Clutter creeps up and tries to take over a home every time you bring something into the house.
Even the daily mail can pile up causing feelings of stress.
Declutter regularly
It’s no surprise then that many people now regularly declutter their space. It helps you gain control and achieve peace of mind. There are even books written to help with this process.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, is a quick read and offers some quirky and practical ways to keep a home tidy. There are even websites dedicated to maintaining a clutter-free lifestyle, like The Minimalists.
Decluttering is just part of the answer
But while giving away clothes, electronics and other old or unused items is necessary now and then, you may still be cramming the items that are left on top of each other.
You might even avoid opening the closet altogether just so you don’t have to see the chaos.
What’s under the clutter?
If you took everything out of your closet what’s left? Typical closets feature a top shelf, hanging rack and some floor space.
Having only one shelf means you’re often forced to stack items on top of each other. This makes it very difficult for you to find and access clothes, cleaning supplies or any other belongings.
There’s a better way to keep items separate and easy to access.
Be smart about your storage
What is smarter storage? At Organized Interiors the answer is customization. Smarter storage solutions help you maintain an organized home without forcing you to give up all of your belongings.
From chaos to order
Custom closets, are designed to meet your unique needs. You can have drawers, multiple shelves, cabinets and pullout racks to separate items and make all of your stuff accessible.
With a specific spot for belongings, you’re less likely to let these items take over your home and cause a mess.
Living with less is a good strategy to follow, but cutting clutter doesn’t mean you have to live with nothing. To keep a clean, stress-free home, use storage solutions designed to keep your stuff organized.
Personalized storage solutions are the answer
For further inspiration, download Organized Interiors’ Idea Book. You can also schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our talented designers.
Clutter is sneaky. On Sunday, you go to bed feeling good about a tidy home. By the time Friday rolls around it’s transformed into a chaotic mess.
It’s all because of clutter. Bathroom products cover the counter, the mail is all over the dining room table, and the piles of clothes on the floor are merging so you can’t tell the difference between the clean and dirty clothes.
Learn how to combat clutter
If you’re in a constant battle with clutter, it might be time to approach the problem using a new strategy.
These five steps can help you not only eliminate clutter, but also prevent it from taking over your home in the future.
1. Pinpoint clutter hotspots
Is there a room/table/surface/floor that seems to be messy more frequently than other areas in your home? Determine which spots are often cluttered and focus your energy and time there first.
Breaking down the problem into small areas will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and giving up. Now you’re ready.
2. Tackle one clutter zone at a time
Break the project up even further by doing only a little bit at a time. For example, if both the bathroom vanity and your bedroom floors are clutter hotspots, tackle only one of the problem areas.
Wait until you’ve finished tackling the first mess is gone before moving to the next. Reward yourself with a break between clutter zones.
3. Rethink your storage solutions
Why do we leave hair products, clothes and accessories strewn about? It’s probably because we use them everyday and want them within reach. Most people won’t put stuff away if it’s not easy or accessible.
If something isn’t hung up properly or tucked away in a drawer it’s probably because it’s too much work.
If your current storage solutions prevent you from easily finding and retrieving your everyday products or wardrobe essentials, then you probably need a new system.
The custom closet difference
Custom closet solutions that feature the right number and size of shelves for your clothing is a good start.
Hanging rods can be placed at different heights to accommodate different lengths of clothing. Custom-sized and beautifully designed drawers make you want to put everything away.
Portable solutions work too
A simple portable bathroom organizer can be a great help, everyday. It allows you to carry all of your beauty supplies with you at once so you can pack up your products safely and efficiently, instead of leaving them on the counter.
Create your own solution to clutter
Another reason clutter happens is because you don’t have a storage solution at all. For example, many people don’t have a place to hold their mail, so they simply pile up letters and bills on their tables instead.
A simple mail holder hung on the wall can ensure your surfaces stay clean, and it also prevents you from losing important documents.
4. Ask yourself if you really use all of your stuff
Clutter could be a problem in your home simply because you have too much stuff. When tackling each hot spot, seriously consider whether it’s worth keeping.
Most likely you’ll realize that much of your stuff is rarely used and can be donated, sold or thrown away.
Take inventory of your stuff at the beginning of every season and get rid of the things you don’t need.
5. Do a 10-15 minute quick clean every day
Lastly, it’s important to prevent future clutter by taking a little time out of each day to put items back where they belong!
As long as you have a good organizational system, this necessary step can be very simple and easy.
If you ask people why they choose a big box store closet system over a custom designed one, most would tell you it was because it’s the cheaper solution.
Price shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. The purpose of installing closet organization systems in your home is to help bring some peace and order to your life.
Putting together a closet system with “some assembly required” may bring more chaos and disorder in the short term and lose value over time.
Here are the top five advantages of custom closets over do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions.
1. Time and skill level
Time is a commodity, so any time spent assembling, measuring, cutting and building comes at a price, especially if you’re not a fan of deadlines.
Ask yourself these 5 questions:
Do you have building skills?
Do you have tools on hand?
Do you measure everything multiple times before cutting?
Do you know how to use an Allen key?
Do you enjoy following instructions?
Answer no to any one of these questions and you should really consider a custom closet solution. When you do-it-yourself you need to measure, design, purchase, load, transport, unload and assemble all the components.
You’ll also need space to cut, glue, nail and screw together pieces. That can be noisy and messy work. Then there’s the clean up after.
At Organized Interiors, the designers specialize in custom closets and know what to suggest for your needs. They’ll come to your home, measure, create a computer designed rendering and cost out the work for you.
Most of the work is done at their temperature-controlled factory in Woodbridge where everything is pre-measured, cut on the premises, delivered to your home and installed. There’s no waste. Not an Allen key in sight.
There is value in the time you save by letting a professional do the work for you.
2. Selection and style
Some big box stores carry several brands with multiple components for wall systems, drawers, shelving and accessories. They’re made from various materials like wood, veneered particleboard and metal.
What you won’t find is a wide choice of finishes and decorative hardware. The choices in finishes and systems guarantee it will match your home and your taste.
Most components are pre-cut to standard lengths and widths. If you have an odd shaped closet, pre-cut lengths and widths may not work.
Custom made means custom measured, designed, cut and built to your space. It also means you will maximize the storage space in your closet.
There’s more flexibility and choices when you deal directly with the specialists. They know their product line and what will work best for you.
From gloss finish in vibrant colours, to solid wood in traditional styling and all finishes in between, one walk through the Organized Interiors showroom and you’ll see the difference right away.
3. Quality
Most of the finished particleboard you can purchase at the big box stores is not furniture grade. For sturdy gable walls and shelving, Organized Interiors uses ¾” pieces. It’s heavier but works best, carries the weight and lasts longer.
Veneer finishes have come a long way since they were first used on the market. Now they are much longer lasting and resilient. They are also washable, scratch-resistant and can mimic any wood grain in a multitude of colours.
Coated wire shelving or baskets may be good for keeping airflow around your clothing, but you may find a wire pattern imbedded in the fabric. The more weight you stack on top, the deeper the pattern may be.
Snag-free and pattern-free alternatives are much kinder to your clothing. Solid shelves with smooth surfaces are a better choice in the long run.
High quality organizing systems will endure years of use and will hold up over time in your home’s resale value.
4. Process
From measuring to installing, if you do-it-yourself the process can feel endless. If something doesn’t work you can spend hours trying to get it right.
The alternative? Get a free in-home consultation where a professional designer will do it for you. You can choose your finishes, accessories and approve the layout in one visit.
You’ll then receive a professional, 3D rendering of your new closet from every angle, fully measured and ready to order. No fuss. No mess.
When your installation day arrives, everything is managed by the Organized Interiors installers. They will protect your floors and rooms while they work and clean up after themselves.
Depending on the size and configuration of your closet, installation can be completed within one day.
5. Budget
If you have the time and the skill, the do-it-yourself approach may work best for you – especially if you can build from scratch. But time is money and you have to add it in to your overall budget.
Trips to the big box store to order all the parts, components, fittings, accessories and finishes add up. When you add up the cost of those components, travel and install time the savings may seem worth it.
Don’t forget to factor in guarantees and warranties on the moving parts of your system. Is it built to last or will you have to replace parts or fittings in a few years?
And is the design going to work long term? Did you factor in storage for all your clothing, shoes and accessories, or is it a low-budget, temporary fix?
When you work with a design consultant you will know the answers to all of these questions before your closet system is installed.
For the assurance that the professionals offer, the price is right. Find out for yourself. Contact Organized Interiors today to learn more about our custom closet solutions.
Storage units can be useful if they are used for short periods of time.
When major events occur in your life like moving between homes, getting married or divorced, or downsizing, renting a storage unit can seem like a convenient option.
Unfortunately, for many people a storage unit becomes a place to store their excess belongings for longer than they should.
Before long, a storage unit can become a 5′ x 10′ room of neglect and a bottomless pit of expense.
Quite often, months and years go by before people realize that they’ve spent thousands of dollars on storing their clutter.
1 out of every 10 households rents a storage unit
According to the Self Storage Association in the US, one out of every 10 households rents a storage unit from more than 51,000 storage facilities across the country.
By comparison, Starbucks now has 11,100 stores in the US. Self storage is a huge industry that pulls in over $154 billion dollars a year.
In Canada, it is estimated that there are over 3,000 storage facilities and business is booming. North Americans are living well beyond their means and Canadian household debt is at an all-time high.
We’re purchasing so many things now that we don’t know where to put it all!
Consider these incredible research findings:
According to a Boston College sociologist, the average US consumer purchased one new piece of clothing every five-and-a-half days.
A 2006 study by UCLA discovered that middle-class families in Los Angeles were “battling a nearly universal overaccumulation of goods” and that “the home goods storage crisis has reached almost epic proportions.”
By the mid-2000s, the average size of the Canadian home peaked at 2,300 square feet. In the 1960s, homes were around 1,200 square feet. We have more storage space than ever before but it’s still not enough.
Storage units aren’t the answer. There are countless stories of people coming to this realization after spending thousands of dollars. Hopefully the rest of this article will convince you why storage units are a bad idea.
1. Storage units are expensive
The price of self storage units in downtown Toronto are not cheap. You’ll pay less in Ajax or Brampton by up to $50.
Listed below is some sample pricing for small and medium storage units in Toronto:
Small storage unit (5′ x 5′)
25 square feet of space
enough to store some small items, boxes and luggage
$139/4 weeks
Medium storage unit (5′ x 10′)
50 square feet of storage space
most popular size
enough to store the contents of a bachelor apartment
$233/4 weeks
A medium storage unit can cost $3,029 each year. In five years that cost balloons to $15,145. Does it make sense to spend that much money on storing your excess clutter?
2. Your storage unit is full of junk
It’s hard to part with your things. They might be family items with sentimental value. Perhaps you collect rare books, baseball cards, musical instruments, or antique furniture.
Be honest with yourself. How much of the stuff that you collect is really junk? A lot of the items in storage lockers have little to no value.
If you’ve ever watched an episode of Storage Wars, then you’ll know that most of the storage units out there are full of junk.
It costs a lot of money to store junk. If you haven’t used something in your home for several years, you probably don’t need it. Just throw it out.
3. Hidden costs and services
There are hidden costs and services associated with renting a storage locker that can add up quickly.
Many self storage companies in Toronto charge a setup fee and require a mandatory monthly insurance premium.
A 5′ x ’10 storage unit might start out at $199/4 weeks. Factor in some of these additional costs and services:
$7.50 for mandatory insurance
$20 for secure locks (extra security and protection)
$20 premium storage (units are closer to access points in storage facility)
All of a sudden you could be paying $246.50/4 weeks or an additional $2,470 each year!
4. It’s smarter to invest in home storage and organization
If you own a home or condo, it makes more sense to invest in home storage and organization instead of self storage.
People rent storage lockers because they think there isn’t enough space in their homes. There is a lot of underutilized storage space in your home.
Sometimes it just takes a design expert to help you find it.
Instead of wasting money on a storage locker, invest in a custom closet or custom cabinetry. It might cost the same as renting a storage unit for a year or two, but it will increase the value of your home.
Realtors believe that a walk-in closet can help a condo stand out from other homes on the market when it comes time to sell.
5. Theft and damage
A lot of self storage facilities don’t have onsite security guards. Depending on the construction of the storage locker, it is possible to break into a storage unit.
If a storage unit doesn’t have climate control the contents of your unit could be at risk. Furniture and electronics that are exposed to extreme heat or cold can become damaged over time. Mould and water damage can also occur.
Just do a Google search for “water damage storage unit”. Sometimes insurance claims are denied if you don’t have proper coverage.
6. Storage units are a bad investment
People often store furniture or electronics in storage lockers because they cost a lot of money when they were first purchased. Throwing them out feels wasteful. Maybe they will increase in value when they are older.
Why would you sell a piece of furniture on Craigslist for $50 when you originally paid over $1,000 for it? You could put it in storage for 10 years and give it to your kids when they move out.
The only problem with that logic is that your storage costs after 10 years could be more than $20,000! That’s way more than the original value of the furniture. And that doesn’t make any sense. Sell these items on Craigslist, Kijiji, or give them away.
7. You can donate your furniture to someone who needs it
We often store things for years and never use them. As time goes by we get fed up storing things like furniture and eventually throw them out or give them away. Why wait?
Help a family transitioning out of homelessness or displacement and donate your furniture to an organization like Furniture Bank. You’ll be doing some good and will even get a tax receipt.
8. Environmental footprint
According to the the Self Storage Association, the US has over 2.3 billion square feet of self storage space. Consider the climate control and lighting costs for all of that storage space.
If you care about the environment, you have to wonder why we are spending so much energy to house so much junk.
9. It is cheaper to declutter
Marie Kondo’s best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up can be purchased for $15 at Indigo.
If you read it and follow her advice it could save you thousands of dollars in storage fees.
10. Self storage companies want you to forget about your stuff
When it comes to clutter, people are lazy. Very few people really enjoy sorting through old clothes, toys, magazines, and half-broken household items.
Derek Naylor, president of Storage Marketing Solutions says “human laziness has always been a big friend of self storage operators.” It’s easier for people to throw everything into boxes, put it into storage and deal with it later.
Nobody wants to spend all weekend going through a storage locker and moving everything out. They would rather make their monthly storage payments and not deal with their clutter.
Storage units are a bad idea
The next time you declutter and purge, make a trip to the dump instead of a storage unit. Invest the money in better home storage and organization solutions. They will pay for themselves in the long-term.
Contact us if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you improve the organization and storage in your home.
The fact that this spectacular contemporary home is situated in a very traditional Olde Oakville neighborhood isn’t the only thing that makes it a showstopper.
It comes with a $7,000,000 price tag.
The home defies convention with its sharp, geometric lines in a mix of stone, stucco, cedar and abundance of windows. It’s a one-of-a-kind, custom-built home with equally high-end interior finishes, right down to the closets.
Organized Interiors designer Mike Seguin took the opportunity to showcase his talents in contemporary design. He created organizing solutions for all the closets, laundry room and vanities.
Mike had the chance to create unique spaces including his and hers master closets. “When I do design work, I try to give the client something they wouldn’t get anywhere else,” he says.
For his walk-in closet and dressing room, Mike chose a charcoal grey glossy finish. It adds high reflectance and picks up on the dark grey window frames and contrasts sharply with light walls.
Along with the solid doors, Mike chose to add some glass doors to feature contrasting white interior walls and glass shelves. The closet’s LED lighting adds more sophisticated shine to the space.
The contemporary door handles create a repeated linear pattern that draws you into the space.
Her closet is a lesson in pure elegance.
Mike chose white gloss cabinets to enhance the room sized closet and dressing room. The mix of solid and glass doors, chrome shelving, beautiful handles and LED lighting reflect the neutral palette found throughout the home.
The makeup table repeats the gloss of the cabinetry but features a subtle ribbon pattern on white. The whole space says pure luxury.
The grandeur of this modern home is surely impressive, but Organized Interiors works on projects of all sizes. Our talented designers dedicate themselves to each project regardless of budget and style to ensure the clients love their home.
To benefit from the expertise and talent of our design consultants, set up a free in-home consultation. Organized Interiors is able to enhance any room in your home with organization and incredible style.
