Double Duty

I store out-of-season clothing in suitcases, saving space while protecting the clothes from dust and moths. When we go away to escape the current weather, the appropriate clothing is already in the suitcases.
Angela Tumbucon
Glendale, California

In my guest room/office, I keep sheets, blankets, and pillows in a large rattan basket that doubles as a nightstand for the futon sofa bed when I have guests and as an end table when I don't.
Teri Handzel
Aptos, California

Kid Stuff

My children don't like to part with anything. When their rooms overflow, they're allowed to put whatever will fit in their personal stacking containers, marked with their names, which are kept in the storage room. Whatever doesn't fit must be purged, or something in the container must go to make it fit. They learn to prioritize, and we're not overrun with an unreasonable amount of "stuff."
Debbie Smith
Knoxville, Tennessee

We bought a daybed without a trundle for my son's very small room. The space under the bed is generous, and we use it to stow wicker drawers for his clothes (one for underwear and socks, one for jeans and shorts, one for shirts, one for pajamas) and his favorite toys. Since the drawers are on the floor, he can easily get to his things.
Jane Minogue
Oak Park, California

When my daughter goes to camp, we pack a pair of shorts and a T-shirt for each day in a plastic zip-top bag. She can see through the bags to decide what she wants to wear that day, and the clothes stay clean and wrinkle-free.
Jodi Defeis
Rogers, Arkansas

In the Closet

We have four hockey players, three baseball players, two soccer players, and three golfers in our house. When we remodeled, we designed an equipment-storage room with cubbies and hooks galore to hold the gear, an exhaust fan, and a dehumidifier — so now I don't have to see or smell any of it.
Laurie Golden
Plymouth, Michigan

Now that my children are grown, I use an upstairs hall closet to store future gifts for friends and family. I shop throughout the year, picking up bargains I think they may like. Then, when I need a gift, I go to my "store" and have fun choosing the perfect one.
Sandy Cunningham
Boca Raton, Florida

I attach some of my 200 baseball caps with clothespins to a plastic chain that hangs in a closet. I have easy access, and the caps take up little space.
Lori Peebles
Daytona Beach, Florida

Two for the Road

An empty plastic film container full of quarters is great to keep in the car for tolls. My daughters used the idea for college laundry money.
Debi Merz
Jefferson Township, New Jersey

I keep a little money, some lipstick, and a pair of earrings in a tin box (the kind mints come in) in my car's glove compartment. If I've forgotten any of these items, I have an emergency supply and can locate them without fumbling during my morning commute.
Catherine Najarian-Halpin
Silver Spring, Maryland