Yesterday we saw just how much sports and camping equipment could be stored in just 4 inches of space. But what if you have only a couple of inches to spare? Can anything be done with just an inch or two?
Before installing the closets a few years ago, I carefully noted what exactly needed to be stored and took measurements accordingly. Once I fit in the main items for which I'd planned, it was time to get out the tape measure again and note just how much extra room I had--an inch here, a couple inches there. Then I assessed everything that still needed homes. While it may be fairly easy to find a place--any place--to just shove things into, one of the main principles of organizing is finding the right place for things, so you can find things quickly and easily, so things don't get damaged, and so the items you frequently use are in easy reach.
I found the perfect place to store one of my favorite board games, for instance, after discovering a little over two inches on an eye-level shelf in the front hall closet:
Another example: We have various large sketchbooks, over-sized manila envelopes, x-rays, and MRI films, none of which can be bent. But where to put them so they're accessible when we need them (which isn't often) and won't get damaged?
I found the perfect place: there is 2-1/2" between the bottom of a 39" PAX unit and its lowest drawer--plenty enough to store all the over-sized and rarely-used flat items.
Above:the crack below the lowest PAX drawer. Below:the notebooks, over-sized envelopes, x-rays, and MRI films stored there.
Below: view of items stored in the space.
