Today I want to share a few tips from my own home. I'm not the most organized person by any means, but these simple storage ideas have helped me a lot.
First up, use a wood box as an instant shelf for shoes and boots. I love having this shelf, especially during winter months. It's a home for our rain boots most of the time!
Bar carts really can work wonders! My husband collects scotch and before we had this cart it was causing a little bit of clutter in our kitchen. Bar carts are perfect because they display your liquor collection and give you an interesting smaller piece of furniture for those hard-to-fill living room corners!
You can use all sorts of things to create storage for your home. Metal baskets, wooden crates, paint cans (and so much more) make great displays with just a few screws or nails! You'll save money, even against the cheaper shelving options, while creating something stylish and custom... win/win!
PS. Did you notice the polish in mason jars? I almost never misplace a color anymore!
I don't know about you, but if I can't see my accessories I forget I even own them! Displaying them out in the open is the best way to make sure they get worn.
Small pieces are so easy to lose track of! Last summer I invested in a bunch of small plastic containers, mason jars and closet accessories (like this one). I spent a day finding places for my small accessories and it has paid off... big time! I am finally able to keep track of my jewelry, instead of piling it into one big container.
I created this little jewelry display in ten minutes with push pins and paint swatches. It's easy, perfect for renters, and changeable for coming seasons!
If you don't want to spend big bucks creating custom shelving, try these ideas! I purchased some cheap wood shelves (1/2 price at Hobby Lobby) and painted them white. To utilize that space along the floor I stacked wire baskets on their sides for instant shoe shelves! I love being able to see all my shoes, at a glance, when planning outfits.
I am constantly gathering inspiration, sketches and magazine clippings for future dress collections. I created this little wall in my sun room to keep them organized. The rest are stored in the drawers, but at least they aren't scatted throughout the entire home anymore.
We painted our cabinets with chalkboard paint last summer. It was a one day project that gave our kitchen a lot more personality. Now we use the cabinets to jot down menus and grocery lists. It's functional and cute!
A little rope and clothespins can go a long way to create a pretty, but temporary, photo display! I've often used this method to display photos without the commitment of buying frames and putting holes in the walls.
Try mixing it up with odd or unique containers. This coffee container is used to collect spare change in our bedroom. I chose it at a flea market for it's design and color. I think it's fun to use vintage items for a new purpose in your home!
I love collecting pretty glassware, like this cake stand. Storage can be an issue in our smaller home, though. Instead of storing it all in our laundry room I try to find different ways to use it throughout the home. This way it's being used, even when I haven't baked a cake in quite a while.... :)
Bikes are beautiful! Use them at focal points in your home! The same goes for musical instruments. Don't hide them in the closet, bring them out and let them add personality to your rooms!
I hope you've picked up a few helpful tips! All of these photos are by Janae Hardy and were taken for my home tour, last winter. Have a great day... Elsie
If you want to take a look at our full home tour here are the links... Living Room / Bedroom / Kitchen / Closet / Bathroom / Sunroom
Your home is so lovely and original! This post was so helpful--I just moved into a (small) NYC apartment, and finding a home for all of my things has been a struggle. Thanks for the great ideas!
Posted by: Alyssa | May 10, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Amazing. Elsie, you always manage to pinpoint my problems and give em fun alternatives to fix them all in one. First android photography, now this. Thanks a lot! Very helpful!
Posted by: Laura, la Mona | May 10, 2012 at 12:07 PM
I LOVE THIS HOME!!
xoxo
http://natashafatah.com
http://natashafatah.com
Posted by: Natasha Fatah | May 10, 2012 at 12:07 PM
lovely tips!! I really need to organize my room. too much fabric everywhere! haha :]
http://sprinklethepixiedust.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Guia | May 10, 2012 at 12:08 PM
You dont fancy jumping on a little plane and coming and Elsie-ing my little home do you?!?!? I love the photos, so sweet xxxxx
Posted by: Sallytangle | May 10, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I'm a student so I only have one room, but I find that jam jars are super-useful - I have lots on my desk and in my drawers. I like having as much floor space and desk space as possible, so I fill up all the gaps like under my bed and desk first. I also use as few ring-binders, boxes etc as possible. People always say my room is really light and airy, and that's how I like it! :)
Posted by: Tor | May 10, 2012 at 12:11 PM
I lovvvee your house! Thank you for all the ideas, I can't wait to try some (:
Posted by: Clare | May 10, 2012 at 12:12 PM
you have some fab ideas here elsie! i am going to display, & push pin more my necklaces. some are currently are tangled in my jewelry box. :)
Posted by: teddi | May 10, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Love your way of organsing! very cool.
I have started collecting nice looking Jars and i use them for things like sunflower seeds, hair clips, pen pots. beter to recycle them!
Posted by: Georgia | May 10, 2012 at 12:16 PM
I really need to work on my home decor. Right now my house just looks like a messy preschool. Haha. These tips are great. Someday ill get to it. Thanks!
Posted by: kat | May 10, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Amazing and very helpful post!!!
Thanks again for sharing Elsie!!!
xoxo
Posted by: Adeola Naomi | May 10, 2012 at 12:22 PM
so cute!! love the way you organize your house!
www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
Posted by: Petite and Hungry | May 10, 2012 at 12:23 PM
aw! You have the cutest house ever :) Thanks for letting us peer in!!
Yummy ideas aplenty!
www.elizabethselena.wordpress.com
to watch her unfold
Posted by: {inlumen} | May 10, 2012 at 12:27 PM
these organization tips are really helpful. I tried hanging and displaying my jewellery in the open before but sometimes causes my gold colored jewelry to change colour. I had to resort to keeping it back in boxes and drawers...any idea on how to prevent this from happening?
Posted by: Mariam | May 10, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Love the pink coffee container for storage, I have a similar one that I planted some succulents in! I think there's a picture of it on my blog somewhere. Thanks so much for the tour of your lovely little home!
www.prettylittlefawn.blogspot.com
Posted by: Courtney | May 10, 2012 at 12:33 PM
well, I know what I'm doing over the summer!
Posted by: Bethany T. | May 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Love this post. So many great ideas!
Posted by: Miss K | May 10, 2012 at 12:34 PM
WOW! This is so great! I have tons of mason jars and have been discovering so many uses for them! We are about to move to another apt. so this is a timely organizational boost!
Brooke
thebebebirds.blogspot.com
Posted by: Brooke | May 10, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Your home is so lovely and inspiring. I absolutely love the pallet in the bathroom with the crates as shelves!!! I would love to do that and paint the pallet ombre style! Love it!
Posted by: Mandy | May 10, 2012 at 12:38 PM
your home is gorgeous! love the tips. The paint swatches is such a cute idea.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Zoe | May 10, 2012 at 12:39 PM