A storage bench is a smart piece of furniture that gives you both a place to sit and extra space to store things. Whether its in your entryway, bedroom, living room, or hallway, it can help you keep your home neat and tidy. But just having a storage bench is not enoughyou also need to know how to organize it properly to get the most use out of it.
In this article, we will show you simple and effective ways to organize your storage bench. With the right tips, you can make the most of the space inside and keep everything easy to find.
What Is a Storage Bench?
Before we get into organizing tips, lets quickly talk about what a storage bench is. A storage bench is a bench with space inside it. Some benches have lift-up lids, while others have drawers, shelves, or baskets underneath the seat. People use them to store shoes, toys, clothes, blankets, books, and more.
They are perfect for small homes or apartments where space is limited. A well-organized storage bench can help reduce clutter and make your home look cleaner and more inviting.
Step 1: Decide the Purpose of Your Storage Bench
The first step is to choose what you want to store in your bench. The items you store will depend on where the bench is placed:
In the entryway: Store shoes, umbrellas, scarves, gloves, keys, or bags.
In the bedroom: Store extra blankets, pillows, seasonal clothes, or books.
In the living room: Store toys, board games, remote controls, or magazines.
In the kids room: Store toys, school supplies, or clothes.
Knowing the purpose will help you decide how to arrange items and what kind of containers or organizers you might need.
Step 2: Empty and Clean the Bench
Start fresh by taking everything out of your storage bench. Throw away anything broken, expired, or no longer needed. Wipe down the inside of the bench with a damp cloth and let it dry. A clean bench is much easier to organize and maintain.
Step 3: Sort Items into Categories
Now, look at the items you want to keep. Group them into categories. For example:
Shoes
Hats and gloves
Toys
Books
Blankets
Craft supplies
Sorting items makes it easier to find what you need and helps you see how much space each group will take up.
Step 4: Use Storage Containers or Baskets
Dont just toss everything back into the bench. Instead, use small baskets, bins, or boxes to keep things tidy and separate. You can find containers at home stores, or you can reuse shoeboxes, small plastic bins, or cloth baskets.
Label each container so you know whats inside. For example:
Winter Accessories
Remote Controls
Kids Toys
Pet Supplies
Using containers also makes it easy to pull out just what you need without digging through a mess.
Step 5: Store Items by Frequency of Use
Think about how often you use the items youre storing. Put the most-used items in the front or on top so theyre easy to reach. Less-used items can go in the back or bottom.
For example:
In an entryway bench, place your everyday shoes in front and special occasion shoes at the back.
In a living room bench, keep remote controls and games on top, and seasonal items like holiday decorations at the bottom.
This small trick can save you time every day.
Step 6: Use Dividers or Adjustable Inserts
If your storage bench has one big open space, it might be helpful to add dividers or adjustable inserts. These can help keep things in place and stop them from shifting around.
You can use:
Drawer organizers
Foldable shelf inserts
DIY cardboard dividers
This is especially helpful for smaller items like gloves, chargers, tools, or craft supplies.
Step 7: Label Everything Clearly
Even if you remember where everything goes, other family members may not. Thats why its a good idea to use labels. Label the baskets or compartments to make it easy for everyone to put things back where they belong.
Use a label maker, stickers, or even simple handwritten tags. Labels help keep your storage bench organized in the long run.
Step 8: Keep It Neat with a Weekly Check
To keep your bench tidy, do a quick check every week. It only takes a few minutes:
Remove items that dont belong.
Put everything back in its proper place.
Wipe down any dust or dirt.
This habit will prevent clutter from building up and keep your bench working for you.
Extra Tips for Different Rooms
Entryway Storage Bench
Use a shoe tray inside to hold muddy or wet shoes.
Add a small container for keys or wallets.
Hang hooks nearby for coats or bags.
Bedroom Storage Bench
Use soft fabric bins for clothes and bedding.
Store out-of-season clothes or extra sheets.
Add sachets or dryer sheets to keep items smelling fresh.
Living Room Storage Bench
Store items in stylish boxes to match your decor.
Use it to hide away childrens toys quickly when guests come over.
Add a cushion to the top for extra seating.
Kids Room Storage Bench
Choose colorful bins to make cleanup fun.
Store toys by typelike cars, dolls, or building blocks.
Use picture labels if kids cant read yet.
Benefits of an Organized Storage Bench
When your storage bench is organized, youll enjoy many benefits:
Saves time: You can find what you need quickly.
Reduces stress: A clean space helps you feel more relaxed.
Makes cleaning easier: No piles of stuff lying around.
Improves your homes appearance: Everything looks neater and more put together.
Final Thoughts
A storage bench is a helpful tool for any home, especially when space is tight. But to really make the most of it, you need to organize it well. By sorting your items, using containers, labeling clearly, and doing a little upkeep each week, you can turn your bench into a powerful space-saver.
Whether you're storing shoes by the front door, extra clothes in the bedroom, or toys in the living room, these simple steps can help you stay neat, efficient, and stress-free.
