January 24, 2006
Hydro Hose Reel: Storage for Your Garden Hose
Here's an idea if you're tired of wrapping your garden hose around that little hook protruding from the wall in the backyard (is it just me or is there a lot of talent involved in getting it wound on there in a manner that doesn't look lopsided?). The Hydro Hose Reel from Frontgate is a hardwood box that not only stores your hose neatly--it automatically winds the hose up for you (it's powered with hydro-power instead of electricity or--worse--manual labor). It handles a standard 100 foot 5/8" hose, stopping when it reaches the hose's stop guard. The price for the Hydro Hose Reel is $150.
When people think of fancy luxury items for the home, they're probably not thinking of something as prosaic as garage storage. But let's face it: we all seem to need more storage space for our belongings. This grid is a way to maximize wall space. Fasten it to the wall, and you can hang all sorts of tools from the hooks. Put out by JNK Products, this system comes in cases of grids, which can be interconnected to form a large unit or kept separate to offer multiple smaller storage areas. A case of three grids costs $95.
Ever played Tetris? That game with the puzzle pieces you have to snick into neat rows before time runs out? Well, Brave Space's Tetris Mini is a storage solution designed after the different shaped pieces in the game. The shelves are handcrafted, made from Baltic Birch with a walnut veneer. The price for the shelf unit is $1,750. 
I accumulate clutter like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter (and like said squirrels, I often can't find my nuts, er clutter, after I put it "someplace I'll remember"). Because of that, I'm always looking for new storage ideas. Offered by Highbrow, Inc., the Uten.Silo is a wall storage unit designed to hold things like pens, scissors, reading glasses, glue... just about any smell items you can imagine. If you're out of room in your desk drawers and shelves, putting office supplies and other nicknacks on the wall seems like a good solution to me. The storage piece comes in black, red, white, and chrome and is available in two different sizes. The price ranges from $275 to $300.
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