Organization at Home: Make the Most of Your Storage Space

Have you ever heard someone complain about having too much storage space? Probably not. Organizing at home doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult – with a few small changes, you can tame your clutter in no time. Whether you’re dealing with a small space designated for storage, a large basement, or just reorganizing a bedroom, we are sharing five tips and tricks to make organizing a whole lot easier.

Declutter

Before you get started, the first step is to get rid of items you’re not using. One of the best ways to make the most of your space is to learn how to declutter. Pull everything out of your closet or storage room and evaluate everything you have. Are there things you could give away, sell, or donate? If you’re feeling overwhelmed because your rooms are large or complicated, break them into zones. For the items that you’re ready to get rid of, there are several great options other than just throwing it away. Consider donating them to your local donation center.

Picking Best Storage Options

For storage rooms, we recommend using clear plastic containers because they allow you to see inside the container, ultimately saving you time when searching for an item from storage. To keep items organized in a living space, opt for decorative baskets or pieces of furniture that double as storage. Assess how much storage space you need in each room to find the perfect fit.

Label

If you want to take the extra step in your organizing process, label the containers for easy access later. This is especially helpful if you’re using them in a storage space like an attic or basement. A piece of tape and a marker will always suffice, but a label maker will make things a lot easier.

Vertical Space

If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, you can instantly create more space by utilizing your vertical space. Installing a simple set of brackets and plywood is an affordable way to create shelves. Instead of having a couple of shelves in your closet, take them to your ceiling to maximize the space. If you can’t go high, go low.

Think Outside the Box

There is plenty of space when you are willing to be creative. Add hanging shelves, a towel rack, or a shoe organizer to the back of a door can help cut down your clutter. The space behind your bed is usually used for a headboard or artwork, but why not shelving? Built-in drawers or cabinetry can also be added to an entertainment unit for storage in the living room.

Our units at The Residences at 66 High Street are filled with optimal storage spaces in living areas, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Paired with select pieces of furniture and organization tips, and storage issues become a thing of the past.

What clever organization ideas do you have? Let us know!

July 7, 2020 0

Working from Home? Design a Productive Home Office

With a sudden shift to working from home, many people created make-shift work environments. Some have the luxury of a complete home office, and others are utilizing their kitchen tables or living rooms.

While these temporary home offices have played their part in the short-term, they may not suffice for people who continue to work from home. According to Global Workplace Analytics, many people will continue to work remotely, even after offices start to open back up.

“Our best estimate is that 25-30% of the workforce will be working-from-home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.”

– Kate Lister, President of Global Workplace Analytics.

With this rise in remote employees, home offices are becoming increasingly important. It’s essential to have a place that signals it is ‘working time,’ where you can focus and stay on task. Here are some tips to keep in mind when designing a home office:

Natural Light

Whenever possible, maximize natural light. Natural light boosts mood, increases productivity, and creates a feeling of openness. When arranging your desk and office furniture, place it so you can see out the windows, but out of direct glare from the sun. Ideally, you should be able to work all day with blinds open.

Add Lighting Options

Natural light isn’t always enough. Add a variety of lighting options in your home office so that you always have plenty of light for work tasks. Overhead lighting, combined with lamps at your working space, is often plenty of light. If you want to add in more, you can incorporate a floor lamp and recessed lighting in the ceiling.

Storage

Storage is needed in any work environment. Whether you need a filing cabinet, a bookcase, or a closet with shelves, make sure you have a system in place to stay organized.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics aims to design the workspace to improve performance and productivity. Often, seemingly small adjustments make a huge difference to how we feel physically and mentally after the workday. Set up your computer and keyboard so you eliminate the hunched over stance and find a chair that is both comfortable and supportive. If you have enough space, create a couple of working areas, including a place to stand, a place to sit, and even a small couch to change things up.

Office Nook

Not everyone has an entire room that can be dedicated to a home office. You can create an office nook that contains most of the above elements. Select a corner of a room that is seldom used, and add in floating shelves, a desk, and lighting. Some people even transform a closet into an office space.

If you are going to continue working from home, we recommend taking the time to design a space that fits your needs. Your home office should reflect your style, be a place that you enjoy, and an area where you can tune out distractions to accomplish your work goals.

May 12, 2020 0

Most Wanted Features in a Laundry Room

Laundry may not be your favorite chore, but laundry rooms are among the most wanted features in a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders study What Home Buyers Really Want (2019).

More homeowners are moving their laundry rooms out of the basement and into the main living areas of the home. Not only is this more convenient – no more trips down to the basement – but a well-thought-out laundry room provides room for storage and organization. Keep reading for tips on making your laundry room functional and beautiful – no matter the size.

Mud and Laundry Room Combo

If you are fortunate enough to have a mudroom, you may as well make the most of it! Add a sink for quick rinses, nooks for coats and shoes, and an area for folding, ironing, and hanging clothes.

Make the Most of a Closet

If you don’t have an entire room that you can dedicate to laundry, don’t worry. Converting a closet is an option that can help you stay organized while keeping the machines out of sight. Stack the washer and dryer, and utilize the rest of the space for storage.

Use All Accessible Space

Use the space you have wisely. Wall space, cabinets, and shelves can be utilized for organization. Create distinct areas for storing cleaning supplies, folding station, drying, laundry baskets, and sorting clothes.

Hang Dry

Space to hang dry delicate items or freshly ironed garments should not be overlooked. Instead of a bulky drying rack that takes up floor space, install a couple of towel holders, closet poles, or a wall-mounted drying rack.

Play with Design

The laundry room is the perfect place to play with design. Bold colors, wallpaper, or a textured accent can liven up the laundry room. Since laundry rooms are typically small spaces, you can get creative with your design.

What does your dream laundry room look like?

March 10, 2020 0