How to Get Organized

Many of us lead very busy lives, and that is where good design can make an immense impact. Not only should our spaces look good, they should function spectacularly. And what constitutes good function for one person may not work for another.

That is why a plan tailored to your personality and lifestyle is critical. Here are some things to think about before you plunge into your next project. 

GET SPECIFIC ABOUT HARDWORKING SPACES
The places where we concentrate on tasks deserve a lot of attention. Kitchens, bathrooms, offices, closets and utility rooms are used heavily and are often the places where clutter and frustration accumulate. Mundane tasks can become much more pleasant when the space is planned for you and the way you live. You may be inclined to fill the space with storage, thinking you'll make it work. Instead, get very specific about what you have to store and how you like to store it. That old adage "a place for everything, and everything in it's place" should be your mantra. 

• Items should be stored where they are frequently used, not in an out-of-the-way location. Otherwise, they are less likely to be put away.
• Take a complete inventory of the items you wish to organize. If you have 14 pairs of shoes, have enough space for 16 pairs, not 12.
• Drawers are often preferable to doors -- they make organizing easier.
• When feasible, locate "task areas" in optimal places. For example, we relocated a basement laundry room to the master suite (not only that, we included a packing station for toiletries and luggage so that the client, a frequently traveling executive, could pack and unpack with ease. The result? A client who now enjoys the once cumbersome task.).
• Measure, then measure again. I create graphs of my storage areas so that I know the exact dimensions. I then source organizers that fit perfectly within my drawers and shelves. Rubber bumpers and museum wax are excellent ways to keep drawer organizers from sliding around.
• Being an Airbnb host has taught me the value of organizing in a logical way. My goal is that my guests can easily find what their looking for because it is in a natural place.
• Learn how to file fold. Really. It will change your life.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

• Everyone has their passions. If you love to cook, your kitchen should be specifically equipped for preparing your favorite meals. There are in-counter appliances for frying and steaming, and utility sinks that can turn into prep stations. If you like to can or stir-fry, you'll need at least one range burner with enough BTUs to power a fighter jet.
• The benefits of custom cabinetry are many, but my favorites are the ability to customize depths and widths, use any color and sheen, and add smart details. Instead of the typical Shaker-style door, I'll often use a design with a softened edge so that it is easier to clean and a thinner frame for a more elegant look.
• Make the utilitarian beautiful by adding gorgeous hardware, wallpaper to the backs of cabinets, and beautiful lighting fixtures instead of the usual recessed. In my future kitchen renovation, I will have wall sconces on my cabinetry and use picture lights instead of undercabinet lighting where feasible. Don't forget that mirror and glass often functions as well as tile for backsplashes. I often use antiqued mirror so that grime doesn't show.

TAKE YOUR TIME AND HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

• The biggest obstacle for my clients seems to be waiting. After the design plan is approved, everyone is excited and ready to enjoy their new space. But wait! A myriad of actions must happen before install day, and it is often a multi-month process. Hang in there -- I promise it will be worth it. It is better to take the time necessary to get the perfect result rather than do something haphazardly that you will forever regret.
  

FINALLY, ENJOY THE PROCESS AND THE RESULT!​