It is hard to resist the temptation to buy 80 bottles of ketchup or 24 12-packs of toilet paper when it doesn’t cost you a penny. But while having such a stockpile means you eat for next to nothing, there is the definite problem of where to store all the stuff you have bought. Here are some ideas to store your stockpile without looking cluttered.
It is best to try and store all your stockpiles in one place, then only moving onto a second space when it is filled. Ideally, your main storage should be in a pantry or garage, because even someone with the biggest kitchen imaginable wouldn’t be able to find manageable space for those 80 bottles of ketchup!
Pantry
If you are fortunate enough to have a large pantry in your kitchen, this is the ideal space since it is within easy reach and you will have a better idea of what you have stockpiled. If the shelving is inadequate, get better shelving installed so you can maximize your storage space.
Shelves in your garage
This is probably the easiest option. Many couponers have built shelving just for storing their stockpile. Make sure the shelving is sturdy (300 cans of food weighs a lot more than you’d think!).
Basement
If you are fortunate enough to have a basement, this can also be an ideal place, especially if you can build your own shelving units for the stockpile. If you have any creepy crawlies, you might want to store things like pasta in cardboard boxes in a plastic container – just remember to label those plastic boxes so you don’t need to open up various boxes to find what you are looking for.
Utilize kitchen space
Reorganize your kitchen cupboards to maximize space. Stack your pots and pans and store as many as you can under the oven. Don’t forget hard to reach cupboards where you can store overstock that you won’t need to access regularly. If you have a corner cupboard, remove the lazy susan and replace it with shelves, you will get 2-3x the space.
Store in room appropriate places
Store as much excess toothpaste, toiletries and bathroom products in the bathrooms if you don’t have enough space elsewhere.
Decorative boxes
If you need to store some excess in boxes, cardboard boxes will give your house that “just moving in or out” look. Instead, use decorative boxes from home decor stores instead.
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