Design Notes
Do you find yourself facing these issues at home? Here are a few telltale signs that your home has more clutter than you realize.
- You are constantly misplacing things.
- Clothes hanging over chairs because the closet is so full
- You have multiple junk drawers in your home.
- You are embarrassed to have people visit you because of the piles they will have to step over.
- You don’t remember what your dining room table looks like since it became the home office.
Don’t panic if you can relate to one or all of these issues. Clutter can accumulate quickly and multiply even faster. But there is hope to get rid of the piles in your home. We will share some of our best tips and tricks categorized by the top three trouble spots in the home.
Home Organization In The Kitchen
Let’s start in the center of the home, the kitchen.
- One of the most common things to clutter a kitchen is paper, which includes all of those coupons and ads received in the mail, magazines you intend to read, or junk mail you haven’t thrown out yet. Even though it is thin, it can quickly consume the space needed. The best solution is to take a few minutes each day to go through and throw out what isn’t needed. Having a trash can nearby makes this task super easy. Many clients love the trash pull-outs built into their cabinets, ideally stored out of sight.
- Spices and oils are essential items used regularly, but storing them in a spot that is convenient yet won’t clutter the area can be difficult. Often, they end up in the small cupboard above the stove, on the counter, or in the pantry, which is located away from the stove. Creating a space such as a spice pull-out is a great way to keep these items close at hand while ensuring the kitchen counter remains clutter-free.
- Drawers are usually the culprit for hiding junk, including old appliance manuals, extra screws, and plastic bags. Setting aside a few minutes each week to go through the drawers and utilizing dividers for the remaining items can help create a clutter-free space.
Here are a few more tips on keeping your kitchen clutter-free from HGTV
Home Organization In The Bathroom
The bathroom is an essential part of our daily routine. It’s often one of the first places we go when we get up, and the place we take that last look before facing the world. However, this space can also cause some early morning stress if we cannot find the items we need because they are buried under piles of clutter. Here are some simple tips and ideas to keep your area clean and your mornings smooth.
- Arrange items by how often you use them. If you use a daily item, like your toothbrush or comb, place it in an easy-to-reach area on your counter or designate the first drawer for these items.
- Limit what is on your countertop. Frustration can occur when you constantly knock things off the countertop or can’t set something down due to limited space.
- For shared bathroom spaces, especially by kids, create a caddy for each one and store it under the sink or on a shelf.
- Have a designated spot for your items, such as hair care and toiletries. We have had several clients who included a docking drawer in their design, making it easy to have what they need within reach and a hidden power source.
Home Organization In The Closet
The closet is the place in the house where everything that doesn’t have a home ends up. Everyone dreads opening a closet where they know only a big mess awaits them. Here are some helpful tips to help you reclaim your closet so you can find what you need exactly when you need it.
- Double rods have several benefits. They give you double the space and allow you to group clothing together, say all your shirts or tops in one spot, instead of having to hunt through the entire closet to find one item.
- Keep the clothing you wear most often near the front or within easy reach. This will make getting ready for work much easier and save time.
- Drawers are a great way to store smaller items such as scarves, belts, and personal items. You can also add dividers inside to provide extra organization.
- Good lighting helps you.
- Decorative baskets or bins allow you to store larger items, such as blankets, on the floor of the closet. They also keep the space looking clean and provide easy access to particular items.
Home Organization In The Home Office
For the many who work from home, it is essential to have a designated space set aside, or else your dining room may become the default office. If you have an office, perhaps you struggle to stay on top of the endless paperwork that takes over your workspace, or you are frustrated because you have misplaced a vital document…again. Here are some of our best tips for getting back to a productive work environment.
- Designated spaces—These areas will ensure that things stay in their places. Have a place just for outgoing and incoming documents and another just for important folders. It is also a good idea to have a place just for supplies like pens, envelopes, stamps, and the very important whiteout.
- Phone charging station—This is an essential part of your office space because we rely on and use our phones for almost everything now. Having a way to charge your phone that is easy to reach will eliminate stress and keep your day running smoothly.
- Drawers are usually where everything ends up at one point or another. One way to manage that is by assigning different groups to each drawer—supplies in one, and personal items like chargers and planners in another. Knowing what is in each drawer will allow you to find things faster and more easily. Custom dividers can also add an extra level of organization by letting you keep little things close together but still separate.
Greenbrook Design While cabinet hardware is essential for functionality, it’s also a key element in the overall look and feel of your space. When selecting hardware, there’s more to consider than just appearance. How do you want your cabinets to open? Do you prefer knobs, pulls, or a combination of both? Should you go with cup pulls for a traditional touch or sleek bar pulls for a modern edge?
These decisions may seem small, but they can have a significant impact on both the usability and aesthetic of your cabinetry. Hardware serves as the finishing touch—bringing together the design while also making everyday tasks more comfortable and intuitive.
Walker Woodworking You are ready to begin your renovation, but you are unsure whether you want to go with custom or semi-custom cabinets. While custom cabinets will provide you with the exact fit you need for your space, they are at the higher end of the price range. Semi-custom cabinets tend to be a more budget-friendly alternative while still giving you the style and function needed for your space. Many homeowners are discovering the benefits of choosing semi-custom cabinets and are learning that they can still get the look they want while staying within their budget. Let’s talk more about what semi-custom cabinets are, the benefits they bring to your project, and some of the options we offer here at Greenbrook Design.
We use it every day but hardly pay any attention to it, yet it can impact the overall design of the home. We are, of course, referring to your flooring, and its importance should not be overlooked or underestimated. It is the largest design element in the home, which means it tends to serve as the foundation of the look and feel in the room. It has the ability to make or break your space and is subconsciously the first thing we notice in a room. Since it is used consistently, it must be durable and functional for the particular area, whether slip-resistant or waterproof. Flooring should also complement the overall design style you choose and be carefully considered before finalizing your choice. Here are some aspects to remember when making your selection.
The kitchen backsplash tends to be overlooked during the planning session for a renovation, but it has a big impact on the overall look of the design, and it should not be underestimated. To many, it may seem like such a small element, but it has the power to bring style, class, and protection to the heart of the home. When walking through a model home or flipping pages in an interior design magazine, the kitchen always has a backsplash that often draws our eye. Coming in multiple sizes, styles, and shades, the kitchen backsplash has come a long way from being a simple surface to creating a glamorous highlight that immediately draws the eye.
Walker WoodworkingThis deficiency has led to a readjustment of space, a call to renovate the home, and to provide a more functional design for everyone. There are also other reasons motivating homeowners to reevaluate their current living situation, such as greater flexibility at home, an open concept, personal space, and plenty of storage. While kitchens and bathrooms are still among the most renovated areas in the home, new emphasis is being placed on four additional sections in the home, which we want to highlight today.
Greenbrook Design