Conquer the Clutter

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

Tags

better homes and gardens, cleaning, closet clutter, closets, Clutter, organization

I have always been a neat freak and loved organizing whatever I could get my hands on. Seriously, I could organize all day! Now I know there are a lot of people out there that just aren’t good at keeping things tidy or don’t feel they have the time to do so. But there are many ways to easily keep your home in tip top shape, you just have to give some of your time and focus.

I think one of most important areas that need to be organized are closets. Just because the space is behind a door, doesn’t mean its not important. In fact, if you have crowded closets that don’t use the space properly, it will show all over your home. Once your closets and storage spaces are in great shape, you can figure out where other items you need to stow away can go. It also helps you realize what other places in your house can be used in the same way.

Since the closet is a good starting point, I wanted to share some really good inspirational tips and images to give you a head start and lead you in the right direction. Every few months its good go through the house and make sure everything is where it should be. Then tidy up and clutter that needs to be addressed. If you follow this rule, you shouldn’t have any spaces that are out of control.

Using the inside of the door to keep items contained and easy to access is a great way to utilize the space to its full potential. This can be for shoes, hats, belts, ties, jewelry, anything that isn’t very bulky. Also, installing a double rod for clothes will allow you to store more of your wardrobe in an organized fashion.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Putting small lights in the closet really helps to see everything at night, especially if you don’t have a light source nearby.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

If you have a large closet or even a walk in, take advantage of the space and set it up as if its another room. Arrange everything so its easy to see and within an arms reach. For the things that are a little higher, like seasonal items you don’t need much at the time, keep a little step stool or ladder nearby.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Really think about the items you are storing and what containers would work best. Boxes, shelves, and drawers for sweaters work well because they should be folded, cubbies and clear boxes for shoes, and rods at various heights help to organize clothing by color or style. If you have the room, add a mirror or even a small dresser. The more you can fit, the less furniture you need to have in your bedroom. At least then you can focus on the fun pieces for the main space.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

When setting up drawers, think about using items that separate certain pieces. This way your dresser won’t be a mish mash of stuff.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Use the space to fit your needs. If you would like certain areas to photos, a calendar, or important info, you can use cork on the back of doors. If you have the room, hang a small cork board or black board on the inside wall or on the back of the closet door.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

No matter what you are storing in there, all these great tips apply. Whether its a hall, bedroom, or office closet, you should be able to easily find what you are looking for when you open that door. And if the space makes you smile, than that’s an extra bonus. Here are some more closets that are sure to inspire you to get organized. Now get to work!

Photo Credit: Clean and Scentsible

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

Photo Credit: Families in the Loop

Photo Credit: Arianna Belle

Photo Credit: The Container Store

Photo Credit: Deliciously Organized

Photo Credit: Furniture Fashion

Photo Credit: Off Boulevard

Mixing it Up with Flea Market Finds

23 Thursday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

antique, beauty, better homes and gardens, Christy Renee Designs, decoist, decor, design, eclectic, flea market finds, interior designd, style, vintage

Being a lover of everything vintage, my home surely reflects the beauty of the old and the freshness of the new. Some may think its easy to throw a space like this together but it does take some thinking. Because you want there to be a cohesive look you have to arrange furniture and items in a way that they flow effortlessly. So when your eye moves around the room, there is a nice mix of all styles you love. Here are a few examples of some spaces that are great inspirations for this look.

This dining room is casual with a bit of class. The paneling on the walls give the space an upscale look while the blackboard paint makes it fun. The mix of vintage glass and accessories blends well with the wood furniture and neutral tones of the textiles.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Shabby chic and mid century design come together to create a space that is luxurious, feminine, and classic. The earthy elements and wood tones help ground the room while the antique mirrors help light find its way around this peaceful neutral space.

Photo Credit: Christy Renee Designs

Bright, modern, and colorful, this space adds stylish interest to one side of the room. By using vintage benches as bookshelves, the unique accessories and books are displayed in a creative, yet smart way.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A little bit of glam and old world charm give this sitting room a rich look. The earthy and calm color palette play off of the shabby chic style, which also adds a comfortable layer to the space.

Photo Credit: Decoist

The traditional style of this living room includes earthy elements, such as the stone fireplace. With the addition of the vintage bottle collection and small rustic touches, a nice mix of old and new is created.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Modern and contemporary style with a few vintage pieces keeps this space streamlined and true to the aesthetic while softening up the lines a bit.

Photo Credit: Decoist

Recycling old items is an easy way to freshen up a space. This rustic and modern foyer welcomes you with style and unique flair.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A little bit of country, rustic flair, and traditional style create a comfortable and airy space for guests to relax. The few pops of color are enough to add interest and freshness while the textures give the room the warmth it needs from all the cool neutrals. Bright and cozy live in harmony here.

Photo Credit: Modern Furniture Decor 2014

The combination of rustic old world elements with vintage pieces bring an eclectic feel to this bathroom while the colors keep it interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

The Cool Winter Blues

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Everyday Design, The Home

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Tags

bathroom, bedroom, better homes and gardens, blue, cool colors, Country Living, cream, eclectic, interior design, living room, neutrals, patterns, texture, white

I simply love the color blue. I always have and always will. It’s just one of those colors that can make you happy or make you sad, can brighten or calm a space and really help to bring the feel the nature inside your home. Let’s just say its the color thats filled with surprises.

Always having a special connection with blue, it has been used throughout all my color schemes in my spaces. You will find it everywhere in my home. I’m a big fan of the cool color palette and blue is a rising star in that category. Mix it with grays, creams and other cool neutrals, and you have a space that is peaceful, fresh and brilliant.

Here are some great examples of how to use blue in your home. I hope they inspire you to incorporate this amazing color into the spaces that make you happy.

This bedroom is certainly a place to rest. With pale blue on the walls, it enables to space to feel light and airy, like your surrounded by clouds. The addition of white makes it feel fresh with soft layers and the warm wood tones helps ground the overall design. The small pops of garden inspired colors throughout the room brings more interest and a bit of glamour.

Photo Credit: Country Living

This reading nook is all sorts of fun. Although comfy and relaxed, the various pops of color and patterns allows the space to feel alive and stylish. Blue and yellow are the main characters here and as you follow your eye around from the stool to the plaid curtains there are all sorts of details that help this room have an eclectic feel.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

The various blues in this living room allow the space to feel fun and classic. You don’t have to stick to one hue. As long as they are close enough in the spectrum as far tone, it should work nicely. Here, the owners a light toned rug, a couch that matches the rug nicely and then included a brighter more saturated blue for pop. Using this color for the bookshelves really make them stand out as apposed to using the pale blue, which would help blend them in. Again, whites, creams and warm wood tones help to balance out the space while a few hints of green add a touch of whimsy.

Photo Credit: Country Living

The same idea as above is being treated in this bedroom. Various blues in all different patterns and textures really bring a unique feel the to space. Although the room has a neutral backdrop, the blue elements keep it lively, fresh and interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Feminine and cottage chic, this vanity area is all dolled up in light blues, pinks and lavender. These soft colors keep the space light, pretty and fit for a queen. The addition of white and ruffle details really add a cottage feel while keeping modern with how its treated.

Photo Credit: Country Living

A nice way to express your love for nautical design is to simply use blue and white in a simple way. This bathroom keeps with the streamline aesthetic with dark blue walls and white furniture accents.

Photo Credit: Country Living

Time to Get Organized

17 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Crafty Ideas, The Home

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Tags

better homes and gardens, labels, organization, organized, Repurposing, space, vintage

I have always been an organized person. I feel being this way helps people to live a better and saner life. Some don’t really know where to begin and others just can’t keep it up. Well here are some easy tips for getting organized that everyone can follow. Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for sharing such great information.

Labeling bins, crates or baskets with everyone’s name can certainly help a bunch of items stay put – I borrowed the whole idea from Wunderlabel France. This is especially great for kids too.

Having a large family can sometimes get hectic. Even if you only have two kids it can get a little crazy. By giving everyone their space, each of their things has a place it belongs. Doing this in the entry is a great idea because things are put away right when you walk in the door which gives you one less thing to worry about.

Having an organized office space is crucial to getting things done in a timely manner. It’s also good for your sanity! I make sure my home office is always tidy and clean. Otherwise, I cannot work to the best of my ability. When I see ideas that not only work but look good too, I get super happy. This oversized pocket protector is perfect for keeping folders, papers, magazines and all sorts of items in place and close to your desk.

Reusing items or vintage objects is right up my alley. I love this idea to use an old suitcase to store linens. It can be used to hold other things too which is really cool.

With all the gadgets people have these days, needing a charging station is sort of essential. Back to repurposing with this vintage tool box reuse. Great idea!