I love to pore over magazine articles that tell you how to make your home an organized marvel. It's like some glorious piece of fiction -- wonderful to dream about but hard to imagine in my chaotic corner of the world.
To trick yourself into seeing room organization as a fun decorating challenge, imagine a messy room as a prime place to add style while restoring order. Here are a few ideas you can use to add beauty to your home as you tame two of the most troublesome spots.
Back entrance Problem: Are you an entryway dumper? Does the kitchen table become a landfill, piled up with the mail, newspaper and car keys?
Solution 1: If your back door opens directly into your kitchen area, press the wall by the door into service. Install some gorgeous hooks to hold your coats and a purse. Put a large, lidded basket on the floor under the hooks to hold your shoes. Finally, rest a silver tray atop the basket to collect your mail, paper and keys.
Solution 2: If you have a closet near your back door, transform it into a family drop zone that holds everything you'll need as you come and go. First, decide what this space must accomplish. Second, empty the closet. Third, install some utility: lockers to hold the kids' school and sports stuff; a bench with storage bins underneath so you can sit down, take off your shoes and tuck them away; shelves lined with cute fabric-covered storage boxes.
Kitchen Problem: A small kitchen might seem a drawback, but it can be the greatest thing that's ever happened to your organizational skills. When you have a shortage of cupboard and counter space, you have no choice but to use it attractively and efficiently. (Ditto with glass-front cabinets, which show off any mess.)
Solution: Purge. Take a hard look at everything from dishes to gadgets, and get rid of stuff you no longer use or love. Then invest in an organizational system that will help you efficiently stack and store everything left in your cabinets and drawers. Shop home organization stores for stacking shelves and drawer dividers to make better use of your existing space.
Problem: Counter clutter.
