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.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker WoodworkingRugs have long been a staple in interior design, often described as the “shoes” of a room—they complete the look. Whether subtly complementing a color palette or boldly standing out as a statement piece, rugs add warmth, texture, and personality to any space. A well-chosen rug can effortlessly transform the entire feel of a room.
However, traditional rugs come with their share of drawbacks. From frequent deep cleaning (which often means renting equipment and moving heavy furniture) to concerns about allergies and curled edges that pose tripping hazards, maintaining a rug can be more work than many homeowners anticipate.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce an elegant, low-maintenance alternative: Vintage Vinyl floor cloths.
In today’s tech-savvy world, it’s easy to find decorating tips and budget advice with just a few clicks. Popular shows on networks like HGTV make home remodeling look fast and effortless—transforming entire kitchens or bathrooms in under an hour. While these shows are inspiring, what often goes unseen is the extensive planning and detail required behind the scenes to bring those transformations to life.
At the heart of nearly every successful project is one key factor: staying on budget.
Window treatments not only provide shade and privacy, but they also allow the homeowner to show their personality. No person is the same, and neither should their window treatments. They are meant to be a reflection of you and your style. Whether you prefer a more contemporary or traditional style, solar or soft roman shades, wood or pleated, Graber’s vast array of colors, options, and designs will surely suit anyone’s taste. Learn more about Graber on our product page or come visit us in our showroom located in Shelby, NC, and ask to see our Graber display. We would love to help you add the finishing touches to that space where nature and home meet.
Greenbrook Design