For those of us who don't have much closet space (let alone garages, attics, or basements!) where oh where are we supposed to store our luggage? Sure, there are some decent soft-sided suitcases out there, but many of the most durable suitcases are not exactly beautiful and they have hard sides and take up some serious space.
One solution comes from the folks over at the blog In Decent Order who screwed in hooks high up on the wall of a large closet to hang their luggage from. This way the suitcases and bags are accessible, but also out of the way.
Other ideas for storing suitcases:
1 Under the bed: Having a high bed that only requires a mattress (no box spring) translates into much more room under the bed. If your bed isn't high enough, buy bed risers and raise it as high as needed. A bed skirt can come in handy here to hide everything.
2 Tucked behind a screen. Place a screen or room divider in the corner of a room and stash suitcases or other unwieldy items behind it.
3 Suitcase as home storage: Never leave the suitcases empty! Store a whole range of items within your suitcase. Just be sure to put the contents inside a breathable bag so that when you need the luggage you don't have to dump out a messy pile of stuff.
• out of season clothes and shoes, coats and cold-weather gear
• extra sheets, blankets, bulky duvets
• Christmas decorations or gifts that must be hidden from prying children
• smaller bags and luggage
• Old tax files or photos in a soft-sided storage bag
4 Get a new suitcase: If you are really tight for space, sell your bulky, hard Samsonite and invest in a suitcase that expands from flat. Or switch to a hip vintage one that you won't using as a side table or hanging on the wall as decoration.
5 Think vertical: Use the dead space way up high in your closet. Build a shelf at the tip top of your closet to stash luggage. Or install a hook at the top of the closet ceiling and suspend the suitcase from above.
6 Watch for mildew: Consider the climate where you store your luggage: Attics and basements can get very humid and suitcases may get damp, mildewy, and unusable. Also, don't wrap luggage tightly in plastic, which restricts air circulation and can cause mildew.
(Image: In Decent Order)
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If you don't already have a suitcase, try borrowing one when you need it instead of buying one and having to store it. Carry-on suitcases can be kind of pricey if you don't travel but once or twice a year (we travel more often, so we have two small ones). A tough duffle bag will do the trick if you can carry the weight. Some people can't, so they need the roller bag.
I'm a student so I need to have suitcases on hand. I put mine under my bed. Duffel bags are easier to store then hard plastic suit cases since they collapse and can become almost flat.
Beds can be raised with risers to give additional under space storage. Sometimes, just an inch makes all the difference. But, I have stored my luggage for years in the same place as they did with the hanging luggage in this post, but on a shelf along the wall over the door in that same location. I was able to store (6) pieces of luggage.easily on that shelf and it was great - out of view and easily accessible.
I actually slowly built up a collection of suitcases that all fit inside each other, like nesting dolls. It can be a bit annoying to dig out the innermost small suitcase (actually a duffel bag that squishes flat the most) but I only have to do it a few times a year, and the rest of the time I only have to worry about finding storage space for one suitcase that is really four of them all together.
As another note - carry-on bags (even with wheels!) can be found for really cheap prices if you live near a surplus store like TJ Maxx or etc. Yes, they do have fancy luggage at crazy prices, but dig around a bit and you'll find the cheapo ones underneath the stacks for $15-$20. If you're living a life of extremely limited storage options, you can always buy one on the cheap and donate it afterwards.
In fact, you could buy second hand the first go around, but then bed bugs might be a concern.
Keep in mind that for small trips, backpacks can be superior to luggage in many ways. :)
hey, thanks so much for the mention of my blog In Decent Order! What a treat for my day.
For what it's worth, I've had those suitcases on the hooks for months, but one hook (along with a medium weight anchor) just recently ripped out of the drywall. Make sure you use heavy anchors unless your hook is in the stud.
http://indecentorder.blogspot.com/
Good ideas! Check out our new patented Road Warrior collapsible luggage! Perfect for freeing up some space!
http://roadwarriorluggage.com/
I travel for work so I have a few that are nested inside each other, then filled with sheets (makeshift linen closet) and then stuffed in the bottom of my closet.
These are really good ideas that I think everyone should think about once in a while; especially those that are living in cramped spaces. In Australia where space is very limited, it is important that every one should know and learn to maximize their spaces. For more information about storing your valuables, visit our website at www.sydneycheapstorage.com.au
After a bedbug incident I'm pretty reluctant to store luggage under my bed though...
After a bedbug incident I'm pretty reluctant to store luggage under my bed though...