Thinking Vertically
by: Marc Rifkin
Ive often wondered why we describe houses and other buildings in terms of square footage. Though we live in a three-dimensional world, when it comes to real estate, only length and width seem relevant. What happened to height, the 3rd dimension? The question becomes more meaningful (and personal), because Im a six-footer and a professional organizer.
One of my greatest challenges as an organizer, is changing the way clients think about and use s-p-a-c-e. We seem to have a big disconnect. Everything we own is three dimensional, yet when it comes to placement and storage, the person on the street thinks in terms of floor space - two dimensions. Look around the average home and its obvious that outside of the kitchen, most of our things are stored from the floor up. For example:
A 19 TV roughly measures 19 wide, 17 high, and 18 deep. Its fair to say that most people we meet automatically put their TVs on a stand, or dresser, which pretty much makes the space above the TV useless. Who mounts TVs on the wall? Hospitals, who discovered long ago that mounting a TV on the wall frees up the precious space below.
Shelving units There is no question that shelving units are great for organizing books, CDs, and other of lifes necessities. Assuming that space is valuable and at a premium, why do so many of us use bookcases or floor-standing shelving units (which usually stand 5-6high) in the garage, carport, or shed? Knowing that some things, such as mowers, bikes, etc. have to, or are likely to take up floor space, wouldnt ceiling mounted, hanging shelves be a wiser choice?
There are countless other examples, but the point is that in a increasingly cluttered world, thinking vertically, and making better use of wall & ceiling space, opens up a whole new range of possibilities.
About The Author
Marc Rifkin is a Professional Organizer, and owner of OASIS professional organizers, which provides organizing solutions for homes and offices in Seattle, WA.
oasisorganizers.com
info@oasisorganizers.com
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