The goal of this project is to create a system to neatly store all your documents and paperwork while also having quick and easy access. This simple project is a great way to start the ball rolling if office organization is a daunting challenge for you!
Elfa Closet System to the Rescue!
Does your home suffer the curse of small closets? We are here to tell you that hope is not lost!
Cramped spaces make it harder to access and see what we have and keep it organized. With closets, this can be an even bigger mess because if we can’t access it, that also means it’s harder to put clothes away, which leads to us living out of the laundry basket. But there is a solution out there!
As always, we love a good product that is worth the investment, and Elfa Closets are one of those life-changing products.
Recently, we worked with a client who moved into a one bedroom apartment that only had one, relatively small, walk-in closet. The client was worried about how to access and display her clothes in both a functional and visually appealing way— and would it all fit in the small closet?
We recommended the Elfa System and she decided to give it a try.
Elfa Closet Systems are made to be designed to your needs. You can purchase items individually, or you can design a closet based on your space.
What we love most- is that it’s SUPER user friendly. On their website, click on the “Design Center” tab. This will open up with the start of your closet remodel journey. After putting in a few measurements, and asking a few questions, Elfa will generate a suggested closet model that you can then customize based on your needs.
Do you have more shoes? Add some shoe shelves. Not a lot of shoes, but have plenty to hang? Add an extra row of hanging bars. The design is sleek and customizable in colors too!
Now you might be thinking— that sounds great, but it’s probably hard to install and requires some hard labor.
That’s the absolute best part of this set up— it’s super simple to install and set up! Here’s how it works:
order your customized closet,
it ships to you with everything you need ( with the exception of a drill, and level.)
When you open the boxes, there are instructions with each wall labeled A, B, C, D.
Install the anchor rail
Following the instructions for each wall, install the anchor rail across the length of each wall. Congratulations, the hardest part is over!
hang the vertical anchor bars
Once the anchor rail is in place the vertical bars just wedge into place on the bar can slide to their needed positions on the wall. After that, it’s just a matter of hooking the shelves into the vertical anchor bars, and following the design you created.
Once it’s completed, you have an amazingly accessible closet installed and ready for you to hang your clothes, and shelve your shoes. AND if you ever decide you want to change it up, you can! If you decide you wanted your shoes on the other side of the closet, you can move them! Want to shift everything over, you can!
The client we were working with was beyond pleased with how her new closet turned out, and was amazed that everything fit, it wasn’t cramped, and it looked visually appealing too.
While this system is an investment, it makes life so much easier and keeps us from living out of the laundry basket.
Want to get started planning your dream closet? Click here to get started.
The Deeper Issue: How to Stop Buying
Yes, you can!
Four ways to find success this weekend.
1. The paper pile on your kitchen counter?
You can sit down this Saturday morning and go through it. Trash, File/Put away, To do. Those are you three categories. Then:
Toss the trash
File the keepers
Put the hammer where it belongs
Pay the bills or fill out the forms
2. The bags or boxes of items to be donated?
You can make one more 15 minute round through the house, add a few more items to the bag, load them in your car Friday morning and drop them off on your way to the grocery store or on your lunch break.
3. The toy room overflowing with unneeded toys that other kids would love?
You can grab your kiddos on Saturday afternoon, tell them they have a special opportunity to let go of their toys for other kids less fortunate by picking out 5-10 toys, place them in a box, and the nice men & women at the closest donation site of your choice will take care of the rest.
4. The bathroom closet/medicine cabinet with expired meds, unused beauty products, and scattered items?
You can get a trash bag to fill with the unusable items, purge any products that friends or family might like, and see what’s left. Once you know what you have, it’s easy to pick up containers like these from Target to contain items just the way you need and add a label to the front to make things easy to find!
Here are four little ways to make a big difference in your living space. They may not seem like much reading them on this blog, but trust us, we have experienced it personally and with clients time and time again.
Remember it only takes one little rock to start an avalanche. Who knows what organizing one small space in your home or workspace could lead to?
As always, if these tasks sound just like what you need but time is limited, HYD would be honored to help you along your journey to order in your space.
Call us at 865.245.9080 or book a consult online here!
Tips for Organizing iPhone Photos
Do you take lots and lots of photos and videos on your phone? You’re not alone. It is such a benefit to have high quality cameras on hand all the time. But, what do you do with those photos that accumulate to an overflowing gallery? Avoid them no longer - here are 3 ways to regain control over your photos & video gallery on your iPhone. Those moments and snapshots we capture can carry a lot of meaning, but only if we sort through the clutter that can get in the way.
10 Minute Organizing Challenge
Spring is in full swing! This is a great time of year to focus on getting your home organized, but even if you only have 10 minutes - here’s what you can get done today. We’ve put together a little punch list challenge of places to tend to that you might not have thought of… so here’s your 10 Minute Organizing Challenge:
Spring Cleaning Tips
It’s that time of year… Spring cleaning! We’ve put together a list of areas to focus. Whether you can dedicate an entire weekend or short periods of time on this, it’ll be worth it.
Make a plan
Illustration by @sannyvanloon.
We always start here whether we’re organizing, packing, or cleaning. Just because it’s housework, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun (or at least mildly enjoyable) - make a playlist, open the windows, listen to your favorite podcast, and take breaks. Wearing a mask and gloves will provide extra protection from cleaning chemicals or any allergens you might be exposed to. Incorporating a long term solution like air purifiers in your home can increase your air quality. Keeping a handheld broom & dust pan set in your kitchen is handy for quick clean up.
Toss it
Let go of outdated or no longer fresh cleaning supplies. Recycle empty (and washed out) bottles and containers. Here’s a quick resource on how to dispose of potentially hazardous household chemicals in Knoxville.
Restock
Replenish cleaning supplies with quality products. Consider swapping an older vaccuum for a HEPA vaccuum, like this one. This handy tool will help you tackle blinds in half the time. Amazon customers are raving about this powerhouse pumice cleaning stone. Stick to similar scents to avoid sensory overload from multiple products (we’re all for the Mrs. Meyers seasonal scented cleaning supplies). These microfiber cleaning cloths are our go-to. Try all natural or eco-friendly cleaning products. Here are a few we recommend: Wooden cleaning brush set, Biodegradable cleaning wipes, Dryer sheets, Dish soap, Dish detergent pods, and Laundry detergent.
Just so ya know: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning when you click the link to purchase a product on this page, HYD receives a commission for sharing this with you without any additional cost to you.
Don’t forget
Tend to the areas and items that only need rare attention that you don’t routinely clean monthly or weekly! Here’s a list of places you may want to consider:
Ceiling fans (to avoid a dust storm, place a pillowcase over a fan blade then pull towards you to collect dust)
Switch plates (Magic Erasers can work wonders here)
Air filters & vents (don’t forget to write the date on the new filter when you replace it & put a note in your phone calendar for the next replacement date)
Dryer return
Luggage
Trash cans & recycle bins (if they are commonly stinky, toss a couple dryer sheets in the bottom to help absorb odor)
Oven
Toaster (bye bye crumb collection)
Microwave (Tip from Good Housekeeping: Fill a bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for 5 minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.)
Refrigerator & freezer (once completed, this is one of the most satisfying transformations)
Curtains (and fabric shower curtains - toss in the dryer on air-only cycle for a quick refresh)
Patio furniture (get it ready for it’s prime season!)
Medicine cabinet & first aid supplies
Pet beds
What other areas do you focus on for your own spring cleaning?
It’s a great time to do a quick purge in your closets as the seasons change, too!
How to Approach Your Closet
Home Inventory 101
Defining the Relationship
Keep it Simple | Organizing Tips
The beginning of a New Year offers us a fresh start! You may be tempted to overhaul your whole life (if you do- more power to ya!) or be overwhelmed with the many ways you want to grow in the next year. You may be wondering why we’re talking about this a few weeks into the 2021- because it is never too late to start new habits and create new rhythms. You didn’t miss your chance to begin your journey to simplicity!
Pantry Organizing Guide
Storing Seasonal Clothing
Perks of Organizing
Let's Talk Countertops
Some people prefer to have a collection of daily use items, decor or appliances on their kitchen surfaces, while others enjoy a completely clear counter top. Which group of people do you find yourself in? There is no right or wrong way, but rather an approach that fits your specific season. We’ll share a few thoughts on both options…
Organizing Book Reviews
One of the most interesting parts of our job is being invited into peoples homes to help them make sense of their belongings and their homes. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been working with folks who have such a hard time with clutter and yet own just about every home organizing book that has come out in the past 5 years, a vast array of bins and baskets in every size, shape, and color, and have a thing for planners. It’s tempting to think that the next book or tv show or podcast will offer you a piece of advice that will change everything, but it’s just not the case— we’ve rounded up a few of the top selling organizing books that have come out in the past few years and given an honest review of them here for you.
Learning at Home
As this season of constant unknown continues, we’re faced with the challenge to adapt rather frequently. We’ve spoken to many parents, teachers & students who are asking questions about how to adjust to the new learning environments we find ourselves in. Here are a few suggestions to help you create healthy learning environments in your home.
Gaining Control in the Garage
The word “garage” came from the French word “garer” which means to protect, shelter or store. This is a helpful to keep in mind as you make thoughtful decisions about what is worth “protecting, sheltering or storing” in your own garage. This brings into question what is most important to you & the people in your home.
