The Problem with Depth

When you are organizing a space, there are three dimensions you should consider:

• Width (the measurement from side to side)
• Height (the measurement from bottom to top)
• Depth (the measurement from front to back)

Many spaces that are tricky to organize are the spaces that are generous in depth. The problem with depth is that, given too much depth, storing smaller items becomes trickier. Placing items that are a similar size in front of each other can cause confusion. Take cans in a pantry for instance:

Can you see the cans behind the first one? You'll never know if you need to buy another can of corn or if you already have one! Too deep of a space makes it challenging to see and find things in the back of the space. Before you know it, you've gone out and purchased four more cans of corn when you already had some - you just couldn't see them!

Here's what you can do to keep some control of your deep spaces:

•  Tiered Storage: A tiered (step) storage system will solve most problems in a space that is too deep to store items in front of each other efficiently. Step shelves for cans are a great way to see items in the back of the cabinet. Store larger cans in the back and smaller cans in the front so that you can see more of the labels. You can also store things without tiered shelves if items are different sizes. Store larger items in the back and smaller items in the front. Yes, there will be some "wasted" space in the back (below the tallest shelf) and the front (above the shortest shelf or the "floor" level), but in the long run, it's no better than what you had going on before. Functionality is sometimes better than fitting all you can in. 

• Pull-out Solutions: Pull out drawers that you can affix to a shelf or that you can simply place inside can maximize both vertical space and the depth of a space. Even a bin that you can remove and look through can remove some of the frustration of depth. 

In the end, it's sometimes difficult to perfect storage in a deep space. Especially a deep closet or a storage unit where you are trying to place a lot inside and you can't afford to waste any space. In a storage unit, if you are storing lots of things that you don't need often or that you only need seasonally, it may be helpful to keep the items on shelving units on casters such as an InterMetro Unit. If you need to get to the items in the back, just roll the first unit out of the way. This is particularly helpful as you will not need to move a lot of heavy boxes and when you are not using the shelving unit, it can be disassembled and stored in a very small space. If you are storing  heavy items, do not compromise on quality where shelving is concerned! For your safety, make sure that the unit AND the casters (casters or wheels reduce the amount of weight the shelving can hold) can handle whatever you're storing.

Do you have any other tricks for keeping order in a deep space? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

Need more help? Visit hubneat.com to find out about professional organizing services in Boston and surrounding areas!