5 Ways to Wake Up Happy and be More Productive

At Organized Interiors, we are in the business of making your life easier. There is nothing worse than rushing in the morning, but this is a reality many people face everyday. If you want to get the most out of your time in the early hours of the day, there are a number of tips to consider. We would like to take a moment to remind our clients that installing new cabinets and closet organizers is more than just for function and aesthetics.
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Chances are, you probably haven’t thought about how much time you waste every day. Small things like searching for an outfit or struggling to find a tie or pair of shoes can easily be avoided. Consider the fact that on average, most people spend an extra 5-10 minutes a day on these kinds of pointless tasks. While this may seem small, this equates to roughly 30-60 hours a year. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend this time sleeping or relaxing? With that in mind, here are some great ways to relieve stress and stay positive, because we all know getting a bad start is never a good thing. Feel free to thank us later!
Tips to wake up happy and be more productive

  1. Get organized — studies have found that people who are more organized tend to be happier than those of us who live cluttered lifestyles. It is important to note that organization is a mindset that requires a comprehensive effort. This means you should not only aim to clean up the physical space where you live, but also to keep your priorities in order. Also, it will help not to think of the two as separate and distinct; as experts in the field of interior design and organization, we have found that clean rooms can have a powerful impact motivationally on people. Making a list of your daily agenda will give you a direct plan of attack; cross errands off as you go, and you’ll likely notice a marked improvement in your overall productivity.
  2. Have a dedicated closet space — having a place to get dressed in the morning is a must-have to live clutter-free. We recommend keeping apparel separate with storage racks. As well, bench seating will allow you to quickly dress and change outfits.
  3. Get quality sleep — getting your 8 hours is very important. However, there is a stark difference between a night of tossing and turning vs. one where you can rest in comfort. Thus, buy a good bed and eliminate unnecessary distractions in your room. If you have a TV, make sure to stop watching it at least an hour before you go to sleep. This will help you unwind and get some good old fashioned shut eye.
  4. Let the light in — to get that extra boost you need to wake up and be alert, consider opening the blinds or curtains on your bedroom windows. Sunlight has a natural effect on the human body, so use this to your advantage.
  5. Play relaxing music — instead of setting an annoying alarm clock to go off (which may make you want to hit the snooze button over and over), play some classical or meditation tunes. Trust us, it will help!

Closet Design Ideas

Utilizing available space is key to good interior design – and to comfortable living – and to that end a usable and well designed closet is an essential part of any design project. Closet design ideas cover many different areas, so let’s have a look at some of the more useful and interesting advice when looking to utilize closet space.
Take Advantage of All Space
A closet may be a small area, but it must be remembered that it extends upwards, generally to the full height of the adjacent room. This space can be utilized easily and efficiently by installing high shelves with storage boxes for items that are only occasionally accessed, and down on the ground there is more space that is often underused – place boxes here for neat storage of items that are used more regularly.
Using space efficiently is essential to the effectiveness of the closet – even as far as how you choose to fold or pack different items of clothing. The closet is a personal area and should be tailored to the needs of the user – everything should be in its rightful place and the most used items nearest to hand and easy to find. Organization is a big part of designing the perfect closet, and much thought should be put into the process before beginning. Think about exactly what you need, and how it can be achieved in the space available.
Light and Visibility
It is important, naturally, that a closet be well lit; otherwise the ability to see what is inside and where it will be impaired. If a closet has access to natural, light this is both a good and a bad thing – light enables the closet to work, but direct sunlight causes fading in the pigments that colour clothing. For this reason it is best to place the closet out of the range of direct sunlight. A skylight can be a bonus, and artificial light can be designed into the closet to great advantage.
Light should be well placed – it should be between the user and the items so that it does not cast an unnecessary shadow – and while bright enough to allow effective identification, should not be too bright to impair available vision. When planning the light content of a closet take into account the effect of heat from bulbs, as this can be a fire hazard if unwittingly brought into contact with the clothing and fabric within.
The use of see through boxes and drawer systems is advisable for added visibility, or bins and boxes that have wire sides that one can see through. The most needed items should be at upper body height so as to be accessed easily, and hangers should be well placed for accessibility too.
Keeping it Clean
The cleanliness of a closet is of vital importance when considering closet design ideas and to this end one must make sure there is adequate ventilation available. Airflow is important in that it helps keep the likes of mildew at bay, and if there is not sufficient natural airflow in a closet it may be advisable to include a fan – possibly on a timer – that aids regular airflow around the space.

Conquer the Clutter

It’s everywhere — in the kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, your basement, the garage and definitely the closets. Clutter, stuff… and more stuff. If your cabinets and cupboards are overflowing and its affecting your living space (not to mention your mood), it’s time to conquer the clutter and get organized with help from a professional space-maker.
Organized Interiors is Canada’s largest designer, manufacturer and installer of creative home storage solutions. With more than 25 years experience, professional design consultants and installation crews, and a history of superior quality home renovation projects and satisfied customers, Organized Interiors has helped many homeowners make the most of their space.
Existing closets – Whether it’s a reach-in or walk-in closet, Organized Interiors can double your existing storage capacity through closet organizer systems that fit your needs and budget. Slide-out baskets, pant racks, built-in shelves, laundry hampers and accessory drawers, 180 degree hinges and oval hanger bars are just some of the innovative ideas that will help un-cramp your style.
Create-a-closet – If you need more closets (not just closet- space), Organized Interiors’ create-a-closet system can quickly and easily transform wasted space into fabulous floor-to-ceiling storage with no mess, no framing and no drywall. These closets are carefully built with the right materials (including finishes and quality hardware accents) to complement the décor of the room.
Spare room ideas – Designed well, Organized Interiors knows that a spare room can serve several purposes – from a home office to storage for off-season clothing to a guest bedroom. A desk system, storage cabinets and a wall bed (which reclines into a wall unit), for example, will turn that spare room into room to spare.
Home entertainment centres – Not inspired by what you see at regular retail stores? Then consider the home entertainment centres created by Organized Interiors. Custom designed especially for you and expertly installed, these state-of-the-art centre’s are functional and beautiful- a perfect way to arrange your TV, DVD player, stereo, movies, books, music and games, with elegance and appeal.
Home office systems – If you work from home (full-time or just sometimes), you need an efficient, comfortable work space. Organized Interiors can help boost your productivity through fitted home office systems and free standing furniture. With tremendous storage and function capabilities, they allow proper space for you phone, fax machine, photocopier, paperwork, files, supplies, etc.

Tips For Making a Killer Closet

Whether you have a huge walk-in or a tiny reach-in closet, rooting through wrinkled piles of clothes every morning isn’t a particularly soothing way to start your day. Here are some ideas on turning storage space that’s killing you into a “killer” closet.

Purge

Go through everything in your closet and get rid of anything you don’t wear. Be relentless. If you haven’t worn it in a year, toss it.

Store Your Off-Season Stuff

Put your summer clothes into airtight storage containers and stow them on a shelf, under your bed, or in your storage room, laundry room or attic.

Plan

Understand what you need to put in your closet. Hundreds of shoes? Lots of long dresses? Work shirts and pants?

Use Rods and Shelves

  • Rods hung at 64 inches (162 centimeters) are good for floor-length gowns, robes, and coats.
  • Rods at 54 inches (137 cm) work for shorter dresses and pants hung by the cuff.
  • 38 to 42-inch rods (96 – 107cm) accommodated shirts, jackets, and folded pants.
  • Double your hanging space by using a rod that can be hooked directly onto the one above – no carpentry skills needed.

Think 360 degrees

Use every inch of available space. Add a shelf just below the ceiling to store extra blankets. Put hooks onto any open wall space. Install a shoe rack on the back of the closet door. Use roll-out storage boxes on the floor.

Customize

Utilize every inch of space with a customized closet system. You can do it yourself with a range of options available at your local home improvement store – including expandable systems that don’t require cutting or installation tools.
Alternatively, work with a professional or company that specializes in closets. They can be pricey, so be specific about what you want and shop around.

Design With Visibility

Instead of using closet drawers where you can only see the top layer of clothing, install wire baskets or see-through plastic bins. Stack sweaters and t-shirts on open shelves piled three to four high so you can pull out the bottom item without knocking over the whole pile.

Make A Spot For Shoes

Keep the floor tidy and your shoes protected. Build in cubbyholes, slanted shelving, or use clear plastic boxes. Pocket- style shoe racks or canvas shoe “shelves” suspended from a rod are good options for quick and easy installation.

Use Good Hangers

Wood, padded or sturdy plastic hangers help keep the shape of your clothes. Avoid wire hangers. They do horrible things to shoulders and get tangled easily. Recycle wire hangers at your local dry cleaner.