This is the year I will reclaim my lost real estate.

There’s no family feud over land or an estate left by a distant relative. I’m talking about the real estate inside my house. While we love all the character of our 1929 Tudor style home, it leaves a lot to be desired in closet space, linen closets and just good old modern day storage room.

I’m constantly crying that I don’t have enough real estate for my things. But the real question is, “Am I utilizing the space I have to the fullest?”

Recently, I took an inventory of our real estate. I started with the armoire in our bedroom that is supposed to provide that extra storage. I stood in front of it with the doors wide open; I realized most of the content was stuff I never used — such as hair products from at least four hair styles ago. There was old make-up, dated nail polish and clothes that should’ve long gone to donation.

Why am I allowing all of this stuff to steal my precious real estate?

I think the armoire could be part of my problem. I simply shoved everything in and closed the doors. So despite the mess on the inside, my room still appeared neat and clean. It’s a pretty easy way to deceive yourself.

My frustration came during times when I had to get ready quickly and I had to weed through all of the junk I no longer used to get to the stuff I actually needed. I can’t count the number of times I was delayed while searching for items lost in the armoire abyss.

I finally decided it was time to change. Pulling the stuff off the shelves and tossing them into the trash was truly liberating. Outdated lipstick… trashed. Old facial cleansers and moisturizers… trashed. The dated fingernail polish and stretched out head bands were all trashed.

I discovered four make-up bags and five T-shirts of which three still had the sales tags. I stuffed them in a bag to be sent to the Goodwill.

In no time I stared at empty shelves.

Now the possibilities were endless.

I carefully decided where each item would be placed. It has to make sense so that I am not wasting my precious space. For example, I moved the linens and clean bedding into the furniture piece to free up more space elsewhere.

When I finished, I stepped back to admire my handy work.

Anyone who is an old house lover knows the value of “indoor real estate.” I am so glad I realized it before I called a real estate agent asking to see a bigger house.

Tracie McPherson, a working-mom to three children, wrote this blog for momaha. Read more from Tracie by clicking here. 

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