Trends for organizing your home
Once upon a time, owning a label maker may have qualified you as being organized. I am not sure that you even had to use it but as long as the intention was there, you could brag about your organization skills and how you were working on alphabetizing your spices or categorizing your kids’ toys. Additionally, if your shoes were tucked neatly into plastic pockets hanging on your closet door, you were the envy of the neighborhood. An “out of sight, out of mind” mentality existed as the rubber tote industry grew leaps and bounds, filling up every closet and under-the-bed space imaginable. Valuable pieces were displayed for style and show but everything else was hidden behind closet doors, drawers or screens. While hidden storage is still important to keeping and protecting our memorabilia, a new approach to organization is to merge form and function so that you are no longer hiding or forgetting what you own.
“Home organization is getting more sophisticated,” says Sue Pail, Closet Factory CEO. “Our clients are building in storage that looks like it is a design feature and matches the decor of their home. Rather than just working with a closet the builder has given them, we are building in units along unused wall space that matches the style of their bathroom cabinets or bedroom furniture.”
Pail continues to explain that her clients want their storage needs to incorporate aesthetic details such as decorative hardware, cabinetry facings, and trim components which match the rest of their home.
Miranda Pace, New Home Counselor for Beazer Homes, confirms that buyers are interested in home organization. While they may not always come in with pictures or ideas specific to organizational trends she says that “this is typically an unspoken desire in the minds of the buyers- they want to be shown how our floor plans and models are going to improve their everyday lives, and I think that showing examples of how to organize those everyday items helps them fall in love with the homes that we sell.”
Pace reminds us about the convenience and simplicity of baskets, bins and trays to keep essentials organized and easily accessible while remaining stylish! “As a mom of a toddler, I’ve made a huge investment in foldable storage bins and baskets of every size!”
Whether you live in a smaller townhome and need to maximize your space or whether you have ample square footage to spread out, organization is key to keeping life running smoothly, reducing our stress and eventually saving us time and money; however, the bottom line is that we want to make the “model home look” work with our life. We see the polished look of a model home and get frustrated when we cannot achieve that same look once our shoes, keys, toys, and paperwork take over. Fortunately, today’s design trends are showcasing more practical living scenarios, removing the stress of attaining perfect spaces.
“Most of our clients are very excited about getting organized, but really don't know where to start. It can be overwhelming with so many choices. That is why we have highly trained Design Consultants who try to keep it simple for our clients by really understanding what their needs are and coming up with a solution that solves those organizational needs, looks like they want it to look and fits within their budget,” says Pail. “They are aware that they may spend a lot of money and not improve their situation if they don't get the help of an expert and a company that can work around their unique needs. For example, it is unusual to find a closet that is a simple rectangle with no angled walls or ceilings and that does not have a window or other obstruction. It is unlikely that anything sitting on the shelf at a retail space was made with their needs in mind.”
Pace agrees that her buyers are willing to spend the money necessary to explore storage and organizational solutions for their new home. “In communities where we have featured built-in media cabinets/shelves in family rooms and bonus rooms/loft areas, I have received a tremendous amount of positive response from buyers who want the same features for their homes,” she says.
Pace also mentions that kids’ play rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms are the rooms that usually have the most need for organization tools while Pail sees more variation with her customers.
“It seems that most homes are not built with proper closet storage and even if they are, it is not personalized to our client's needs. That is why we focus primarily on closets. That is also the place in your home where you spend the first and last part of your day, so it is important that it is a pleasant experience. We also find that laundry rooms, pantries and garages can usually use help. With so many homes not having basements in this area, storage anywhere you can add it is key and many garages have a lot of unused wall space,” explains Pail.
On a separate note, today’s design and organizational aids can only go so far. You cannot be afraid to get rid of things that you do not need or that have no sentimental value to you. Make it a habit to purge your closets and storage areas on a regular basis. Not only will it help you to stay organized and keep your personal style intact but it will also feel great to give to others and not be bogged down by the “too much stuff” syndrome.
“Don’t be afraid to sell, give, or throw things away. If you haven’t used them in over a year or more, you probably don’t need it!” exclaims Pace.
Pail reiterates that we should not let our space become a source of stress, but rather a source of pride and excitement.
“The more things you have, the more useful custom designed storage will be for you, but if it is not used as designed there is always the chance of becoming disorganized again. It is important to understand how you work from a storage perspective. If hiding your sweaters in a cabinet behind doors will make you forget about them and never wear them, that might not be the best solution. Think long term and set up a system that will work for you,” says Pail.
“I believe it is possible to stay organized with whatever style you are looking to incorporate! This is especially true in cases where the homeowner puts a little extra effort into thinking of ways to stay organized in the long-run. I love furniture with open nooks that allow for baskets and bins to be incorporated! It hides the clutter, but also makes those everyday items accessible for real life!” says Pace.
No matter your style, organization is an option. While it may be easier to keep things in their place if you lean more minimalist, all hope is not lost if you love the farmhouse look. The general consensus seems to be that it is most beneficial to think about your storage options from a long-term perspective and not just a quick fix solution. When imagining how you want your home to look, consider what you want displayed and what you want tucked away but be practical! If you know that shoes are going to pile up next to the door consider a drop zone bench or bins in a closet. Does your foyer table have a drawer for keys and wallets or do you need decorative hooks for these objects? Take a visual walk through your home and target your problem areas. Maybe a basket to contain the throw blankets in the living room corner or a tray on the coffee table to house books and candles would give a more cohesive and finished look to the room? It is incredible what a few organizational aids can do to keep your home on track and the picture of comfortable sophistication.
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