Hi friends. There’s been lots of radio silence here on the blog the last few weeks. Sorry for my absence. I’ve been really busy with work and to be honest, it has left me feeling a little unmotivated to blog. I’ve also been tackling organizing projects around our house in hopes that I’ll feel a little more settled and relaxed. I don’t know about you, but when I’m surrounded by of clutter and chaos, it affects my spirit.

Today I’m jumping back into blogging and sharing a few organizing tips that I live by. If you’ve got any organizing to do around your house, I hope you find these tips helpful.

ORGANIZING 101: TIPS & IDEAS

Lidded Storage Boxes // Pencil Cup // Paper Drawers // Entire Stockholm Collection

ORGANIZING TIP #1: A Place for Everything and Everything In It’s Place–I remember my dad saying this when I was little and back then I didn’t really understood what he meant. As I grew up and saw how my parents kept the house organized, I understand the meaning behind this saying. When you organize like items together, it makes it so much easy to keep your home clean and clutter free. There’s no second guessing where something goes and cleaning up the home takes less time and energy.

If you dream of having a designer closet where everything is sorted by style and color, check out these Closet Rod Organizers. Such a simple but chic idea.

ORGANIZING TIP #2: Treasure It or Toss It–Hanging on to stuff that is no longer useful or meaningful is one of the biggest challenges to having an organized home. If your goal is to live a clutter free life, you really need to take a hard look at the things that surround you. Is it is something you use or something that has value in your life? If the answer is yes, hang on to the items, display them or create a space to store them. If the answer is no, toss those item to clear the visual and emotional clutter they represent.

One of my favorite ways to make de-cluttering and donating easy to is have a place to put the items you’re getting rid of. This Triple Storage Bin is a great piece that allows you to sort items and keep them organized at the same time.

ORGANIZING TIP #3: Contain the Chaos–I’ve always loved storing and organizing items in baskets and bins and have recently found a new appreciation of clear containers, especially in the kitchen and bath. The simple act of placing items in a container creates order and makes things more visibly pleasing.

I just bought some of these clear Fridge Binz and boy did they make a big difference in how organized my refrigerator is.

Stackable Wire Baskets With Handles (perfect for linen closet storage)

Hyacinth Storage Bins with Handles (great for holding TP rolls under the vanity)

ORGANIZING TIP #4: Touch It Once–How many times to do you find yourself cleaning up and end up things from one spot to another before finally putting it where it belongs? If you make it a rule to only touch an item once the whole process of cleaning up and organizing your home will go much faster. This rule is really helpful when it comes to organizing and filing paperwork at your desk/office.

If you have a multi-level home, use baskets to hold items that need to go up or downstairs. This Striped Canvas Storage Bin is light-weight and stylish so it becomes a functional and decorative statement.

ORGANIZING TIP: #5 Make Organization A Habit–One of the best ways to keep you home organized is my making organizing a habit. When something is out-of-place, put it away right then and there instead of letting it sit. And schedule time each week to walk through your house and put things back in order.

If it helps to keep a to-do list, this To-Do Notepad is a good one.

To help you with your organizing projects, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite organizing items from The Container Store. Happy organizing!

White Modular Bins // POP Canister Set // Laguna Cotton Belly Basket

Linen Storage Boxes // Woven Storage Bins with Handles // Felt Drawer Organizers // Paper Drawers

all images via Container Store

DESIGN DETAILS FOR YOUR DREAM CLOSET

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One of my favorite things to do on Pinterest is look at designer closets. In fact, I have an entire Dream Closet board filled with images I love. Not only are designer closets pretty to look at but I love analyzing the storage and organizational details that make it stylish and functional.

During my latest round of pinning images, I took note of some of the style details that make a designer closet, a designer closet. I recognized that many of the elements are things that will work in any closet, regardless of its size. So while I continue to dream about my designer closet, here are 10 design details you can use in your own closet that will turn a humble closet into a hollywood dream.

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Creating storage behind closed doors is definitely and high-style trick that you can add to your own closet. Glass fronts will allow you to see the contents inside and preserve leather and hardware finishes on handbags and accessories.

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Even the smallest of vanity areas is a great design touch for a closet. Create your space above a set or drawers or add a small table or wall shelf between shelving or in a corner. And once you start decorating your vanity area, make sure to incorporate a few pretty but functional pieces.

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“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.” – Giorgio Armani

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Even a small stool will add stylish seating to your designer closet. If you don’t have open wall space where a stool can sit, tuck it into the shelving under hanging garment.

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I have to admit I’m a little ‘mommy dearest’ when it comes to matching hangers in the closet. Regardless of the type of hangers you use, using one style throughout the closet will instantly UpStyle the look and feel of your closet space.

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And if new hangers are not in the budget right now, shop thrift stores and spray paint the hangers to create a uniform look.

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“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication. ” – Leonardo Da Vinci

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A little paint or wallpaper can go a long way in adding designer style to your closet. Even if you can’t paint or wallpaper the entire space, consider dressing up one accent wall or even the ceiling.

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One thing you’ll notice about most designer closets is that they use storage baskets and bins to keep things organized. Baskets can hold t-shirts sorted by color, accessories or even staples like jeans and sweaters. Use one or two basket styles to create a uniform look with your closet decor.

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Display hooks are definitely a designer touch but for just a few dollars and no physical labor you can add them to your closet. These shelf hooks from Container Store are great if you have a wire rack system in your closet and these hooks from Ikea work great on solid surface shelving.

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“Personal style is about taking classic pieces and reinterpreting them to make them your own.” – Frida Giannin

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It’s easy to add unique details to your closet space and give it a designer feel. I love the architectural look of these wood shelves for holding jewelry and other accessories. You can install your own with these wall cubes from Home Depot.

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Chic and efficienet lighting is a must for any closet space. A chandelier is always elegant and picture lights are ideal when you need direct lighting in specific areas. Ikea has a nice selection of unique wall mounted spotlights.

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I don’t know how many times I see someone that’s not dressed to impress and question whether or not they have a dressing mirror. Every designer closet needs them. You can hang an inexpensive full length mirror on a door or wall, or get creative and UpStyle the look with molding and trims.

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Every time I look at designer closets I’m inspired to make a few simple changes to give our petite space the designer touch. And I truly believe that a pretty closet space will put added pep in your step as you get ready in the morning.