It’s a New Year - Designer Gets Organized!
Written by faithWelcome to 2013! This Seattle interior designer had a wonderful time with family and I hope you enjoyed your holidays as well.
Last month I scheduled an installation with California Closets Seattle for my office. My creative juices expand and explode when I’m organized and I can easily get my hands on tools I need now. A recent project inspired a solution for a customized wall cubby system. I knew this was just what I needed for myself: vertical storage and open shelves. So I worked with KrisAnne Mehan, sales manager, to design a version that fits perfectly adjacent to my desk. Now I can swivel my Aeron chair and reach paint decks, wood finish samples, rug poms and my favorite catalogs. Clear shoe boxes which I found at the Container Store allow easy identification.
California Closets plan for office cubby
- Office organization solution with California Closets
My belief is that organization serves as a stress remedy. So treat yourself to some tips about getting organized around your home whether that’s the closet, entry, kitchen or home office.
Here are a some great tips from Peter Walsh, a best selling author and organization specialist from TLC’s “Clean Sweep” and “Extreme Clutter.” He’s contributed some great advice on Oprah.com to help start you on the path to a clutter-free environment.
First things first, take this fun quiz to see how organized you truly are.
Organization expert Peter Walsh
Then, Peter gives room-by-room tips for the ultimate clean up. Here are a few examples below.
Bedroom Closet: Reverse Clothes-Hanger Trick
Turn all the clothes hanging in your closet so that the hangers face back-to-front. For the next six months, if you wear an item of clothing, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct way. If you try it on but decide not to wear it, make sure you put it back with the hanger turned backward—no cheating. Be prepared for a shock; you are going to find you own lots of clothes you have no use for. You should seriously consider getting rid of anything you don’t wear regularly.
Kitchen: One-Month Cardboard Box Test
Not sure what you use and what you don’t in your kitchen? Here is a tried and true way to find out. Empty the contents of your kitchen utensils drawer into a cardboard box. For one month, put a utensil back into the drawer only if you take it out of the box to use it. If it’s still in the box after four weeks—you don’t need it. Pass it on to charity.
Children’s Room: Create Clear Zones
Involve your kids by having them help designate zones. Start by asking them to pick out items that represent each of the different activities they do. “You make art? What can you find that you use to make art?” Continue sorting items like this until you have piles containing things like a paintbrush for art, a pillow for sleep and a book for reading. Then they can make signs (or take pictures) showing each of the activities and label each sign with the word for that activity. Use these signs to identify the different zones so that your children can quickly and easily see where things belong and also as an aid in their reading skills.
Click here for more fabulous tips.
I’ve found so much wonderful advice around the internet, but the most important design advice I can give you is create a space that gives you a sense of lightness and calm. If you have anything less than that, it’s time to clear some room!
We’re here to help you create a space that you love. Contact us today and let’s start you on the road to the home you deserve!
