As we move into the spring season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that smaller rooms in the house can be left to the wayside. Winter can leave the house feeling messy, so as we move into warmer months, taking the time to organize the home can really go a long way!
While the pandemic is still keeping us in our homes more than usual, it’s important that every space we have helps us keep our new “normal” feeling cozy and inviting. Here are some ways to make those smaller rooms inviting and organized, without feeling cramped and overwhelmed.
Keep Your Dining Room Dual-Purpose
If you live in a house with an open-concept floor plan, it can be hard to create a space that’s comfortable for relaxing and dining. Deliberately separate your kitchen and dining room with updated flooring to make this separation make sense. Creating a dining room layout that works with your space is a key way to make sure that your living room feels like a living room and not just an additional space.
Add furniture that’s easily moveable to create more space in your dining room. A table that can be extended when needed is a great addition to have when you host guests; this also allows the space to feel larger when it’s at its normal length.
Hiding Storage Spaces
A key to keeping your space looking and feeling organized is hidden storage. It’s easy to create clutter in places like the bedroom due to nightstands, closets, and dressers just not having enough room to store your belongings. When organizing a smaller bedroom, separating what you’re using now, versus other seasons and event-specific items is a great way to avoid a little bit of chaos. Keeping off-season items in storage under your bed is a great way to keep your closet clean and organized while keeping all your essentials for different seasons in one space.
Pick a nightstand that has drawers to simplify your nightstand essentials. Keep the rest hidden while putting just a few items on the table itself, such as a lamp, your phone essentials, and a small catch-all dish. This will keep your space clear and create a tidy look and feel.
If you have space under your stairs, a great place for hidden storage is in these little nooks! If you have a basement, it’s probably directly under another set of stairs, meaning you can use this space to your advantage for a few pull-out drawers or renovating for a small bulk pantry. This is a great way to keep your kitchen clean, or if you don’t have a mudroom, a great place for off-season storage near your front door. Consider this update if you have kids, as this will help clear clutter and keep your home looking crisp.
Use Your Vanity to Your Advantage
When it comes to staying organized in a smaller bathroom, having adequate storage space can make a huge difference. One way to create this storage space that you might be lacking is by choosing a bathroom vanity option with plenty of drawers or cabinets.
When it comes to exploring these options, a floating vanity is a great way to save space, but a console vanity will allow you to store miscellaneous items. It can offer a place for things like towels, toilet paper, and other items you may keep in a closet. This will allow your space to be organized and minimize clutter on the vanity top. If you have a smaller bathroom, the floating vanity will keep the area clean, while offering an area for a bathroom cart or a small rack for items like toilet paper. It all comes down to what will match the rest of the bathroom, but pick what works for your space!
Floor to Ceiling Shelving
If you have time for a small renovation, swapping your kitchen or mudroom cabinets out for floor-to-ceiling shelving will not only provide extra storage but also makes for a more aesthetically pleasing look in any room. This will also eliminate dust and clutter that often accumulates in these spaces, giving you the benefit of an easier cleaning routine as well. Shelving is an easy way to store your belongings and provides an opportunity to decorate and make the space your own.
This can be a space saver in multiple places as well, including bedrooms. Consider the closet space you have, and if you currently have a hanging rod, replace this with a few more shelves, and include a small hanging rod for pants and nicer tops. Most items, like t-shirts, jeans, and sweatshirts can be folded for maximum storage. If you have a growing family, this will be the easiest to accommodate children as they grow up, to fit more items, including storage for toys! Plus, these hanging rods start to droop after a few years of heavy lifting, so replacing these will keep the closet looking organized, even if it’s jam-packed.
Smaller Bins and Hooks Can Make a Difference
If you have a mudroom, utilize organizational bins to help clear clutter that can get left behind at the end of the day. Labeling these for sports, work, and outerwear can be helpful for different times of the year, as well as assist in avoiding morning chaos. Your kids will be able to help you keep things tidy if they have a dedicated place for their belongings; giving them personalized bins can be the perfect way to create space for everyone in the family.
Adding hooks on the wall, if not already there, can help alleviate the stress of looking for your keys, coat, and other belongings on a daily basis. This will keep everything organized and allows your hallways to be kept clear.
Take the time to focus on small renovations or updates that really make a difference in the spaces you’re creating in your home. Small adjustments to rooms can help produce an environment that is both inviting and organized, keeping your home put together through all the changes and events happening this spring.