
These mini drawers are great for makeup, hair, dental, nail products and more. Super easy access means things WILL get put away more often. There are a few sizes, mini, medium, letter paper, and 12 x 12 paper. You can used these for kitchen, bath, craft, office…you name it. You can also use a small screw at the back right and left to keep them from tipping when open.
So, you already have nice open bins? Use them on the top row or for shelves that don’t have as much height between them. Still use them!
In clothes closets, I like using a bin with a lid on the shelf, either stacked or using an open bin on top if you have them. These can be trickier to get in. Slide them up into the space, then set them on the shelf. Works like a charm.
The closets we worked on had a lot of space between the shelves and door, so we added a shoe hanger on the door (just screw it on top and bottom for security, making sure the screws are not as thick as the door, so they don’t pop through the visible side.)
I will link all the items below in the event you NEED or want more.
Now, let’s look at the finished product. We sorted the items by type, labeled all bins on BOTH ends, and put them all back. We started with an overflowing closet and ended with extra space and could see everything being stored. This is a big win, and the best part? It took 35 minutes! Because we had all our bins on hand, it was easy and fast.
Note: boxes and sizes vary by time of year and availability. Google is a great tool to find them on one site, like Amazon, may not have them all. Another great quality bin is made by IRIS, but they are considerably more in cost.
Have a topic idea? Area of struggle? A fun tip? Send it in and I may make it the topic of the month. Email me at hello@judygranleegates.com
Join in the conversation at Facebook group – Declutter and Resize – Bigger Living Smaller Space
Product(s) of the Month:
I highly recommend buying in lots of 12, 6 if you must. Having bins that are the same size is so key to making storage easy. It will also save you money in bulk. And, if a box or lid gets broken or lost, you have ones that work together, and you are not tossing both pieces!
These come in many sizes, but take note they also come in many different widths, which can inhibit easy stacking
News & Upcoming Events
If you don’t know Paige Pritchard and The Money Love podcast, check out my episode with her, and welcome to many new Paige fans! We covered the gamut and I am getting great feedback on the episode. I hope you will check it out and let me know what you enjoyed most! Paige is one of my very favorite podcasters and I listen to her often!
In March, my book was given the Literary Titan Gold Award. I’m so thrilled and appreciative of everyone who has supported me and my decluttering mission! A big thanks to you all.
The Literary Titan Book Award is a monthly award, given by Literary Titan, that recognizes and celebrates excellence in writing, both in fiction and non-fiction, with gold and silver awards. It’s given to books and authors that Literary Titan, an organization of professional editors, writers, and professors, has reviewed and found to be of exceptional quality. The awards recognize exceptional storytelling, creativity, unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and innovative ideas. The award is a mark of distinction, recognizing excellence in writing that is both innovative and impactful.
Other Stuff
Do you have a group or event that would like to hear about decluttering, living smaller, or parting with sentimental items? Let me know, I love to speak to people about all things decluttering and resizing!
Judy, we love storage boxes, bins, etc. I can see into them, plus we have labels on the front to easily identify the contents. They are stackable. They have built-in handles. The bulk of ours are the same size, making it possible to swap lids if needed. In my shop I stored stains and such. Recently I found out that a smalll bottle of wood stain had leaked into the bin. It was fairly easy to clean out, it being plastic. I always enjoy reading your newsletters. Thank you. Don Merry