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Health & Fitness

Magic Storage Tip No.1

Who doesn't need a dose of "magic" storage to elegantly store more... and more... stuff?

What is better than having more space? Having "magic" storage that doesn't require more space... to store more... and more... stuff. It IS practically magic, because of a few qualifying factors. It makes use of space that can't be used for anything else, it is cleverly multi-purpose, and it creates concealed storage that goes virtually unnoticed.

Check out these wall-mounted bins from Ikea that are meant to hold your recycling trash until it is time for a trip to the big bin headed for the curb. They are a nice, not-too-white, matte plastic. They tip out from the wall and operate really smoothly. And get this, they are easily removable. Just tip out, grab the handles and lift! There are three sizes to choose from: a small 2-gallon size, a medium 6-gallon size, and a large 12-gallon size, and they only poke out from the wall 7.75 inches.

These little babies can really be used for a multitude of things. My big victory is using them for toys in my daughter's tiny condo bedroom, that was originally a breakfast nook. The configuration I have installed (of four medium and two large bins) holds up to 48 gallons, or 6.42 cubic feet of stuff, along the wall of a doorway area that would otherwise be unusable for anything but walking through. They hold lots of books, puzzles, dress-up clothes and random toys. The added bonus here is a book ledge on top that really holds a ton of books. Sweet!

They can also be used for home office organizational needs like letter-size papers and file folders, inside an entry door for a quick dumping place for regular use items, in the living room as book and magazine racks, or inside a closet for smaller items such as shoes, purses, scarves, etc. And don't forget kitchen, laundry and bathroom duties for a multitude of things. (They can get wet!) The list goes on – be creative.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00165703/

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