Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Organization and Storage Solutions

  • Sustainable Organization with Less Plastic

    An organized home is a happy home, and it makes for less stress and more productivity. You don’t have to buy a mountain of plastic storage containers to achieve an organized space. Those outdated dinosaurs are slowly being replaced with more efficient materials that look nicer and are better for the environment. Plastic bags are also being phased out in many areas – but not everywhere – so knowing about plastic bag recycling is of the utmost importance.

  • How to Declutter and Organize a Home Office

    Are you struggling to declutter and organize a home office? Over the last few years, many people had to pivot to work-from-home situations quickly. While the temporary setups worked wonders at first, you might find that you need more permanent solutions to keep your space free of clutter. And even if you have had a home office for years, you might be looking for affordable solutions for arranging your room to make it more inspiring and increase your productivity. Below, we reveal some of our favorite tips for how to organize a home office and create a space that you love.

    Tame Paper Clutter

    Before starting to organize a home office, you need to tackle the clutter. Seeing piles of paper and supplies crowding a workspace rarely sparks creativity. Not only is it pushing you to confine your activities to a smaller work area, but it’s also likely increasing your stress levels before you even begin your work for the day. Simply host Brandi Milloy tells readers at Real Simple that paperwork should be sorted into three distinct piles: “file, shred, do.” Material that needs to be kept should be filed. Anything you don’t need should be sent to the trash bin or shredded if it includes sensitive information. The last “do” pile represents your physical inbox. If you can handle whatever is in the pile right away, go ahead and do that and move on. If this paper represents a longer-term task, set it aside in an inbox to be tackled as soon as possible. The sooner you deal with these piles that are weighing down your office, the lighter you will feel.

    Take Inventory

    Now that the paper has been dealt with, you should have a better view of what your workspace currently holds. Whether you have a separate room or a dedicated area in your kitchen or living room, assess what items take up space. If toys, clothes, or gadgets have migrated onto or around your desk, put them back where they belong. When you organize a home office, you want that valuable real estate to be as free of extras as possible.

    Arrange Your Desk

    Now that your desk has been cleared of extraneous papers, supplies, and unwanted extras, you can focus on arranging it for maximum productivity and comfort. If your goal is to organize a home office for optimal feng shui, expert Ashley Cantley tells Real Simple that “the desk should face where you can see who is coming and going from the room.” Once your desk is optimally placed, you’ll want to keep it streamlined. If you have a steady flow of “to-do” paperwork, keep a physical inbox on your desk so that this paperwork is corralled and not misplaced. If your desk has a top drawer, this is a terrific spot to store daily-use items, like a wireless keyboard, notepads, pens, headphones, etc. Be sure you have a task light or adjustable floor lamp, and only keep supplies you are using for your given project by your side. Also, keep binders and file folders in a file cabinet or on a shelf rather than on your desk to eliminate crowding when you work.

    Organize a Home Office Command Center

    Do you have a group of key peripherals and supplies? Experts at The Spruce recommend creating a command center where items like your printer, files, cork board, shipping materials, and necessary supplies are located. The Magazine suggests that “the benefit of clustering essential items into a centralized area of your space means you have immediate access to critical paperwork and supplies, preventing them from being misplaced and cluttering other areas of your office.” A small table, rolling cart with locking wheels, or even a repurposed bookcase can be quickly turned into a dedicated space that will remarkably improve your home office’s flow and keep your area organized.

    Include File Cabinets

    Even if most of your files are kept in the cloud, you will likely still have paperwork you must keep. From project binders to tax returns, you want essential papers to have a secure home when you organize your office. If you have a lot of physical documents, Real Simple recommends choosing a three-drawer file cabinet that blends in with your overall design aesthetic.

    The editors at The Spruce agree that having enough storage is the key to an organized home office. The Magazine applauds the idea of installing a wall of low cabinets if you have the budget and square footage to make it work. You can have bespoke cabinets built, but that may take more time and money than you want to spend. The Magazine suggests that as you arrange your new office, you should “consider stock kitchen cabinets from a home improvement store that can do the same job hiding office supplies and files.” Once the low row of cabinets are in place, “top cabinets with a length of countertop for extra workspace.”

    Want a storage option that is filled with character as well as your paperwork? My Domaine recommends using vintage filing cabinets, which can be found at consignment shops, through restoration experts, and even at flea markets. Among their favorites are “early 20th-century solid oak cabinets with metal plates” and “a 1940s industrial-era file cabinet (like one by Steel Furniture Mfg. Co.) with brass hardware.”

    Consider Decorative Bins

    If you have watched any episode of Get Organized with The Home Edit, you know that decorative bins can be used to organize your entire home, from your pantry to your shoe closet. It’s no surprise then that decorative containers and attractive boxes with lids and labels are also being used to house the artifacts of projects in home offices. My Domaine is a fan of using multiple small organizers for supplies; “That way everything can have its own space, and you’ll always be able to find a pen without scrambling.”

    Employ Shelving

    If you don’t want a filing cabinet but need more storage than bins allow, My Domaine suggests hanging shelving instead. The Magazine reveals: “Whether you fill an entire wall with open shelving or simply employ one or two to hold your things, shelves can provide an easy place to store documents and display a few cherished items.” Even repurposing a bookcase can be “ideal for an office since it has open shelves to contain everything from paper trays to books, to stylish accents.” Just be sure to edit the shelving periodically to avoid overstuffing.

    Does your home office also need to serve as a showroom? For those who need to display items, The Spruce remarks that a cubby system using decorative storage baskets might be the best solution for your needs. The Magazine explains: “The beauty of a cubby system is that it’s naturally neat, symmetrical, and perfectly proportioned to give the appearance of organization.”

    Hide the Cords

    If you have a spider web of cords spun through your home office, reaching a sense of calm in your new space will be difficult. Cord clips can hide desk cords by allowing you to run them down the legs of your desk. If your desk isn’t close to an electrical outlet, Simply host Brandi Milloy advises in Real Simple that people should “invest in a decent-size surge protector that has USB ports and plenty of outlets for all your devices,” which is then stored “in a cable organizer box” behind a desk. Milloy suggests that if you are concerned that the new setup might cause a tripping hazard, buy a cord cover that blends into your office décor. However, she cautions against “[hiding] your cords under a rug, as it’s a fire hazard.”

    DIY a Cork Wall 

    If you want the ability to plot a project’s schedule or stages using visual cues, or you want to be able to see appointments or project details at a glance, creating a cork wall may be the perfect organizational tool for you. My Domaine reveals: “You can buy a roll of cork and DIY a whole wall, or you can get one sheet of cork and temporarily secure it” to display “your calendars, schedules, to-do lists, reminders, and quotes to keep you going.”

    Surround Yourself with Inspiration

    The last thing you want when you organize a home office is to create a bland cubicle. If you have put up your cork board or wall, pin to it any inspiring clippings or aspirational images you have been saving. The Spruce advises that by using the vertical space you have created, “you’ll give them a place to live instead of left in a forgotten pile of papers.”

    Inspiring artwork is also key to improving your new home office’s feng shui. Expert Ashley Cantley remarks to Real Simple that on your journey toward a more inspiring workspace, you should “‘place images of people you admire and aspire to be like and use positive mantras painted or hanging on the wall.’”

    Add Green Details

    Don’t forget the green details. Incorporating thriving plants into your office will not only inspire you, but they may have a calming impact as you seek to create in the room. Cantley advises Real Simple that “any plant that has a rounded leaf,” “a succulent garden potted in a wood trough,” or “flowering plants (purple and red)” are good feng shui choices and make for beautiful accents for your newly organized home office.

  • Home Organization Tips for Small Mudrooms

    Do you love the idea of organizing your space so that your home can have a functional mudroom? You are not alone. People are constantly searching for tips on turning even the smallest spaces into useful mudrooms so that they can finally corral everything from muddy boots to extra masks, keys, and phone chargers. If you find yourself wishing for a tidy mudroom, read on as we offer home organization tips that will help you craft the ideal mudroom in any space.

    Install Hooks

    The very first thing you can do, no matter how big or small the proposed mudroom space, is put up hooks for coats, scarves, and masks. Hooks are one of the best organizational tools you’ll find because they are relatively easy to install and affordable. You can go for a standard set of hooks, ones that are welded to other wood or metal platforms, or hooks that are part of a mirror and shelf system. And depending on the size of the hooks, you can also hang up easily misplaced items like keys or pet leashes rather than creating an additional drop station. 

    Are you stumped about positioning? Designer Jade McNeil offers this tip to Martha Stewart Living readers: “‘Hooks [should be] at arm-height to hang coats easily,’” while also keeping them clean and off the floor. With this in mind, you may want two tiers of hooks to make everything accessible to the entire family. 

    Does your home have zero free wall space to set up a hook/drop station? The experts at Better Homes & Gardens offer this terrific home organization tip: “Solid doors offer plenty of vertical space for hooks, while doors with windows up top can be outfitted with hanging items on the bottom.” 

    Choose Sturdy Seating

    While you do not need a lot of furniture to make your mudroom useful, design experts agree that having sturdy seating can be a big plus. Southern Living is a fan of adding benches to mudrooms. Not only does a bench allow you to take off your muddy shoes or snowy boots more easily, but it becomes a terrific home organization tool. Southern Living raves: “Benches offer ways for even more storage, whether under the bench with drawers or inside the bench with a flip-top.” Even simple benches offer enough space below them to store shoes, snowboards, and other seasonal gear that would otherwise take up valuable closet space. 

    DIY Boot and Shoe Trays

    If you have beautiful floors near your main entryway that you fear for every time someone comes in from the outside with sandy, wet, or muddy shoes, a durable tray may be the most affordable way to protect your flooring and allow for easy cleaning. Southern Living recommends trying this DIY tip: “Buy a plastic boot tray and fill with pebbles (at your local craft store) for an effortless, DIY boot-drying area that will go with any décor style.” The shoe tray can also double as a repository for dripping umbrellas, eliminating the need for a separate umbrella stand.

    Select Durable Flooring

    If you are planning a more extensive remodel for your mudroom, take the opportunity to select durable flooring. Your mudroom will be the spot in your home that sees the most traffic. It needs to handle the usual wear and tear and the elements that may come with it. Martha Stewart Living offers this flooring tip: “If you’re in the process of adding a mudroom to your home, opt for solid flooring, such as ceramic tile, luxury vinyl, or even stone; these options are more durable than hardwood or carpeting when it comes to wet weather.”  

    Add Shelving, Corkboards, or PegBoards

    Are you short on time but long on the need for home organization solutions? The pros at Better Homes & Gardens offer this tip for creating an affordable mudroom: “Take an afternoon to convert chaos into calm. Corkboard, S-hooks, drawers, and bars transform a sliver of blank wall into a by-the-door command center for outerwear, bags, and keys.” PegBoards are also terrific for garage or laundry mudrooms as they make hanging up small tools, gardening gloves, dustpans, and brooms a snap. 

    Building small shelves in and around doors and windows can also provide your home with organized storage space for occasional use items. Better Homes & Gardens applauds: “Narrow shelves can be good spots for long-term storage of seasonal items like winter gloves and summertime hats.” 

    Do you have an unused or underused bookcase that could fit beside the door leading into your home from the garage, inside the laundry room, or by your main entrance? A terrific, zero-cost tip from the experts at Better Homes & Gardens is to repurpose it as an organized storage solution that is ready to go as part of your new mudroom. The Magazine explains: “Shift shelves in a big bookcase to make larger areas for coats and boots and tighter spaces for flats and accessories. Assign a number to each family member and purchase decorative items with preprinted numbers, such as hooks, mugs, boxes, and bags, to bring order to your home — no additional labeling required.” 

    Build a Drop Station

    If you have the space to create a larger drop station, you will love the promise of organization it brings to your daily life. If you are doing a significant build and have the budget, it’s time to create a space that addresses all of your storage and charging needs. Phoebe Schuh, the founder and creative director of PS & Daughters, tells Martha Stewart Living that people designing from scratch should “[build] drawers with charging docks to eliminate countertop areas covered in wires as a smart way to streamline the space.” And if you have the room, Schuh goes even further by recommending to the Magazine that people can create a mudroom that is actually an “organized ‘command center’” when they install a small desk or countertop area in the mudroom for things like “‘car keys, calendars, schedules, incoming mail, and outbound envelopes (don’t forget the stamps).’”  

    Create a Chalkboard Wall

    If your entryway has a long narrow hallway and a front closet, removing the doors to the closet can create an ideal mudroom. But while it’s perfect for adding hooks, bins, and benches, it may not be the command center you may desire yet. Real Simple has a home organization tip that you may enjoy: On the wall opposite your new mudroom, create “a giant chalkboard wall calendar [to keep] everyone on top of schedules and to-do lists.”  

    Hang a “Last Looks” Mirror

    When finishing your home’s new mudroom, add one final element next to the space, on the back of the door, or within the mudroom itself: A mirror. Southern Living agrees: When days are stressful and rushed, you’ll appreciate having a “last looks” mirror “for that last hair, makeup, and outfit check on your way out the door.”

  • Décor Ideas for Cluttered Homes

    When you have a cluttered home, decorating your space may be the farthest thing from your mind. With too many knick-knacks on display and a generally mismatched and overwhelmed aesthetic, your home may feel stressful and anxiety-inducing. Still, take heart: even if you don’t have time right now to fully declutter your home, there are ways you can decorate your space to encourage clarity and enjoy a more restful vibe.

    Less is More

    As you begin your decorating journey, remember that less is more. This is nearly always true in design, but is particularly essential when you are already dealing with a cluttered space. Aim for simple patterns and colors that match what you already have (or match as much of it as possible). Avoid busy paintings, curtains with zigzags, and striking accent chairs.

    If you have a knick-knack shelf, now is the time to clear it. Put back only those trinkets you really care about. If you are having a hard time deciding, don’t feel the need to KonMari your entire space right now. Instead, try rotating the items seasonally, so each treasured item gets displayed. This minor act of letting go will allow you a bit less clutter in sight at any given time. 

    Any knick-knacks that have functions of their own should be removed from service as mere display objects and returned to their job. That beautiful bud vase from your grandmother? Stash it where you keep gardening supplies and pull it out when you have fresh-cut flowers. No need to leave it sitting empty on your mantel at all times.

    Stick to Design Schemes

    If you simply can’t part with any of your clutter at this particular juncture, try organizing it to create a more unified look. For instance, perhaps you have a collection of antique books. Rather than keep them all on display in one place, sort them by color. Place all the red books in one room where they match the décor, and situate the purple books elsewhere where they will make an impact.

    You can create similar design schemes throughout your home. By grouping like items together, your brain more easily views them as a unit, yielding a calming effect. Try pairing items by color, pattern, size, or type.

    You should also give the classic triangle décor layout a try. Group like items and then display them on shelves in a triangle layout, so that three similarly sized, colored, or textured patterns form a triangle when you view the area from a distance. Continue creating triangles for a visually appealing design scheme.

    Use Clever Storage

    The world of storage has become chock full of options—colors, sizes, patterns, and textures galore are available. Take advantage of these choices when decorating your cluttered home. Choose a tan woven basket to tame all of your throw pillows. It makes a statement in the corner of your living room, while minimizing the distraction a variety of pillows might cause.

    For smaller trinkets, use vases or jars to corral and store. Place your candles, seashells, or thimbles in an elegant container and allow it to become a focal point of its own. This technique works well if your home’s clutter includes small storage containers, since you can declutter by using items you already own.

    Other ways to declutter your home while decorating include choosing pieces that do double duty. For instance, a good storage ottoman with clean lines works wonders in a messy living room. An elegant sideboard with hidden drawers or cabinets makes a congested dining room feel much more sophisticated. In a bedroom, a hope chest or even under-bed storage can be pleasing to the eye while also allowing you to stash belongings you aren’t yet ready to part with.

    Use the Power of Vertical Lines

    When organizing a cluttered home, let height work to your advantage. Floating shelves can display your entire knick-knack collection as high on your wall as you like. Tall bookshelves, especially corner units, allow you to corral all of your trinkets without a large footprint. 

    In a crowded kitchen, create visual interest with above-cabinet storage or even a pot rack over your island or stove. This lends a rustic aesthetic that can be appealing if done properly. However, you should avoid simply stashing unwanted kitchen junk in places that are highly visible. Doing so in a highly trafficked room can create a great deal of visual stress.

  • Goodbye Stress, Hello Organization – BHGRE #HappyHome

    Organizing isn’t only about making a space more visually appealing; it’s about making a space more soothing. It’s about creating a home where as soon as you step through the door, you feel calm and comfortable. Organizing is a form of self-care and allows you to transform a space into an environment that is nurturing and peaceful. Say goodbye to clutter and common stressors, see ya later to piles of clothes, and sayonara to stacks of paper. Create a sanctuary at home that can make your life simpler and a great deal easier.

    People experience plenty of stress when it comes to work, finances, and hectic to-do lists. Your home should serve as a refuge, an area free from chaos and clutter. Below are tips on how to organize, purge, donate, and take control of your home. Let’s get started!

    Get into an Organizing Mindset

    Make sure you’re in the right headspace before you start organizing. We recommend a few moments of mindfulness and deep breathing to help you get into the proper mindset. The next step would be to change into some comfy clothes and start by picking one room or space at a time. There is no need to tackle your entire home in one day. Set reasonable goals.

    One of the main reasons people hold onto something is guilt. Maybe the vase was a gift, perhaps it was expensive when you purchased it, but you don’t really like it anymore. Regardless, it’s important to recognize that keeping an item in the back of your closet or stuffed in a drawer won’t make you feel better. Once you donate it or sell it, you will feel lighter. Many people also hold onto items is because they are worried they will regret getting rid of them. Keep in mind, just because something might be difficult to part with does not mean you will regret getting rid of that item. You most likely won’t notice it’s gone. The main thing to remember is you’re getting rid of a thing, not a person or a memory. Another good rule to follow is if you haven’t used the item in the past year, you most likely will not use it again. As for all of the things you might use “one day,” the time to get rid of that item is now. These items and possessions are most likely just dragging you down and taking up space.

    Organizing Tips

    Gather supplies before you start that will help you throughout your process. Grab sticky notes, a marker, and tape so you can create labels. Pick up garbage bags and cardboard boxes to make areas to collect things for donations, to sell, to trash, and recycle. If you are cleaning out chemicals and cleaners, wear gloves and goggles if needed.

    You need to assess why you own the items you do. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide if you truly need to hold onto something. Does the item still have a purpose? Does it bring you joy? By removing things you no longer need or don’t bring you happiness, you create simplicity in your life.

    If you don’t have all of the parts for an item or are missing cords and pieces that you need to make something work properly, either get rid of it or write down the part you need to order right away as not to forget. Test everything to make sure it works, from electronics to office supplies. If it doesn’t work, it’s merely eating up space.

    When going through cords, take the time to label them. Fold an adhesive or piece of tape over the wire’s end and use a fine point permanent marker to write what it is. This will save you an incredible amount of time in the future, especially if you move. Say goodbye to Ziplock bags filled with miscellaneous cords.

    When cleaning a desktop or counter space, the first thing to ask yourself is what do you use on a daily basis. Remove anything that doesn’t make that list and place it in a drawer or bin. The less cluttered your workspace or kitchen counter is, the less distracted you’ll be and the more productive you’ll become.

    Use drawer organizers so you can easily and quickly find what you need. This will prevent a junk drawer from forming where things are just thrown in and forgotten.

    The back of doors and cabinets are excellent if you’re looking for extra storage space. Look into hanging door racks and cabinet hooks to provide valuable space for your many things. You can hang towels, tote bags, and other items that might otherwise be eating up drawer space.

    Using clear containers in closets, garages, and kitchen pantries can make your life much easier. The clear containers not only keep things together and organized but allow you to see everything without having to go through tons of bins. If you don’t want to purchase or use clear containers, add a clean looking label to the outside.

    If you don’t have a ton of space, go vertical. Shelf risers are great and stackable, which allows you to double the surface area. These are perfect for shoes, so they don’t end up in a pile on your closet floor.

    If you’re tired of losing your keys or sunglasses, set up “drop zones” around your home. Create a designated drawer in an entryway console or a wall organizer by the garage door. As soon as you walk through your door, place your car keys in the dish and other items you can quickly grab next time you’re headed out.

    Look into furniture that is as versatile as it is stylish. Many ottomans nowadays double as storage containers, so you can hide all of the remotes and blankets when you’re not using them. If you are looking to add a bench in the entryway, look for one with a bottom compartment to store shoes, umbrellas, and other things you and your guests don’t want to look at. Think about functionality.

    Do something fun and positive after you’re done.

    Extra Organization Tips

    Pantry Organization Hacks to Streamline Your Kitchen

    Dealing with Clutter in a Sustainable Way Before an Open House

    How to Organize a Linen Closet

  • Tips to Get Your Kids’ Bedrooms Learning Ready

    The school year has kicked off and with it comes a new set of opportunities to remake your kids’ bedroom into an inspiring space that works for virtual learning, after-school homework, and relaxation. Whether your kids have in-person classes or virtual classrooms, a few updates can create a better, more motivating learning environment. Read on for our favorite tips for getting your kids’ bedrooms learning ready.

    Get Your Kids Involved As Karen Aronian, Ed.D., of Aronian Educational Design LLC tells Parents, “Empower your child by giving [them] a say.” Before you begin rearranging spaces, buying new tech, and reorganizing closets, sit down with your kids and talk to them about what they need and want in their rooms for this school year. From 1st graders to high school students, your kids will have thoughts about making their space inspiring and relaxing – even if they share the bedroom with a sibling.

    Set Your Learning Priorities

    Make a list of your family’s priorities as you delve into the school year. Will your kids be taking online courses in their bedrooms, or will the bedrooms be relaxation zones instead? Do they need new tech items? Do you need to reconfigure the room to divide learning and relaxation activities? Once you know your priorities, the easier it will be to start getting your kids and their spaces ready.

    Create a Learning or Homework Station

    Getting your kids’ bedrooms learning ready will mean creating the best possible environment for virtual classroom learning, studying, and homework. If your children are attending in-person classes, you’ll need to be sure that there is an area conducive to after-school work. Start with the desk or workstation. This might mean repainting or spray painting an older desk to give it a brand new feeling. As Parents reveals, “setting up a brand new space for your child … will help them feel focused and comfortable….”

    Do your kids share a space? Is the bedroom shaped in a way that makes it challenging to dedicate one side to schoolwork? Consider going vertical. College kids are pros at making small dorm rooms fit for multiple purposes, and their solutions could be your inspiration when remaking your child’s bedroom. Raised bed systems can be purchased, or you can create a system with a few supplies. The goal is to raise the bed high enough to make a safe second “room” beneath it. Rather than working on the bed, kids can work at a desk in the new space, complete with supplies, calendars, lighting, and fidget toys.

    If going vertical isn’t an option for you in the shared space, Real Simple recommends purchasing a room divider. A simple screen helps create privacy and enhances concentration when both kids are doing homework or taking online classes in the same room. Expert James Wheeler of Atlanta-based J. Wheeler Designs tells Real Simple that an ingenious tiered cube shelving system may be the perfect answer to getting your kids’ bedroom learning ready. He explains: “A tiered shelving unit [can double] as a room divider that also provides extra storage without blocking the light from coming through.” Kids can fill the cubes with clothes, books, folders, trophies, and toys – keeping things organized and adding some much-wished-for space separation.

    Choose the Right Tech

    If your kids have started the school year with virtual learning, ask the school for some guidance about any additional technology they need. Many school districts are distributing dedicated iPads to children for virtual classroom access. Even if you don’t have to supply an upgraded computer or dedicated iPad, think about the best access options available in your budget. For instance, your kids may need microphone/headphones that are comfortable and functional for long school days. “Noise-canceling headphones are effective [for blocking distractions], especially since some kids enjoy studying to music…,” explains Parents.

    An upgraded computer with a better camera system and faster processing might be something to consider. You may want to buy and install a Wi-Fi range-extender to improve the signal in your kids’ bedrooms if the router is stationed farther away in the main living area. This should allow them to get a cleaner signal from their virtual classrooms. These technology updates will allow your kids to successfully navigate homework, tutoring, and online cultural programs long after the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

    Accessorize the Bedroom

    Lighting, lighting, and more lighting – it is the critical element in creating a learning ready environment. A good desk lamp, multi-tiered ring light, or hanging lights are a great way to help ease eye strain during long periods of computer time, whether your child is doing homework after school or spending the day taking online courses. Natural light is always welcome, so be sure to have blinds or curtains that easily open to let the light flow during online classes.

    Does your child have a favorite hobby or sports team? Consider updating the bedroom with new artwork, banners, printed photos, or posters that reflect their current interests. Similarly, new bedspreads or throw rugs can help bring renewed energy to any bedroom.

    Organize School Materials Analyze your space. Is there free wall space above your kids’ workstation? Parents loves the idea of adding mounted shelves where “you can organize a single homework zone that does the job for several kids.” The editors at Real Simple rave about the advantages of using a colorful organizing cart. Each drawer in the cart is a different color, allowing kids to have a specific drawer for each class or activity. The wheels make this organizing tool priceless, as your kids can tuck it back into a corner when they don’t need it and move it near their workstation when they do.

    Deborah Gussoff, a certified professional organizer, tells Real Simple that she is a fan of versatile magazine files because “their vertical format is great for small spaces.” Do you want to be sure that your older kids always have a spot for their keys, phones, wallets, and other necessities before leaving for school? Gussoff recommends “putting [magazine files] by the door for an easy place to drop keys and other small items that would otherwise clutter the room.”

    Command hooks are ideal for hanging up school backpacks, jackets, baseball caps, and other miscellaneous items that might otherwise clutter desks, closets, or floors. Meanwhile, bulletin boards or chalkboards are terrific for visual reminders of class times, assignments, practice times, appointments, or other necessary information.

    Build a Relaxation Nook

    After long days in school or taking virtual classes, your kids will want a dedicated space in their bedrooms to relax or read. Even in small bedrooms, this is possible with very few adjustments. One of the easiest ways to do it is with command hooks and some light fabric. Real Simple recommends “[attaching] command hooks to the ceiling and [using] them to hang a curtain around the bed to create a private nook.” You can also place some ultra-comfortable cushions on the floor and drape fabric from the ceiling using command hooks or metal hooks to make a new relaxation space in just minutes. If you are particularly handy, building a window seat, complete with storage, can add a practical and inviting retreat to a multi-purpose bedroom.

    Rearrange the Bedroom Closet

    An organized bedroom closet will not only help your kids get ready for school on time but keep the room as tidy as possible – a great goal whether your children are taking virtual classes or getting have in-person schooling. Lisa Adams, designer and owner of LA Closet Design, tells Real Simple: “‘Ideally, every kid’s closet should have matching kid’s hangers (if you use adult-sized ones, their clothes will just fall off), pull-out belt racks and hooks, shelf dividers, drawer inserts, a hamper, and storage baskets for sporting gear’….” Make sure that your kids’ daily items are easily reached, while the top of the closet can be reserved for out-of-season clothes or storage. If you have additional dressers, consider adding drawer inserts. They allow drawers to be divided, easily configuring the drawer space for multiple purposes while keeping each side neat. If your kids share a closet, design an easily divided space, even if that just means attaching a temporary partition to a clothing rod.

    Over-the-door shoe organizers can bring much-needed relief to bedrooms with small closets. And they don’t have to be limited to storing kids’ shoes. The experts tell Real Simple that these organizers are perfect for freeing up drawer space, recommending that they can be used “as a hold-all for rolled T-shirts, clutches, and even umbrellas.”

    When the closet organization is done, the room is almost learning ready. The final touch? Decorating! Stickers, colored lights, and mirrors can easily be added to bring some personality to the closet. Even painting can be a fun family activity that sets the right atmosphere for the school year. As Real Simple explains: “[Paint] the closet walls your kid’s favorite color, or swap out boring drawer knobs with ones that have cooler designs.”

    And voila! Your child’s bedroom is learning ready.

  • Best Decor Schemes for Kids’ Rooms

    From infant to rugrat to toddler to teen, decorating your children’s rooms can pose a constant challenge and seem like an ever-moving target as favorite colors change on a weekly basis and hobbies are tried and abandoned. Of course, the best decor schemes for your kids’ rooms will conform to their personalities as they develop. But your decorating time and money may not be infinite.

    Here are a few suggestions that won’t break the bank but will help ensure your kids’ home decor reflects their personalities without putting you as a parent on a decorating treadmill.

    Decide how the space has to be used

    If your children’s bedrooms have to fulfill many functions, your decor scheme has to map to the room’s usage. You may have a study area in another part of the house, and if you don’t want your children doing their homework in their rooms, they may not need a desk. You may have a large playroom where your kids spend the bulk of their spare time, and if that’s the case, creating storage within their rooms for all their favorite toys isn’t as critical.

    But if space is tight and you’re trying to create a room that looks good, allows your child to express his or her personality, and will also be the place they craft their first book report, you’ll have to create a plan that works with the space and makes your child feel their room is a haven to which they can always retreat.

    Treat one wall

    Rather than paint an entire child’s room in the color of the month as their favorites change, keep three of the four painted walls neutral and take a creative approach to the fourth.

    The options for the fourth wall are endless:

    • Create an entire chalkboard paint wall so they can get creative whenever they want.
    • Wallpaper a single wall in a pattern dominated by their favorite color. Wallpaper is a lot easier to apply and a lot easier to remove than it’s ever been before, and there’s a lot more variety in design and texture. It’s easy to indulge in various childhood phases (puppies and kittens, dinosaurs, space exploration, sports) when you know they’re not permanent decorating features and can be easily removed if you want to sell.
    • Create a “map of the world” wall for all the Dora the Explorer and Diego fans in your family. Even if your children ultimately decide Diego and Dora are no longer their heroes, maps are beautiful in and of themselves. If they learn a little geography along the way, that’s a good thing.
    • For younger children, an alphabet wall with each letter in a different size, shape or pattern can be a great decorating feature as well as an early learning tool. 
    • Dedicate one wall to decorative decals that are easy to apply and easy to remove. Inexpensive and immensely varied, this is the quickest and cheapest way to give your kids’ room “feature wall” an almost-immediate facelift.

    Keep things kid-sized and shaped

    Invest in some bean bag chairs or some colorful pouffes in your kids’ favorite colors. Soft furnishings are a lot easier to move than actual furniture, and they’re a lot less likely to cause tears and bruises when your child collides with them. Large pouffes are particularly versatile: they can hold a tea tray, act as an impromptu couch, or let your child perch on them cross-legged while watching cartoons.

    If your kids’ rooms are playrooms as well as rooms for sleeping, make sure they’ve got a little table and chairs so they can do crafts at the table. Having child-sized furniture will make them feel special and all grown up simultaneously.

    Painted furniture

    Buy some solid wood furniture at a thrift store or haul some of those old dressers out of the basement or garage and paint them in your children’s’ favorite colors. Paint them as often as their favorite color changes. It’s a lot easier to paint a dresser or bookcase than it is to paint an entire room. And these small pieces of furniture can provide a welcome pop of color against neutral walls. 

    Even if the dresser, desk, and bookcase don’t completely match in terms of style, painting them a single vibrant color will pull the room together and please your children.

    Celebrate the ceiling

    The ceiling is an under-used decorating feature, but one of the newest trends in kids-room decor is celebrating ceilings. There are lots of ways to do this:

    • Go bold, and paint the ceiling something other than boring white. Maize, medium green or blue, or even terra cotta could all work.
    • Wallpaper the ceiling in a bold stripe or interesting pattern.
    • Put glow-in-the-dark decals on the ceiling. Even a tiny bit of light is enough to make them light up. Decals are easy to apply and easy to remove. 

    Whatever approach you take, if your children are old enough to talk they’re old enough to be consulted about the features and color schemes for their personal space. Involve them in the process and they’ll be a lot more invested in keeping rooms they love clean and tidy.

  • Transform Your Shed

    If you’re lucky enough to have both a garage and an outdoor shed, perhaps it’s time to consider a few shed design ideas to repurpose the space and turn it into a home away from home, the adult version of a kids’ tree fort. Find a place to store the garden tools and the lawnmower in the garage, and take advantage of a retreat to your own backyard.

    If you plan to use your shed year-round, you’re going to want to make sure it’s wired, so make an appointment with your electrician to get an estimate of what’s involved. Don’t forget to install a light on the outside of the shed too so you can see to get back to the house after dark. In really cold climates you’re probably going to want to add insulation as well.

    Create a craft room

    An old woodshed is a perfect space for crafting, especially if you install a skylight and some more windows. Most older sheds are lit with a single overhead fixture and are designed for storage, not habitation. That won’t work for crafting. But hopefully, you can repurpose some of the things that have been stored there for years. Old doors make great craft tables, and if you have three or four of them you can create a U-shaped work area just by removing the doorknobs and laying them on sawhorses or attaching metal table legs. Bonus: the holes from the knob openings will let you thread electrical cords through your craft tables so you won’t trip over them in a small space. If the shed’s big enough, you might even be able to invite friends over for a weekly craft night.

    Make it a she-shed

    Home decorating is, in many ways, the art of compromise. Furniture and paint choices aren’t a solo act when you live with others, and often practicality wins over taste, especially if you have young children. Whether your personal taste is frilly, feminine and pink or white-with-splashes of color and blond wood, a she-shed is the place to create a room full of things you love. That includes pieces of art that bring you joy but make the rest of your family cringe. It’s also the perfect place to curl up in a comfy chair, indulge in your favorite “guilty pleasure” TV viewing, or read in peace and quiet. 

    Home gym

    Even small sheds should be able to hold the equipment you need for a home gym, whether it’s a recumbent or stationary bike, a rowing machine, a hula hoop, a bench and weights, a mini trampoline, or just a yoga mat. Think of all the time and money you’ll save on commuting and a gym membership. If you design your shed like a dance studio with a back wall of mirrors, the space won’t seem as small and you’ll be able to check your form to avoid injury.

    Shed as music room

    Whether you play or just listen, most sheds are quite a bit larger than music room practice cubicles, and that may be just what you need if you have a youngster in the early stages of mastering a musical instrument. Giving your kids some privacy to practice without an audience may save everyone’s sanity, whether they’re learning violin or drumming. As they grow up, the shed could become a rehearsal space for your teenager’s band. Or you could start your own string quartet.

    Home office/artist studio

    More and more people are telecommuting on either a part-time or full-time basis. Unless your home has an extra bedroom, it may be difficult to carve out the space you need to concentrate on working from home. An insulated shed with good lighting, a coffee maker, kettle, and bar fridge makes for a perfect home office. 

    If you’re a visual artist or a potter, you can renovate your shed only to “studio” specifications: no carpeting, a floor that’s either easy to clean or that you don’t plan to clean (other than sweeping), and a constant source of natural light whenever it’s available. You’ll need a nearby source of water for brushes and pottery wheel clean-up, but chances are good you’ll be able to use your garden hose for at least eight months of the year.

    When thinking about transforming your shed from just a storage space to a room you plan to occupy, try to think of it as an addition to your home. And if gardening is one of your passions, there’s nothing wrong with turning your shed into a space for potting plants, drying herbs, and starting next season’s seedlings. 

    Find more ideas on taking advantage of outdoor space in our Outdoor Design channel.

  • Unique Home Storage Ideas

    “A place for everything and everything in its place.” No one is sure who first coined that proverb, but we’ve been trying to implement it since at least the late 18th century. Here are a few DIY storage ideas that may make life in the 21st century a little easier—or at least a little less cluttered.

    Bedroom DIY Storage Ideas

    For the price of a package of shower rings and a hanger, you could potentially free up an entire drawer if you slip the shower rings over the bottom rung of a hanger and use it to store your scarves. Mount it to the back of your closet door and your scarves will be accessible and won’t get wrinkled.

    A wooden hanger can become an ideal storage device for jewelry, especially necklaces and dangly earrings. Just add eye screws at small, even intervals and hook them through the eye screws.

    Under-bed storage is always a great idea. While you can buy beds that come with drawers underneath, you can also create your own. Use shallow dresser drawers to which you’ve added wheels and you’ll be able to slide them under the bed. The wheels will make them easier to access when the summer turns to fall and you suddenly need to grab a sweater but aren’t yet ready to do the summer/winter clothing transfer. They’ll also make cleaning under the bed a lot easier, too.

    Little wooden spice racks make both perfect displays and storage containers for perfume bottles, nail polish, or other cosmetics.

    Bathroom DIY Storage Ideas

    Unless you have one for every single family member, bathrooms can be storage nightmares. There are only four corners to a bathtub, and those corners fill up fast when everyone in the family likes to use a different kind of shampoo. Hang fruit baskets from your shower rod and store shampoos, conditioners, nail brushes, loofahs, and body sponges in the baskets. They’re also a great place to store small bath toys.

    Pedestal sinks have been in vogue for a while now, and for good reason: their clean, elegant lines make modern sinks the bathroom focal point and they introduce a feeling of space to what’s usually the smallest room in a house. That said, everyone who’s bought a house with one or replaced an old vanity with a pedestal sink has been faced with the dilemma of where to store their bathroom cleaning products. The solution may be to create a shallow, narrow cupboard between the joists in your bathroom walls. Maybe even two, one on either side of the sink.

    A large wine rack mounted on a bathroom wall makes for idea towel storage. You can build your own or buy one. Or you can mount a series of baskets to the wall and store towels, face cloths, and small appliances like hair dryers, curling irons, beard trimmers and electric razors in the baskets.

    Don’t forget to use the space above your toilet and above your towel racks. Install floating shelves and use glass jars to store cotton swabs, facial wipes, makeup remover pads, hair elastics and bobby pins or hair clips.

    Craft Room and Home Office Storage Ideas

    An old muffin tin will fit nicely in even the shallowest desk drawer, and it automatically gives you a dozen small compartments to store paper clips, push pins, elastics, and USB drives. If the drawer is wide enough, add a kitchen cutlery tray and you’ve got storage for pens, markers, scissors, rolls of tape, and charger cords.

    Revolving countertop spice racks with clear glass bottles are perfect for small craft supplies like pins, needles, buttons, beads, and sequins. If your craft room has a closet, take the door off and add more shelving. You can still use the curtain rod and pants or skirt hangers to hang folded fabric or scrapbooking supplies.

    Pick up an old dresser at a flea market, paint it with chalk paint, and store crafting tools and supplies in the drawers. Dividers are always a good idea. You can buy them or make your own out of cardboard covered in wallpaper. Or you could invest in some more dollar store kitchen cutlery trays.

    If your closet has a bifold door, don’t throw it out or store it in the garage. Mount it to the wall and buy some decorative hooks so you can hang scissors and other tools or rolls of ribbon from the hooks. There’s a reason those home workshop pegboards with tools outlined became so popular: they work. Not only can you see where your tools are at any given time, there’s also no doubt where they belong. Once you’ve analyzed the space available to you and the possessions you need to store, you’re well on your way to creating a place for everything. After that, keeping everything in its place will be a lot easier.

  • Pantry Organization Hacks to Streamline Your Kitchen

    While it’s possible someone somewhere once said, “My kitchen’s too big, too well organized, and has too much cupboard space,” it’s highly unlikely. Most of us struggle to work with kitchens that are less than ideal. Having a pantry can help in a variety of ways. If you don’t already have one or if yours needs a serious refresh, here are some pantry organization hacks to streamline your kitchen.

    If you already have a pantry in or just off your kitchen, make sure you’re making the best use of the space you’ve got. Here are some suggestions for a DIY pantry makeover:

    Use Shelves and Racks

    Make the most of skinny shelves, tiered shelving, and under-shelf storage racks. A row of skinny shelves on the back of the pantry door, or even a shoe holder with clear plastic compartments, can hold all kinds of small items, whether it’s spice, soup, or sauce packets or small condiment jars. The inside of a door is almost always wasted space, and it’s perfect for smaller items that will otherwise get lost among the cans and bottles.

    Tiered shelving will let you double or triple the amount of storage you get from your existing shelves, and there are even eco-friendly, expandable bamboo tiered shelves available now.

    Under-shelf slide-on storage racks are available almost anywhere that sells housewares, including dollar stores, and installing a few will give you storage for potatoes, onions, and garlic under your existing shelves. Bonus: that will free up some space in your fridge.

    Installing small tension rods on existing shelves also means you’ll be able to store bulky, awkward items you don’t use often, like platters and cookie sheets that take up a lot less space stored vertically rather than horizontally.

    Create a Snack Station

    Another great tip for streamlining your kitchen is to get rid of packaging and create a snack station at child height. Even if you’ve succeeded in training your family not to leave empty cereal boxes in the cupboards, the amount of storage space a family-sized box of cereal consumes is huge and never decreases until the box is disposed of.

    Set up a little clothesline or use a piece of dowling as a hanging rack in an area of your pantry. Alternatively, you could invest in some larger storage boxes that will fit on your shelves and take dry goods out of their boxes. Make sure you label the cereals or the clips you use to hang them up. This works best for items that are bulky, crushable, and light, like potato chips, cereal, and crackers.

    If you set up a snack station at child height in your pantry, you may succeed in keeping your kids out of the fridge and away from the stove while you’re trying to do dinner prep. The snack station can be as big or as small as you like: you can devote the entire bottom shelf to kid-friendly snacks like dried fruit, mini cookie packs, and granola bars. By creating a dedicated space in the pantry for kids, you’ll keep them from climbing the shelves to get at snacks and possibly prevent a fall, shelf collapse, or tumbling tins.

    Make Use of Corners

    Installing Lazy Susans in corners and investing in metal magazine racks for pantry storage is a great way to make use of corner space. No matter how small, chances are good your pantry will have four accessible corners. Install Lazy Susans in each one and you’ll be amazed how much more accessible your canned and dry goods are. There are stackable Lazy Susans available now, and if you really like to stock up when things are on sale or if you make regular Costco runs, they’ll come in handy.

    Metal mesh magazine racks make great storage containers for canned goods. Their height means you can stack the tins in at least a double row. Plus, if you worry a toddler might get in the pantry and upend them, you can turn them around, so the “spine” of the magazine rack faces out and individual tins are less likely to tumble.

    If you’re starting from scratch to create a DIY pantry, be creative. Pantries are basically just shelving arrangements, so anything you’ve got with shelves or racks can be transformed into a pantry. Old bookcases or nightstands can be stacked in a low-traffic kitchen area (preferably a corner). If you see an armoire bargain, especially a corner armoire, grab it. With a few extra shelves added, you’ve got the makings of a small but efficient pantry. Alternatively, you can create a pantry under your stairwell and install a glass-fronted door. Other potential spots for pantries include laundry and mud rooms and rarely used closets. If you buy in bulk, you can even create a pantry and cold storage room in your basement. While not as handy as having your pantry in or just off the kitchen, restocking your kitchen shelves can become part of your laundry routine as you flip the clothes from the washer to the dryer.