7 things professional organizers always store in hard-to-reach places

Whether you have a good-sized home or it's on the small side, utilising every inch of storage space well is crucial for its long-term organization.

So when it comes to items that are used infrequently but still needed, professional organizers urge you to store them in those hard-to-reach places that you don't need to have access to all year round.

This could be that gap on top of your kitchen cabinets, the awkward nook in your pantry, or that shelf in the closet that's difficult to reach. Our professional organizers keep these seven things in hard-to-reach spots in their storage ideas to maximize function year-round.

7 things to store in hard-to-reach spots at home

1. Luggage

Luggage is something we don't often use, but still need to keep in the house. So storing your suitcases in a hard-to-reach place will free up the more useful spaces needed for daily access.

'Suitcases are typically stored up high in a closet, in a hall closet or tucked away in a basement storage room,' advises Meghan Cocchiaro, owner and professional organizer at Organized by Meg.

A great tip with luggage buying is to choose a design that expands, so when it's empty it takes up less space, but when you need it for your vacation, it's generously proportioned.

Amazon's Basic 21" hard side carry-on suitcase with wheels expands by up to 25%. It's scratch-resistant and has four multifunctional wheels.

2. Seasonal decor

This can cover any seasonal decor, from the items you use in your halloween decorating, to easter decor and everything in between.

Which hard-to-reach spot you go for will be determined by how much you need to store. If your Christmas decor ideas are the largest collection, with lots of festive storage solutions, your basements, garage, and attic are excellent picks.

However, if these spots are not climate-controlled, keeping them dry, clean, and safe from pests will be key to storing them well without the risk of mold. Opt for lidded items and do a quarterly check on the space to keep on top of any mold or mildew from ventilation issues or common household leaks.

3. Formal serve ware

There are certain times of the year when the 'grown-up' serveware, such as large platters and special glassware, need to be used – celebrations including birthdays, anniversaries, and Thanksgiving, for example.

With kitchen storage being key, and because these events are not an everyday occurrence, they qualify for an out-of-reach spot in your pantry or kitchen.

Knowing what to put in high kitchen cabinets is key. A folding step ladder like the Taranta 2-step aluminium lightweight stool from Amazon folds up neatly so it can be kept out of the way and used when you need to reach for it.

3. Camping gear and seasonal sports

Whether it's camping trips and wild swimming in the summer or skiing in the winter, these seasonal activities can generate quite a lot of 'stuff' that needs storing when not being used. They usually take up a lot of space, too, so utilizing awkward, hard-to-reach, or underutilized storage spaces is smart.

Tents need to be kept in a cool, dark and dry space, making garages a good option. Invest in a heavy-duty shelving unit that can take the weight of it. Walmart's BestOffice 4 shelf wire shelving unit can hold up to 1000 Ibs of weight and is height adjustable.

Place the tent on top and have all your other camping paraphernalia underneath such as cooking equipment, sleeping bags and spare pegs.

'Seasonal swim towels and soft shell coolers are other things to consider,' says Meg. 'These items can be stored up high in mudrooms and garages when we are in the cold season to make room for cold-weather items.'

4. Off-season clothing

An obvious one, perhaps, but having a seasonal declutter of your closet is a task that's easily overlooked.

'Off-season clothes are another category of items to store away out of sight,' advises Barbara Brock, professional organizer at Barbara Brock Inc. 'However, most items must be stored in airtight containers or vacuum bags to take care of the contents.'

We like the jumbo pack of vacuum storage bags from Amazon. These can be used again and again, and are great for shrinking down bulky items during storage without damaging them. Just steer clear of any hard objects and stick to clothing, bedding, linen, and towels.

Place these in hard-to-reach and dead storage spaces you don't often access, such as under your bed, so they don't get in the way, but remain in a climate-controlled area.

Knowing how to store winter clothes will keep them in good condition when not in use, and stop bulky items from cluttering up your limited closet space.

5. Bulk buys

It's often more cost effective to buy certain goods in bulk and these are best stored somewhere that you don't need to access every day.

Meg agrees, 'Bulk supply of paper towels and toilet paper for example, can be stored up high in pantries and laundry rooms or in the back of bathroom cabinets because they are lightweight enough to easily pull down.'

Make the most of your vanity space and any custom-built storage you may have in your bathroom – if you overbuy things like toothpaste and cotton wool, they can go behind your most-used items too.

In the kitchen, as Meg suggests, use your pantry for paper towels and laundry liquid too. Pet food is another item that might be more cost-effective if you buy in large quantities, but can be bulky to store.

Decant it into a slimline bin such as Amazon's IRIS USA dog and cat food storage container that's airtight and stackable on wheels.

6. Old electrical things

Hands up if you've got a spare router and numerous chargers and wires in your home office taking up precious space?

We all do it – that ethernet cable that might be useful 'at some point' or the printer that still works but isn't great at colour prints.

Some of these items are worth keeping, but as they're not used daily or weekly, they can be put into a bin and out of your office space onto shelving in the garage or basement. Employing a good cable management system in your home will save you space in the long run.

Make sure you get an airtight design that will prevent damp from getting in. We like Target's Hefty 40qt clear plastic storage bin with gray hi-rise stackable lid as clear bins are great for seeing exactly what you have where, meaning when that spare wire or router is needed, you'll be able to find it easily.

7. Keepsakes

Items that hold sentimental value are tricky to store, especially if you have accumulated a lot. Things in this category can be bulky too, such as old yearbooks, that big stack of your child or grandchild's drawings, or a keepsake box handed down.

'Additionally, large (or small) paintings which are possibly inherited but not yet readily disposed of, or you're not sure what to do with, can be stored in areas that are not easily accessible,' advises Barbara.

Although precious to us, these pieces can be kept but not seen, like organizing family photos, for example. Barbara adds, 'Large container boxes which hold memorabilia, special papers, or special anything can be kept out of reach. Remember to label the containers so you know what they hold. Things are easily forgotten when out of sight, so it’s best to label, label, label.'

We love Anthropologie's rattan box with glass lid for storing jewellery and personal keepsakes; it can be stored on top of your closet, and the glass lid means you can see the contents without opening it.

Meet our experts

Meghan Cocchiaro

Meghan Cocchiaro is the owner and lead organizer at Organized by Meg, a full-service boutique-style home organizing company based in Denver, Colorado. A former burnt-out corporate accountant, Meghan turned her passion for organized living into a business. It is her mission to help ambitious women create simply organized homes with beauty and function so that they can feel good and focus on what really matters in their lives.

Barbara Brock

Barbara Brock is the founder & CEO of Barbara Brock Inc., a professional organizing and staging company, and Beauty & The Box, a company dedicated to fusing beauty with organization for the traveling woman and at home. She is dedicated to bringing order, beauty, and efficiency to her clients' homes.

Learning space-saving ways to use vertical space, which is essentially where hard-to-reach places are concerned, will free up more space in the rest of your home.

Set aside an afternoon to follow our professional organizer's advice, and you'll love the results.