The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Built In Cabinets And Storage Walls

ADJUSTABLE SHELVES ARE BEST. The height between shelves is also very important. Wherever practical, shelves should have adjustable supports so that the distance between them can be variable, changing conditions met, and the space used most efficiently.

MAKE DRAWERS SHALLOW AS PRACTICAL. Everything that has been said about the proper depth of shelves is also applicable to drawers. They should be no deeper than is necessary to accommodate the articles to be stored. Drawers that are too deep result in things being buried and made hard to find. On the other hand, if they are too shallow they are even worse. Trays, enclosed by sliding or hinged doors, are very practical. They can be lighter in construction and simpler to make. For some types of articles such as shirts, a sliding panel without front, sides or backs can be used. With drawers as with shelves, the feature of flexibility is most desirable. If you are using trays behind doors, make sure that the doors open clear so that the trays can pass them.

STORE ARTICLES NEAR WHERE THEY WILL BE USED. Try to provide storage for articles close to where they will be used. This, of course, applies chiefly to those things that are in general use. Those articles that are seasonal or used infrequently such as canning equipment, roasters for 20-lb. turkeys and Christmas-tree ornaments do not need to take up valuable space in the kitchen or living room, but can be kept in the garage, attic or basement. But books, magazines, card tables and folding chairs, musical instruments, TV, radio, record player, records, movie equipment and games should have a place in the living room or game room. Clothing, linens and bedding should be stored in or near the bedroom, and bathroom supplies* should be stored in the bathroom. This is a rather obvious recommendation to make, but there is hardly a home that does not have many things stored far from where they are used and custom makes us so oblivious to the inconvenience that we may be unaware of it.