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Welcome to our Back-to-School Edition! September 2009
This month we focus on the unique storage and organization challenges parents face as kids head back to school. We provide several design ideas for maximizing kids' storage, we introduce you to a professional organizer and we share with you an eco-friendly furniture line designed specifically for the little ones in your life. We wish your family and you a wonderfully organized school year and a very happy Labor Day! |
Design Tips for Kids' Storage
A recurring theme I face when I meet with clients is how to store all their kids' stuff in a "grown-up" way. At this time of year with kids returning to school, parents are even more challenged to find a "home" for all the new books, school projects and toys and gadgets their kids will accumulate throughout the school year.
Today kids have more belongings than ever and keeping all their "stuff" neat and out of the way, yet accessible, is a challenge to even the most organized parents. And, most parents want to make wise purchases--investing in furnishings that can grow as their little ones do. Luckily, furniture stores offer a wide range of storage options, designed not only to clean up the clutter, but also provide an aesthetically pleasing solution that will evolve as your family does.
Find "wasted" spaceIn a child's room, much of this space is high up. Install a high shelf on the wall to keep knickknacks and souvenirs on display while preventing them from cluttering bookshelves or the tops of dressers; you can even install this shelf so that it borders the entire room. The stuffed animal hammock, a length of stretchy net material that you can hang high in a corner, is a cute way to store your child's plush friends. Ikea and Pottery Barn Kids have some great shelving solutions that won't cost a fortune.
Make the most of furniture
Another way to use wasted space is to find furniture that does double duty. It isn't hard to find a toy box topped with a cushioned, couch-like bench seat; even cube chairs around a play table can store crayons and drawing materials. Since the area beneath the bed tends to become an automatic repository for forgotten toys and dirty socks anyway, why not organize the space with pull-out drawers? Even the inside of a closet door can be transformed into useable space with an inexpensive, easy-to-hang shoe rack. These usually come in clear plastic, and can be used to store small cars and trucks, dolls, and even art supplies, along with shoes and accessories. For solutions that can evolve as your child does, check out collections from Rosenberry Rooms, The Land of Nod and Young America by Stanley Furniture.
Create space
If you can't seem to find enough "wasted" space to transform into storage, think about creating space. A loft bed is a perfect way to create a significant amount of space in any room. The space underneath the bed can be used for storage or as a play space. As a bonus, many children love the novelty of sleeping up near the ceiling; it gives them a perspective on the world that they don't often have. Visit Max Trix Kids, Pottery Barn Kids, and Young America by Stanley Furniture for even more options.
Organize
The last way to create just a little more space in your child's room is simply to better organize the existing storage space. If bookshelves are cluttered with toys or other non-book items, buy some inexpensive rectangle baskets or brightly colored cardboard boxes. Line them up on the shelf, and have your child put the toys or other items in the baskets. This solution may not actually make the room any neater, but it will provide a little extra space, and will look much nicer. The Land of Nod and The Container Store are great sources for storage bins.
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Family-friendly Organization Professionals
It has been reported that 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of  disorganization, not lack of space. If you are finding the job of organizing your things or those of your family overwhelming, why not hire a professional to guide you through the process?
Basic Organization is a professional organizing service that works with you to simplify your space, so that you can live and work the way you want. They help small businesses, downsizing seniors, busy families and the chronically disorganized. You work directly with a professional who will guide you through the decision making process. Being organized has proven to be a big time saver. What would you do with extra time?
Janet Schiesl, owner of Basic Organization, is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and was voted Professional Organizer of the Year for 2009 by the Washington DC chapter. She is also a specialist with The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) and a member of the Association of Interior Design Professionals (AIDP). To learn more about Janet and basic organization, contact them at 571-265-1303 or check out their website at www.basicorganization.com. |
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"Green" Product Spotlight |
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Rosenberry Rooms Uffizi Bunk Bed
The Uffizi bunk bed offers a straight forward solution to making the most of your children's room. More importantly, it provides a resting place your children will love to call their own. Kids will love the cantilevers, semi-enclosed lower bunk, and window like openings. You may select different finishes for different parts of the bed giving you the opportunity to suit your own style.
Made from sustainable hard wood and birch ply. All materials, glues, stains and finishes are 100% non-toxic and are low VOC. Lower bunk is low to the ground for easier access for youngsters (guard rails are available and sold separately). Bunk bed can convert to a loft bed with youth desk underneath, and the lower bunk can also be repositioned. The desk attached can be used with any configuration. Exceeds all CPSC and ASTM safety standards.
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 Denise Willard is a professional interior decorator with over a decade of experience working with clients in the DC metro area. Her work has been showcased in Home & Design Magazine, Washington Home & Garden, The Washingtonian, Elan and The Washington Post.
Denise specializes in creating simple, but elegant transitional and contemporary interiors that are reflective of her clients' personalities and lifestyles. Learn more about Denise and check out her online portfolio at www.DecorbyDenise.com or contact her directly at 703-714-7343.
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