10 Space Saving Ideas for Storing Your Prepping Supplies

by Tess Pennington

Let’s face it, we have a finite amount of space in our homes to allot for our preparedness supplies. When you run out of room on the shelving systems, in the closet and under the beds, you have to start getting creative in finding more space. I have personally stowed items in every nook and cranny around here. I knew that if I wanted to have a good pantry supply and also have disaster supplies on hand, I had to find hidden spaces around the home. Here are some of the solutions that I have found.

10 Space Savers For Your Preps:

1. Baskets and wire bins – I went to the discount stores and found large baskets on sale. I put them under chairs, benches and on consoles or cabinets. We also used them above our kitchen cabinetry.

2. Under bed storage – Under the bed is usually the first place we turn to when our closets run out of space. I like to use plastic containers with lids that can be stored under beds. This keeps pets from opening any packages and protects it from the elements. Re-purposing old dresser drawers can also be a solution to under bed storage. And adding wheels to the bottom so they roll out will help you gain easier access.

3. Trundle beds – If your trundle bed is going unused, it’s a great place to store your preps. Simply remove the mattress and viola!

4. Old metal filing cabinets – Who’s going to look for preps in the filing cabinets anyway? Consider storing lightweight groups of items such as medical supplies or flashlights and batteries, or even spices. It’s a great way to organize your preps! Also, if you remove the drawers of the file cabinet and set the cabinet on its backside, it can also be used to store brooms, mops and other household tools. It could also be used an impromptu rifle rack.

5. Paper filing boxes – I used this method to store my short-term food supply. We repackaged food in Mylar bags and added them to the filing boxes. I can honestly say that this storage methods works, but there are some drawbacks. For one, I would not set heavy items in the boxes. The boxes cannot take much weight and compromises the shape of the box. Stacking the boxes on top of themselves can also be problematic. It is a good storage system and an added benefit is its cost effective.

6. Suitcases – For some reason I have inherited many suitcases over the years. Rather than letting them sit in a closet, put them to work. You can even use the luggage tags as a label for the contents inside.

7. Storage ottomans – I love furniture that serves duel purposes! Storage ottomans are functional in living rooms and will also conceal smaller preps such as your battery supplies, paracord or books and board games for your off-grid entertainment.

8. Trashcans – Large 35-gallon outdoor trashcans with wheels are also a uniform way to store your gear. Many preppers store their Mylar bagged goods in trashcans for easy access. One could also store their 72-hour emergency supplies in a trashcan for an all-in-one container.

9. Wall space – Wall space is the most under utilized storage areas of a home. Lightweight emergency supplies can be stored on wall shelves. Crates secured to the wall can also make good storage space. Think of collecting many different sized crates to create a crate wall. This would make an amazing storage system.

10. Faux rocks – Hiding your preps in plain sight or camouflaged in faux rocks or statues is another covert way to hide your preps. You can purchase these through garden stores, or make your own. Look online for the right types of clay and design plans.

As mentioned before, when we run out of space, we have to get creative on how we store our preps. Here are some other great ideas for concealing your preps from Great Northern Prepper. What ways have you kept your preps hidden in your home?

Contributed by Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition. Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Cookbook: 300 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals. When a catastrophic collapse cripples society, grocery store shelves will empty within days. But if you follow this book’s plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply, your family will have plenty to eat for weeks, months or even years.