Decorating & Design
January 3, 2020
How To Be More Organized In 2020
Improving home organization is a common design resolution, and for good reason — having an organized home makes finding everything a breeze, and keeps visual clutter at a minimum. Whether considering a custom storage solution or a quick fix, here are 20 tips to help boost home organization for every room in your home.
In this spa-like bathroom, a simple rustic bench adds natural texture and offers a convenient spot to stack towels.
For bathrooms where greater storage is required, take a cue from designer Sam Sacks and repurpose a vintage armoire for a functional unit with a one-of-a-kind look.
Large baskets are an inexpensive way to remedy a lack of storage. Here, H&H design editor Kai Ethier placed a trio of bins beneath the sink to store extra towels and free up counter space.
Is a shower update on your reno wish list this year? Consider a shallow inset shelf to keep soaps and shampoos off the floor.
Hanging a canvas bag on the inside of a door and tucking a large wicker basket into the corner are both easy and inexpensive ways to remedy closet clutter.
Former J.Crew menswear designer Frank Muytjens opted for a custom closet solution in his own principal bedroom, creating a wall-to-wall storage unit with pull-out shelves and metal baskets for stashing smaller clothing items away.
Keep a box or tray near the door and fill it with ornamental ceramic bowls to hold keys, trinkets and more.
For a built-in storage solution, a shallow shelf with drawers affixed to the wall is great for keeping on-the-go items at the ready.
Shoes are often the culprit for clutter at the door. In her own home foyer, designer Erika Floysvik opted for a console table with flip-down doors to free up floor space and keep her shoes neatly stored.
Designer Élaine Fortin took advantage of a tall backsplash and installed rustic open shelves to balance the look of modern tile and keep kitchen essentials at hand.
Designer Sam Sacks put an unused wall to good use when redesigning this high-contrast kitchen. A new pantry unit (background, left) provided her clients with the extra storage they craved, while an open bookshelf helped to break up an expanse of white cabinetry.
Keep plates sorted and out of sight with dividers that fit into deep drawers. Likewise, custom cup slots make grabbing a glass easy and accessible.
Narrow vertical drawers are perfect for storing spices, but that’s not the limit of their value. Use this space to store baking trays and cutting boards for quick and convenient access.
Homeowner Kristin Lehman gave a set of old wooden crates new life by repurposing them as floating shelves in her vintage-meets-modern living room. They’re great for keeping items that change hands often — like remotes — handy when mounted near a sofa.
Make the most of space behind a sofa or chair to corral items, like a record collection, as designer Sophie Burke did in her West Vancouver home.
Coffee tables with storage capacity, like this simple square one in Kristin Andersons’s home, make the most of style and function.
Whether built-in or freestanding, a bookshelf is perfect for housing favorite reads, showcasing a favorite memento, or storing other accessories.
For bedrooms with limited closet space, forgo bedside tables in favor of a storage unit that makes the most of vertical and horizontal space around the bed.
Use the open space above storage cabinets to keep baskets that can store out-of-season accessories.
Keep a mess-prone kids’ bedroom organized with picture rail shelves. Not only do they help reduce floor clutter, but they provide a sweet and accessible space for display.