CasaSugar

How-To: Organize Out in the Open

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:00:14 -0700

Sure, you can hide your media materials, linens, and glassware away in a closet or drawer, but what's the fun in that? Check out these ideas for organizing out in the open, and looking great in the process.

View Slideshow ›

10 Great Ideas From Ashley's Craft Room

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:00:29 -0700

Crafter Ashley Henley recently renovated her craft room. She was kind enough to share photos of her craft room, and I noticed some great organizing and decorating tips and tricks. If you're thinking about establishing a craft space in your home, check out Ashley's rooms to get some great ideas for making your space pretty, organized, and productive. Then check out her Etsy site, The Ripe Radish, to pick up some of her great crafted goods, including gocco cards and button rings.

View Slideshow ›

Do You Hang Your Pots?

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:00:51 -0700

No matter where you store them, in a functional kitchen, it's important to have your tools in good order and close reach. If you have the wall space, or ceiling height, hanging pots is a great way to store them.
Source: Flickr User JonesGGallery

Casa Quickie: Upgrade Your Silverware Drawer

CasaSugar — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you have a silverware drawer that's seen better days, take a bit of time this weekend to clean it and replace the drawer organizer. This is especially true if your silver is sitting in a stained or battered plastic organizer. Try replacing that drawer with something you'll actually want to look at (and keep clean), like this Beechwood Expandable Drawer Organizer ($25.49). Making small improvements like this will not only improve the look of your kitchen, it will also help you to up your organizational skills. A win-win, if you ask me! Want more tips on keeping your silverware drawer clean? Check them out here.

Before and After: Taming a Messy Craft Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:19 -0700

Roxy Nova recently posted some inspiring before and after photos of her craft room, and I absolutely love and admire this transformation. She says, "I'm very embarrassed to be posting these [photos] because my house is usually not nearly this messy, but once i decided to redo the room, everything kind of went to hell in a handbasket. it really became a dumping ground."

As messy and daunting as this room may look in this picture, Roxy Nova was able to tame it with a lot of hard work and some smart organizing ideas. To see the glorious afters, read more.

Can you believe the difference? Roxy Nova made sure to create an organized space for her sewing machine, which you can see in this photo. She also took down the closet doors and replaced them with pretty tree-printed curtains. Multiple shelving units provide space for organizing boxes of patterns, fabrics, and other needed craft materials. Roxy's husband hung up organizing units for tools and notions including scissors, thread, and ribbon.

Oh, and as if all that wasn't enough, Roxy also reupholstered this cute chair. I love her use of color and pattern. It really makes the room pop, and seems like the perfect place for sewing, crafting, and getting inspired.

I am seriously feeling some craft room envy right now. Are you?

View 8 Photos ›

Source

Casa Quickie: It's Beneath You

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:15:00 -0700

When searching for storage solutions in a small bedroom, don't forget to check under the bed. You can find baskets, boxes, or crates that are just the right height to slide under your bed. Choose to display your storage if your storage solutions are pretty enough to stand up to scrutiny. Or, simply banish prying eyes and the sight of your storage with a bedskirt.

Source

How-To: Spring Organize Your Bedroom

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:39 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your bedroom, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your living room, read more.

Relocate your computer station/laptop. Bedrooms should ideally be reserved for sleeping, relaxing, and getting romantic. 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/or 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 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 pick-up from your waste service, or take it to the dump, which will probably involve a fee.
Add shoe storage, closet storage, and under-bed storage. You might also try reorganizing your jewelry by making my earrings shutter. Check out my finds below.

Lt. Walnut Cut-out with Glass Armoire - $385.00	Degernes Bed Storage Box - $39.99
CLOSEOUT! Martha Stewart Collection "Closet Shop" Over-the-Door Hanging Shoe Pockets - $24.99	VÄnna Storage Unit - $249.00
Platinum elfa Easy Hang Shoe Rack - $8.99	Barn Wood & Chalkboard Bin - $38.00
John Louis Home Honey Maple Premier Closet Organizer - $359.99	10-Shelf Shoe Organizer - $15.00

Source

How-To: Spring Organize Your Living Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:00:26 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your living room, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your living room, read more.

Relocate Winter-related items such as fireplace tools and wool throws. Make sure to toss some cedar balls in with the wool throws, so they won't suffer from moth damage.
Donate old furniture and accents that are cluttering the space. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle magazines that have spent too long sitting on the coffee table.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. If the objects are large, arrange a pick-up from your waste service, or take it to the dump, which will probably involve a fee.
Add media storage for CDs and DVDs and baskets for storing items such as games. Consider digitizing your music collection to save space, and see my picks for storage below!

Dawson Storage Ottoman in Dela Gunmetal - $449.00	Sedona Magazine Basket - $34.95
Canvas Media Box - $34.00	Sawhorse Media Credenza -Small - $299.00
Windham 48" Corner Media Stand - $399.00	Wooden Magazine Rack - $100.00
Canvas Magazine Butler - $22.00	Black Riley Media Stand - $349.99

Source

Q&A With Personal Organizer Carrie Carlson

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:34 -0700

I recently showcased an office organization project from personal organizer Carrie Carlson. Carrie was nice enough to sit down and answer some questions that readers had about her project.

To check out the Q&A, read more.

Reader Question: I would like to know more about how the pieces themselves were actually organized - I mean, my desk would be a lot less cluttered too if I had the space and money to just buy more storage.

Carrie: People often feel disorganized because they simply lack storage. I encourage all my clients and anyone trying to get organized to find cost-effective ways to create storage where they need it. Freecycle, Craigslist, or Ikea are all viable options for obtaining storage for a decent price. Each drawer/space in this office has a specific use, created just for this client and her lifestyle. The necessity for drawers is often overlooked. The drawers and cupboards house mailing supplies, which this client uses often, office supplies, and media and supplies. The baskets are used for the client’s dog toys, items to be routed to her offsite office, items for family and friends, and items to be taken to her second home. The bamboo bins are used for personal receipts, business receipts, and cash receipts.

Reader Question: I like the look, but where do you sit and do work?

Carrie: These pictures only show half of the office. There is an additional L-shaped desk (see photo), which is used for paper and computer work.

Reader Question: I would love to be a professional organizer. I just don't know how to get started!

Carrie: Visit NAPO to find out about becoming a personal organizer.

Reader Question: I like it, but would like to see the desk space. I'd really enjoy seeing some sort of makeover with objects/pieces of furniture already on hand.

Carrie: Most of these projects have re-purposed pieces of furniture. Check my projects for more examples.

How-To: Spring Organize Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your entry, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your entry, read more.

Relocate unnecessary furniture cluttering the space, as well as Winter clothing and boots you won’t need until next season. Furniture is likely unnecessary if you don't use it, or if it makes it difficult to move through the entryway.
Donate multiples of jackets, equipment, and other clothing. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail. (Or, try turning it into art.) To prevent future junk mail, get your name removed from mailing lists.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. But before you put it in the garbage, make sure that it's really garbage. For instance, lightweight, worn-out jackets can be cut into pieces for cleaning rags.
Add cabinets, baskets, or cubbies for jackets and shoes, a blackboard or corkboard for leaving messages, and a mirror. Check out my ideas for new organizational furniture below!

Source

Barrel Stave Blackboard - $195.00	10 Degree Coat Rack - $49.95
Barrel Stave Coat Rack - $99.00	Barrelhead Mirror - $229.00
Ceres Console - $299.00	Flora Fabric Storage Boxes - $12.99
Wood Storage Box - $149.99	Village Black Armless Bench/Natural Cushion - $79.95
modernlink - Ryder Entryway Table - $3,450.00	Samantha Entryway Collection - Charlotte Blue - $299.00
OFFI - Perf Boxes Storage/Shelves - $299.00	Belhaven Corkboard - $149.00