5 Ways to Improve Storage and Organization in Your Home

It is extremely easy to get caught up in a cycle of disorganization. Most homes do not have adequate closet space, so storage is a major challenge. However, a few tips will help a home get more organized and become less messy.

1. Turn Toy Room Nightmares into a Dream Space
A child’s playroom is probably the messiest space in the house. Usually small toy pieces are everywhere. It is possible to create an organized place for a child to play. To maximize space, it is wise to net stuffed animals from the ceiling. This keeps them out of the way but within reach. Most parents opt for a toy box, but this rarely works. A child digs to the bottom and leaves behind a big mess. Instead, it is smart to invest in clear bins. Since a child can see the contents, there will be no need to disrupt everything at one time. Each container can be labeled as well. If a child is too young to read, the labels can be made of pictures.

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2. Clothes for All Seasons
Most people have clothing that does not fit into the closet. There are numerous ways to organize a bedroom closet to make the most of every inch of space. Hanging organizers will work well for shoes and accessories, but an even better solution is a complete closet system. This includes drawers, cubby storage, and hanging bars that ensure everything has a dedicated place. It is important to avoid too many shelves. Even though they seem helpful, they take up precious space. Also, having them placed too high can make it difficult to remove and neatly stack items.

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To keep things organized, it is important to group items according to color and style. For example, dress pants should be kept separate from jeans, and polo shirts should be in a different place than long sleeve dress shirts. Shoes should be neatly stacked in rows on the bottom of the closet.

Each season requires different types of clothes. It makes no sense to keep sweaters in the closet during the summer. Since space is limited, it becomes necessary to find an alternative place to keep them until winter. A great idea is to purchase tupperware containers that can slide under the bed. This is also a great place to keep comforters and sheets as well.

3. Entry Door Storage Solutions
When a person enters the home, he or she is likely to take off his or her shoes and jacket. It is important to have a place to hang and keep these items out of the way. With a large family, it is common to see piles of shoes all over the house. To hide the clutter and keep things neat, it is wise to create a space with built in hooks and cubbies. These pieces of furniture come pre-made, but it is also possible to build a custom piece that fits specific measurements. It is simple to gather a few cabinets, beadboard, and a shelf to assemble a simple place to sit, take off shoes, place them neatly, and hang coats, purses, and backpacks.

4. Organize the Kitchen
Kitchens are heavily used, so it is essential to keep things neatly tucked away for mealtime. To keep the pantry in order, it is essential to create a space that conveniently displays contents. Shelves, baskets, and drawers will keep things looking tidy and easy to find. Instead of organizing containers according to size, it is better to group them according to contents. For example, cans of soup and vegetables should be placed apart from snack foods.

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Besides storing food, the kitchen is filled with all sorts of pots, pans and other cooking devices. Since cupboards are usually filled with dishes and cups, it is important to find furniture that is functional and creates more storage. One of the smartest pieces of furniture for the kitchen is a mobile island. Not only can it be used for extra counter space to prepare food, it usually contains drawers and cabinets that can store extra items out of sight. Since it is not permanent, it can be moved anywhere. It is a great place to keep small appliances from cluttering the counter tops. Some larger kitchens have ornate hutches that add beauty to the room and also create a place for loose items. It is possible to find a piece that is made from wood for a traditional look or metal for a more modern feel.

5. Garage Junk
It seems that people store everything but cars in a garage. To clean up the space and make it more useful, there are certain tips to follow. A garage usually houses garden equipment, tools, and other junk that has no place in the house. Determining a functional garage layout is key to organization. Installing built-in cabinets and modular storage is a smart idea. These can house sporting equipment, gardening supplies, and holiday decorations. Cabinets should be sized appropriately and include mounted pegboards. This will make best use of the space and allow items to hang from the walls. Some people enjoy shelving units that are sturdy enough to store bulk items like pet foods and large containers of cleaning supplies. Adding a workbench against the wall will create a space for projects. Having a dedicated area will increase the odds of completing tasks before moving onto something else.

Home organization does not need to be complicated. The above ideas are just a few ways to declutter the area and effectively store things neatly. It creates a pleasant space that has increased function and helps a person become more productive.

7 Must Haves in Your Master Bedroom

Your master bedroom should be your oasis. Designed properly, it can be your place to retreat after the workday is over, the house chores are done and the kids are in bed. You want this room, above all your others, to be peaceful and serene, a place you look forward to spending time in at the end of the day and one that promotes a good night’s sleep.

Attractive and serene master bedrooms are also great selling features when it comes time to put your home on the market. Prospective buyers will be drawn to your home (over others in the neighborhood) if they can imagine themselves relaxing in your bedroom retreat.

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Seven must-haves for your master bedroom

To create this inviting, peaceful ambiance in your master bedroom, you’ll want to be sure to add a few of the following must-haves:

1. Walk-in closets and a dressing area. Few people ever have enough closet space. Creating a luxury walk-in closet and dressing area makes it easy to find your clothes, shoes and accessories and helps to take some of the stress out of getting ready for work in the morning. You can add extras such as a full-length mirror, jewelry trays and shoe racks if space permits.

2. A balcony or patio. A small balcony or patio off your master bedroom with French doors leading outside can help you relax after a long day, or give you a peaceful moment away from the family where you can sip your coffee in the morning. There’s something soothing about listening to the birds wake up and watching the sun creep above the horizon.

3. A sitting area. Today’s master bedrooms aren’t just about sleeping. A separate sitting area gives you a place to relax when it’s too cold or too dark to sit out on your balcony. Such an area needs one or two over-stuffed comfortable chairs, a good lamp and a side table to hold your book, reading glasses and coffee mug.

4. Three points of light. The conventional design theory is that every room should have at least three sources of light. This adds to the warmth and structure of the room and creates a welcoming mood. Three sources of light are especially important in a master bedroom because the room plays multiple roles. Soft bedside lighting helps to create a peaceful mood for evenings. More powerful overhead lights are useful for dressing in the morning, and directed lighting, such as a lamp or recessed bullet lights, are necessary for reading or other projects.

5. Window treatments that block the light. Luxury window treatments not only add to the elegance of your master bedroom, but they can help to block out the sunlight, allowing you to get a more restful night’s sleep. This is especially useful if your bedroom has windows that face east. One good way to achieve this is to hang layers of window treatments, such as sheers to block direct sunlight during the day and heavier draperies with a sun blocker backing that can be drawn at night.

6. Luxury bedding. Luxury bedding can make going to bed a treat. High quality linens in a single color or coordinating hues create a feeling of comfort and envelop you with luxury. A high-end mattress is also a good investment, according to many design professionals.

7. Plush rugs or carpeting. No one wants to get out of bed in the morning and step on a cold hardwood floor, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, opt for plush carpet you can sink your toes into in the bedroom, even if you choose hardwood in the rest of your home. If you can’t live without the look of maple, cherry or pine planks in your bedroom, cover up all but the edges with an area rug with a deep pile.

Creating a master bedroom that you’ll look forward to spending time in doesn’t have to be involved or expensive. Certainly, things like adding a balcony or a walk-in closet are best decided when you build your home. However, there are myriad smaller things you can do, such as adding more light and splurging on luxury bedding, that will transform your ho-hum bedroom into a luxury oasis.

This article is brought to you buy Curtis Homes, a semi-custom home builder of Southern Maryland Communities. For over 50 years Curtis has been providing premium homes and townhomes with the customer at the forefront.