10 Simple Ways to Organize Your Home

Spring is here and it's just about that time to do a little "spring cleaning" and organizing. I cleaned out our bedroom and closet over the weekend (which was seriously turning into a storage shed!). I got rid of a bunch of clothes, shoes and books, which I plan on donating to our local Salvation Army. Then I added a few wicker baskets to our bookcase to organize clutter and hung curtain side panels over our window. Just a few simple changes and our bedroom feels fresh and new again. Sometimes it doesn't take much to transform a space. Next on my list is organizing the bathroom drawers, my jewelry, and the kitchen cupboards...among many other areas that need a little love and attention. One project at a time, right?! If you're ready to do some spring cleaning and organizing around your home, here are 10 easy ways to help you get started!  And please feel free to share any helpful tips of your own :)

1. Hang necklaces and bracelets neatly on a paper towel holder. {Click here for details}

2. Personalized storage buckets placed in an entryway bookcase help everyone in the house keep their stuff organized in one place. {Click here for details}

3. Use an ice cube tray to store earrings and rings. {Click here for details}

4. A wicker cutlery tray placed on top of a bookcase or console table in the entry, makes the perfect catchall for cell phones, keys, etc. Personalize each compartment for family members. {Click here for details}

5. A tray filled with glass pebbles or rocks allows mud or snow to drain from your boots and shoes, preventing them from sitting in a puddle. {Click here for details}

6. Keep recipes organized neatly in a binder by using photo protector sleeves. {Click here for details}

7. Hang dish towels and gloves from hooks mounted on the inside of your kitchen cabinets. {Click here for details}

8. Organize your kitchen cabinets by using a baking pan to hold smaller jars, spices, honey, etc. You can slide the pan in and out like a drawer, which will help you easily find things. {Click here for details}

9. Create a battery charging station inside of a drawer. This way you can charge cell phones, etc. in one place and avoid cluttering a counter or table top. {Click here for details}

10. My favorite idea for storing jewelry! Place mismatched, random vintage teacups and saucers in a drawer to hold your precious jewels. Line the inside of the drawer with velvet or felt to prevent the cups from sliding around. {Click here for details}

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IMAGE CREDITS: REAL SIMPLE; MARTHA STEWART; BHG

Get Organized! The Dreaded Closet

Living and working out of a one bedroom apartment has forced me to become super creative when it comes to organizing. I've become quite good at getting rid of / donating things on a regular basis (my husband on the other hand, still has trouble parting with just about everything...like old tee shirts from college and little trinkets he's collected over the years...but that's a whole other can of worms!). We've made it work thus far with just the two of us, but with a baby on the way (due in just 6 weeks), I've really had to channel my inner organizer to make way for the newest member of our household.

So where to start? The dreaded closet! Luckily we have a pretty large walk-in, however, it's become part storage for clothes and part storage for boxes and bins of STUFF since we don't have a garage. We've made pretty good progress over the last few weeks and I've picked up some helpful tips along the way, many of which I'm going to share with you today. How's your closet looking these days? Is it time to deep clean and re-organize? (I promise to share before and afters once I'm finished with mine).

First, some inspiration...these closets are to die for! I don't know if mine will EVER look like this, but a girl can dream!

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Steps to getting your own closet organized...

{1} Clear it out! If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it or sell it on Ebay. Store this season's favorite accessories in visible spots to make it easy to find what you need. Relegate out-of-season shoes, handbags, and hats to containers stored on the top shelf or even in another room.

 {2} Once you have whittled down your wardrobe, assess the layout of your closet and create a plan. Measure the space you have, making sure to utilize backs of doors, floor space, and all interior walls. When you shop for boxes, bins, and other necessary space-savers, make sure you have your closet measurements in hand. Use every square inch of your closet. Hang shoe racks on the back of your closet door. (Image credit)

 {3} Canvas bins and hat boxes are excellent for storing handbags, linens, seasonal clothing and more! (Image credit)

 {4} Simple wall hooks are great for belts, jewelry, hats, etc. Store up to 10 scarves on a wooden scarf hanger. Classic belt hangers with multiple hooks are also a good solution for hanging camisoles, bras, or scarves. Sturdy bins with handles like these ones from the Container Store are versatile and they keep things looking clean and streamlined.

{5} Keep your boots well preserved with Boot Shapers, and store under your bed or hang in your closet. If you have the space, hang purses from durable hooks to keep them from slumping and losing their shape. Organize by color and season to make it easy to find the handbag you want. Store shoes in clear containers for easy visibility, like these stackable ones from the Container Store.

 {6} Matching hangers. I've been working on this slowly but surely, purchasing packs of wooden hangers when I can. Everything looks so much better when hung from the same hanger, right?! (Image credit)

 {7} Organize your clothing by color...something I'm also working on! I love the idea being able to select what to wear by color. (Image credit)

{8} If you can, install a closet system with shelving, racks, drawers, etc. IKEA carries the PAX system, which allows you to build your own dream closet with the components and features that fit your needs.

What other tips do you have to add when it comes to organizing the closet?

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Turn Paper Clutter into Art

Happy Friday! I'm planning on doing some serious cleaning and organizing this weekend around my apartment and home office. Always on the look-out for creative ways to store & display paperwork, photos, etc., I found some great ideas for organizing cards, invitations, reminders, etc., that don't involve a giant cork board or refrigerator! I do love cork boards but they can get messy and cluttered very quickly. These ideas are especially handy for the upcoming Christmas season where you'll have invites, holiday cards, shopping lists, etc., etc., that will need a home (and not on the fridge!). Enjoy and have a lovely weekend :)

PHOTO CREDITS: (1-4) HOUSE TO HOME & LIVING ETC.; (5-6) POTTERYBARN

Quote of the Week + Hot Summer Sale

"Two big aspects of finishing a bedroom are organizing the little stuff and making the space feel personal. Having places to tuck everyday objects out of sight will help the room feel more restful - and give you the space to express yourself without causing clutter." 

- Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, The Comfortable Home

[IMAGE SOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST BOARD: BEDROOMS]

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Attention all pet lovers: Fleabag Bed is having a HUGE Summer Sale today through Wednesday on their past season beds AND they're rolling out their latest collection: Jet Setter. My good friend Sabina is co-owner of Fleabag Beds and I adore their designs - the beds are seriously fabulous! If you have a dog or kitty that needs a stylish bed to rest their furry little head, you have to check these out. And what's even better...all Belle Maison readers will receive 25% off all beds today through Wednesday! Just use discount code SUMMERLOVE upon checkout. Click here to start shopping!

[CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS]
Note: To receive 25% off your order, use discount code SUMMERLOVE instead of the one listed on the flyer

[CYNTRAL PARK]

[SAN FRANCISCO]

[SERENGETI]

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Spring Cleaning :: The Organized Kitchen

Is it really possible to have a super organized kitchen, where you can always find what you need and have plenty of space for everything? Is it possible to open your pantry and smile because it's not only functional but looks amazing as well? I'm challenging myself to find out! After nearly 6 years of living with a small apartment kitchen, the cabinets are starting to bust at the seams and I've literally run out of even an inch more of space...I've had to start putting things in my bedroom closet because I'm flat out of room. However, instead of just accepting that I have a small kitchen with limited space and continuing to live in chaos, I've decided it's time to take control and tackle each cupboard, one by one, maximizing what I have to work with. Currently, I don't have any cabinet or shelf organizers and after researching online, there are endless gadgets and solutions for the kitchen. Why haven't I been using any of them?! I guess when you live in chaos for so long (like a messy closet), you rarely take the time to step back and assess the mess. It's time to start over and here are some ideas that have my brain spinning. I'll post my before and after photos as soon as this project is completed! What about your kitchen? Is it neat and organized or messy and chaotic?

Tip #1: Your pantry can be organized and look pretty too. I love the idea of wallpapering or strnciling the back wall. Even a solid paint color would look great. [Image via House of Smiths]

Tip #2: Maximize the use of shelving by creating dividers to store pans and trays on their side. This was created using curtain tension rods! [Image via Martha Stewart]

Tip #3: Keep food fresh longer and make it easy to find what you need by putting everything in a plastic or glass container. You can use a label maker or print clear labels with your computer to identify each container. This maximizes the use of shelving space by allowing you to stack and place things side by side more efficiently. [Image Source]

Tip #4: Use valuable wall space in a pantry by mounting bins to store snacks, supplies, etc. [Image via Poppytalk]

Tip #5: Use the back of cupboard or pantry doors for even more storage! There are many easy-to-install shelving systems out there. [Image via BHG]

Tip #6: Again, using clear jars to store food, pasta, spices, flour, etc. is an excellent way to maximize shelving space. Small baskets are great for holding smaller items and allow you to slide the basket in and out for easy access. [Image via Pinterest]

Tip #7: Maximize drawer space with dividers and containers to keep everything separated. [Image via Real Simple]

I planned on doing a round-up of several great storage gadgets I'd love to purchase, but my son just woke up from his nap so I must run :( Maybe I'll share another day! In the meantime, some great places to shop for kitchen storage are: The Container Store // IKEA // Rubbermaid // Amazon // Target. For more ideas, visit my Pinterest board: Organizing.

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xo,

Time to Get Organized: The Home Office Edition

It's a new year and a great time to start de-cluttering and organizing your home. If you have a home office or craft room, I've rounded up examples of practical and stylish ways to get your cluttered work space under control. My home office is in my living room, so I've definitly had to get creative with storage that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I'm planning on sprucing up my little workspace soon and promise to share the before & afters when I'm done!

1. Add interest to simple furniture with decorative decals

2. Organize memos, paint chips, invitations, etc. neatly with small clips or clothespins

3. Cover a cork-board with felt and frame with decorative trim or ribbon

4. Hang your important papers from string and small pins - it looks like art!

5. Keep your favorite books and magazines within reach by mounting shallow picture frame shelving above your workspace

6. We could all use our own inspiration board to pin up photos, fabrics and things that make us happy, right?!

7. This is an office I designed a couple years back. The angled shelves are great for displaying books and holding rolled floor plans. To give your bookcase an update, paint the exposed wall behind the shelves an accent color

8. Recognize this office?! It belongs to Jeff Lewis from one of my favorite shows, Flipping Out. Wallpaper an awkward niche or small space and hang floating shelves for instant style

9. This is what I call messy-organized...what my workspace usually ends up looking like. The antlers hung above the photo collage help to visually frame the mass of photos, which keeps the area looking somewhat organized

10. Keep buttons, thread and other baubles & things neatly stored in glass jars

11. If you have the space for it, why not create a giant cork board wall?! I'd love something like this

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Do you have any plans to update / organize / declutter your workspace? If so, I'd love to possibly feature your make-over on belle maison this year! Keep me posted on your projects. 

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 IMAGE CREDITS: #1,2,3,4,5,10; #6,8,9; #7; #11