Tips to organize your living space
One of the biggest challenges every homeowner faces is the need to organize. No matter how large your home is it always seems like there just is not enough space. This is especially true in the main living areas where everyone in the family tends to gather. Yet by taking a few simple steps you can organize your living space to make it much more comfortable and effective for everyone who lives there.
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- Add a wastebasket-Few great rooms actually have wastebaskets in them since many people feel that they are not attractive and they can smell. But if trash tends to accumulate in the family room this can be a simple solution for cutting down on the clutter. Simply choose a wastebasket that fits the room décor and if you are afraid that food will be thrown away here be sure to get one with a lid and some deodorizing trash bags.
- Think about creating a play zone-If toys are taking over your family room, it may be time to put them in timeout. Unused corners of a family room can transform into great play areas because the walls will serve to block encroaching clutter. Corners can also be good areas to put a small bookcase or children's table. Be sure to add rolling bins for toy storage so your child does not have to feel confined, and encourage them to pick up after he or she is done playing.
- Keep all flat surfaces free from clutter-There seems to be piles of papers, books, brochures and magazines that tend to accumulate on flat surfaces all around the house, and the family room is no different. The reality is that the family room is often more cluttered because it is a central gathering place in the house. Home organization experts recommend a two drawer file for most homes to organize their needed paperwork. You should also make a quick sweep of all flat surfaces by piling papers in a bin, then sorting and purging as necessary. Take a vow, and get your family to follow it, to deal with paper as it comes in rather then just piling it somewhere.
- Designate a game area-If your family likes to play games then having a game cabinet for board games and cards is both functional and fun. While games usually end up in a TV armoire, it is helpful to designate a separate space for them, whether in another shelving unit, a bookcase or in plastic containers below the sofa (only if the sofa has a skirt). The bonus to this is that creating a single game space will free up other areas of the room for storage.
- Make your coffee table function better-If you have a coffee table it is time to reassess its organizational capacity. Coffee tables that look great but do not have any storage for magazines, remote controls or even drink coasters are probably just making life more difficult. If you do not have the budget for a new one, you could consider adding low storage cubes, rolling baskets or bins to stick under the table.
- Do not forget about the space behind the sofa-You can organize extra blankets, pillows, candles in an accessible place right behind the sofa. It is a great place to put a trunk, cabinet or low bookcase to help with your organizational needs. Plus, it can give you another surface to put a lamp or show off some treasured objects.
- Creatively display your photos- If you have a lot of small, photo frames that are cluttering your family room it is time to take control by displaying them in new ways. Photo albums and collage frames are both great options for storing lots of photos at once, and a digital photo frame is especially handy for those who do not use film. Do not just use the mantel or side tables; you should use vertical space on the wall.
