use closed storage up high for stuff you don’t need every day, and keep the open shelves at eye level for things you actually want to see.
- I tried this exact setup and it’s wild how much less “stuff” you notice at first glance.
- One thing I ran into: modular cubes aren’t always deep enough for board games or larger books. Ended up measuring everything (twice... learned my lesson).
- Built-ins look sharp but wow, the install dust. Still finding sawdust in weird places.
- Pro tip: label the closed storage or you’ll forget what’s up there. Trust me, I spent 20 minutes hunting for my waffle maker last weekend.
label the closed storage or you’ll forget what’s up there. Trust me, I spent 20 minutes hunting for my waffle maker last weekend.
Totally agree on the labeling—sticky notes saved me from digging through bins every time I needed something random. On the modular cubes, have you tried IKEA Kallax? They’re a bit deeper than most, but even then, some board game boxes are just monsters. Built-ins are gorgeous but yeah, the dust is no joke... I always recommend taping off doorways if you can. Did you end up using any kind of inventory list for your closed storage, or just labels?
Title: Finally Visualized My Apartment Layout And It Changed Everything
Labels are a lifesaver, but honestly, I’ve never bothered with a full inventory list—I’d probably lose the list. Sticky notes or a label maker do the job for me. Kallax is solid, though I agree, some stuff just never fits right. Built-ins look great, but yeah, the dust and the construction mess can be brutal... Taping off doorways is underrated. Curious if you found a labeling system that actually lasts, or do you just redo them every so often?
Sticky notes or a label maker do the job for me.
I tried sticky notes once and my cat decided they were toys, so that was a short-lived system. I’ve switched to washi tape and a Sharpie—cheap, colorful, and surprisingly durable. If a label peels off, it’s just an excuse to make a new one with better handwriting.
Washi tape is such a clever workaround. I never would’ve thought of that—my only experience with it was for gift wrapping, honestly. It’s funny how pets can dictate our organizing systems... I’m still using sticky notes, but maybe it’s time to branch out. The idea of redoing labels just to improve the handwriting actually sounds kind of satisfying. There’s something nice about making those little improvements as you go.
