Turning Clutter into Organized Chaos

Turning Clutter into Organized Chaos

Now that the kids are back in school, the carefree summer days of playing outside are slowly being replaced with homework, after school activities, and earlier bedtimes.  But you can help control the chaos by making their rooms organized and clutter-free.  

Hanging book shelves not only make it easy to see what books your kids have, but the shelves also create a landscape of color and design with the book covers. Make sure the shelves are easy enough for kids to reach their favorite books.  To make reading a little more fun add comfy pillows to sit on with their book of choice in hand.  

Remember, this is a kid's room, so the furniture should be for them - oversized adult furniture crowds a room and take up a lot of space in what is usually a smaller bedroom in the house. Bunk beds are a fun and space-saving alternative and give each child a little privacy in their own space.  

A lot of kids don't want to come home and sit at a desk after sitting at one all day in school, but an organized, inviting workspace will lead to a more productive learning experience. Make sure there is plenty of light and not a lot of clutter.  Add stimulating accessories and color to keep the space from being just another desk for school work.  

Even though most of the time it's behind closed doors, the closet truly is the heart of the room.  It can be used for so many functions besides just storing clothes, but it needs to be organized.  Make sure that everything is visible, whether it's in clear bins or on a shelf, and that everything is accessible when needed. Store less used items on top and rotate as necessary.

If you need help designing an organized bedroom, or any other space in your home, call Wendy Interiors for all of your design needs.

Tricks To Make A Small, Dark Home Bigger And Brighter

More homeowners would rather have a smaller house than a larger one (37% compared to 23%), research from real estate site Trulia reveals. And in Long Island, real estate agents say more people are choosing to downsize. But a small home can be a challenge to decorate. The lack of space gets people focusing on making it practical rather than bigger and brighter — but we really should aim for a balance of both. Fortunately, there’s plenty of ways to open up a small space by maximizing light, natural and artificial. Here’s how you can expand the look and feel of your small home.

Wash and repaint your walls

Dark paint absorbs the light and makes rooms feel dark and dingy. You want to opt for light, bright colors which reflect light and make the most of the room’s natural light. Painting your wall trim and moldings in an even lighter shade will make the walls appear further back — an optical illusion which makes the space seem bigger. Wash your walls before painting to help the paint or primer adhere better. Washing your walls also gets rid of any dirt, grime, or lingering household mold, which can be an unknown cause of irritating skin issues. With a good scrub and fresh coat of paint, you’ll create a cleaner, healthier, and brighter home.

Re-think furniture

Whittle down your furniture collection to pieces you really need to free up space. Opt for a smaller number of larger pieces rather than numerous small items. For example, choose a sectional instead of a small sofa and occasional chairs to prevent things looking cluttered. In the same vein, position larger pieces of furniture up against the walls and out of the way. Furniture with open arms and exposed legs will also spread more light through a room than sofas or chairs that sit directly on the floor. Also consider investing in furniture made from transparent materials like glass, acrylic, or Lucite. For example, a glass side table or acrylic dining chair takes up less visual space and automatically makes the room feel larger.

Use mirrors effectively

Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light to make rooms feel bigger and brighter. Placing a mirror near a window will bounce around even more light. Or, if you have a stunning chandelier or piece of art, for example, position the mirror to reflect it and get double the beauty. Never let mirrors reflect anything unsightly. Small closets or hallways can benefit from a large mirror on the back wall to create the impression of infinite space. You can also use mirrored cabinet doors, kitchen backsplash, or the backend of bookcases to make spaces feel larger. When choosing a mirror, bigger is always better — especially in a small room.

These simple tricks can transform a dark and cramped space into one that’s light and airy. But, even just making one or two changes in your home can make a big difference. With ample forethought and planning, you can maximize the light and make the most of your small home.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Daria Shevtsova