When I first began my reselling journey in May, one of the biggest challenges was figuring out where to work. After all, reselling isn’t just about finding great items—it’s about having a space to sort, photograph, and store all of those pieces! Initially, I thought our second-floor guest suite would be the perfect spot for my reselling headquarters and B really pushed me to set up in that space because of the back stairwell, but after a few months, I realized that this might not be the long-term solution I envisioned.
The Challenge: Location, Location, Location
Don’t get me wrong, the guest suite is a blessing that I realize no everyone has the luxury of having. I’ve been fixing it up so it’s not just a pretty space, it offers enough natural light for photography and gives me enough space to set up what I need. It’s tight but it works overall.
However, there’s one major issue—accessibility. The narrow, steep steps that lead up to this room are not ideal for someone who is constantly carrying boxes of inventory up and down. At first, I thought I could manage, but after a few close calls, I realized that this setup might be more dangerous than I originally anticipated.
So, while this might not be my forever reselling room, I’m making the best of it for now. It’s a temporary solution that works, and it allows me to keep moving forward with my reselling business while I figure out a better long-term plan which I think will be setting up in our front bedroom.
The Setup: Organized & Efficient
Despite the challenges, I’ve created a space that’s organized and efficient, thanks to a few key pieces that have made my reselling life much easier:
- Metal Shelving from Amazon: One of my first big investments for this space was a set of metal shelves that I purchased from Amazon. These shelves are absolutely perfect for my needs. They’re sturdy, adjustable, and provide plenty of storage space for my inventory. Plus, they’re easy to move around, which is essential in a temporary setup like this. Shop them here: https://amzn.to/3ZbL0V1
- Repurposed USPS Boxes: For my storage, I started with old USPS boxes that I had left over from my stationery business. They were just sitting around collecting dust, so I decided to put them to good use! These boxes are the perfect size for organizing my inventory, and while they’ve worked great so far, I’m hoping to eventually transition to plastic bins for better longevity.
- Plastic Bins from Target: Speaking of plastic bins, I’ve already started adding some to my setup, and I’m really happy with them. These bins are the same ones I use in my stationery shop, and I love them for their durability and affordability. You can grab the same bins from Target if you’re looking for a simple storage solution! Shop my favorite plastic bins here.
- Photography Station in the Back Hallway: I’ve dedicated the back wall of the hallway for photographing my inventory. This space gets plenty of natural light from the window, and with the help of my photography lights, it’s perfect for capturing clear, bright photos of my items. I’ve learned that good lighting is key to showcasing your products, so I’m glad this setup has worked out so well.
- Thrifted Cart on Wheels: I love a good thrift store find, and this little cart on wheels was a recent score that’s become one of my favorite pieces in the room. It’s the perfect height for my Surface tablet, which I use to log inventory, measurements, and the storage bin each item is kept in. The other shelves on the cart are great for storing all of my reselling supplies, like scissors, tape measures, labeling stickers, a lint roller, and even my fabric shaver. I’ve only had it for a week, but I’m already discovering so many ways to use it!
- Custom Hanging Rack: B was kind enough to build me a hanging rack, and I love how functional it is. The best part? It’s on wheels! This allows me to move it around as needed, which is incredibly helpful when I’m prepping clothes for listing. I use the rack to hang items as I go through my inventory, and it’s perfect for steaming out wrinkles before photographing them.
- Additional Clothing Rack: I don’t have this put together yet because I don’t have space but the plan is to set up the clothing rack linked below to use for storage of bags and purses and larger coats that don’t fit into my regular bins. Shop the clothing rack here.
Finding the Balance: Flexibility & Adaptation
The key to this setup is flexibility. I’ve only been reselling since May, so I’m still tweaking my process, but I feel like I’m in a great place right now. This temporary room is working for me, and I’m making the most of what I have, even with its challenges.
Eventually, I’ll be relocating to a larger room, which will allow me to spread out and work more comfortably. But in the meantime, I’m not just waiting around—I’m taking advantage of the space I have and continuously improving my process. By the time I’m ready to move into my new space, I won’t have to reinvent the wheel; I’ll just have to relocate everything.
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