Don't let the horror stories of storage space put you off the care-free life of being a condominium owner. Since the early days of condos, the idea of condo life has become so popular, that storage space is hardly a factor anymore. This is because clever interior designers have seen a need in the housing market and they have come up with many innovative ideas to solve the problem. What has NOT changed since condos became popular is that condo life frees you up for loads more fun or learning or relaxing. However, when the question of whether to move into a condo or a small house comes up, inevitably the space problem is always right up there in the pros and cons. It's a fact that there is less storage room in a condo than in a single family house. Many home owners, even in houses, actually prefer to rent storage space and keep their houses less cluttered. Not everything can be stored in an outdoor shed, for fear of dampness and vermin. All types of winter sporting gear, Christmas trees, decorations and down-filled jackets can all be stored away from your home during the months that you won't need them. Condo owners have even more need to store items away, as their cupboard space is so limited. However, if renting extra space is not what you would like, there are many ideas on the market to help with storage space; here are just a few: Many people like the look of a clear expanse of floor in their condo, to give the feel of spaciousness. However, such items as coffee and end tables usually break up this straight run of floor. (The exception is the glass topped coffee table.) While you are interrupting the continuum of floor space, you may as well make the most of these tables as storage space. Some coffee tables are designed for storage. Look for ones with two or three rattan baskets underneath, to keep a tidy look. An even better way to house your storage is to use a flat topped trunk as a coffee table. Sometimes you can find an antique trunk and there are also custom made trunk-style coffee tables. These are fashioned after the old sea-going chests that our great-grandmothers may have traveled with. Many people also put a couple of cushions on top of these chests, and keep them for a spare seat on their balconies. A large cedar trunk, made in America, is under $200 on the Internet; they also have half chests to match, which would substitute for end tables. Two more storage areas that are often not utilized are the bathroom and the car parking area. Both these areas can offer storage space that doesn't spoil the clutter-free look you want. When you walk into your bathroom, you will want to admire the spacious look of the room; you do not want a selection of storage containers on display. However, as you walk in, you will never notice a shelf high up, above the doorway. This will only be seen once you are actually right in the bathroom and turn around. (You may need permission to actually hang a small cupboard up there, but a cupboard is rather deep, whereas a shelf may be okay.) Many items can be stored up here: large towels, toilet rolls, electrical hair appliances and jumbo sizes of shampoo, etc. This will free up your cabinets for the items that are in daily use. The final storage idea that has hit the market recently is a large lockable bin that you keep in your car parking space. For this you need a wall and permission to drill into it. (If you were refused permission and were really innovative you could make a wooden frame to house the bin.) The bin itself is made of metal mesh so that you can see what is stored in it. Car lockers can be ordered on the Internet in sizes as large as eight by four by four feet. They have metal sliding doors, will carry up to 200 lbs, and are easily mounted on the wall. They sit in the area above your hood, about 6 feet off the ground so that the car can still be parked in its normal spot. A bin is large enough for you to keep a small three-step stool folded down into it, for easier access. Since condos often have gates and/or 24 hour security, there would be virtually no risk of theft from these lockable units. Just by utilizing the space under your coffee tables, over your bathroom door, and above the hood of your car, you have probably gained about 130 square feet of storage.
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