How to Keep Your Entryway Organized

How to Create an Entryway Organized

At the end of a long day, nothing is more discouraging than opening your doorway to a mess. Your entryway often becomes the space where all your day-to-day belongings are tossed, rather than the welcoming space it’s meant to be. If you’re looking to upgrade and organize your entryway to create a more welcoming and pleasant entry experience, look no further for advice on how to get started.

Read on to discover tips on how to keep your entryway organized.

Eliminate clutter

If your entry space is a mess, it is best to start by removing any excess clutter. This is a great time to go through your entryway closet if you have one, as it can often become a hub for discarded items. If you are in warmer months, there is no need to keep your heavy winter coats at the ready. Stow away any out-of-season items to clear up space. If you are overwhelmed by shoes, put away the ones you don’t wear daily. Your entryway will feel much less chaotic with less clutter.

Hang hooks

Hanging hooks is a great way to keep things handy and organized, especially if you are short on space and often forget to grab items on your way out of the house. Consider installing a few small hooks for keys and umbrellas, so they are always ready to go when you are. You can use larger hooks to hang coats and scarves in colder months. If you live in a climate with frequent rain, consider adding a rug below your hook station to catch any running water off your coats and bags.

Store shoes

While it is good practice to take off shoes before entering the home, they can sometimes pile up without realizing it. If you have children or are simply a shoe fanatic, shoe storage is a must for an organized entryway. Cubbies and baskets are a great option, as they keep shoes out of sight. If you prefer a more aesthetically pleasing look, add a shoe rack so you can visually see the shoes at your door. A rack also provides a spot for shoes to dry off should they get wet.

Keep accessories handy

If you don’t prefer the look of hanging hooks, there are still ways to store your accessories. A Claremont, CA interior decorator recommends adding a piece of storage furniture to your entryway, such as a refurbished set of drawers. Not only can this look classy, but you can also store your scarves, keys, and other knick-knacks. Hang a mirror above the furniture and add a tray on top for catch-all items to create a more sophisticated entryway experience.

Prepare for seasons

We’ve all experienced a family member tracking in mud, dirt, and rainwater through the house. To avoid this, make sure your entryway is prepared for whatever weather the seasons may bring. In wetter months, be sure to have a rug out that can trap rain and mud before it gets into your house. Consider adding a heavy-duty tray to the front door area for dirty boots to dry away from clean floors.

If your entryway feels cluttered and chaotic, we hope the above tips will help you organize and restore order to your home’s entrance.

How to Turn a Closet into a Workspace

How to Turn a Closet into an Office

With many people continuing to work from home through the autumn and kids starting back up with online learning, you may find yourself running out of space to get your work done. If everyone working from the kitchen table is not conducive to productivity, consider repurposing a closet into a workspace. Read on to discover tips on how to convert a closet into a workspace.

Measure the space

The first step in almost any home project is to measure the space you are working with. A particularly important measurement in this case is depth; you want to know how big your desk space can be. While it is entirely possible to fit a full desk inside a walk-in closet, you may want to consider making a custom desk if you have less room. One way to do this is to install a shelf and use that as your desktop. This way, you save space and can be confident the desk will fit perfectly in your closet space.

Allow for electricity

Most of us don’t have the luxury of having outlets in our closet. If you are transforming your closet space into a workspace, you will probably need to add wiring and an outlet to hook up a computer or laptop charger. It is best to contact an electrician to do this for you, as rewiring can be tricky and is apt to go wrong if you are unsure of what you are doing. Be sure the outlet’s location allows you to plug in all your necessary equipment, and the wires won’t interfere with your space. If this seems extreme and you have an outlet nearby, an extension cord and power strip should get the job done. However, the addition of electricity enables you to add a lamp or other lighting, which is undoubtedly necessary for a closet workspace.

Install shelving

Given that you probably have a limited amount of space, shelving is crucial for storage in your workspace. Shelving can be used to store any files, binders, or work supplies you need to have on hand. It also eliminates the need for drawers, which can take up precious space. Whatever you plan on storing, be sure to correctly measure from the ceiling to know that it will fit on the shelf.

Do without doors

If your closet space is small or your doors are on sliding frames, you may want to consider removing them. A doorless closet allows for more space, as your actual workspace can spill out a little beyond the door frame. If you would still like to be able to close off your area and keep your work-life somewhat separate from your home life, curtains are a great alternative and only require the addition of a curtain rod.

Make it your own

Your closet office workspace does not have to feel like a storage room. To keep the workspace from appearing like a broom closet under the stairs, a Louisville, KY, interior decorator recommends decorating your space like you would any other room. Paint or add wallpaper to the backdrop of your desk. If possible, hang small artwork or display decor on shelves, such as plants. Adding decor not only makes your space more aesthetically pleasing, but it can motivate you to get your work done, too!

Many of us are looking to create a dedicated work from home space given that some of us don’t know when we’ll be able to return to the office. Whether it’s for you or a child learning from home, we hope the above tips help you to transform an unlikely space into a workspace for productivity.

Smart Storage Ideas for Any Sized Home

With all of this extra time spent at home, has your house started to feel cluttered and messy? While decluttering is always an option, sometimes you just want to store your stuff in a more orderly fashion. No matter what size space you live in, the following smart storage ideas can help you organize your home and free up some mental and physical space.

Revamp your resting place

Your bed can be used for more than just sleeping. There are headboards on the market with built-in shelving units and bed frames with drawers built into the base. If purchasing a new bed frame isn’t in the cards, consider placing your bed on bed risers. Risers provide a few inches of extra space under your bed for additional storage. Use flat plastic or cloth bins to store sheets, towels, and other goods out of sight.

Clean up your cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are notorious for housing a mess of pots, pans, and lids. If you avoid opening your cabinets for fear of being bombarded with a mess of Tupperware, consider getting cabinet shelving units. They typically come in sets with shelves for larger items, such as pots and pans, and slots for lids. If your cabinets are too small to store your kitchenware, hanging your pots and pans might be a good alternative. Hang them above your oven or sink and they’ll double as industrial-inspired decor.

Find functional furniture

Investing in multifunctional furniture is a great way to store excess household items, says a Springfield interior decorator. If your living room feels cluttered, consider using ottomans or stools with storage space hidden beneath the cushion. You can store extra blankets or toys in this space. Another great option is a coffee table with a shelving unit at the bottom where you can put magazines, coasters, board games, and other knick-knacks.

Stack it up

If you have limited floor space for storage, consider stacking shelves. Many commercial shelving units come with wall mounts and can easily be placed on top of one another. Books and other decor items can be put on display while not taking up an excessive amount of space. If you are planning on storing clothes, invest in stackable cubes. Not only does stacking shelves free up extra space, but doing so can turn them into a focal point for your room and be a beautiful piece of decor.

Go high

Are your walls full of artwork and photos, leaving no room for shelving units or bookcases? Work around these obstacles and mount shelves close to your ceiling around the perimeter of your room. Not only does this look beautiful, but it also serves as an excellent storage space for items you may not use often but still want to put on display.

Life is chaotic enough right now. That’s why we should take extra care in keeping our homes in order. Free up space and clear clutter by following these clever home storage solutions.

Keeping Your Bathroom Organized In 2018

Picture your bathroom – the place where you clean and prepare yourself for everyday life – a place many homeowners tend to ignore on the list of “places to clean.” Many people’s bathrooms quickly become cluttered with hair product, makeup, razors, and bath toys in the blink of an eye. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, take a look at these ideas to help remove and prevent clutter in your bathroom.

  • Under Sink Storage:  Many disregard the area right under the sink, considering it as a space that won’t quickly become cluttered due to the lack of space from plumbing.Many homeowners forget that there is still plenty of space there that can quickly fill up with cleaning, personal care products, and other bathroom accessories. To avoid clutter, install a shelf or pull-out bins for storing items. When you need something, you’ll be able to find it!
  • Wall Storage:  Never underestimate the power of wall space in your bathroom! Try adding a narrow cabinet above your sink to store washcloths, hand towels, and everyday toiletries. Medicine cabinets are a popular choice, as they often double as a mirror and serve as discreet bathroom storage. If you’re still in need of extra space, add shelving to your walls. Sleek, minimal and functional floating shelves provide the right amount of space without looking bulky. Storing your toiletries on exposed shelving has become a very popular trend, as long as you keep them organized! Use decorative baskets to disguise items usually left out in the open on shelves and a hamper for placing dirty towels or laundry clothes.  Don’t forget about the space above your toilet – take advantage of it by adding shelves or a small cabinet.
  • Tiered Storage:  Layering has become a popular trend within interior design. Try incorporating this trend into your bathroom with tiered towel rods or bath caddies. Instead of using a single towel rod, try using a tiered one that allows for variously sized towels to be stored in one place. For added storage, keep all of your shampoo bottles and soaps under control in one area of the shower with a tiered bath caddy. If you’ve utilized all of your wall space for storage, consider your bathroom door! Mount a towel rack over the door to hang robes and towels, or hang a shoe organizer to store various toiletries.

Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived at your residence for years, be aware of your bathroom and how quickly it can become cluttered. Maintain organization in your bathroom this year with these awesome tips!