Easy Organizing Tips for Closets 2013 Ideas

Closets are valuable storage space. Make your closet work harder with a clear organization strategy and the right tools from modular closet storage systems to the simplest of shelves and bins. Check out this ideas that can be adapted to any closet space.

 

 

Strategy: Folding Clothes

If you prefer to fold your clothes or have a lot of clothing that is best stored folded, Meryl Starr, a professional organizer in New York and author of The Organizing Workbook, recommends these tips for folding clothes within your closet.

1- Shelves should be about 12 inches deep, roughly the depth of a stack of clothes. You don't want a lot of wasted space in front or behind.

2- Ventilated shelves promote airflow around folded clothes, which cuts down on the possibility of mold, mildew, and pests.

3- Group like with like (jeans with jeans, etc.). Same-size items stack more neatly. Put clothes you use most in the center at eye level.

4- Don't stack higher than about a foot, and leave at least 6 inches between the top of the stack and the next shelf for easy reaching in.

5- Add drawers to collect smaller items. If you don't have drawers, use a basket or two. Position drawers below eye level so it's easy to peer in.

 

 

Strategy: Hanging Clothes

Hanging up clothing inside a closet is an easy way to keep clothing organized, especially if you have a lot of dress clothes, suits, or dresses. Lorie Marrero, creator of The Clutter Diet online program, recommends these tips:

1- For the double-hang area, put the shortest clothes on the top rod and hang the bottom one as high as possible under them. Use space freed up near the floor for a shoe rack or storage bins.

2- Organize garments by category and separate with hanging labels; the more specific the categories the better. For example, subdivide your shirts into short- and long-sleeve, or casual and dressy. Bonus points: Organize by color within a category.

3- Keep shoes, purses, and jewelry in hanging organizers there are dozens on the market so you can see them alongside your clothes.

 

 

Strategy: Storage for Shoes

If you love shoes and deciding how to store them is your main closet woe, try these tips from John Trosko, a professional organizer and co-author of The Experts’ Guide to Doing Things Faster.

1- Slim shoes, such as flats and flip-flops, can be stored two to a cubby. Use spare slots for belts, scarves, and clutches.

2- Drawers give the closet a polished, built-in look, plus handy closet door storage for folded clothes. Bulky items like sweaters and purses can go on the open shelves.

3- Eke out another sliver of storage by putting a shallow basket on the shelf below the top row of hanging clothes. Use it for things that fold up small, such as tights, T’s, or socks

 

 

Planning: Clean Up & Clear Out

Plan a closet makeover by measuring your current closet to determine hanging requirements and storage needs. Next, you'll need to clear everything out of the closet so the new system can be installed. This is a good time to go through items you can no longer use and donate them to charity.

 

 

Planning: Shelf It

You might think the more shelves, the better but this is not always true. The shelves themselves take up inches of precious storage space, and too many of them can make it difficult to stack or remove items. It's best to design shelves that will fit the various items you have to store.

 

 

Planning: Shoe Solution

If shoes flood your closet floor, develop a smart strategy for storing them. Keep the shoes you wear all the time accessible on shelves if you have room. Store seasonal and special occasion shoes in easy to see clear plastic boxes on the top shelf of your closet. Or simply reuse the original box and attach a picture of the shoes to the front of the box.

 

 

Planning: Space Management

If your bedroom is small, consider placing your dresser inside the closet. You can install shelving above it and still maximize the vertical space a closet has to offer.

 

 

Planning: Closet for Two

Whether it's for kids or for a his-and-hers, a shared closet works best when territories are clearly defined. Place a tower of drawers in the middle of a reach in closet, which will give each closet occupant their own side of the closet. Assign drawers to each person to achieve shared closet bliss.

 

 

Features: Closet Cubbies

Organize your own closet or a child's with a combination of double-hanging rods, drawers, and shelves. Drawers corral small items such as socks while cubbies hold folded items. Upper shelves can store out of season shoes and clothing in clear bins with lids.

 

 

Features: Slanted Shoe Rack

Storing shoes on slanted shelves makes it easier to see the shelf contents. Before installing slanted shelves, consider how many pairs of shoes you need to store and about what size they are. Ankle boots will need more height than flats. You might want to space the shelves differently, or decide on a set spacing based on the height of your tallest shoes. If you have a lot of tall boots, consider storing them elsewhere, such as beneath a hanging rod. Look for inserts that will help boot shafts stay upright at organizational stores.

 

 

Features: Built-In Drawers

Consider built-in drawers for storing sweaters, undergarments, and accessories. Shorter drawers might only store a stack of four T-shirts or two sweaters, which is beneficial because you don’t have to dig through a large stack to find what you’re looking for, but a series of shorter drawers might not offer the same amount of storage space as larger, taller drawers. When you have more drawers, it means you need to have more space for the tracks and other drawer hardware.

 

 

Features: Lighting

Whether your closet is big or small, good lighting will make it even more functional. Look for ceiling-mount lighting that doesn’t need to be hardwired as a quick update for a reach-in closet. Lamps can be used in a walk-in closet for extra illumination, which is beneficial for dressing areas. If your walk-in closet has a window, install a light-blocking window covering. That way, you can keep out the natural light when you’re not using the closet. Constant sunlight might cause some clothing to fade.

 

 

Features: Double Bars for Kids

For a narrow and short space, stair-step rods for kids’ clothing storage. Since their clothing is short and slender, you can hang one rod higher and further back in the closet and another bar lower and more towards the front to get a double layer of storage. Consider tension shower rods, which can be installed without making holes in the wall and are easier to change as the child gets older.



 

 

Features: Double Bars for Adults

Using double closet rods one over the other  is the best way to squeeze more storage space out of a closet. Be sure to measure the length of each item you'll be hanging there and allow another 6 inches of clearance above and below each rod. Blouses, shirts, skirts, jackets, and kids' clothes will all fit on double rods.

2013 Home Office Storage Ideas

 

 

 

Classic Solution

Put an awkward corner to use and add in office functionality with a classic secretary. Although the design is antique, a piece like this one has modern appeal. The pullout desk easily accommodates a laptop, and the shelves above the desk, as well as the drawers below it, can be fitted with baskets and boxes for filing paperwork and organizing supplies.

 

 

Tucked-In Storage

Add storage to a minimal, no-frills desk with a small shelf or table tucked underneath. Look for a unit on casters so you can easily slide it out and use the top as an extra work surface.

 

 

Two for One

Line a wall with two identical tables for a chic symmetrical look. This work space, stationed in a living room, can be cleared of office supplies and double as a buffet or bar for hosting parties.

 

 

Cozy Work Space

Turn an awkward closet into an office with a few quick changes. Remove the closet doors and paint (or wallpaper) the interior. Hang shelves along the wall and tuck in a desk for a quick-fix office that packs efficient function into a small sliver of space.

 

 

Build a Desk

For a simple, do-it-yourself desk, employ sturdy file cabinets as a base and a large desktop, or painted panel, as the work surface. Position the desktop on the file cabinets and screw into place.

 

 

Around the Corner

Capitalize on a corner office space by extending upper cabinetry into an L shape rather than just straight across the back of the desk. Use this newfound storage space for display or for office necessities, such as files and desk supplies.

 

 

On a Curve

A curved desk such as this one provides a work surface on both sides of a computer while leaving plenty of space for stationing storage trays and baskets. Use large boxes to tuck supplies under the desk for a quick storage fix.

 

 

Office Alcove

An underused alcove was given new life as an office and storage station. A basic desktop was upgraded with a pretty skirt to conceal storage beneath. Shelves were mounted high along the wall to create more head space above the desk. Higher shelves such as these are ideal for storing infrequently used items. When needed, they are easy to locate but are kept out of the way to make room for things used on a regular basis.

 

 

Living Room Office

Inconspicuously add an office to a living area with a few simple tricks. Incorporate as much concealed storage as possible, such as these clean-front cabinets, which add office functionality without distracting from the rest of the room. Take steps to add in elements to tie the space to the rest of the room. A bamboo chair and burlap-covered bulletin board harmonize with the living room's natural look.

 

 

Perfect for Paperwork

If you need a lot of space for paperwork, consider this setup. Nix the office chairs and basic desk, and replace with plush armchairs and a handsome round table, perfect for spreading out all your materials. Position a bookcase nearby to organize files and archived paperwork.

Modern Home Office 2013 Ideas : Storage & Organization Solutions



Create a home office anywhere with these ideas for streamlined storage and efficient organization.

 



 

Cubby Solution

If floor space is limited, bring storage off the floor and onto a desk. Place a small bookcase on top of a desk, which will give you a space to store supplies at your fingertips.

 

 

Easy Office Filing

Turn an existing dresser or other unit with deep drawers into a file cabinet with one simple addition. Install adjustable hanging file frames (available at office supply stores) in the drawers and develop a filing system with tabbed hanging folders.

 

 

Hidden Office

Turn storage upside down with an inventive way to use kitchen cabinets. Hang a cabinet horizontally and attach piano hinges to the doors so it can open to become a mini desk area. When not in use, the door can simply be closed to conceal the work area and maintain a sleek appearance.

 

 

A Place to Create

If your office space is used for creative endeavors, such as scrapbooking and crafting, incorporate storage around your work space and keep all supplies at your fingertips. This desk area has an abundance of drawers, plus at-your-fingertips supply cups along the back of the desk. Achieve this functionality by drilling large holes the size of silverware cups into a desktop, dropping the cups into the holes, and filling them with scissors, markers, and more.

 

Collaborative Space

Do you need an office for more than one person? Use a dining table as a desk and place it perpendicular to a wall so several people can sit at the table at once. This table bumps up against a wall of built-ins, which add storage. A large bookcase also works wonders for an office setup like this.

 

 

Office with a View

Bump a desk up against a window with a deep window sill and use the sill as an improvised shelf for baskets and boxes. Plus, placing a desk near a window provides plenty of natural light.

 

Smarter Office Storage

In a small space, take office storage to the walls to keep work surfaces clutter-free. In this space, cubbies were mounted to the wall and magazine holders were screwed into the bottom of the cubbies for an innovative mail sorter. For an easy and affordable work surface, transform a slab door into a desktop by mounting it to a wall and placing bookcases or file cabinets beneath it for support.

 

 

Kitchen Office

A small desk tucked into a kitchen is suited for many tasks, such as doing homework or jotting down a grocery list. Incorporate a few drawers and cubbies to maximize the space's storage capacity.

 

 

Perfect Office Setup

Create a corner office at home by zoning a section of a larger room (such as a living room or family room) as a work zone. Behind this desk, a large bookcase fulfills all the storage needs of this work area in one simple system. For more storage, hang floating shelves along the wall. When planning your home office, make sure there are adequate outlets nearby for computers, printers, and task lighting.

Back To School Organizing Tips : 2013 ideas

School is in session! This time of year we can all use a little organization advice. Use these creative and helpful tips to store more in your home.

Organize Your Important Papers, Bills, Receipts & More

 



 

 

Just Drop It

Take charge of underused kitchen items that could be repurposed for organization. This vintage toast rack becomes an elegant in-box on an entry table. Use the slots to keep postage stamps handy for outgoing mail and to sort what comes in.

 

 

Portable Projects

Forget boxy filing cabinets. Flat-bottom tote bags are sized right for file folders and make perfect project carriers. Tuck a separate shelf under a desk to keep the bags upright. Add more storage with a set of stackable drawers on the desk and stash wrapping paper in a pretty bin beside it.

 

 

Office Out Box

With meetings, school, practice, and pets, it's easy to lose track of time on busy mornings. A drop zone is a foolproof way to manage mail that needs to go out the door. Designate two trays  one for bills to pay and one for outgoing letters near the entryway of your home to make sure nothing is missed.

 

 

Expense Tracker

A well-ordered expense tracker makes it easy to maintain inventories and keep important documents on hand. With several compartments, this file box ensures manageable space to organize receipts and other frequently-accessed items. Look for a device with labeled pockets so you can organize information by subject or date, or alphabetically.

 

 

Style-Setting Role

By keeping papers on hand and off the desk, this wall-mounted file helps corral paper clutter. Use each compartment to organize items by category, such as bills, schoolwork, and notepads. Affix metal hooks to outer panels for keys or grab and go items.

 

 

Message Center

Keep clutter at bay with a multi-purpose work station. This communication haven is built from a patchwork of magnet, dry-erase, chalkboard, cork, and pegboard squares behind the built-in desktop. The combination of materials ensures that messages and papers can be stored in versatile ways. Use magnetic boards to hold papers you need only temporarily, dry-erase boards and chalkboards to jot down quick messages, cork boards to stick more permanent papers on (favorite take-out menus, emergency phone numbers), and pegboard squares to mount containers for desk supplies.

 

 

Out to Dry

Create a personal filing system that meets your daily needs and makes sense to you, but make it easy to use. Intended for dishes, the slats of this drying rack stand file folders and notebooks at perfect attention. Use the slotted compartment designed for sponges to stash small office supplies.

 

 

Tray Chic

Quarter-sheet baking pans make great clutter-catchers in shallow desk drawers. Designate a tray for each specific need, such as organizing bills or corralling extra office supplies, to keep counters clean .

 

 

Raise the Bar

Keep needed items in sight and in mind with color-coded folders. Attach towel racks to the side of a desk to create a file cabinet. Add grommets to file folders and hang them from the bars with curtain hooks. Personalize each folder with labels and postcards for a memorable way to organize.

 

 

Stationery System

Stash everything you need to accomplish a task in one designated area. Perfect for storing small items, this letter holder adds a burst of style to the desktop and keeps colorful stationery on hand for jotting a quick note.

 

Kids' Organization

Keep homework and school papers organized with a simple filing system. Standing files with tabbed dividers sort paper by subject or activity, making it easy to separate classes from extracurriculars .

 

 

Great Space-Saver

Sync your family's busy schedules with a communication center at the heart of your home. A host of wall-mounted organizers, such as bulletin boards, magnetic panels, and file folders, save space and encourage parents and kids to exchange important messages. Magnetic strips of memo board provide a place to hang cards and photos.

 

Organize On the Go

Create a portable coupon and receipt organizer from an index card case and stash it where you'll remember to take it on errands. Alphabetized divider tabs are the perfect solution for filing lists accordingly. The holder's small size makes it easy to stow in a purse .

 

 

 

 

HGTV Dream Home 2012 : Living Room Pictures

A sea of calming blue and serene cream in the home's gathering space complements interior stone cladding and connects the room to outdoor spaces.

Designed to resemble an old stone structure, the great room stands as the home's hub with wings radiating out like spokes.

Four giclees on paper, which draw out golden tones in the limestone, form the room's focal point. The matted and framed artwork was mounted on plywood, which was anchored to the stone wall.

I wanted there to be lots of interesting textures,' says interior designer Linda Woodrum. 'I wanted the perimeter of the room the stone wall and the windows to be dominant. Then I wanted your eye to go outside.

Why shades of blue in this and other first-floor spaces? Linda was inspired by the color of Utah skies, the Provo River, Mount Timpanogos and the Cascade Mountain ranges at sunset.

Mortis-and-tenon timber trusses, stabilized with stainless steel collar ties, visually lower the vaulted ceiling and transform an otherwise voluminous space into a cozy escape.

French doors connect the great room to an outdoor living room and grilling station that extends space for entertaining during three seasons of the year.

Ticking stripe, houndstooth and ikat upholstery and pillow fabrics continue Linda's story of texture.

A design vignette that bridges the space between the great room and the kitchen offers up its own tabletop treasures and ottomans, which tuck away during quiet times.

Six cottage-style glass-topped tables form one large center coffee table; slatted shelves provide storage for magazines, pillows and home entertaining essentials.

The staggered height of decorative elements assures the importance of each in the artful tablescape design.

Linda layered textures to add interest in the space. The handwoven seagrass braids of a serving tray echo the stacked design of limestone.

'I like that the ikat prints are very clean, very crisp and strong enough to hold their own,' says Linda. 'And they relate back to the ikat pillows and the chair in the foyer.'

 

The nature-inspired color palette flows effortlessly from the great room to the cooking and dining spaces.