Shelves for the utility room

This may not be overly exciting for anyone else, but boy, are we pleased with our latest improvement to household organization. The utility room is also our laundry room and we have a lot packed into the space: washer/dryer, propane hot water tank, well water expansion tank, solar hot water tank, radiant floor tubes, cat supplies including litter box, dog food, paint supplies, and laundry supplies. 

We had one set of plastic shelves that provided lots of storage (2 feet deep by 3 feet wide and six shelves high), but had no working space. As a result we ended up piling stuff on the floor until we couldn't open the darn door. Frustrating given that we needed to get in there to feed the cat every day.

So we took the time to improve the situation and put up wall shelves. Winter boots are stored up high where there is lots of warm air so they don't mildew. A deep shelf provides an off-the-floor spot for the kitty litter (and leaves the radiant floor tubes accessible underneath).

Deep shelf for litter box and wall shelves for storage

A base cabinet was built next to the washer/dryer and will have a counter top as soon as the paint dries. More wall shelves utilize space up to the ceiling.

Lovely storage up high requires a ladder

I labeled our paint cans with the color and location where used. I used to label the tops of the cans but that required me to pull them all down to tell what the heck they were - this makes much more sense and I can't believe I didn't do it previously.

Chris thought a little reminder of the shelf's purpose was needed. He's such a sweetheart.

Kitty area

It's such a simple thing - but now the laundry basket sits on the counter top, not on the floor. It's easier to put things away because we can see where they go and the door doesn't get jammed up against debris. Small improvement, big impact.