home organizing

I'm always on the lookout for easily integrated organizing ideas, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designer Jillian Harris recently shared a few quick and easy tips pulled from her own home. The best part is, you may already own some of these items — you just need to organize and style them in the manner Jillian suggests.

Bedside Tables: "Always think about storage when selecting furniture. An extra drawer and a shelf can make all the difference for storing linens, spare vases, and bedroom essentials. Stacking seasonal throw pillows brings a pop of color into space and personality without appearing cluttered."

Vintage Suitcases and Chests: "They're not only super hot in a space, they tell a story, are eco friendly, and perfect storage solutions."

See more of Jillian as she hosts the new show Canada's Handyman Challenge this month on HGTV.

Have you made organizing and beautifying your home a resolution for 2012? Before you lose your motivation, resolve to work on one of the most important rooms of your house — the bedroom. As the place in your home where you spend (hopefully) six to eight hours a night sleeping, and time on either end relaxing, it's a great place to get started. Here are five easy tips to help you begin the process.

• Move your computer station or laptop to another room. Bedrooms should ideally be reserved for sleeping, relaxing, and romance. If nothing else, invest in an under-the-bed storage container or basket that you can use to toss your laptop in and slide under the bed.
• Donate any clothes and shoes you have not worn in the past year that are cluttering up your closet. Also, add any extra bedding you do not use to that pile, as well as books you will never lend to friends or read again. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
• Recycle papers and magazines that have spent too long sitting on your bedside table.
• Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. If the objects are large, arrange a pickup from your waste service, or take them to the dump, which will probably involve a fee.
• Add shoe storage, closet storage, and under-the-bed storage. The more items that are out of sight, the more serene your bedroom will feel.

Source

Winter is often the most challenging season for your entryway or mudroom. Boots, heavy jackets, umbrellas, hats, and mittens are a few of the items that may grace this area during the Winter months, depending on your climate. Chances are inclement weather forces you to store more of these items at close reach — and your floors and rugs may suffer from salt stains or muddy bootprints. Frustrated? Here are seven ways to get this area shipshape over the next few days.

• Clean Boots Club Invest in a boot scraper or coir doormat that guests and residents can use to scrape mud and snow off of their boots.
• Rug Replacements Switch out a valuable wool rug for a durable indoor-outdoor rug. I'm a fan of this Thom Filicia Hutshsen Rug, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. These rugs are easy to clean and can be switched out once the weather gets a bit sunnier.
• Closet Rehab If, like me, you have a hallway closet that's a major disaster area, take the time this weekend to organize it. You won't believe the space that might open up after a thorough cleaning and purging. Then, install hooks and baskets on the inside of the door to stash items like dog leashes, scarves, hats, and mittens.
• Be Seated Every entryway needs a place to sit down and slip on a pair of boots or lace up shoes. If you have the room, a bench — especially one with storage capacity — is a great bet. Otherwise, add a funky chair or stool to the space.
• Everything in its Place Find a storage system that you like and stick with it. This could be as simple as wheeled crates tucked under a bench or as elaborate as a built-in unit that can house everything you might possibly need. The ability to tuck away items that aren't always in use will keep your entryway looking both tidy and chic.
• Be Artful The entryway serves as one of your guests' first impressions of your home. Don't forget to add artful touches to the space. Wall art is often the best bet, as it avoids the clutter that can result from too many knickknacks on tabletops or shelves.
• Purge Do you really need four Winter jackets? Seven wool hats? Would it really hurt to cut your collection down by a third or even in half? Fewer items means fewer messes to clean up and organize. Sounds like good trade-off, doesn't it?

Are you organizing your entryway this month? What have you found to be essential in this space?

Source

We've seen mason jars upcycled into chandeliers and vases, but I was enchanted once I came across these jam jars glued underneath a shelf. Not only is it a savvy storage space-saver, but its simple and innovative look will bring character and country comfort to any area.

You'll need empty jam or mason jars and their lids. Simply apply glue or wall-adhesive tape to the top of the lid and place underneath a shelf. Add your contents to the jar for storage. (Be sure not to store anything too heavy.) And, unscrew the jar when needed. Voilà!

Source