When I first meet a client, I walk around their home with them and ask what happens in each room. I hear things like:
“This is the dining room but we always eat in the kitchen so we never use it.”
“This used to be my office but it’s turned into a junk room.”
“They use this computer to do homework but then I can’t supervise.”
“I wanted to do yoga and work out here but it’s too dark and depressing.”
“This used to be a guest room until the kids took it over with their video games.”
“I would use this as a sewing room if there were more room and storage.”
There’s always a reason why a room doesn’t seem to function in the way you intend, so it is very difficult to use and keep organized. A room may need to be rearranged so there’s a better flow; or the environment needs to be improved with better light, more outlets, wi-fi connectivity, or temperature control; or there are things in there that need to find another home; or the room is better suited to be used for something else altogether.
This Isn’t Working for Me
When a room doesn’t work, it may not always be logistics. Sometimes there are so many negative feelings that rise up every time you go in or pass by, that you can’t even stand to be there. You may be:
Sad that your kid has moved out of their bedroom and can’t bear to pack up the rest of their things, or annoyed that they left everything and they should clean it out themselves.
Aggravated that you can’t get to what you need in the garage because it’s so full, and angry that you’ve asked for help a million times and no one cooperates.
Guilty that you bought that treadmill and don’t use it, so it stays taking up space when you really want to create a yoga room instead so you can de-stress.
Conflicted because you inherited your grandma’s furniture which makes the family room feel cluttered, but it’s an antique and you just can’t get rid of it.
Resentful because you gave up the lease on your office space and you had to bring everything home, and now you can’t work in the home office because it’s so cluttered.
Frustrated that the kitchen is still a mess because you started to remodel and you or your spouse can’t decide what flooring and backsplash to put in.
Those examples are pretty specific, because I have encountered all of them throughout the years. All those negative feelings keep you stuck and unable to enjoy your home. So, what can you do?
Dream, Dream, Dream
I’m not going to get all New-Agey on you, but the expression, “I’ll see it when I believe it,” really does apply here. If all you can see is what’s wrong, it makes it hard to see the possibilities of what could be right. When all you see is clutter, you get demoralized because you don’t have the energy and the right mind frame to deal with it. So, I’m asking you to dream!
Dream about the lifestyle you want, and then apply it to the home you have. For example: “I want to work from home on a laptop in a light and airy room with a view. I want to be able to do yoga and Pilates on a nice floor and watch TV while I’m on the elliptical. I want to be able to watch my kids do homework, and I don’t want to hear their video games. I want to be able to entertain friends at a moment’s notice, and have big family dinners on holidays. I want to be cozy on my couch watching Disney+ with the kids. It would be great to have a room to be creative in, with my Cricut and art supplies stored in a way I can easily access them. I want my kids to have a play area not in the bedroom, so I’m not stepping on Legos when I go to put them to bed, and it’s easy for them to put away their toys. I want to know exactly where good batteries and scissors are when I need them, and space to wrap presents without my family seeing. I like to buy huge packages from Costco to save money, but I don’t want to go out to the garage when I need a paper towel. I really would like it to be easy, not a hassle, getting my kids out to school with the signed papers and sports equipment and backpacks and jackets they need. Oh, and wouldn’t it be lovely if I could retreat with my husband upstairs, and have snacks and beverages right there like a hotel without going down to the kitchen and getting bombarded with kids needing me.”
This Could Work
Now, look around at your home and see what spaces could possibly work for the things you want to do. It doesn’t have to be a whole room. Is there a space with a view and great light where you can sit with your laptop and be productive? How about a play area with storage that can be cleaned up quickly? Or a guest room that can double as a video game room? Is there space to turn part of your bedroom into a sitting room, near an outlet to plug in a mini-fridge? What about a floorspace close to a TV with room for exercise equipment? Maybe a dining room can double as a craft and wrapping room? Homework space near the kitchen so you can keep an eye on kids while you are figuring out schedules and making dinner?
When you designate a space for a certain activity, and dream about how it’s going to feel being in that space doing that activity, it helps you get past what’s keeping you stuck and motivates you to do something about it because now you want it to manifest. I know you’re thinking, “But I can’t do all that by myself!” You don’t have to! That’s what kids and partners and friends and handymen and organizers and Eagle Scouts are for. Once you have a dream, and can get others to buy into your vision, it makes it much easier to ask for help. “Can you please help me create a craft room?” produces better results than “I need you to help me clean up and organize the back bedroom.”
Zone Out
Once you’ve decided the general purpose of a room, you are going to arrange (or rearrange) the room into zones in a way that makes sense for what you want to do there, and makes you feel good being in there. Let’s use the example of a family room where people spend time together. Envision all the activities that are going to happen in that room: watching TV, playing video games, making music, exercising, doing homework, playing poker and board games, doing arts & crafts, opening Christmas presents under the tree, dancing, having sleepovers, building a fort… Identify whatever you intend to do in this room so you know what things need to go in there.
Now determine what furniture and equipment you need to make these things happen: a couch, a coffee table, a TV stand for audio/visual equipment and media storage; a guitar and a piano, a table with at least four chairs, a desk or table with a chair and a computer; exercise equipment with a yoga mat and floor space; and storage for school supplies, arts & crafts supplies, board games, blankets and pillows.
Next, take into consideration light, acoustics, temperature and wi-fi connectivity, in addition to the location of walls, windows, doors, electrical outlets, and HVAC registers. Look at existing storage: closets, cabinets or shelves. These are generally the parameters of your room layout. However, if you have time and money, you can get an electrician to put in new outlets or lighting, a cabinet maker to build new storage, and a contractor to change anything else. Of course, it makes life easier and less expensive if you can arrange your space in a way that maximizes what you already have to work with.
Solving the Puzzle of Placement
Now comes the fun part. Where things go is not just a matter of where things fit. Where you place everything is like solving a puzzle because not only does the piece need to go in the right zone, it must be placed to meet its inherent requirements AND it needs to fit.
(Disclaimer: I am not an interior designer. These are just practical ideas I have learned from experience arranging rooms as a professional organizer.)
For example:
The TV needs to be on the wall where the outlets are, and the room needs to be able to get dark enough to enjoy a movie in the daytime and not have glare.
The couch and coffee table need to go across from the TV, but the couch cannot block the heat register, and it needs an outlet if it reclines.
The piano needs a place with good acoustics and doesn’t need electricity, but it cannot be near a heat source or a window if you want it to stay in tune.
The turntable needs an outlet, and the vinyl records should be stored nearby, but they will warp if you play them too close to the fireplace.
The computer needs to be near an outlet and have strong wi-fi or wired internet connectivity; but video calls look best in natural light, so you want a window in front of you and a nice background behind you when you’re sitting at the computer.
You need floor space in good light to exercise but not right near the heat register, and a treadmill or elliptical needs to be near an outlet.
Supplies and equipment for an activity need to be stored near the place where the activity takes place, and the storage needs to fit in the zone.
Furniture with Storage
Take a look at the furniture you have that you can use to complete a zone. If you have a choice, always opt for pieces with storage. Can you use a trunk for a coffee table? An ottoman with storage for a seat? A table with plastic drawers underneath instead of a desk? A buffet or sideboard with drawers and cabinets as an audio/visual center?
Be creative and look at the whole house to find what you need. Sometimes orienting a piece differently can be a great solution. A shelf unit with cubbies can be used vertically as a bookcase, or horizontally at kid height with baskets for toy storage.
Make Use of Wall Space
Consider using wall space for shelves and cubbies –– Ikea has great solutions. You can also use wall space to hang guitars, speakers disguised as art, and hooks for earphones or backpacks. Hang a magnetic whiteboard and use locker accessories to store supplies in addition to writing on it. Put up a pegboard with accessories to store art, school and office supplies.
Creative Versatility
If you have a small space, you may want to use pieces that have double-duty. For example, a piano bench can be used for extra storage or extra seating. Anything on wheels or casters can be moved between zones as needed. You can add a table top accessory to a rolling cart so you have storage for art supplies and a surface space to work on. You can use it as an end table, a dinner tray, or a desk to do homework on a laptop.
Room to Breathe
Organizing isn’t just decluttering. It allows you to create spaces that you feel good living in. You create peace when you create space. When a room works, there is an ease of movement and a great energy flow. The air feels lighter. You literally have room to breathe.
Please take a moment to leave a comment, just so I know you’re reading my work! Your input is invaluable to me as I write this book. Thank you!