Everyone seems to have different methods and tricks they use to stay organized. Some, of course, are more effective than others.
One person’s method that everyone seems to want to try these days is Marie Kondo’s, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
This book, which was published in 2014 and quickly became an international bestseller, shares Kondo’s unusual method for decluttering. I say unusual because it isn’t a tactic most people would think to try without having read the book first.
Kondo takes a minimalist approach to tidying up, but instead of just tossing out old or unused items, her solution for creating a clean space is to donate any belonging that does not “spark joy.”
Rarely, if at all, do we spend time considering whether our belongings make us happy. But doing so can help you transform your home, according to Kondo.
If you are surrounded only by what makes you happy, rather than items that you feel obligated to keep for one reason or another, you become more appreciative of your environment.
Kondo also doesn’t believe in decluttering a little every day. Her method for organizing is meant to be a one-time process, making it a solution rather than just a band-aid to your organizational problems.
Now you’re probably wondering if it’s even possible to have household items that spark joy. The answer is no. Marie Kondo does expand on her strategy to also include necessary belongings, such as important documents you have to keep.
The point of this book, however, is to clear out all of those books, accessories, bathroom and kitchen products you don’t need and really don’t even want. Once you do this, you’ll find you have a much more relaxed and organized home.
If you’re in need of a new method for organizing, try Kondo’s. Surrounding yourself only with stuff that makes you happy is an easy way to design a space you love coming home to.
After a full house renovation that doubled their home’s size, Jay and Lissa had their contractors install some closet doors.
A few simple shelves were added to temporarily accommodate what would one day be their new master bedroom/linen closet.
That was eight years ago.
It was supposed to be a temporary fix to an awkward space. The closet stands in the middle of the top story of the house.
It reaches to the roofline, twelve feet high and decreases by one-foot increments to four feet high – in other words it’s a big triangle.
The hallway access to the full height linen closet sported widely spaced, deep wood shelves that reached through to the master closet.
With no wall between them, blankets and other linens often got pushed into the master side and clothing piled up next to sheets.
A DIY closet fail
They installed a makeshift hanging rod for Jay’s shirts and relegated Lissa’s dresses and skirts to a closet in another room.
They repurposed a couple of shoe racks into additional shelving and stored luggage on the highest shelf to make the space more workable.
But Lissa’s frustration grew. The unfinished wood shelves caused numerous pulls on sweaters and towels and it wasn’t fun running around the house just to get dressed everyday.
It was time to organize the closet properly.
Online tutorials for measuring and purchasing DIY racks, drawers and shelving was briefly considered but the awkward dimensions of the space proved too challenging a layout for mere mortals. It was time to call the experts.
Booking an appointment
Jay and Lissa chose Organized Interiors because they’re a local company with a great selection of products and creative storage solutions.
They manufacture most of their products right on the premises and their website makes it easy to book a free in-home design consultation.
Lissa filled out the website consultation form and within a day she received a confirmation email. After that, an appointment was set up with their design consultant, Lisa Barnes.
It was that easy.
All Organized Interiors’ design consultants are specialists in storage solutions. They are experts at turning even the most awkward spaces into organized, manageable, and maintainable interiors.
The in-home design consultation
It’s not often you’re told, “don’t tidy up” before company comes, but Lisa wanted to see how the Kerrs really lived.
Designers don’t judge. They have busy households themselves, can relate to household storage needs, and they genuinely want to help you with a solution.
Lisa came to their home, prepared to measure the space, draw up a plan, and show them some possible layouts. She brought a selection of samples to help navigate them through the “big picture” process of creating personal storage solutions.
Some typical questions she asked were, “How do you want to use the space?” and, “What does it need to accommodate?”
The Kerrs wanted the two spaces separated. They wanted the linen closet to be enclosed and only accessible from the hallway. The master closet had to have room for all their clothing storage and room to change in.
They requested the following features for their closet:
multiple hanger rods
pullout pant rack
lots of drawers
open shelving above the drawers
a top shelf to accommodate their luggage
Measurements and sketches
Lisa got to work right away measuring every angle of the closet space. She sketched out the space so the couple could get a visual reference of how and where the configurations of storage options could work.
She explained several of the adjustments that could be made if needed. With her full knowledge of the product lines and size options, Lisa explained:
where the gable walls would go
how the linen closet and master closet would work back to back
how certain widths and depths of drawers could stack together and fit against the back wall
where the ideal heights for hanging rods could be placed
The finishing details
Organized Interiors has a full range of finishes for drawer fronts and cabinets – everything from solid wood to low-maintenance laminate finishes in a full range of styles, textures, and colours.
All of their cabinets are made from ¾ inch furniture-grade plywood to ensure you’re getting the strongest, most resilient system available. All accessories are high quality, hard working, and designed to last.
From the samples, they chose the attractive, low maintenance, Latitude North. It’s a white laminate finish with a subtle grey stripe pattern you can see and feel.
They ordered drawers with the soft-close feature, an upgrade they knew would be a benefit for the amount of use (and abuse) the drawers would get.
Before she left, Lisa was able to give Jay and Lissa an approximate quote for the project. Within a week, Lissa received a detailed 3D rendering along with plans, measurements, and a final quote.
Closet accessories and decorative hardware in the showroom
Before the order was placed they met at the Organized Interiors showroom to review their order, make changes, and pay for the first half of the invoice.
Visiting the showroom was an important part of purchasing the closet because it allowed Jay and Lissa to see options they may not have considered.
In the 10,000 square foot showroom, clients can walk around beautiful, full-sized displays featuring various product lines featuring a wide range of cabinetry finishes. Closet accessories like valet rods, jewellery drawers, and tie racks are also on display.
The finishing touch for every closet is the decorative hardware – pulls, knobs, and hooks. And Organized Interiors has the largest display in the greater Toronto area.
Jay and Lissa decided to add a valet rod that retracts when not in use and drawer dividers for Jay’s socks and ties. They also added two velvet-lined jewellery drawers.
Once the order is placed, it is manufactured on-site at Organized Interiors and ready for installation in approximately four weeks. Some products require special manufacturing and may take a little longer.
An installation date was sent by email and confirmed with a phone call.
Preparing for the installation
Before the installation, the closet space had to be completely emptied and cleaned. Since this demo didn’t require special skills, Jay dismantled and removed the old shelving.
With the space empty, Lissa took this opportunity to paint the walls a calming blue colour.
Installation day
Once installation day arrived, the only requirement was to open the door for the installers and ensure that an electric outlet was available for any custom cutting.
The installers brought protective floor covering and changed their footwear between indoor and outdoor work.
Then the magic began.
The linen closet was installed first.
As the day progressed, the components of the master bedroom closet started to take shape. The first rod was hung and the shelf above it. Once all the components were in place, even the fine carpentry detail and caulking was beautifully finished.
Before they left, the installers tidied up and vacuumed the surfaces for any fine wood particles left over from additional cutting.
By the end of the day the Kerrs were able to move their clothing and accessories into their new closet.
Follow-up
The last thing was a follow-up phone call from Lisa asking if everything went well and if they had any problems or questions.
Jay and Lissa recommend not waiting eight years to purchase a custom closet.
From the beginning of the process to the end it was an easy, problem-free experience. Every single day I enter that closet and feel a strong sense of contentment. It just looks and feels right. I would recommend Organized Interiors to anyone. – Lissa Fraser Kerr
You have a big entryway and a closet. So why do you need better shoe storage?
Shoes tend to pile up at the front door in the most random way. Sometimes they get tossed to the back of the closet. If your footwear is organized and easy to find it can have a huge impact on your daily routine.
Here are four signs that you need better shoe storage in your home.
1. You’re often late for work searching for the right shoes
When your shoes are piled up at the bottom of your closet it slows you down. Sorting through a pile of shoes makes it difficult to find the right pair when you’re on your way to work or a special event.
A shoe rack or a dedicated shelving for footwear gives you a designated place for each pair of shoes. This makes them easy to find and access when you need them. No searching, no sorting, no wasted time.
Women with shoe racks are seven times more likely to be on time for work than women without shoe racks (IKEA US Life at Home Report).
If you’re always late for work then a shoe rack might be the answer!
2. You can only ever find one
What’s even more frustrating than not being unable to find your shoes? Finding only one shoe and wondering where the other one is. Shoe storage solutions encourage you to keep pairs of shoes together.
Save yourself some time and anxiety unless you enjoy running around the house looking for one shoe when you’re late for work. Again.
3. Your shoes are scuffed and marked up
When you pile heels, sandals, sneakers and dress shoes on top of each they will get scuffed up, marked and looking worn. Some of your shoes cost a lot of money. Keep them organized and take care of them.
A pull-out shoe rack or open shelves in your closet not only keeps your shoes neatly organized, it protects them and keeps them looking their best.
4. The entryway always looks cluttered
When family and friends come to visit, the first thing they see is the entryway to your home. What are they going to see when they open up your front door? People feel relaxed when they enter a home that looks tidy.
A storage bench is a great way to keep your front door free of clutter. It also provides people with a place to put their shoes on. Elderly people will really appreciate this when they visit as it is easier for them to sit down to put their shoes on.
A front hall closet with shelving or a shoe rack is another alternative to keeping the entryway tidy and open. An organized home is more welcoming and just makes life easier.
Upgrade your closet
Invest in better shoe storage solutions to help streamline your morning routine and keep your house looking great.
Visit our showroom to see how a shoe rack or custom shelving can be used in your closet.
Everyone needs some down time or some “me time” throughout the week to stay sane.
But juggling work, errands, household chores, family time and social obligations often gets in the way.
By streamlining your weekly routine, however, you can stay productive and have time for fun. Here are six tips to make it happen.
1. Create meal plans and prepare food ahead of time
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make just one trip to the grocery store each week? With planning, you can!
No more last-minute trips to the grocery store in order to make dinner for your family. Planning ahead ensures you’ll have all of the necessary ingredients to make meals each day.
Prepare tomorrow’s lunches after dinner. You can prep easily while packing up leftovers. This will save time in the morning.
2. Take a closer look at your wardrobe
If your closet is filled with pieces that don’t go together, coming up with the right outfit each morning can become frustrating. Invest in staple pieces that you can easily mix and match with your more unique, exciting options.
Plan your wardrobe the night before, assemble the pieces on a hanger right down to the accessories, to save time in the morning.
3. Assign times to check your email
Both your work and personal email accounts can distract you during the day and slow you down. Assign times throughout the day to check your email and respond to clients and co-workers.
4. Schedule regular appointments
Instead of wasting a night calling the salon, doctor, auto body shop or spa trying to schedule appointments, set up regular appointments you can attend.
Scheduling appointments on the same day each month or week also helps you remember more easily.
5. Get everyone together for a night of fun
On Wednesday night you have plans with one friend but you still need to find time to meet up with others.
Instead of meeting with friends individually, dedicate just one evening to try bringing your friends together for a night of games, good food or movies.
6. Plan your fun night in advance
A stocked bar, snacks, games and a crowd are all you need for fun. Check to make sure the deck of cards and game pieces are intact, the fridge has mix and the snacks are fresh and easy to handle.
Keep lots of napkins or small plates on hand and use the “self serve” method so you can have fun, too.
We can help!
No matter how busy you are, it’s still essential to find time for fun. Organized Interiors can help you streamline your life with great solutions for your closets and entertaining space.
Visit our showroom and talk to one of our professional design consultants or schedule a free in-home consultation.
