storage
Photos by Philippe ClairoHouse at a GlanceWho uses it: This is a second home for a couple with adult children and grandchildrenLocation: Horse country outside Calgary, AlbertaSize: 600 square feet (58 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroomDesigner: Cat HackmanThis farm property about a 30-minute drive from Calgary, Alberta, includes this cottage, a main house, a log cabin and several barns. The residential buildings all were in derelict condition, and this little cottage was the first one the couple fixed up to use for family gatherings. Down the line they plan to restore the main house, and they are currently working on an old log cabin on the property. Exterior. New James Hardie siding, double-glazed windows and doors and composite roof shingle that looks like cedar transform the exterior and stand up to the elements.
3. Face your fears. This is what stands between you and the refreshingly clean and neat home you wish you had: fear of making a bad choice, fear of tossing out something and regretting it later or fear that a family member will make you feel guilty for getting rid of something. We are all experts at coming up with excuses for keeping things we really don't want anymore. Confront your fears, and you may find it easier to let go of possessions that have become a burden to you.Get the guide: Decluttering: Don't Let Fear Hold You Back
Get Started1. Consider your workspace. You’ll need a large, sturdy, easy-to-clean surface that enables you to spread out while you’re working on a project. Consider not only the size of the room, but also the kinds of projects you like to take on. You’ll also need ample lighting. If things are looking a little dim, brighten them up with an LED desk or a floor lamp, or ask your pro for a custom solution.2. Designate storage space. While a closet is the obvious place for hiding messes, not every space has enough storage. Neat Method‘s Heather Byrne suggests buying a small piece of furniture with cubbies, shelves or drawers if storage space is lacking. The key is to keep supplies accessible — ideally within arm’s reach of your work area.Messis suggests using a horizontal rod to hang wire, ribbons, sheets of paper and spooled supplies on. Also “incorporate ample space into the design to store flat sheets of paper, such as construction paper and drawing paper,” he says. He loves divided drawers for organizing small tools, and suggests making sure your shelves are adjustable to accommodate all sizes of jars and boxes.
If your craft room includes a wrapping station, then dowels should be your best friend. You can purchase them at your local hardware store and have them cut to fit inside shelving units. Dowels will keep your wrapping paper and ribbon neat, orderly and within arm's reach when you're ready to wrap that perfect gift.
Set up a gift-wrapping station. Stock up on wrapping paper, plain boxes, ribbons, gift tags and tape, and store everything in an easily accessible spot near a work surface. Having all your supplies ready to go will make it much more appealing to wrap gifts as soon as you buy them — instead of waiting until the last moment for a marathon wrapping session.Tackle a Tornado of Ribbons With Simple Storage Ideas
May: Laundry room, linen closet, cleaning supplies. Cleaning routines are much easier and more pleasant when the supplies you need are neat and orderly. Sheets, towels and other household linens do not last forever — go through them this month and make some space.Recycle worn-out and stained towels, washcloths, sheets and tea towels at a textile recycling center — search for one near you through the Council for Textile RecyclingIf your child has graduated a bed size, donate the old bedding to charityClean under sinks and in any cupboards where cleaning supplies are stored. Get rid of empty containers and products you tried but did not likeHabit to cultivate: Don’t downgrade old towels and sheets to “guest” status. Only keep linens you would personally want to use — get rid of the rest. Your guests deserve better!
February: Home office — digital documents and papers. Get a jump-start on tax time by getting your files (paper and digital) in order.Sort through random stacks of paper; file, shred or recycle everythingStreamline your files, shredding any documents you no longer needUse one calendar to keep track of all eventsSwitch to paperless bills and statements if possibleClean out computer files and back up everything, using cloud-based storage and an external driveHabit to cultivate: Sort your mail at the door, tossing junk immediately into a recycling bin.
Closet
Really good idea
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