STAYING ORGANIZED - And Other Ways To Keep It Together
Feeling stressed because you’re surrounded by stuff? That stuff can actually make you happy if it’s efficiently and artistically displayed. And when organized properly, you can grab and go. Technology has helped reduce or eliminate the need for some stuff, like books and record albums, but we still need to store the items that we do collect.
Storage, home organization or space solutions – whatever you call it – has become a science using the latest technology. For example Richelieu has teamed up with Panasonic to create revolving closet systems and shelves that pull down and return pneumatically, providing innovative ways to make our lives easier.
Start Right - Get Organized
Whether your living in a tiny studio or a mansion, many of the same rules apply when it comes to getting organized:
Purge:
Get rid of things you don’t need or that don’t give you pleasure in some way.
Learn to make sacrifices:
In a small or large space, every object matters: Real estate is expensive and learning how to use that real estate, means making choices and focus on priorities.
Inventory items that need storage and display:
Determine what type of storage or shelving you need and house them accordingly. Make this scientific by knowing how much linear and square footage space is required.
Design and plan:
Plan where these items are going and then find the design solutions you need to maximize and beautify your space.Planned properly you can achieve maximum benefit in any space.
Divide And Conquer
Storage is divided into three categories:
1. In sight and in mind.
Open shelving allows us to see what we own, defining our unique personalities. Free standing or bolted to the wall, shelving is simple. The structure itself can be a design feature, elevating your simple objects into things of beauty.
2. Out of sight and out of mind.
Closets or storage rooms are enclosed empty spaces. You can add rods or shelving to suite your requirements. People are now choosing to turn closets into dressing rooms, enclosing items in cabinetry and revealing only what’s most precious and notable through glass cabinets. If you own shoes, purses, belts or ties that are beautiful and cost a pretty penny, then why not put them on display like an art object in a glass case?
3. Combining in and out of sight.
Say we’ve opted for open-plan spaces instead of separate rooms for our functions. Even kitchens are now blended in, requiring special thinking on how to manage all its requirements. While one-room living reveals all, do we really want to show off everything?
Storage credenzas, shelving and wall units can act as free-standing room dividers to delineate space. One company that provides unique items is Design Within Reach (DWR). It is a go-to destination for design sophisticates. Their variety of cabinets and shelving units are real designer heirloom classics that can make space efficient and extra special.
Custom vs Standard
Each home is unique, not only in structure, but also in the personality and vision of it’s owner. While standard shelving and storage units are available at most home store, and while you can hack Ikea, it is best to give your storage needs the attention they deserve.
Investing in custom built-in storage solutions will enhance the value of your house, much like investing in kitchen or bathroom renovations.
Knowing that everything is in its place and there’s a place for everything helps liberate us from our stuff.
And, that makes all the difference in the world.
DOLORES PIAN IS A MASTER RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER SPECIALIZING IN SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE WHO SEEK HER EXPERTISE - DESIGN RECLAIMING TIME.
TIME IS THE TRUE LUXURY.
dolores@dolorespian.com
Closet system by Richelieu & Panasonic
All furniture Design Within Reach (DWR)
Custom Cabinetry By Dolores Pian