home organization Archives - Arrow Hill Cottage

Kids Clothing Declutter | How much to keep

We are just weeks away from our mega garage sale in preparation for our move. I have been finishing up going through the last bit of items in our house, and the focus this week was on decluttering kids clothing.

You know the saying about how socks seem to be eaten by the washing machine? I feel that they magically reappear in the form of extra pants and shirts, in the drawers of children. And for someone who is attempting to become more minimal, this multiplication can be extremely upsetting.

This past winter, I took the leap to create a capsule wardrobe for myself. I ended up paring my entire collection down to fifty total items, excluding a few items such as outerwear and jewelry. I found it so freeing, in fact, that I eventually convinced my husband to declutter his clothing as well. Neither of us have missed a single item and we both find it super easy to make our outfit selections.

WHY KIDS CLOTHING ACCUMULATES

For a variety of reasons, it seems that kids clothing accumulates faster than adults. By understanding the reasons it is easier for these items to enter our houses, we can be more mindful in the future to stop it from happening.

Kids clothing is cheap

For a small amount of money, you can build your child’s wardrobe. A dress here, a pair of pants there. And don’t forget all those cute shoes! There are also plenty of garage sales that feature extremely inexpensive kids clothing. At fifty cents per piece, it isn’t easy to pass up those closet filling bargains!

They take up little space

Unlike large toys or furniture pieces that might get in our way and remind us we need to pare down, clothing is relatively small. We know that we can usually fit ‘one more’ shirt in a dresser or one more coat in a closet. It’s when all of these little pieces are added together that we really start to notice a problem at all.

There are never ending hand-me-downs

If you have multiple children, or generous friends and family, the accumulation game becomes even more dynamic. You may be suddenly faced with multiple storage totes full of prospective outfits, whether your child is ready to fit into them or not.

STORING KIDS CLOTHING

It’s easy enough to get rid of the items that have been outgrown or those that are riddled with holes and stains. But, what if the seasons are shifting and your child has a number of perfectly good clothing items that still fit? Or older brother has grown out of a favorite sweatshirt, and there is another brother just a couple years younger?

I am definitely guilty of keeping clothes around with the thought that ‘someday’ one of the other kids might need it. Though, through my nearly thirteen years of parenting, there have been only a handful of times when that has truly been the case. Styles change, body shapes are different, kid’s preferences might be particular.

Because of the sheer amount of items that can accumulate, dealing with stored clothes can be downright overwhelming.

HOW MUCH DO THEY REALLY NEED?

In the end, I am left with this very question. How much clothing do the kids really need? Probably every family’s scenario is a bit different. I can only speak for our family. And I know that our kids have way more clothing than they actually need.

I will admit that this is probably going to take me a series of edits before we get to the magic amount. And yes, it will most likely be left up to me to decide, since not one of my kids care much at all about clothing.

There are a variety of guides online that discuss how to create a capsule wardrobe for kids. They even go so far to indicate the number of each type of item (shirts, pants, etc) that it should include. This blog post, for example, gives some great tips on how to pare down.

Generally speaking, the rule of thumb has to do with how many days you want to go without needing to do laundry. Ideally, for our family, the kids clothing supply would last, at a bare minimum, a week to week and a half.

Potentially, our kids clothing capsule might look a little something like this:

BOYS

16 short sleeved shirts (shared)

18 long sleeved shirts (our youngest would need 6 of his own, and his brothers could share the remaining 12)

4 sweatshirts/hoodies (each)

5 pairs of shorts (each)

5 pairs of comfortable pants (each)

2 pairs of dress pants/jeans (each)

GIRLS

8 dresses (shared)

16 short sleeved shirts (shared)

16 long sleeved shirts (shared)

2 sweatshirts/hoodies (each)

2 pairs of shorts/capris (each)

7 pairs of pants (each)

After the move, I will plan to go through my kids closets and dressers again. At that time, I think I will attempt this capsule scenario. Perhaps keeping a few additional ‘backup’ items, in case the inventory seems too low.

The great thing about having a minimal wardrobe is that if something becomes stained or worn you can replace it with something new, guilt free. Another benefit to a smaller wardrobe is being able to customize it for each child’s comfort and style preferences, without breaking the bank.

And dealing with an item or two, here or there, would definitely be favored over the four hour decluttering session I just went through in their closets! If I look exhausted at the end of the video, it’s because I was!

WATCH ME DECLUTTER

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Speed Cleaning | Mudroom Spring Refresh

Today I want to share how I tackled the spring cleaning of our back entryway / mudroom space. With speed. This Spring speed cleaning means that we are now set up for the warmer weather ahead. Bring it on!

SPRING SPEED CLEANING

It’s that time of year. When transitioning from one season to the next, you are never quite sure which items to keep out. Will snow boots be necessary, or will flip flops suffice? How heavy of a coat will be needed? This questioning creates a major clutter problem, at least at our house. Essentially, everything is left out, ‘just in case’ it might be needed.

I finally got tired of tripping over all the excess left out by our five children, and set to work on cleaning up our back entryway / mudroom space.

This is quite possibly the most awkward space I have ever been tasked to organize. It is small, and filled with stairs. The one little bit of flat floor space that it has just happens to be in the path of the door swing. Not a great setup for a functional mudroom; But we are renting this house, and there isn’t much we can do about it.

Thankfully, this should be the last season change we make here, and come next winter we will be able to utilize the mudroom at Arrow Hill Cottage!

MUDROOM SPACE BEFORE THE SPEED CLEANING

We have done our best to maximize what little space the mudroom has to offer, by putting up coat hooks and using a shelf as a shoe organizer. It seems to never fail though, after a few weeks, this space needs to be organized yet again.

Because have five small children who use this mudroom on a daily basis, I know full well that my efforts to clean and organize it will only last a limited amount of time. That is simply the nature of this type of space. Thankfully, it isn’t an area that guests typically see.

Instead of using an entire day to deep clean, as I have done in other rooms, I opted to practice speed cleaning. I set my timer for sixty minutes, and got to work.

SPEED CLEANING TIPS

For a successful speed cleaning in your own house, consider these valuable tips.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WALKING INTO

Survey the space you want to clean, and think about all of the tasks needed to get the job done. It might be helpful to write out a list, which you can reference while cleaning.

Understand that during a speed cleaning session, you may not be able to cross off every item that is on your list. Prioritize which are most important, and start with those first.

SET A TIME LIMIT

More importantly, be sure to stick to it! I recommend no more than one hour of efforts in any one space. It is quite motivating to know that once the timer rings, you can put away the cleaning supplies and be done. Having a time limit is also likely to keep you moving at a good pace. You may subconsciously try to ‘beat the clock’, so to speak.

STAY FOCUSED

Speed cleaning should aim to improve the overall appearance of the space, without fussing over minor issues and unnecessary details. For example, organizing shoes in a mudroom might be a good use of time. Removing dirt from the bottom of shoes, on the other hand, could stall your progress.

DON’T BE A PERFECTIONIST

Just as you can’t buy everything you might desire when you are living on a tight budget, you won’t be able to perfect a space that is cleaned in a short amount of time. Again, the point of speed cleaning is to do something, not everything. Even small improvements matter when it comes to cleaning, decluttering and organizing a space.

WATCH ME SPEED CLEANING

I recorded the process of changing our mudroom over for the season. Notice how important it is to make quick decisions. While cleaning and organizing the mudroom, I was also thinking about decluttering. There were plenty of items that I was able to toss or donate!

I came across rain boots with giant holes, gloves that looked like they had gone through a shredder, and outgrown snow pants.

Following my own advice, I stopped after my pre-determined hour had expired. That meant that I wasn’t able to get to everything I had hoped. The items that are left-over can be tackled easily on another day.

THE RESULTS (AFTER)

Considering only sixty minutes were invested in this space, I am quite pleased with the end results. My main objective was to free the steps of clutter. Gone are the boots that we constantly tripped on, as well as the box of snacks. Success!

The second priority I had was to switch out seasonal items. Winter snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and ice skates were all cleaned quickly and packed away. The summer towels and swimming suits were brought out of storage, and each child’s rain boots were given a specific spot.

Shoes are now neatly placed on the shelf. As mentioned before, I am not fooled into thinking it will stay looking like this for long. I will, however, surely enjoy the clutter free space while I can!

Of course, I also did a quick sweep, and mopped the entire floor. In addition, the muddy parts of the walls got a spray down. The room has a nice, bright feeling to it now.

There was not enough time to tackle the shelf closest to the door. This shelf houses many partially used cans of paint. I have a feeling that most of them will need to be disposed of, when we move. And so, I feel comfortable leaving the task for later.

ADDITIONAL CLEANING RESOURCES

Do you need more motivation to get started on your own speed cleaning? These resources might be helpful.

11 speed cleaning tools for epic results | show me suburban

How to spring clean your home | shannon torrens

7 daily habits for a tidy house | arrow hill cottage

Speed cleaning checklist | living well spending less

The secret to speed cleaning like a pro | practically perfect meg

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Control magazine clutter | Simple organizing tip

Do you love getting a new glossy magazine filled with inspiration in the mail, but are not sure what to do with them after you’re finished reading? Today, I will be offering a quick organizing tip on how to control magazine clutter.

Long before the steady reliable stream of digital images, print inspiration was king. Magazine subscriptions were sold door to door as a form of entertainment and inspiration, and it was big business. I too have had a few longstanding subscriptions. And I can genuinely say that I look forward to each month’s new copy.

However, there is a major downside to this seemingly harmless consumption. Clutter.

HOW MAGAZINE CLUTTER HAPPENS

Perhaps you already have a system in place to stay on top of paper pile up. Many businesses now offer a paperless billing option that you might be taking advantage of. Or maybe you are great about sending junk promotions directly to the recycle bin as soon as they exit your mailbox.

However, there is something a bit more special about that shiny new magazine that shows up once a month. Whether because they arrive with less frequency or the fact that they are full of colorful images and inspiring information, magazines are hard to let go of.

One thin magazine laid on the coffee table turns into five, and then into a stack in the corner of the room. Before you know it, magazines are taking up more of your precious space than you would like. If this has become a problem for you, I have a tip that can help you control magazine clutter.

SIMPLE STORAGE TIP

Because I work in the home design industry, I find home decor and building magazines very inspiring. For years I held onto stacks of my favorite issues. Eventually they got overwhelming, and I had to come up with a solution. I realized that of an entire magazine, I was interested in about 5% of the articles and images.

Because of this, I determined that it didn’t make much sense to keep the entire magazine. Instead, I opt to rip out only the pages that are most inspiring. I then curate them in plastic sheet covers, in white three ring binders. This is an ultra simple and inexpensive way to control magazine clutter, and it has been working well for me.

One important word of advice. This method will work best when you get in the habit of practicing the ‘tear out’ method immediately after reading through a magazine. Not only will your favorite ideas and images be fresh in your mind, you will also be more likely to get the job done. If a magazine is allowed to stay whole for too long, it becomes a more permanent house resident that sadly won’t be noticed until a few of it’s buddies join.

My binders are stored on a shelf in my home office. The contents are used as inspiration not only for the decorating of my own home, but also also but when designing homes and spaces for clients. They are plump full of images I love. And they certainly were helpful to look back on during the design process of our family’s home, Arrow Hill Cottage.

WATCH ME DECLUTTER MY MAGAZINE STASH

With this storage system, it is important to go through the binders on a regular basis. Doing so will allow you to be sure they contain contain content you wish to save.

Recently, when looking through my collection, I noticed that there were articles and images that were outdated or no longer my style. Trending home products from 2006? Probably not relevant any longer. Just this week I decided to further pare down my collection by eliminating the pages that no longer inspired me.

The beauty of the binder system is that you can easily switch out items that are no longer giving you inspiration for those that are.

Before this most recent declutter, I had a total of six binders filled with plastic sleeves. Through the declutter process, I was able to reduce my binders from six down to three. It feels good to know that inspiration on each and every page awaits me, whenever I choose to open the binders up.

IS STORING MAGAZINES MINIMAL?

You might be wondering – wouldn’t it just be easier, and more minimal, to throw out all the magazines? Is keeping magazine clippings even necessary when there is Pinerest?

There is no short answer to either of those questions. The truth is that the more we walk down this minimalism path, the more realize that it is a highly personal journey. There are no hard and fast rules about what can be deemed appropriate to save, and what for sure needs to be tossed. Those decisions lie solely with the person who owns the possession, and nobody else.

Minimalism does not mean we need to rid our lives of all the things we love. Instead, it asks us to be mindful of the intentions behind each of our belongings. To decide, for ourselves, what things and quantity of things are appropriate for this moment in time.

The beauty of this mindset is that I don’t need to justify my decision to save three binders full of magazine clippings any more than someone else needs to justify their personal collection. Whatever that may be. My magazine binders bring me joy, and serve a purpose at this point in my life. So they stay. In the future, if I decide to scan all of the pages and keep only a digital copy, that is fine too.

I would encourage you to follow the same process of thinking while you declutter or attempt to simplify.

PIN THIS SIMPLE WAY TO CONTROL MAGAZINE CLUTTER

If you are a magazine lover like I am, I encourage you to try out this method. It’s inexpensive – maybe $3 per binder and $5 for a large pack of plastic sheets. It is also simple enough to be maintained as a long term solution to control magazine clutter.

OTHER MAGAZINE ORGANIZING TIPS

These articles offer additional ways to control magazine clutter:

Simple Magazine Filing System

Determine what magazines mean to you

THOUGHTS ON ENOUGH

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been reading the book ‘Enough‘ by Will Davis Jr. The author explores what it means to have more, or less than, enough – and how our perspective on this is shaped by our lives and what we deem as valuable. It is quite eye opening.

If someone asked me if my own family has more or less than enough, I can say with complete certainty that we have definitely been blessed with MORE than we need.

**What though, is ENOUGH? Just right? No more than necessary?**

That seems to be the more difficult question to answer. There seems to be two ends to the ‘enough’ spectrum:

One is the idea of stark/ extreme minimalism. The thought that you should clear out all of your belongings, save a few items of clothing and basic household necessities. An extreme minimalist’s home is clean and sleek – and can sometimes be seen by those who aren’t following the principles, as cold, stoic and depressing.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is something resembling the show Hoarders. The thought that everything is important and special – people who cling onto earthly goods so tightly, they find it difficult to throw even a small piece of trash away.

That isn’t to say that people have to fall in one camp or the other. In fact, There are minimalists who have very comfortable homes, and avid collectors who don’t become hoarders. I would venture to say that the majority of the American population falls somewhere between these poles. But where? And why?

I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit, and have come to my own personal conclusion that it has to do with the amount of rules and regulations we put on ourselves.

Both extremes have a tight set of rules. The minimalist has strict about what can be kept (very little), and the hoarder- rules about what can be thrown (basically, nothing).

The rest of us though?

It seems to me that most of us just go on in life, with little to no rules about ‘stuff’. Simply put, we just don’t think much about our accumulation, or disposal of it. And when we aren’t paying attention, items slowly begin to creep in.

We pick up the freebies, the items that are on clearance because they are ‘such a good deal’, and take hand me downs without hesitation. Suddenly our Tupperware drawers are overflowing and we have duplicates of things, because we had forgotten we already had one, and then brought home another.

Psychologists have long studied the relationship between humans and our possessions. It is becoming more apparent, especially in modern day America, that consumerism is a sort of mask that covers up other emotions – a way to fill a void that we may have.

In short, many of us have tied our sense of belonging to our BELONGINGS… without even realizing it.

So, perhaps it is up to each of us and our own families to determine the rules and parameters we want to follow regarding what to keep and what to pass up – to decide what is ‘enough’. Rules that can help us to be mindful of every item that enters and exits our home.

Rules though, that are not made just for the sake of making them – but are instead pointed directly to the WHY

I should get rid of this item –

WHY?

Because my family means MORE to me than these THINGS that are surrounding me.

WHY?

Because when I have fewer things, I appreciate those I do have even more.

I should keep this item –

WHY?

Because this item enriches the lives of my family.

WHY?
Because this item holds valuable, irreplaceable memories.

We’ve begun the process of determining our own family rules regarding ‘things’ recently.

Besides the project bucket list I have been tackling this summer, I have had a bit of a side gig going. De-cluttering. It’s an ongoing battle, especially in a house with five kids; But I really wanted to dig deeper into the ‘stuff’ and really think about the items we choose to keep around.

I have mentioned before that when we move into Arrow Hill Cottage, hopefully one year from now, we plan to only bring with us the items that are truly useful or bring us joy. In an effort to get a head start on making those decisions, we cleaned out one of the large hall closets in our rental house and deemed it the ‘sell room’. Items that do not have a place in our new home will be stored here, and sold at a large garage sale the end of next summer – before we make the big move.

I figured that we would have enough things to eventually fill this room, but had no idea that in just a couple of months – after only sorting through toys, clothes and a few household items, that it would be as packed as it already is! I will show you a picture of the room, but you need to promise not to gasp.

These are things that we don’t need – don’t wear, don’t read, don’t play with, don’t use. So. much. more than enough.

With every item that is added to this space, I am finding myself conflicted with emotions. On one hand, it feels freeing to cut out the extras – and on the other, I feel guilt that we have been living with this much excess for as long as we have.

This process of deciding what truly is ‘enough’ will be a journey for our family – but one we are excited to take.

What is your ‘enough’?

SEVEN DAILY HABITS FOR A TIDY HOUSE

It isn’t always easy to keep a tidy house. Unless you employ a daily housekeeper, chances are you will need to take matters into your own hands. Sadly, a house isn’t going to keep itself clean!

The truth is, with busy life schedules, work, kids, and other priorities, a house can get out of sorts quickly and seem overwhelming if you try to tackle it all at once.

By picking up these seven simple daily habits, you can keep your house tidy and clean – and guest ready – with minimal stress.

If this list seems overwhelming to take on all at once, consider choosing just one habit to include in your every day routine, then add the others through time. A little bit of effort can go a long way in keeping a house organized and running smoothly.

MAKE THE BEDS

If one of the first things you do in the morning is make your bed, your day will be set up for productivity. The small win of checking off one item from the daily to-do list can make a huge difference in your perception of being able to take on the remaining items.

The great news is that making your bed is quick and easy. It should not take more than a few minutes to accomplish. A bed is typically one of the largest visible surface areas in a bedroom. Because of this, it can have a big impact. A made bed will give the illusion that the rest of the room is pretty tidy as well.

Take some time to teach your children to make their beds. Even if not done perfectly, the routine task will give them pride of ownership and a feeling of accomplishment.

KEEP COUNTER SURFACES CLEAR

Visual clutter can immediately add stress to your day. Just as the bed is a large surface area in the bedroom, tables and counter space represent a large area in other rooms. The kitchen, for example. If they become dumping grounds for papers, clothing, and knick knacks, they lose the functionality they were designed for.

Of course, most counters will never be 100 percent clear all of the time. That is unrealistic. The goal is to work to keep the surface as clear as possible. If you use the counter to prepare dinner, for example, clear it up afterwards. After the meal has been eaten, remove the dishes from the table.

SORT THE MAIL

One of the biggest counter-clutter culprits is the daily mail. Consider installing a file sorter, or placing a small basket near the entry door. Then, as soon as you enter your home, sort through the mail you bring in. Important papers can be placed in the sorter to be tackled later, and junk mail moved directly to the recycle bin.

Further this technique for other papers as well – receipts, work papers, even school art projects. Sort them straight away and you won’t find yourself with a massive pile to dig through later.

LEAVE SHOES AT THE DOOR

Consider all of the surfaces your shoes touch in a given day. Grass, pavement, gravel… even public restroom floors. It goes without saying that the potential for germs and debris on their soles is high. The last thing you want to do is spread that throughout your home. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens if you leave your shoes on.

Make it a habit to remove your shoes at the door, and encourage the same of your guests. In doing so, you won’t need to clean your floors and carpets as often, and you will always know where they are. No searching for a missing shoe when you are running late!

IF YOU TAKE OUT, PUT IT BACK

Each item in your home should have a place to rest – whether that is in a basket, bin, closet or cabinet. Once that ‘home base’ is established, be mindful that if it is taken out to be used it will be put back after.

Books will be read and placed back on the shelf, blankets in the basket near the fireplace.

Clothing should follow the same rule. When you change into your pjs in the evening, determine if the outfit you were wearing during the day is clean enough to be stored in the closet again. If not, it should make it’s way into the laundry bin No clothes should end up on the floor or the back of the chair.

This technique not only helps to keep the home tidy, but makes it easier to find items when they are needed. It helps if your children see you practicing this behavior. With enough modeling, they will learn to pick up and put away their toys after each use – meaning less work for you in the long run.

CLEAN THE KITCHEN EVERY NIGHT

You don’t need a two hour deep clean session each day. Something as simple as making sure the dishes are washed and put away (or stored in the dishwasher) can have a big impact. The kitchen is likely to be one of the first rooms you encounter upon waking in the morning. Seeing it tidy acts like a breath of fresh air and can give you peace at the start of each day.

A clean kitchen has the added benefit of making you want to use it. Many people admit that they feel the urge to cook more often when their kitchen is organized with everything in it’s place.

BE GENEROUS

Chances are if you were to take inventory of all the items you own and store in your home, you would realize that you use only a portion of them on a regular basis. Keep a donation bin handy, and toss those rarely used clothes, books, toys, and other miscellaneous items in it. Donate regularly to a local thrift store, or hold a garage sale.

The truth is: The less you have, the less you need to maintain. Less maintaining means less cleaning and more time for other things.

Your house is your haven, and when kept clean it offers a sense of peace to all inhabitants and visitors. Adopting these seven habits will start you on your journey to a tidy house. To further your knowledge of how to simplify your home, consider reading these books:

Enough: Finding More By Living With Less

The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience. If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Arrow Hill Cottage!

9 CREATIVE CLOSET ALTERNATIVES

Is your home lacking closet space? Find ways to store your belongings practically with the creative closet alternatives outlined in this post.

It is the time of year when most people are feeling the urge to purge. The cold weather has driven us indoors and we find ourselves surrounded by all of our belongings. It doesn’t take long for it to feel like the walls are closing in with too much.

Too many toys, too many books, too many pairs of shoes. In addition to the ‘stuff’ we had – we just brought more into our homes in the form of Christmas gifts or extra decorations for the season. It can be overwhelming.

My family is no exception. Although neither my husband or myself tend to be collectors of things – the accumulation just happens over time. The amount of clutter that naturally enters our lives is one of the main reasons our family is on a journey toward minimalism. The New Year is the perfect time to get a clean slate, to look at things from a new perspective.

I strive to keep only items that we use on a regular basis and/or truly cherish. And I’ve noticed that I am better at accomplishing this goal if I have FEWER closets. In fact, when we moved into our rental home one of the first things we tackled was the removal of most of the closet doors. One of the closets even became a bedroom for our oldest son!

I can almost hear you asking the question: ‘If you don’t have closets, where do you put all of your things?’ I’m going to answer that today with a list of 9 creative closet alternatives for your home.

HANGING RODS

I’m going to be honest in saying that the storage of clothes is something which I personally prefer to happen behind closed doors. I have designed for each of the bedrooms in Arrow Hill Cottage to have a small closet for clothes, and the mudroom to have a small closet as well, to store seasonal items such as winter coats and boots.

If you don’t mind having your clothes on display, there are plenty of creative alternative ways to hang them.

simple hanging rod with shelf above

ladder wardrobe

branch wardrobe

BASKETS

It’s no secret that I love baskets. Of all the closet alternatives in this post, this is possibly the one I utilize the most in my own home. I showed you some of my favorite baskets in this post about organization containers. They are so versatile and come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and colors. You can utilize freestanding baskets to store items such as blankets and towels, or use a series of baskets to organize smaller items on shelves.

blanket storage

kitchen storage

basket storage for toys

OPEN SHELVES

Whether a freestanding shelf or a wall hung shelving unit, there’s no doubt that shelves are considered a powerhouse of home organization. Basically, anything that can be set flat can be stored on a shelf. One of my favorite spaces to see open shelving in is a kitchen. The display of beautiful (and useful) dishes and other items adds much interest to a room that would otherwise be full of closed cabinetry.

open kitchen shelving

shelving in a playroom

living room shelving

UNDER BED STORAGE

There may be some items you own that are only used during one season of the year. You may not want to have them stored in a prominent place. Under bed storage is one of the most versatile closet alternatives. The space is perfect for items such as winter gear, holiday decor, and kid clothing that you may be saving as hand-me-downs for a younger sibling. If you build a platform bed, you can create even more customized storage underneath.

elevated bed with storage underneath

re-purposed dresser drawers

platform bed with basket storage

LOCKERS/CUBBIES

The divided spaces of lockers really help to keep things organized. They are perfect for kids, making it easy for them to remember where to place their backpacks, coats and shoes instead of throwing them in any random spot.

lockers with shoe storage below

vintage metal lockers

large open lockers

FURNITURE

This is another of my favorite storage options. A coffee table that blends with the room’s home decor can hide (ahem… store) obnoxiously colored toys when not in use. An ottoman with a storage compartment can house books or extra bedding.

coffee table storage

stacked trunk end table

DIY storage ottoman

HOOKS + BENCH

Similar to the locker set-up, a simple bench with a series of hooks above can accomplish the hard-working job of keeping everyone’s outdoor gear in line at a minimal cost. The bench may have an interior compartment, or perhaps space below for basket storage.

simple built in bench with hooks and shelf above

bench with baskets below

simple DIY entry bench

ARMOIRE

One major downside of closets is that they eat up valuable square footage. The framing itself takes up space, and the door swing creates it’s own series of issues. If you really want to keep items behind closed doors, consider an armoire instead. Made of cabinetry materials, the construction is more slim. They can also be moved – meaning you can experiment with it’s best placement.

freestanding pantry

bathroom toiletry storage

storage for linens

DRAWERS

Drawers are another way to keep items organized and a bit more hidden. Of course, cabinetry is one option – but it can get expensive to create custom built in pieces. A simple stand-alone dresser can many times do the job just as well. A desk with side drawers may be the perfect solution for smaller items, such as office supplies.

dinner plate storage

coffee bar

desk made from two drawer units

The bonus of utilizing these closet alternatives is that your items are bound to stay more organized and you will be less likely to add extra, unnecessary items into your home!

ALTERNATE USES FOR CLOSET SPACE

Another giant plus? By removing closet doors (or the entire closet itself!) you will free up a ton of floor space! Just think of the possibilities this extra square footage could become!

READING NOOK

This reading nook is so completely cozy! Can’t you imagine getting lost in a good book here?

SMALL OFFICE SPACE

The detail of this small office would really make working enjoyable. It provides plenty of storage and looks beautiful at the same time.

NURSERY NOOK

This bright and colorful nook is just the right size for a crib- freeing up space in the rest of the room.

ARTS & CRAFTS CENTER

I can imagine a lot of creativity happens here! Click here to see a photo of the closet before!

I hope this post will inspire you to clear out the clutter and possibly reclaim the space that the closet occupies! New Year, new possibilities!

PIN THESE CLOSET ALTERNATIVES

Save these ideas for your home, and get organized for the New Year!

HOME ORGANIZATION IDEAS

Keeping your home organized is one of the best ways to add simplicity to your life. Check out these home organization ideas to get a kick start on your simplifying journey.

The cold is setting in, which in the Midwest means plenty of time will be spent indoors over the next few months. I’m not sure about you, but cabin fever causes me to re-evaluate my belongings and sets me into full out organization mode sometime around mid-January.

In an attempt to get a jump start on the de-cluttering and organizing this year, I scoured Amazon for organization gear that can help me reach my goals. I found a TON of handy (and totally affordable) items that I would love to purchase. I thought you might find them useful as well. Click on the images below to be taken to the product page.

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BASKETS

You really can’t go wrong with a basket. My husband is pretty sure that I have an addiction to them, and he might be right. There is a perfect basket size and shape for just about any occasion. They can hold blankets, toys, books, you name it.

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Uh oh… the basket addiction is rearing it’s head again. My first choice? The large sea-grass basket. I can totally envision it filled with cozy blankets, sitting next to a fire place.

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BINS / BOXES

Similar to baskets, bins and boxes are highly useful in home organization. The awesome thing about them is that they are typically rectangle or square in shape, meaning that they can be easily stacked. Many also have a lid or cover. Those visually cluttering items can be stored neatly and out of sight. Legos anyone?

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The grey boxes are fold-able, and come with lids! I think I may need to buy some to organize all of the building sets my boys have.

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CLOSET SYSTEMS

A closet is probably the most likely space in any house to become cluttered. What happens behind closed doors stays there, right? Wrong! You will need to open that door at some point, and wouldn’t you rather see a well organized space than a war zone of items falling on top of you?

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How genius is that rack for pants? No more annoying crease marks from folding and stuffing the khaki’s in the drawers!

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SHELVING

Shelving units are an absolute staple in home organization. There are so many stylish options for shelving these days – from bookcases to display shelves. Take a look at the goodies I found!

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Pretty sure that little red number is calling my name. It has glass doors, which means it is the perfect place to store keepsakes and books, protecting them from little hands… and dust!

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CONSOLES

I would venture to say that just about every home in the United States has at least one television. And with that television comes all of the ‘extra’s’. The dvr, the blue ray player, the video streaming device, and video games for the kids. All of these items need a home, and a console / entertainment center is the perfect place to put them.

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I love the style of the aqua fretwork cabinet. I could see it being useful for a variety of items beyond the living room. Linens in the bathroom. Hat and glove storage in the entry. The possibilities are endless!

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KITCHEN ORGANIZATION

The kitchen is notorious for being a room that needs a lot of organizing attention. Forget about it for a short amount of time, and the space can easily be over-run with pots and pans and mix matched Tupperware. Thankfully the market is huge for kitchen organization items, such as these awesome finds.

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That spice rack. Come on. I mean, I’m not sure I would have the patience to fill all those little jars – but this may just tempt me to try! It is almost a work of art. You guys also have to check out the rolling kitchen cart/ island. It FOLDS!

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MISC. STORAGE/ ORGANIZING

I had to throw in one more grid including random storage items. The truth is, from the bathroom counter to under the bed, just about any space in the house can benefit from organizing!

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The wire wall hanger could be so useful for keeping all the paper items in line! No more piles of bills on the counter!

Let’s do this organizing thing! I’m thinking that if I tackle the clutter before the Christmas tree goes up, I won’t be as overwhelmed when it comes down.

What are your favorites from this list? I would love you to leave a comment and let me know!

MORE HOME ORGANIZATION IDEAS

For more inspiration on how to keep your home organized, check out my post titled 7 daily habits for a tidy house

WHY KIDS CLOTHING ACCUMULATES

Kids clothing is cheap

They take up little space

There are never ending hand-me-downs

STORING KIDS CLOTHING

HOW MUCH DO THEY REALLY NEED?

BOYS

GIRLS

WATCH ME DECLUTTER

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SPRING SPEED CLEANING

MUDROOM SPACE BEFORE THE SPEED CLEANING

SPEED CLEANING TIPS

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WALKING INTO

SET A TIME LIMIT

STAY FOCUSED

DON’T BE A PERFECTIONIST

WATCH ME SPEED CLEANING

THE RESULTS (AFTER)

ADDITIONAL CLEANING RESOURCES

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Do you love getting a new glossy magazine filled with inspiration in the mail, but are not sure what to do with them after you’re finished reading? Today, I will be offering a quick organizing tip on how to control magazine clutter.

HOW MAGAZINE CLUTTER HAPPENS

SIMPLE STORAGE TIP

WATCH ME DECLUTTER MY MAGAZINE STASH

IS STORING MAGAZINES MINIMAL?

PIN THIS SIMPLE WAY TO CONTROL MAGAZINE CLUTTER

OTHER MAGAZINE ORGANIZING TIPS

What though, is ENOUGH? Just right? No more than necessary?

The rest of us though?

In short, many of us have tied our sense of belonging to our BELONGINGS… without even realizing it.

Rules though, that are not made just for the sake of making them – but are instead pointed directly to the WHY

This process of deciding what truly is ‘enough’ will be a journey for our family – but one we are excited to take.

MAKE THE BEDS

KEEP COUNTER SURFACES CLEAR

SORT THE MAIL

LEAVE SHOES AT THE DOOR

IF YOU TAKE OUT, PUT IT BACK

CLEAN THE KITCHEN EVERY NIGHT

BE GENEROUS

Is your home lacking closet space? Find ways to store your belongings practically with the creative closet alternatives outlined in this post.

HANGING RODS

BASKETS

OPEN SHELVES

UNDER BED STORAGE

LOCKERS/CUBBIES

FURNITURE

HOOKS + BENCH

ARMOIRE

DRAWERS

ALTERNATE USES FOR CLOSET SPACE

READING NOOK

SMALL OFFICE SPACE

NURSERY NOOK

ARTS & CRAFTS CENTER

PIN THESE CLOSET ALTERNATIVES

BASKETS

BINS / BOXES

CLOSET SYSTEMS

SHELVING

CONSOLES

KITCHEN ORGANIZATION

MISC. STORAGE/ ORGANIZING

MORE HOME ORGANIZATION IDEAS

PIN THESE HOME ORGANIZATION IDEAS FOR LATER

**What though, is ENOUGH? Just right? No more than necessary?**