1o Principles of Organizing That Work in Every Room

Article originally from HOUZZ

Getting your home organized is a great feeling but figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Keep the process simple by zeroing in on these 10 principles of organizing, which can be applied to any space, anytime.

Get to Know Active vs. Passive Zones

Active zones are the spots in your home that you pass or touch daily (usually multiple times a day) and include the entryway, top drawers, and eye-level shelves and cabinets.

Passive zones are the less frequently used spaces in your home, including the guest room, garage, or basement, very high and very low shelves, and nooks deep within closets.

A common organizing mistake is to clutter your prime active zones with items you don’t frequently need. For example: Don’t keep your spare lightbulbs in the top drawer in the kitchen when you only need to grab one every few months!

Make Open Storage Beautiful

Every home can use a combination of open and closed (i.e., hidden) storage. But what you choose to store on your open shelving should be visually pleasing. The living room is a good place for books and pretty objects, not beaten-up board games and stacks of video games. Likewise in the kitchen, open shelving is the place to put your matching sets of clear drinking glasses or favorite teacups, not the plastic food storage containers.  Style Your Open Kitchen Shelving Like a Pro

Keep Things Findable

Out of sight, out of mind is an especially apt expression when it comes to organizing. Clear containers are ideal when you want to be able to see the contents at a glance, and open baskets can corral loose items while still letting you look inside.

If you use containers that aren’t transparent, be sure to label them clearly — or take it a step further and label each with a photo of the objects inside. (Instant cameras are ideal for this.)

Make It Easy to Put Away

This is most important when it comes to kid stuff, but we can all benefit from this rule.

When you need to go get something, you’ll get it out — it doesn’t really matter where it is — but when it’s time to clean up, we all get a little lazy.

To increase the likelihood of stuff being put back in its place, use easy-to-access bins, baskets and hampers, simple filing systems, and wall hooks for frequently used items.  Are You a Piler or a Filer?

Group By Task

I think of this as the first-aid kit phenomenon: When you need a Band-Aid, you may also need some antibiotic ointment, maybe some tweezers to remove a splinter, and a gauze pad; in a first-aid kit, everything you need to complete the task of caring for your injury is conveniently located in one place.

When you’re organizing your stuff, remember this and group everything you need to complete a task in the same place.

For example, you could make one box for medications, another for spare office supplies, one for holiday cookie cutters and sprinkles, and so on. Labeled shoebox-size boxes, buckets, or baskets work well for grouping small items together.

Create a Way Station for Items In Transit

We all have a certain amount of stuff that’s constantly in transit: library books waiting to be returned, our bag and keys, the dog’s leash, the casserole dish a friend left after your last party.

Instead of allowing these random items to pile up, create a dedicated space that can handle them and keep them neat.

If you have room by the main entrance to your home, this is the most logical spot — a few baskets on a shelf and some wall hooks should do the trick.  How to Keep Your Home Neat When You Don’t Have a Mudroom

Subdivide and Conquer

Wide-open drawers are an invitation to clutter. Anytime you have a drawer where you’ll be storing small items, use a drawer organizer. Use them for cutlery in the kitchen, office supplies in your desk, small and useful household items in your junk drawer, and daily essentials (sunglasses, keys) in a drawer near the entry.

Go Vertical

What happens when you go for something at the bottom of a pile? That’s right, it topples.

Avoid this organizing nightmare and go vertical instead. Use shelf risers to increase cabinet capacity, store sheet pans and trays in a vertical holder, and use wall-mounted holders to store brooms and mops so they won’t tip over.

Choose the Right Container For the Job

It can be heartbreaking to find that some of your most precious items — old family photographs, Grandma’s wedding gown — have been ruined thanks to improper storage.

Take preventative measures by choosing the right storage container for the job. Photographs and paper memorabilia should be stored in acid-free containers or albums, and textiles should be kept in breathable storage boxes or bags designed for that purpose.

Store Heavy Items Down Low

You should never have to balance on a stepladder while trying to lift something heavy.

Keep heavy items at or below waist height, including boxes, kitchen equipment (those dutch ovens and stand mixers weigh a ton!), and anything else that takes some real effort to lift.

Home Remodeling in the Greater Phoenix Area

Planning a remodel in 2021? We are a professional member of HOUZZ and have been awarded their Best of Service Award several years in a row.  You can check out our HOUZZ site! It is also a GREAT place to peruse idea books and great ideas, see our award-winning projects, and leave a review. Ready to start? Give us a call at (480) 895-3442 for a free consultation safely in-home or virtually. We are still at work for you helping you love your home again!

Homework Remodels is an award-winning remodeler with years of experience.  We focus primarily on amazing kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, and large whole-home remodeling projects. Our professional designers and craftsmen will help transform any part of your home into something you can truly be proud of.  You can learn more about us here.

How to Equip the Perfect Bathroom According to Your Lifestyle

Whether you’re looking for luxury at home or caring for an elderly loved one, your bathroom design can make a big difference in how you live your life. With the right décor and a few helpful features in place, you can enjoy a beautiful, comfortable bathroom that serves your needs. From a luxe spa-like retreat in the master bathroom to a cozy guest bath tucked in a hallway, it’s easy to elevate this part of your home and take it to the next level. Check out these helpful tips to guide you and give you inspiration so that you can design the ultimate bathroom according to your unique lifestyle.

Essentials for a Luxurious Bathroom

You can live a life of luxury in your own bathroom if you have the right fixtures, finishes, and accessories. Here are some ideas that will transform your bathroom into a stunning spa.

Smart gadgets. Bring in some smart gadgets and AI technology to make your bathroom more convenient. A voice-activated Bluetooth shower speaker lets you listen to your favorite music while you scrub. Try a few other high-end gadgets in your bathroom, like electric towel warmers, a lighted toilet seat, and a touch-free liquid soap dispenser.

Make it trendy. Update the lighting and fixtures in your bathroom to give it a modern aesthetic. Choose new designs featuring on-trend finishes like matte black or sleek brushed gold. One easy way to keep up with the current bathroom trend is to switch out your towels, shower curtain, and bath rugs to keep things fresh and new.

Enjoy a sauna. If you have the budget, consider installing a beautiful sauna in your bathroom to help you detox and relax. You can also create your own sauna-like environment to relieve those aching muscles and de-stress at the end of the day.

Upgrade the tile. A luxe bathroom should have high-end finishes, so consider changing your old ceramic bathroom tiles to something a bit more refined. Installing marble tiles is a fabulous way to create a luxe look and give your bathroom a sophisticated vibe.

Install a huge shower. Don’t suffer in a tiny shower or a cramped tub-and-shower combo. Upgrade your shower, and make it huge, with more than one showerhead, for an awesome experience. Finish the new shower with glass doors and some high-end tile on the floor and surround.

Choose nice mirrors. Stay away from basic, contractor-grade mirrors if you want a luxurious bathroom. Update your mirrors to something sleek and unique with decorative frames, unusual shapes, and a sleek gold or silver metallic finish.

Consider a Japanese toilet. Japanese toilets have an elongated shape and typically extend from the bowl to the floor for a seamless look. These gorgeous toilets will instantly elevate your bathroom and give it a beautiful, contemporary vibe.

Finish with artwork. Express yourself in your new bathroom by hanging some select pieces of artwork. It can be anything from a beautiful painting of a pastoral landscape to a colorful modern abstract piece. The key is to use the artwork to round out your luxurious bathroom theme.

Design a “Couple Goals” Bathroom

Whether you’re a newlywed couple or you’re simply tired of sharing a cramped bathroom, here are some suggestions to help you update this space to make sharing easier.

Convert your bathtub to a hot tub. A roomy jetted tub for two is a wonderful way to spend some alone time together as a couple. Replace your standard bathtub with a deep tub featuring massaging jets, whirlpool action, and LED lighting.

Make sure you have two sinks. Reaching over each other when you get ready in the morning is a drag. Consider installing a larger vanity with two separate sinks so you’ll both have enough elbow room to brush your teeth and start your day on a positive note.

Stay organized with a walk-in closet. A small closet can become cluttered fast. If you have the square footage, have a nice walk-in closet added to your bathroom. This will give both of you room to hang up your duds and store your shoes so that your bedroom and bathroom aren’t constantly overrun with clothes.

Add a big mirror. That tiny mirror over your sink isn’t enough to help you see everything you need to see. Update your small bathroom mirror, and hang a large, full-size mirror on the wall—or try a freestanding, full-length mirror in the corner of your bathroom so you can see yourself from head to toe.

Keep your stuff separate. Make sure that both of you have plenty of room to organize your cosmetics, razors, and toiletries by creating two separate storage areas. This can be additional storage under each sink or a mirrored medicine cabinet up above. The goal is to make your couple’s bathroom convenient, clean, and spacious enough that you both feel welcome, whether you’re in there alone or with your other half.

Make it smell good. Freshen up the bathroom with some essential oil diffusers so that the room always has a pleasant fragrance. Make sure you both agree on a scent that you like so it’s not overpowering for the other person.

 How to Equip a Little-Kid and Family-Friendly Bathroom

Of course, the kids need a fabulous bathroom that accommodates their needs, too. Check out these easy tips to equip your child’s bathroom in a way that makes using it fun and easy.

Use kid-proof accessories. To ensure that the bathroom is safe for little ones, you’ll need some additional accessories. Add outlet covers so that tiny fingers don’t get into trouble, and install a lock on the toilet to keep it shut until it’s potty time. Grippy stickers or a non-slip bath mat on the bottom of the tub will help prevent children from slipping and falling. Never store cleaning supplies or medication in your child’s bathroom.

Remember the tub. Most tubs aren’t designed for toddlers, so you may want to choose something else in the meantime. You can find bathtubs for children that can be a temporary place for kids to bathe until they’re old enough to use the full-size tub.

Hang colorful bathroom curtains. Select an adorable theme or kid-friendly color scheme, and use it for bathroom curtains, rugs, and décor. This can be anything from your child’s favorite character to soft pastel colors or a whimsical jungle theme.

Have plenty of shelving. Install some wall-mounted shelving, or bring a small cabinet into the family bathroom so your kids have a place to keep everything. Shelving is perfect for tub toys, shampoos, and other items, and you can paint in a coordinating color or choose something with a cute design to make the bathroom welcoming for the little ones.

Make sure there’s good lighting. Install bright LED lighting in the kids’ bathroom so they can see things easily. A motion-activated night light will help your child see in the dark if they need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Solving Bathroom Problems for Seniors

Senior-related bathroom accidents are common and can cause serious injuries. Here are some ways you can improve the safety of the bathroom and maintain the quality of life for your senior loved one.

Install a handicapped toilet. Toilets for seniors should have a taller height that makes it easier to get up and down. The standard ADA toilet height should be approximately 17-19 inches from the floor to the bowl rim. Add some grab bars so that they can hang onto something whenever they need to.

Offer an emergency button. An emergency call button in the bathroom will alert you or your loved one’s caregiver if something is wrong. These buttons sound an alarm so that others in the home will know that the senior needs assistance. If your senior lives alone, choose an emergency button that will immediately alert local emergency services so they can rush over to help.

Use a tub or shower chair. Bathroom chairs for the elderly are designed to help them maintain balance while bathing. These chairs are waterproof, stable, and sturdy for a comfortable, safe shower.

Keep it simple. A minimalist bathroom design is best for seniors so that there isn’t a lot of stuff getting in the way. Look for sturdy wall hooks and towel hangers that they can use to keep towels and bathrobes off the floor. The less clutter you have in the bathroom, the safer it will be for seniors to navigate.

Try a walk-in tub. Walk-in tubs and showers are best for seniors since they prevent having to “climb over” the edge. These tubs are perfect for the elderly who want to age in place and prefer to live at home rather than in an assisted living facility.

Install grab bars. Grab bars on the shower and bathtub walls and next to the toilet will give your loved one something to hang onto if they feel dizzy or tired. These bars can be found at most home improvement stores and do an excellent job at providing seniors with some extra stability in the bathroom.

Check the dimensions. Seniors who use a wheelchair should have a bathroom door that’s at least 34-inches wide. The inside of the bathroom should have a minimum of a five-foot radius so they can easily turn around. You should also ensure that there are at least 27 inches of clearance under the sink for the wheelchair. Hang mirrors low enough so that seniors don’t have to strain or stand on their tiptoes in the bathroom.

From a luxurious, spa-like master bathroom to a safe bathroom for seniors, designing a bathroom that fits your lifestyle and your needs will make your life that much easier. Keep these tips in mind to make sure you have everything you need, and watch your fixtures, tub styles, and colors come together in a beautiful, functional space you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Written by Cassandra Rosas and originally posted on Porch.com

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