STORAGE + ORGANIZING Archives | Page 2 of 24

Christmas : Storage and Organization

December 30, 2017

It is late December and the Christmas holidays are slowly coming to a close. Have you started to ‘wrap’ it all up? Or is your tree and decor still on full display? Storage and organizing of Christmas decor doesn’t have to be a total mess – there are so many awesome ways to pack up and make your Christmas storage easy and neat.

Christmas Tree Storage

For years, we used the box that our tree came in but honestly after year 2 the box was just being held up with some tape and it was just a mess. Garbage bags are also a pain – you are stuffing the tree pieces into bags and I know it is damaging and really not effective.

Did you know that there are ‘Christmas Tree Bags’? Yes, these bags are actually designed to fit and store your tree.

Here are some great options for Christmas Tree Bags at all price points – be sure to find one that will fit your tree as they do come in different sizes.

Christmas Tree Storage Bag with wheels by Zober – this one fits a disassembled 9 ‘ tree. The wheels make moving the tree so much easier plus the extra wide opening makes storing the tree inside much easier.

Christmas Tree storage Bag by Sanatas Bags – this bag is designed to fit trees from 6-9 feet (disassembled) I love the exterior label option so there’s no mistaking it for sporting equipment.

Christmas Tree Storage Bag by Handy Laundry – again this bag can fit a disassembled 6-9 ft tree and the red and green colour is just perfect for the season – there is really no mistaking that this is a Christmas storage item. This is a very affordable option and it gets great online reviews!

Christmas Ornament Organizing

Like my tree, I have been storing my ornaments in boxes, old shoe boxes to be exact, and it suited us fine until we started get some glass and more delicate tree ornaments. I will say that Christmas is a great time to get ‘new’ boxes for your Christmas ornaments – toss out the old ones you have been using for years and use boxes you received as gift wrapping. Now that I have some special tree ornaments that I want to hang onto and possibly even pas son to my kids once they are adults – I love these ornament organizing boxes.

Here are some of my favourite ones.

Compartment Cube Ornament Organizer by Richards Homewares – this 12 x 12 x 12 box can hold up to 64 ornaments – the exterior label allows for the box to be identified, too!

Christmas Ornament Storage box by Handy Laundry – another box that holds up to 64 ornaments. One feature I love with his piece is adjustable dividers, so if you have ornaments of different shapes and sizes, you can easily make room for them in this box. Plus …the zipper top means no losing the lid and you can collapse the box when it is not being used!

Other Christmas Organizing Products

Christmas Wreath Storage Bag – I know my wreaths have taken a beating when they aren’t protected or stored properly, so I love this bag as it keeps away the dust and moisture.

Master Craft Gift Wrap and Storage Bag – when it comes to gift wrapping and all of the necessities, my area used to be a mess! But now with a gift wrap organizer, I have it all in one place. It does make wrapping gifts for all occasions easier – I also keep rolls of tape and a set of scissors in mine.

So if you find the tidying up and packing up of Christmas to be a big task – maybe these pieces will help keep you organized and make the whole task easier. So when do you plan on taking down your Christmas tree and decor?

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Friday Favourites : Back to School

August 4, 2017

Back to school is almost here! Time to get ready for classes, new teachers, homework and more…

If you have been following my blog, you will notice that I created a homework station for my kids before the start of the school year – I feel it is so important to start off on the right foot!

Here are some of my back to school favourites:

So with little ones especially – you need to label EVERYTHING! Clothing, pencils, shoes and well everything. These custom labels from Minted are absolutely adorable and for the older kids (who still need to keep track of their things with a little help) these chalkboard labels are perfect!

I love to capture my kids’ first day of school with a photo (and compare it to one on the last day of school – every year I am amazed at how much they grow!) I love this custom photo frame – this would be great in their bedroom or in a family gallery wall.

I’m a big fan of giving kids a work space – whether it is for reading, printing or a major project – I believe that kids benefit from having a designated space to work one that is free of distractions … if you are short on space, this desk is perfect! It has the surface space but an attached bookcase – perfect for storing school books, and supplies (baskets would be a perfect way to keep everything contained)

And don’t forget a chair – all though I don’t often like the idea of buying kids’ furniture (I just feel that they grow out of it so quickly) in certain instances – it works better. I love adding a bold pop of colour in a kids’ space – they will find it appeals to them! This chair is fun and funky and the colour is great (works for boys and girls)

Whether you have one child or multiple children – staying organized makes the days so much easier. Between school, activities, sports, birthday parties and everything else that happens in this busy life – I like to keep track of it all in writing! Old fashioned, maybe, I still use my calendar in my phone but for me, there is something about seeing our schedule in ‘print’ form. I love chalkboard and this chalk board decal is perfect for a homework station, kitchen (keep track of weekly meals) or a family command center.

One of the required items on our school materials list is a water bottle that can be locked and also refilled throughout the day. Although the glass ones are great – I just don’t think they are ideal for younger children. This water bottle is cute (be sure to add those labels), you can lock it and refill it, too!

You need a good quality lunch bag – my personal favourite and all of my kids have this one from Pottery Barn Kids (MacKenzie collection, retro style). You might think these are a bit pricey but they last – I am using these for 2-3 years at a time, so impressed with the quality. there are tons of designs / colours and you can even personalized them!

How do you feel about back to school? Is it exciting? frantic? sad? All of the above?

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DIY, KIDS SPACES, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

$100 room challenge : week 4 -room reveal

July 30, 2017

Room reveal time! It is now week 4 of this amazing challenge to makeover 1 room with only $100 and I am so excited to show you the results of the room reveal.

Let’s take a look back…..

Remember my extra wide hallway space that was a dumping group for all things kid related?

…and these before photos are showing off the space after I had my kids do a bit of a clean up. so not the best use of this space.

As my kids are getting older and 3 of the 4 are in school – they are coming home with projects and homework … the kitchen table was an OK area to do the work but my 2 older children in particular were quite distracted by the goings on in the family room with their 2 younger brothers. So that is what motivated me to create a homework station. This challenge popped up at the perfect time as I really wanted to have this space all set up before back to school.

Let’s take a look at the progress….

I knew this space would be perfect – we don’t need a massive ‘office’ for the kids and I wanted them to still be close by that we could check in on them and they could ask for help. This little nook space is located between my kitchen and laundry room.

It started with a total removal of everything that was in the space and everything was re-homed to a better spot in the house (baseball bats don’t need to be stored by the kitchen)

I then asked around (starting with family) to see if anyone had anything ‘hanging’ around that they wanted to get rid of — I lucked out with a desk.

The desk fits beautifully in the space and it is metal so it is easy to clean (white may not be the ideal colour for kids but if it gets really dirty and cannot be cleaned….it should be easy enough to spray paint)

I purchased the plastic 4 drawer chest at staples (it was about 1/3 of my budget but it is such an important item). It comes with wheels so it is easy to slide in and out as my kids need items from the drawers. I designated (using labels) one drawer per child and the top drawer is for shared items like scissors, erasers, pencil sharpener….)

I soon realized that I had some additional wall space in that nook area and that could be used for back packs! The kids back packs end up in various locations of the house and we need a system….so wall mounted hooks were need. I found some great ‘Buddy Hooks’ on Wayfair and I could have opted for something more typical but I thought these were really fun (and my kids love them, too!) That’s $20 added to my budget – so 1/2 already spent!

I wanted the space to have some colour and also demonstrate that it was a kids’ space – we have tons of kids’ art all over the house and some just stored in bins. So I spent some time with the kids going through some of their favourites…we found some colourful canvases, a papier mache mask my son had made plus a bunch of other items…..I wanted to be able to show off all of their work but there’s isn’t enough wall space for that – so I thought about adding these clipboards to the gallery wall and this way we could switch up their art and work throughout the year!

I like to plan out my gallery walls on the floor first instead of just ‘winging’ it!

These clipboards were about $5.00 each…

See the full details of this homework station transformation…

week 1

week 2

week 3

Time for the room reveal….

I’m so happy with how this turned out! My kids are really excited, too – my daughter jumped right it to use the space as soon as I announced that it was done!

Here are the buddy hooks – in the back pack area – one hook for each child and I added a photo frame with a school photo – so they knew whose hook was whose….

The final budget…

4 drawer chest from Staples $32.95

Buddy hooks $20.00

2 clip boards $10.00

3 wood photo frames $4.50

desk came from my parents

chair with pillow was already in my home just in another room

art already had

kids’ school photos already had

pencils, crayons – holder already had

2 file holders $9.99 each

wall mount copper baskets $20.00 (on clearance)

Total: $107.43

So I’m slightly over budget….but the extra $7.43 I can live with for a space this useful and that looks this great!

A few more photos of the room reveal….

This new homework station is going to be really useful for us and the challenge really helped me stay on track with time and budget….I’m really looking forward to the next challenge coming up in September.

An InLinkz Link-up

Let me know what you think of this homework station,

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DIY, KIDS SPACES, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

$100 room challenge : week 3 – homework station

July 26, 2017

It’s week 3 of my room challenge and I have made a lot of progress and a few changes along the process… I am really seeing how useful this new space is going to be for my kids (and the whole family) and I also really happy to hear how excited the kids are, too!

Room challenge progress:

So far in this challenge, I have managed to stay on budget but I did luck into some great pieces like the desk from my parent’s old student rental. The desk fits beautifully in the space plus it’s metal so it is durable and very easy to clean. I also had a chair (that we used as a ‘time-out’ chair) that will be used with the desk.

I installed the buddy hooks for the back pack area – the package came with 3, so one for each child. They were easy to install. I installed them at a height that all of the kids can reach with ease. The next step is for me to add some photo frames (one for each child) and hang them above their hook!

I found these wood frames at Michael’s (for $1.50 each) – the frames will be painted and then I will add their photos!

I added the wheels to the storage piece that fits perfectly under the desk and I labeled 3 of the drawers – one drawer for each child – the 4th drawer (the top drawer) is for shared items like scissors, glue sticks and more…

I wanted to add some colour to the space and the kids art pieces are perfect – it’s their space after all and they love seeing their work on display plus this fits in the budget, too! I have some painted canvases that we did as a craft here at home and a mask my son made at school (I was looking for a place to hang this). I figured the best way to display their pieces is in a gallery wall display. I like to plan my gallery walls by laying and playing with the arrangement on the floor first.

These clip board I’m going to add to the gallery wall and I’m going to use them as an easy way to display assignments (any subject) that they worked hard on and that they are proud of – the clip board makes it easy to change this up regularly. I’m hoping a third clipboard will fit….

See my progress for week 1 and week 2

Room challenge budget:

4 drawer storage piece $32.95

Buddy Hooks $20.00

3 wood photo frames $4.50

2 clip boards $10.00

Spent so far …………………………$67.45

With my remaining funds – I’m hoping to find some small storage for the desk surface for pencils and other everyday homework materials and tools.

An InLinkz Link-up

I’m so happy to have stuck with this challenge – it’s making space of an area that is perfectly located and it is going to be a well used space and I’m really happy that my kids are excited too! check in next week for the final room reveal!!

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DIY, KIDS SPACES, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

$100 Room challenge : week 2 – homework station

July 19, 2017

A proper homework station is something that my family really needs. It is now week 2 of the $100 Room challenge and I have made some great progress…the decluttering of my nook / hallway was pretty easy it was really just a matter of getting it done. One of the elements that I am really loving with this challenge is the timeline – one month to complete the room is keeping me focused.

Homework station – My inspiration…

I need the homework station to have storage and work space but I have another 4 feet of wall space. I decided just this week that – that wall space would solve another issue that I have – the school bags! So I am going to add some hooks (1 for each child) for their school backpacks.

Here are some images that inspired me –

Photo credit: Becomingmartha.com

Photo credit: Craft-O-Maniac

Week 2…

I have cleared out the space and I totally lucked out – my parents had a desk from an old student rental that they sold (very quickly) so I fell into some luck with a desk. The desk fits nicely into the space!

The above image is how the space looked before I decluttered. I then added the desk. The desk is white and made of metal so it is going to be easy to clean.

Homework station Costs so far…

We only have $100 to spend. Coming across this desk was a huge win. But the desk did not have any storage. My kids definitely need storage for papers, duo tangs, books and more…I found this storage chest of drawers on staples.ca

The chest of drawers $32.95

The next item I purchased a set of 3 buddy wall hooks – 3 kids and 3 hooks, perfect! Plus I think these are really cute (I purchased them in white)

The wall hooks $20.00

So far I have spent half of my budget…but these are the bugger ticket items that will really make a big difference in organizing this space. I have some more funds for some decor to make the space a bit prettier….

An InLinkz Link-up

So far I’m making progress and I love that my kids are excited for their new space too,

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DIY, KIDS SPACES, STORAGE + ORGANIZING

$100 Room Makeover Challenge : Ideas for a Homework station

July 12, 2017

100-room-makeover-challenge-homework-station

This is my first time participating in the $100 Room Makeover Challenge! This amazing challenge is hosted by Erin of LemonLavenderandLaundry.com If you have not heard of this – neither had I until about 24 hours ago … so here’s what it is …

The $100 Room makeover Challenge

A bunch of bloggers take on one room in their own home and in one month’s time and with only $100 – they transform the room and share their weekly progress. Curious to learn more and check out some of the rooms that have participated in the past? Click here

Why am I participating in this $100 Room makeover challenge?

Well, I love to try new things and I do like to challenge myself – when we decorate and stage we often are on tight budgets but I never really have the chance to make changes in my own home – you know the story of the Cobbler’s children, right? Well same goes for interior decorators and home stagers (and probably most other professionals) – we are so busy with projects outside of our own home and our own homes are a bit forgotten…

I also really need to start focusing on certain areas of my home to make them more user-friendly and functional. As my children are getting older and bigger – our lifestyle needs are changing and so, our home needs to adapt – with this challenge I can give myself a deadline and a budget (and I get to share my progress and results with you and other bloggers – there’s the accountability).

So which ‘room’ did I choose?

Technically – the space I chose is not a room but it is a trouble area in my home that I feel I can do more with – I have this ‘nook’ area off of my kitchen and between my laundry room that is becoming an awful catch-all for random ‘stuff’….crafts, sports equipment, library books and more….I had my kids actually sort through it before I knew about this challenge so this photo actually makes the space look like less of a disaster.

I have decided to turn this space into a designated ‘homework center’ or ‘kids office space’. My 2 older children are getting regular homework to complete and they need a space to work. they still need help from Mom and Dad so sending them to their bedrooms isn’t the best area for homework right now – this area is close to the kitchen (so easy access to Mom and / or Dad) but also separate enough that it is quiet enough for them to focus.

Goals for the challenge:

De-clutter and find new ‘homes’ for our stuff – this area is becoming a dumping ground for all sorts of kid stuff – we do have a mudroom area and they have bedrooms so I really need to systematize that and probably get rid of some stuff
Find a desk and chair that will fit in this nook – this nook is only 22″ deep so I will need to find something narrow enough that it doesn’t take over but still a good size for the kids to work at (and fit a lap top computer)
Storage for the homework space to keep papers, pencils and other materials organized in this shared homework space (since it is a shared work space – I need some storage for the kids to keep their things but also supplies like paper, pencils, etc…)
Add some light (we don’t have a plug for a table lamp – so for now I may have to either add brighter bulbs to the existing overhead fixture or see if I can purchase something that will add more light)
Make it pretty! (I will have to get creative but I’m thinking of re-purposing some old frames and framing the kids art and/ or photos)

An InLinkz Link-up

I’m excited for this challenge – it gives me a deadline to complete a project that my kids really need once school starts and I know the summer will fly by before I realize it. Wish me luck and stay tuned and of course, let me know if you have any ideas….three more weeks to go!

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HOME DECOR, INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, STORAGE + ORGANIZING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – nook spaces

October 5, 2016

“I have two places in my home that are just ‘small nooks’ and I have no idea what to do with them! One is at my entry way and the other is a ‘loft space’ at the top of my stairs. What do you suggest?”

Great question! I think we all have that one space in our home that we just don’t know what to do with. Depending on the size of your space – you have lots of versatility!

An entry table –

Always a great option and the good thing about a console is that it comes in many shapes, sizes, finishes, colours, materials etc etc. You are definitely going to be able to find something in the correct size you need. Depending on your space you may have the opportunity for a DIY too! Customizing furniture to fit your homes décor and space is always a fun way to personalize your home.

Bookcase –

I know I speak for many of us when I say you can never have too much storage. Plus bookcases are fantastic space for displaying books, personal photos, accessories and much more.

A desk space –

Depending how much traffic flow you would have, adding a small desk and a chair is a great idea for an extra home work space. Its nice to be able to utilize all your spaces in your home in a useful way.

Dresser –

A little more unconventional but still a great piece that has closed storage!

Built in shelves –

This is a more expensive option BUT also a great one for getting exactly the use of the space you need. Need shelves, hooks and cabinets all in one? I would suggest investing in a custom piece and tailoring to your exact needs.

Floating Shelves –

Depending how small the space is, adding floating shelves can serve as extra storage in a small nook. Having floating shelves also doesn’t take up the floor space that a bookcase would so it will appear larger. Just make sure you mount them well and don’t add anything too heavy!

Storage shouldn’t just be functional it should be stylish too!

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BATHROOMS, STORAGE + ORGANIZING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday: How to add extra storage to a bathroom (without a renovation)

May 18, 2016

“We live in a small house and the whole family shares a bathroom. We are managing just fine but the clutter of everyday stuff is getting to me. What can we do to add some storage to our bathroom and not take on a renovation?”

The bathroom is a busy place and every high traffic area has a lot of stuff collecting everywhere but there are some things you can do to at least keep it under control.

We suggest taking a look at the type of clutter and where it is. Counter space in a bathroom can often get overwhelmed with products and more and it can lead to spills and just overall disorganization.

Baskets.

Can keep things look neat and tidy but still at your finger tips. We often recommend baskets when we stage homes as they are easy to hide and bring out when you need them. But for everyday, there is no problem with baskets that are ‘out’ – just having your items tucked away in a small basket keeps things looking (and feeling) organized.

Another great way to use baskets is hanging them – it’s pretty and pretty practical. That space over the toilet is often used for decor purposes but make it functional. These basic baskets (in a coordinating colour) hung on towel racks are a great way to keep everyone organized, so smart!

Towel racks.

Think about relocating your towel racks to a location in the bathroom that will allow you to use the other wall space for more small storage. Hanging 2 smaller towel racks on the back of the door makes so much sense and it gives you more room for other important storage pieces and ideas.

Floating shelves.

We highly recommend that floating shelves in your bathroom be the small colour or close to the same colour as your walls – this will keep them from looking and feeling bulky in the space. A floating shelf is ideal for items that you need easy access to like towels or toilet paper. Adding a few decorative items to an open shelf makes it more pleasing to the eye. But matching baskets to contain smaller pieces is attractive, too.

Small storage pieces.

If you move your towel rack you might be surprised to find some wall space that would work for a small storage piece. We love the idea of a tiered or ladder shelf, the piece itself isn’t bulky and it offers lots of storage for everyday items.

Hooks and hangers.

Keep your towels (used ones) organized with hooks on the wall. For your children keep the hooks at their level – this will mean they can hang up and tidy up on their own.

Closed storage piece.

We have looked at a lot of open shelving options but if that won’t work for you look into a piece with doors (aka closed storage). Chances are you will be able to find something that works with your current vanity – it really is best to have something similar we want consistency and flow. Look at the image below – this is a whole set. It looks clean and streamlined not bulky and messy. This is a great spot to hide medicine, creams, personal grooming items and more.

Don’t forget about the interior of our vanity for storage….

Try using a kitchen utensil holder to organize costume jewelry or even make up

Baskets inside of your vanity are very effective too.

A Lazy-Susan isn’t just for the kitchen, we love it for inside of a cupboard. cupboards can get cluttered an disorganized very easily. A lazy-Susan will help with organization, maximizing the space and gives you easy access. Or even just tiered shelving for inside of a cupboard – try the kitchen organizing department.

Lighting.

A dark room any room will always feel smaller so be sure to check on that lighting. Are your bulbs working? Are they bright enough? Can you add more bulbs? Think about updating a fixture with more bulbs to add more light if you need it.

Paint.

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. A small space like a bathroom would be a great weekend job for painting and with the right colour you can really brighten up that space.

Easy updates can make your bathroom look and feel like new!

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STORAGE + ORGANIZING

We Answer Wednesday : 5 Ideas to Organize in 2016

January 6, 2016

“One of my New Year’s Resolutions this year is to focus more on my home.. I am hoping to update my décor and get more organized. What are some areas I should focus on?”

January is here! The start of the New Year is so refreshing for many people. It’s a time to reset your goals and reflect on the previous year. Lots of us make New Year’s Resolutions, depending on your lifestyle and your objectives, these vary for everyone. Maybe you’re going to commit to the gym or a healthier routine, perhaps your goal is to save money, or to travel more this year. If your resolutions involve home décor, we have some fabulous suggestions for you.

Here are 5 suggestions to kick off your new year resolutions.

Decluttering Closets:

Closets are the spot where a lot of items can hide out behind closed doors. Out of sight, out of mind… Items just keep being piled in there and forgotten about, so why not sort and purge what you no longer require?

Decluttering is a surprisingly great feeling. Getting closets and pantries organized is helpful for your everyday life, having extra useable space is never a bad thing. We recommend baskets and bins to make sure everything has a home and is placed back inside neat & tidy.

Paint:

Resolve to paint one room in your home a different colour, however bold or muted you desire. A fresh coat of paint signifies fresh, new beginnings. Never underestimate the power of paint. Changing the colour in a room is an inexpensive way to change the mood and décor without having to replace everything in the space.

Depending on your current décor, choose a paint colour that will be a noticeable change. This can be challenging if you have a very set colour palette in your current décor. Even using the same colour you currently have and making it a shade or two darker will be a welcome change. If painting the entire room is too large of a task to undertake, try painting an accent wall! Choose a colour from your current colour scheme and use that as your new accent wall.

Weekly Cleaning:

Most of us clean our houses weekly in the common areas, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens etc. But there are many places that are often overlooked that need some TLC. For example, the inside of the kitchen cabinets as often ignored.

Cleaning the inside of your fridge.

Washing baseboards.

Dusting hard to reach places.

Pick one “overlooked” area a week and focus on that as well.

Refresh some accessories:

Depending on your budget, adding some new accessories to a room gives it new life. This is a very budget friendly way to refresh your rooms. Adding a few new pillows, or a throw blanket, or maybe a new art piece will be a fabulous way to change up your décor and redesign your space. Try adding a colourful side table or garden stool or changing some frames on your wall.

Fixing Odds and Ends:

Do you have a “to do list” that just keeps piling up? Take the time and tackle these items. The little things that are ignored in your home continue to pile up, so just spend a few hours and get them done. You’ll feel so good knowing you can check off some items you’ve been meaning to get to.

The new year is a great time to get started on these tasks but in reality it is never too late and once you get started you will love the feeling of accomplishment but also you will feel pride in your space and yourself.

Just do it,

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HOME DECOR, STORAGE + ORGANIZING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – Multi purpose furniture

November 25, 2015

“We love the idea of owning furniture that does more than just look nice. We want to have furniture pieces that we can use as storage and can do double duty. What are some suggestions?”

We hear from so many people that they want furniture that can do more than one thing. These days, we’re always multitasking, everyone is always trying to do it all, between work, friends, life, family, balancing everything is what humans do best, so why should our furniture be any different?

As much as we’re advocates for everything to be beautiful, we understand that somethings need to have another purpose than just being nice to look at. We get lots of people asking about small space decorating. What are the best items to purchase for storage and that also look great?

Here are a few suggestions of furniture pieces that can be multi-purpose, or do double duty.

Coffee Tables:

Instead of using a traditional coffee table, try an ottoman that opens up with storage inside. This is a great place to put your extra pillows and blankets or whatever you need to keep tucked away and don’t have a space for. This can also serve as extra seating in your living room if you don’t have enough for guests. Another option is to have a solid material coffee table but make sure it comes with ample storage. Whether it opens up, or has lots of shelves and drawers. Make sure you utilize all the storage you can.

TV Walls:

Obviously, most people have a TV. Instead of just using that as a media space, use the extra wall space for shelves as well. Decorative baskets, books, personal photos. Create a gallery wall and use all the space available to you.

Gallery walls are very on trend at the moment. Whether you create a modern, streamlined gallery wall, or an eclectic mix of all that you love – don’t let usable space go to waste!

Dresser instead of a Console:

Most people have a table at their front door for keys and decorative pieces. Instead of just having a table there, add a dresser with storage and shelving. Having this extra storage at the front door
can be very beneficial. You need spaces to put things like hats, mitts, scarves, mail etc. Having all these extra items hidden and organized will also be good for your mind. No clutter – no stress!

Hall Tree instead of just a bench at your entry:

Similar idea to the dresser at the front entry. Having a hall tree will give you the bench for added seating, it will also have hooks, and shelving, granting you more space for odds and ends. This is another great spot for kid’s coats, back packs, shoes, hats, mitts, etc. Having these hooks and extra shelving options will be helpful organization for the whole family.

Sofa Bed:

A sofa bed is a fantastic double-duty item. Most people need a sofa somewhere in their home. And lots of people could also use an extra bed for guests. Why not purchase a sofa that can be used in multiple situations? Get something stylish that also serves as a guest space.

Chest/Bench in the bedroom:

Do you have extra space in your room? If so, add a bench at the end of your bed. Same idea as the ottoman suggestion. Add a storage bench at the end of your bed for items like pillows and blankets. Maybe even seasonal clothes. Not into the idea of a bench? Try an antique chest. Something that will add additional functionality to your home.

Bookshelf as a Room Divider:

Depending how large your space is, you may need to break up some open concept areas. Having a book case used as a room divider is a great option for storage and privacy as well. This is a great place to add accessories and accents as well such as picture frames and books. If you have an open concept space, or a studio space, a lot of times, you lose that extra wall space. Not having the wall space to add all these extra pieces is sometimes a downfall, but utilizing the space you have in smart way will contribute to an organized home.

Double duty pieces are the way to go – you get the most out of your furniture!

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