IMAGE ikea.com
Desk drowning in papers? No room for the car in the garage? Christmas tree still up in February? Time management experts agree that when the minor things that take up space in the mind are eliminated, there is room to think about the bigger, more important things in life. And the same goes for the home. We asked the team at The Room, exhibiting at Decorex Cape Town this week, for five clever ways to reign in the chaos.
1. Storage Is Key
It’s hard to have too much storage – and it’s often hard to find. To make the most of your potential storage space, think beyond shelves and cupboards to every available inch of wall space. In the kitchen, for instance, the unused areas over the sink or stove are perfect for displaying lesser-used items like jugs, vases and special-occasion tableware.
2. Laundry 101
Before you lose one more sock, turn your attention to the laundry area. A few slide-out bins or baskets to keep dirty clothes off the floor and rods to hang drip-dry items or those fresh from the tumble dryer work wonders in this utilitarian space. Hinged or pullout shelves also provide space for folding or stain treatments while drawers or secure cabinets are essential for keeping cleaning products beyond the reach of small hands.
3. Think Out The Box
Does your home office or the family computer station swallow up whole rooms? Unlock your home’s storage potential by reclaiming wasted space. The under-utilised area beneath the staircase is an excellent case in point, requiring little more than the addition of a compact desk unit and some wall-mounted storage containers to turn it into a nifty workspace. Don’t forget to add a line with a few clothes pegs from which to hang those all-important photos and memos. Alternatively, fit this often neglected nook with shelving units and create a custom-designed bookcase.
4. Take It Slow
A well-organised wardrobe will help your little ones develop independence in dressing while simultaneously calming morning chaos. To organise a child’s cupboard, solutions must fit the child. Adult furnishings and storage systems don’t translate well to the needs of children. Sticky dresser drawers are difficult for small hands to manoeuvre and folding wardrobe doors pinch little fingers. In fact, for younger children, it’s not a bad idea to remove cupboard doors entirely. Clothing rods should be hung at eye level and below, and loose items like underwear, PJs and leggings should be stored in transparent containers or open bins for easy access.
5. Rethink Your Exit Strategy
Hallways are a magnet for clutter, from cast-off jackets and abandoned umbrellas to dumped car keys and forsaken post. Hang heavy-duty hooks for each family member’s briefcase, handbag or satchel, or fit built-in pigeonholes if space allows. Alternatively, create handy hold-alls from woven baskets (a mix of picnic and fishing), hung from hooks and personalised with wooden letters. After all, first (and last) impressions count!
The Room as well as other decor experts will be revealing many more great ideas and products at Decorex Cape Town. Don’t miss out on this annual showcase of great decor and lifestyle inspiration, running from 24 – 27 April 2015 at the CTICC.
For more information, visit decorex.co.za and theroomfurniture.co.za. You can also click here to find out what you need to know about Decorex in Cape Town.
