13 January, 2015

Get Organised!

It's New Year & It's Time to Get Organised!
Back to School, Back to Work.... New rosters, New calendars, New times, and New routines!Sound like your place? It's certainly mine and keeping on top of it can be tricky if you let it get away from you.
So whilst the New Year is till upon us why not take advantage of the time and get de-cluttered, and super organised with some of these helpful decorating tips centred in and around maximising your organistaion for what's ahead this year!
Some of these projects can be done in an evening or across a weekend. 
So put on your 'tidy' hat and get cracking! S x
 
 
Make the Space Work for You! Whether you have an excess of square footage or are cramped into a too-small space, there are inventive ways to squeeze out useful organization from your home. In a centrally located spot such as a kitchen, a small stretch of wall offers a precious few inches for a family organization spot. Give each person their own slot, or include a message board with important reminders.
Find a version 'here' at Pottery Barn
 
Increase Visibility; Staying organized depends on knowing what you have and where it is; that way, you won’t purchase duplicates or waste time searching for what you need. Putting items on display, such as the narrower shelves filled with shoes, is a great organizational technique to help achieve this goal.
 
Maximise Accessibility - Maximise the Closet Space 
Helping your family stay organized depends on kids and parents being able to use whatever system you have in place. For kids especially, that means ensuring access to all the daily-use items that they can be in charge of, such as clothes and toys. Revamping closets with multi-height rods and storing seasonal clothes within their reach is a great organizational technique. Clothes they’ll grow into or use in different weather can be stashed in up-high, out-of-reach spaces.
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Make It Pretty: It’s so much easier to maintain an organization system if it’s one that you love to look at. Invest in pretty containers , jars, clips and hangers; choose a color scheme; and spend time thinking how your organization can and should be part of your decor.
 
Organize by Person or Function: Bins, baskets, hooks, and containers all lend themselves to a simple but underused organization technique: labeling. Handwritten or computer-generated, labels can quickly help you and your family sort, store, and find what you need. Try labels in an entryway, on shelves, and in the kitchen.
 
Mix Storage Types. Organization options are much more limited if you have just one type of storage - all drawers or open shelves, for example. The most clean-looking, hardworking spaces have a little bit of everything: baskets and bins to hide less visually pleasing elements, open shelves for easy access, and higher-up storage for things that aren’t used as frequently.
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Enjoy,
 
subtext - images via bhg, pinterest, houzz

09 January, 2015

5 Closets That Aren't Closets Anymore


These DIYers found extra living space in their home's smallest spots. This article originally appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com
It's unlikely that you lament about having too much closet space in your home, but have you ever considered what you might gain from repurposing one altogether? We know, scandalous. But for these smart bloggers, transforming a closet was the key to a more organized, productive and beautiful home.
Is one of these creative rooms hiding in your house right now? Just imagine it..
 
If you can't dedicate a full room to a workspace, follow Christina's lead at #No. 29 Design. Floating shelves, chalkboard paint, and sconces turned her standard closet into a super-functional office.
 
Tanya at Dans Le Lakehouse didn't want to lose all of her closet's storage space, but craved a way to create a more spacious, friendly office. Now, her colorful filing cabinet and boxes look charming next to a quaint bench where she can consult paperwork, flip through a book, and stow extra supplies under the seat..
 
 
Before they're old enough to fill closets with clothes and shoes, kids will love sneaking into a DIY nook for reading and playing, like this one from Balancing Home.
 
 
Shoes, coats, and bags have a way of piling up in an entryway, never quite making it to the closet. If that's the case in your home, consider what Anu did at Nalle's House: Ditching the closet door and hanging hooks, baskets, and a bench instead.
 
 
If your sewing and crafting projects commandeer the dining room table, move everything to a closet, like Kim at Oh, Sweet Joy did. Worried about losing the storage space? Consider how this strategy might control your DIY clutter better than before.
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Happy New Year!
It's been a little bit since my last post - loads has happened in the meantime. And needless to say very happy to be back and share with you some amazing articles, images, house snooping and of course across the Palatial Living - decorating & style!
Sarah x  #palatialliving
 
article & images via HouseBeautiful.com