Tag Archives: Organizing

Matthew Bolt Graphic Design

Entry hall. The entryway is the first place you (and your guests) see, and it also tends to be a magnet for dirt, mud and clutter. Tap into this weeklong plan when you’re ready to make a clean sweep and set up new systems to keep it looking fresh and orderly.

Getting started: Get in the habit of opening your mail as soon as you walk in the door, while standing over the recycling bin. At the end of each day, put away anything sitting around in the entry that doesn’t belong.

Get the 7-day plan

Kitchen. The kitchen is one of the hardest-working spaces in the home — is it any wonder it can get pretty grungy?

Getting started: Start fresh by deep cleaning your kitchen, including those hidden spots that get missed in a quick weekly clean, and organize your cooking tools for smoother meal prep. Take everything out of the fridge and freezer, one shelf at a time, and toss anything that has gone bad or that you know you won’t eat. There is no reason to let that salad dressing you tried and hated sit there for another year.

Liz Carroll Interiors

Dining room. Whether you use your dining room constantly or wish you used it more, devoting some time to getting this space refreshed, dusted and organized is sure to inspire lively dinners.

Getting started:

Remove anything that belongs in another room: shopping bags waiting to be unpacked, library books that need to be returned, kids’ toys, piles of mail, laptops — whatever you’ve got.
Completely clear the stuff off the dining table, floors and other surfaces. Most decor can stay (for now), but if it has a home in another room, out it goes.

Tim Cuppett Architects

Living room. The living room can be a hangout zone, library, cinema and playroom, and even an impromptu dinner spot. And because it serves so many purposes, it often gets crammed with tons of things that belong elsewhere.

Getting started: If you have a good vacuum with attachments, that’s the fastest and easiest way to banish dust in the living room. There’s no denying this is a lot of work, so consider this your official excuse to skip the gym today.

Vacuum the room from top to bottom, starting with cobwebs on the ceiling and working your way down to the floor.
Window treatments like blinds and shades can be vacuumed using an attachment.
If your curtains are washable, take them down and toss them in the wash on the gentlest cycle.
Vacuum or dust light fixtures, the tops of bookcases, picture frames and the mantel.

Nanette Wong

Bedroom. If you’ve been having trouble getting a deep and restful sleep at night, cleaning and busting clutter in your bedroom might help. Create a healthy, peaceful space by cleaning the air, banishing dust bunnies, streamlining your wardrobe and more.

Getting started: Streamline the wardrobe. Take everything out of your closet and drawers. Assess each item by looking it over for damage and trying it on. Put clothes that no longer fit or that you do not like in a pile to give away or sell. Put out-of-season clothes and accessories in a separate pile for storage. Put clothes you love that need alterations or repairs in a tote bag to bring to the dry cleaner.

Julie Holloway

Bathroom. Damp towels and soap scum putting a damper on your fantasy of bath-as-home-spa?

Getting started: Work your way through your medicine cabinet shelf by shelf and examine each product. Toss out anything expired as well as products you no longer use or that you’ve tried and don’t like. Just because you paid money for something doesn’t mean you have to pay again by giving up precious space for it. Don’t get caught up in organizing just yet; focus on purging.

Anthology Interiors

Kids’ room and playspace. If you crave a simpler, cleaner and better-organized space for your child, this can help. Learn how to tackle a big mess, rotate toys, start an art portfolio and deep clean — especially important for kids with allergies or asthma.

Getting started:

Remove clothes and shoes your child has outgrown and set them aside to give away, sell or store.
Remove toys that are broken or have missing pieces and can’t be fixed.
Remove toys that your child has outgrown and decide whether to store, give away or sell them.
If your child has a lot of very similar toys, remove enough so that what’s left can be easily stored and enjoyed.

Angela Ruple Interior Design

Home office. Staring at piles of paper and overstuffed files acts as a visual reminder of work, even when you’re trying to relax with your family — and who wants that? Roll up your sleeves, brew a big pot of coffee and get in there to stop the paper madness once and for all. And perhaps even more important, pick up a few strategies to tame the pileup going forward.

Getting started:

Pull every (nonpaper) item out of your desk and office storage and sort it into piles, placing like with like —for instance, all letter writing supplies in one pile; everything computer related in another.
Now take a closer look at those piles, removing unneeded duplicates (do you really need three staplers?) and anything that doesn’t belong in your office.

Southern Living

Laundry room. The laundry room works hard to get your clothes and linens clean, but it’s often the last place in the house that gets cleaned. Change that now by making your laundry area — whether it is in a dedicated room or tucked in a corner of the basement — clean, well lit, functional and a pleasure to be in.

Getting started:

Use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to clean the exterior and inside the lid of your washer, paying special attention to rubber seals.
If your washer has a lint trap or removable detergent dispensers, take them out and clean them with warm, soapy water in the sink. If not, use cotton swabs to get the gunk and grime from the corners.
Pour a cup or two of white vinegar in the washer and run it on the hottest setting, without any clothes in it.

Traditional Garage And Shed Garage Interior

Garage. Ready to reclaim some space in your garage? This plan can help. Get help deciding what to keep and what to toss, learn the best methods for cleaning up oil stains and — once you’ve cleared and cleaned— make your own storage map, so you never have trouble finding what you need again.

Getting started: Take a moment to set up several areas for hazardous waste, garbage, recycling, things to donate, things to sell and things to keep. Rent a Dumpster if you need it, but keep in mind that you should be able to recycle, donate or sell most of what you no longer want or need.

Once you have your zones in place, begin pulling things out of your garage and sorting them. (Don’t try to sort stuff in your garage — you won’t be able to really clean or organize your garage if you try to sort it in place.)

As Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

A Pantry Rescued by Lazy Susans

“Struggling with a Pantry that doesn’t really work? Here is one simple answer that might also work for you.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Decorchick used carousels to organize her pantry and increase storage capacity. All images in this post: Decorchick

Decorchick’s pantry remodel features six lazy-Susan “carousels” that transformed her food closet from frenzied to fantastic.
“They’re the best idea ever,” says Emily, aka Decorchick. “I knew the carousels would be great. They make the pantry more organized, and that’s just what I wanted.”

Emily’s “before” pantry was a riot of cereal boxes, peanut butter jars, baking goods, aluminum foil, and assorted canned goods. Items disappeared into the deep recesses of the corner cabinet, rarely to be seen again. And the pantry floor was a mess of onion sacks, cleaning tools, and supplies.

Before

“It was a wreck,” Emily says.

Luckily, Emily’s dad, an engineer who does woodworking as a hobby, was experimenting with making lazy Susans. A pantry solution, it seems, would be a turn of fate. Actually, six turns.

Emily and Dad installed the six homemade, 20-inch diameter lazy Susans into the center of the pantry shelves. Now, stuff that had been hard to reach is always within grasp. The carousels have been loaded with pantry items for two years, and they’re still in perfect condition.

Lazy Susans

Pretty as a Pantry

Emily wanted her pantry to look as good as it operated. Here’s how she further upgraded the space:

Lined the walls with paintable, faux beadboard wallpaper — fantastic! ($20 for 56 square feet)

Touched up shelves with paint.

Transferred baking and dried goods into big glass canisters, mason jars, and plastic containers ($2 to $9).

Identified canisters with vinyl labels ($9) marked with erasable chalk pens.

Spruced up the way-high space under the pantry’s 9-foot ceiling with a cheery wreath she bought at a resale shop. So why not?

Now, Emily’s pantry is a joy to behold.

After

“I wanted to get a glass door, so I could see into the pantry,” she says. “It’s just so pretty.”

Buying a Home in the Right Neighborhood

“How do you know when you’re in a great neighborhood for you? There are several tips that can help you know when you’ve found the right one.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

A great neighborhood sells a home, real estate agents say. It also helps your home hold value and makes it easy to sell when you decide to move on.

With all the pressure and excitement of home shopping, how can you know if a neighborhood is truly great?

Here are 20 clues that help you determine if you have the right neighborhood.

1. It meets your specs

Make a list of what you want and don’t want in a neighborhood and shop for those qualities.

Describing his ideal neighborhood, Jay Walljasper, author of “The Great Neighborhood Book: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Placemaking,” says he looks for “the invincible spirit of neighborliness (that’s) apparent even to a casual visitor.”

But what is ideal varies. Your ideal could be a close-knit community with trees, playgrounds and great schools. Mine might be a downtown block of clubs, shops and condos.

2. You like what you hear

Become an expert on the neighborhood that interests you. Get a feel for it by attending open houses, walking the neighborhood’s blocks, spending time in restaurants and coffee shops, and looking for community gardens.

Have a home in mind? Knock on doors and chat with neighbors on that street. Ask everyone who’ll talk with you about the crime, noise, traffic, neighborhood issues, and general pros and cons.

3. You can get a latte

Upscale chain and independent retailers are signs a neighborhood is well-established or on the way up. These businesses signal a degree of affluence. Also, they’ve typically done market research to assure themselves the neighborhood is stable and worth the investment.

4. You see home improvements

Especially in the warm months, look for activity that shows owners are keeping up or investing in their properties. Improvements like new gutters, painting, re-roofing, gardening and landscaping, replacement windows, new fences and decks tell you they have pride in their homes.

5. Neighbors are organized

Block watches and neighborhood meetings are signs of a tight community. If you find a neighborhood group, attend a meeting or two to meet people and ask questions. Subscribe to any neighborhood newsletters.

Dennis P. Rosenbaum, director of the Center for Research in Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told MSN Real Estate:

“Crime is lower where people say they feel more attached to the neighborhood, more social connectedness, more responsibility for what goes on around them and a greater willingness to intervene when they suspect criminal activity.”

6. People are out on the streets

People on sidewalks and children walking to school and playing in parks tells you they feel safe. An article at Veterans United asks:

Are there people sitting on their porches? Walking dogs? Taking their kids on a walk? If residents are willing to get out and walk around the neighborhood, that’s a good sign of its vitality and safety.

7. It passes muster after dark

Don’t think you know a place if you’ve only seen it in the middle of a weekday. Return repeatedly, at night and on weekends, to get a realistic picture.

8. Crime numbers are low

Don’t buy into a neighborhood without checking its crime statistics. City police department websites often publish them. In Chicago, for example, weekly crime statistics are reported by police district.

9. School scores are strong

Where school test scores are strong, home prices are high. Search GreatSchools.org for the schools’ scores in the neighborhood you’re considering. Ratings are based on performance on state standardized tests. (GreatSchools’ rating system is explained here.)

10. It’s walkable

Do cars dominate? Or do sidewalks and streets encourage pedestrians and bicyclists? Sidewalks wide enough for outdoor cafes, benches and strolling give a place a neighborly feel.

Put an address or ZIP code into Walkscore.com to obtain a “walkability rating” for neighborhoods or cities. Scores, ranging from zero (“car dependent”) to 100 (“walker’s paradise”), reflect the ease of life without a car.

11. Bus stops abound

Can you easily find buses? And subways? And rail lines? Homes with easy access to public transit fetch higher prices than similar homes without it, says a 2013 study commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association of Realtors. Homes within a half mile of “high-frequency” public transit were worth 41 percent more, on average.

But don’t get too close. Locations adjacent to rail lines and bus stops lose value, Portland real estate broker Rob Levy told Bankrate.

12. It’ll work for you for five to seven years

So, a hip, edgy, gentrifying downtown district is your dream location right now? But will it work later, if you want children? Or if you change jobs? Don’t count on being able to sell and move quickly.

I remember talking during the recession with a young couple who’d bought a condo in what they hoped was an up-and-coming neighborhood. After a while, though, they grew tired of hearing gunshots at night. When she became pregnant, they felt stranded. They wanted to move but could not because their home was worth less than they had paid.

The lesson: Make sure the neighborhood suits your needs for at least five years.

13. Ownership is high

Neighborhoods with high homeownership rates are more stable. However, there are exceptions. For example, you can expect renters to outnumber buyers in expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.

Typically, renters are more mobile than homeowners. Longtime residents watch out for each other, making for a safer community.

Statistics on homeownership in neighborhoods can be hard to find, although some real estate agents may have them. You can get a sense, though, by asking agents and locals about the renter-owner balance. Also, watch for apartment complexes that dominate a neighborhood, or large numbers of “for rent” signs.

14. Homes sell quickly

Fast turnaround of homes for sale indicates a neighborhood in hot demand. A real estate agent can run “comps” (comparative home analyses) to tell you how quickly homes are selling.

Other clues to a neighborhood in demand include employers moving in with new jobs, a growing population, and a limited supply of homes for sale.

15. Homes hold value

In the housing crash, home values held up better in some neighborhoods than others. You can find historical sale prices in your county’s property tax records. Many counties put these online. (NETRonline, a title company, has links to online county property tax records.) Or ask your real estate agent for neighborhood sales trends.

If you’re considering a bargain home in a neighborhood of foreclosures, consider whether home buyers will want this neighborhood when you are ready to sell. Even if you don’t care about school quality or how many playgrounds are nearby, the next buyers of your home probably will.

16. The commute is not bad

Homes located close to major employers and in city centers are in high demand.

“The Driving Boom — a six-decade-long period of steady increases in per-capita driving in the United States — is over,” says a 2013 transportation report by the nonprofit advocacy group U.S. PIRG.

A New York Times article adds: “Younger people are less likely to drive — or even to have driver’s licenses — than past generations for whom driving was a birthright and the open road a symbol of freedom.”

17. City services are good

Is the trash picked up? Are streets paved and well-maintained? Beware of broken streetlights, cracked sidewalks, and lots of vacant homes with cracked windows and an overgrowth of weeds.

18. You see plenty of churches

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate that churches, mosques and synagogues are signs of community strength, and evidence that residents are connected and invested.

19. It’s got police and fire stations

Find the nearest fire and police stations and fire hydrants. Nearby public safety services add to a sense of neighborhood security. Also, a firehouse nearby might mean lower homeowners insurance premiums.

20. (Good) change is coming

Major economic development can change neighborhoods dramatically. According to Trulia:

“From Google and Microsoft building cloud storage data centers in Des Moines to a new light rail station going live in Denver, one large-scale employer or infrastructure development can be a very early, very strong sign that an area will see its real estate fortunes rise.”

Beautifully Styled Home Bars

“Having a Home Bar isn’t a ‘Must Have’, but it is a ‘Nice to Have’. If you’ve ever thought about having one, just scroll through these pictures and get inspired to have a party!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

A bar definitely isn’t an essential in any home, but it’s most certainly a great addition – both aesthetically and functionally. And the great thing about it is it can be as in-your-face or unassuming as you like.

You don’t need much cash to splash either; some of the most chic bars around are made from upcycled items or repurposed Ikea furniture. Buying the alcohol to fill it will be the main expense involved.

From gorgeous gold bar carts to industrial drinks cabinets, get inspired with these genius ideas…

[Photos: Pinterest]

The Retro Drinks Cabinet
This vintage cabinet wouldn’t look out of place in Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment and will slot into almost any style of home seamlessly. It won’t take up much space, either, and fits a fair amount of booze in it.

The Tray Stand Bar
If space is limited, this is the bar for you. Perfect for positioning beside the sofa or in the corner of the kitchen when friends are over for dinner, it’s beautifully styled and gender neutral to boot.

The Beach Bar Cart
If nautical style’s your bag, this wicker bar cart is a must. We love the fact that it’s on wheels, so can be scooted to whichever room the party’s in.

The Bookcase Bar 
Got an old, unused bookcase lying around? Give it a second lease of life by transforming it into a home for your glass – and alcohol – collection.

The Bachelor Bar 
This stained wood bar screams style and would certainly be great for entertaining. We love how it all folds away so neatly at the end of a wild night in, too.

The Wine Barrel Bar
If you love nothing more than salvaging rustic furniture and drinking good wine, you need this bar in your life. Granted, it may be a little tricky to put together on a small budget (does anyone know where you can pick up old barrels?!) but if your pockets are a little deeper you can splurge on this one on Etsy.

The Ironing Board Bar
This proves that you literally can create a bar out of any old item in your home – and how great does it look? Perfect for slightly kooky homeowners that like to think outside the box.

The Sideboard Bar
Sideboards were all the rage in the past, but appear to have gone out of fashion now. Nonetheless, they still make the ideal bar as most boast plenty of room to house all of your boozing equipment.

The Suitcase Bar
This would make a fantastic present for a friend – or just a darn cool bar for yourself. Granted, it wouldn’t fit a whole lot of alcohol in it, but it’s great for those of you who just enjoy the odd glass of the strong stuff.

The Piano Bar
The bar of ever music lover’s dreams, this definitely has the wow factor. Of course it does mean that you can’t practice Chopsticks (or more likely the Rugrats theme tune) anymore. But you’ve got an epic bar, so who cares!

The Ultimate Bar Cart
If you’ve got space to fill, a bar cart this huge wouldn’t be overkill by any stretch. It puts every dinky bar cart to shame.

The TV Bar
Seriously, could things get any more ‘Mad Men’? We’ll take a dry Martini, please.

The Foldaway Bar
Wall-mountable, this bar would squeeze into even the smallest of houses. The definition of ‘neat’.

The Oh-So-Chic Cocktail Trolley
Every girl’s gold-coated dream, the styling on this cockatil cart is what makes it. From the gold-topped cocktail shaker to the two-tone straws, it screams “YOU WANT ME”. And we do. We really do.

The Bar Trolley 
You’ll probably recognise this Ikea three-tier caddy. But forget about using it as bathroom storage or as a bedside table, it makes an epic bar.

The Basket Bar
There’s something so chic and oh-so-Anthropologie about this wire basket bar. Love. It.

The Minimalist Bar
If your house is pretty simple and you’re after a bar that slots right in without shouting it’s arrived, go for a classic style like this. It’s unfussy – but still stylish.

The All-Out Bar
Party animals, say hello to your new must-have furniture buy. Complete with in-built lights, bar stools and oodles of space for every type of mixer and spirit you can imagine, it’s definitely waiting for the party to start.

The Rustic Drinks Cabinet
This would look perfect in a French farmhouse style dining room – it’s definitely got that rustic appeal.

The Industrial Bar
Industrial furniture’s all the rage – hence why it’s used in so many restaurants and bars. And this metal drinks cabinet shows that it doesn’t have to look out of place in a home filled with soft colours and furnishings.

The Repurposed Door Bar
It used to be a door, and now it’s a bar. So simple, yet so effective.

Originally Published on Tumbler by Alison Coldridge

How to Set a Table

“Part of decorating your home and creating an inviting environment can and should include your dining table. Take advantage of that ‘canvas’ and let your creativity flow.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

“Set the Table.” How many times have you heard or said that? “Dinner is ready. It’s time to eat, so set the table.” Phrases like that are said every night in my house. And if you’re anything like us, “set the table” usually means plopping down the mats, napkins, knives and forks so we can chow down. What’s more, half the time “the table” refers to the coffee table, and the only bingeing in our house is the binge watching of our fave flicks — a nightly tradition that breaks all the rules in every Miss Manners book.

Blend Interior Design

Summer is probably just as popular, if not more so, than the holidays for having mealtime get-togethers. The warm months are prime time to get those renovations checked off the to-do list, and the best way to show off your new kitchen, deck or garden is to throw a party.

So you’ve got the space, you’ve nailed the recipes, your guests are on their way — now set the table!

But how?

As Houzz contributor Rikki Snyder says, “When in doubt, refer to the old-fashioned way.” So we’ve come up with a few easy guidelines, tips and tricks from our pros to help Houzz home cooks and party planners do it right.

Loom Decor

Anatomy of a Place Setting

Regardless of whether you are using placemats, each place setting should be centered to each seat at the table. There should be about 24 to 30 inches of space between place settings, or about 18 inches between seated guests, to avoid any elbow rubbing.

Silverware. As seen in the photo above, the forks are to be placed on the left side, and the knife (with blade side pointing inward) and spoon on the right. Becky Kubecka, author of the life and style blog This Is Happiness, has a handy trick she learned when she was a kid and continues to use to this day: “‘Left’ is a four-letter word, and so is ‘fork,’ so the left side of my plate is where my fork is placed. ‘Right’ is a five-letter word, and so is ‘knife’ and ‘spoon,’ so they sit on the right side of my plate.”

The movie Titanic taught us well with the line, “Work from the outside in” regarding the crazy amount of silverware we sometimes find in fine-dining restaurants. This rule applies to home dining as well. If you’re serving a salad, the salad fork goes on the outermost left side. If salad is not a starter, the smaller fork can be eliminated or placed on the inside, if needed, for dessert. The same goes for the spoon on the right: If guests will be using it early in the meal, it will go to the right of the knife; if it will be used only for coffee and dessert, place it to the left of the knife.

Think of it this way: It’s a lot easier for guests to grab the utensils they’ll need immediately as well as for you to clear the table as the meal service progresses.

Glassware. Whether you serve water, wine or a cocktail, your glassware of choice should be placed just above the knife on the top-right side of each place setting. Jennifer Grey of Jennifer Grey Interiors, who prefers to host buffets, recommends having an extra set of glassware wherever your drink station is located, in addition to those at the dinner table. “People won’t eat or drink unless they know they can,” she says, so when your guests arrive, those glasses will indicate that the bar is open. When they sit down to dinner, they’ll have a clean glass if needed.

Linova Photography

Lesley Myrick Art + Design

Gazpacho, Anyone?

Alright, you’ve got your flatware and glassware sorted out, but what’s the deal with the stacks of plates and bowls? Multiple pieces of dishware aren’t always necessary, but depending on what you’re serving and how, you may need to know a few tips.

This time we’re working from the top down. Summer weather isn’t necessarily soup weather, but on the off chance you are serving soup (gazpacho, anyone?) or an appetizer that would best be enjoyed from a bowl, the bowl should be placed at the top center of your place setting.

This is also a great place to get creative, according to our pros — who suggest using seasonal fruits and florals to add a decorative element to each place setting. In the summer, Kubecka loves a bright yellow lemon on a white dish, and Grey likes to pull roses or lavender straight from her garden. They both agree that the best decorative pieces come from what’s already around, so look to your home and garden for season-specific inspiration.

Underneath the bowl, or in its stead, is the salad plate. If you’re not serving a salad, or the salad is part of the main dish, you can eliminate this layer. Last, if your meal is to be served family or buffet style, like at most informal summer get-togethers, the large bottom plate is your main course plate.

Don’t Forget Your Napkin

You’ll see different napkin displays in different restaurants, households and photos: in a ring, on the side, folded into abstract origami. So which way is correct?

It’s up to you. If you’re staying simple, a folded napkin can go underneath the forks on the left side or on top of the largest, bottommost plate (in which case, any smaller dishware will be placed on top of the napkin, as in the previous photo). If you’re using a ring, the rolled napkin can be placed either on the left side outside of the forks or in the center of the topmost plate — and the same goes for any artfully folded napkins. However, don’t place a napkin in or on a bowl. Instead, try adding a decorative element like our pros suggest.

Dafne Vijande

Sullivan Building & Design Group

Table Decorating Tips From Houzz Pros

We’ve covered all the cut-and-dried rules to setting a table, but here are some extra servings of advice from Houzz professionals.

Snyder tells us that when it comes to tableware, “mixing and matching is really in. Keeping it within the same color scheme creates a pretty palette.”

But when choosing that tableware, Grey says, “even in an informal setting, anything that goes into a guest’s mouth should not be plastic!” This may not be the time to break out your great-grandmother’s fine china, but ditch the plastic party cups and invest in some inexpensive plates, glasses and utensils you’re comfortable sharing with guests. Grey believes in entertaining with all five senses: sight, smell, sound, taste and touch. These last two are affected by the serveware.

Also, even though Grey prefers hosting buffet-style dinner parties, she still creates a place setting, complete with place cards, for each guest at the dinner table. She does this as a courtesy to her guests: They can serve themselves without worrying about forgetting to grab a napkin, juggling their wineglasses or struggling with where to sit amid all the other guests.

Kubecka, on the other hand, favors hosting family-style meals in an intimate setting and advises, “The main thing is to remember to keep things simple, so you can focus on enjoying each other’s company.”

When it comes to table decorations and centerpieces, less is more. Homemade place cards, scented candles or DIY flower arrangements from your garden are all it takes to set the intended mood. Regardless, all our pros agree that it’s best to keep any centerpieces low or remove any major decorations from the dinner table prior to the meal service, so guests can make eye contact, pass plates and avoid any spills.

The most important decorating tip? Kubecka tells us, “Set your table with things you truly love.” If you’re happy and comfortable, your guests will be too.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Stacy Briscoe

Guest Rooms that Work

“Guest Rooms are nice to have, but have you thought about how often it will be used, or who will be using it? Here are several interesting ideas to consider.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The guest room can be one of the most underused spaces in the house. It’s wonderful to have one when you need it, but when guests are nowhere in sight, it can feel like wasted space or a drop zone for odds and ends. Here’s how to make the most of the guest room, from beds and layout to storage and more.

Hardworking space: The guest room.
The challenge: Guest rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and there are just as many options for guest beds. Whether you frequently host groups of family and friends, or rarely have overnight guests, these tips will help you choose the right bed and layout for your space.
Good to know: Sometimes rethinking your space will help you discover new solutions — like subdividing a guest room into two smaller spaces.

Design idea: Carve one room into two.

Why: If you have a single guest room but wish you were able to accommodate another guest, dividing the room in two can be a smart way to sneak in more sleeping space.

How: To transform your guest room into guest rooms, you may need to add a non-load-bearing wall. Hire a contractor to do the work. If you want to add electrical work (outlets, light switches) to the new wall, you may need permits. If no electrical work is involved, homeowners with some building experience may be able to tackle this project themselves.

Layout tips: In a smaller space, a centrally positioned wall may not allow enough room for a bed on each side. In that case a wall positioned off center (as shown here) may allow you to place a twin bed on one side and a larger bed on the other.

Also consider whether a partial wall will do (so the two spaces can share a door) or if you want to fully divide the space, which would mean adding or repositioning doors (also adding to the cost).

SPG Architects

DIY or hire a pro? A non-load-bearing wall can be built by homeowners with some building experience. Having a helper is essential for this project (there is some seriously heavy lifting and positioning involved), so do not attempt it on your own.

If any electrical work is involved (for instance, you want the wall to be wired with a light switch or outlets), go with a pro for safety’s sake.

Cost: For professional installation, a licensed contractor should be able to complete the job for around $800 to $2,500, depending on rates in your region and the size of the wall. The cost will be higher if electrical work and permits are required.

Materials for a DIY non-load-bearing wall can cost between $200 and $500 and up, depending on the region. Plan to spend more if you do not already own the tools needed to complete the job.

Gelling & Judd Inc.

Tamalpais Construction Company

Design idea: Murphy bed.

Why: When quarters are tight, nothing beats a Murphy bed for maximizing space. This type of bed folds up into the wall when not in use, opening up the floor space for another purpose.

How: Murphy beds can be found ready made, or you can have one custom designed to fit your space, in sizes from twin on up. If you go with a ready-made version, ask about delivery and installation services before you purchase— it can bring peace of mind to know your Murphy bed has been safely and properly installed.

Cost: Ready-made Murphy beds can be purchased for $1,000 to $3,000, depending on quality of construction, design and size. Expect to pay more for a custom designed and built Murphy bed, particularly if it includes storage or other custom features.

How to Add a Murphy Bed

Browse daybeds and trundles in the Houzz Shop

Design idea: Daybed with trundle.

Why: A daybed’s compact footprint makes it a good choice for a small guest room; a pullout trundle underneath doubles your sleeping accommodations for guests. This is a good choice if you would like to use your guest room for another purpose (office, den) between visitors.

How: Daybeds are widely available in a range of prices. With a trundle, look for one on high-quality casters that moves easily. If you would like to be able to transform a twin daybed into a full-size bed, search for a daybed with a pop-up trundle. Custom daybeds can also be built in place to fit your space perfectly and incorporate storage features.

Cost: Around $400 to $1,000 and up, depending on materials, design and quality of construction. If you are looking to save, search for used daybeds locally — you may be able to find one for significantly less.Custom built-in daybeds can cost from $1,000 to $3,000 and up.

Marcel Page Photography

Alternate idea: If having a trundle is not important to you, consider instead a plush, comfortable sofa-style daybed, similar to the one shown here. This type of daybed can be used as a couch for movie watching; simply make it up with sheets when a guest is visiting.

Daybed: Restoration Hardware Baby & Child

Beach Dwellings

Design idea: Custom bunks over bed.

Why: If you would like to be able to fit more guests and have a guest room large enough to handle it, this is a smart way to sneak in extra beds and storage in one design move.

How: Work with a contractor or designer to come up with a plan that makes the most of your space. In a smaller room, you may go with a single bunk over a double bed; a larger room may be able to handle a pair of double bunk beds over a queen- or king-size bed at ground level. If you decide to add lighting or outlets, you will also likely need to get permits for the work (and an electrician).

Cost: The final price tag on a custom project of this scope can vary widely depending on your needs, the size of your space and regional rates, but expect to pay at least $2,000 to $10,000 or more.

DIY option: Position a purchased upper bunk bed over your existing guest bed to squeeze in more sleeping space. To customize the look, paint the bunk and bed to match the wall color and coordinate the bedding on the upper and lower beds.

Thorp Design

Bunk room layout tip: If you are considering adding multiple bunk beds to your guest room, the size and shape of your space will influence the positioning of the bunks.

In a long, narrow room, try placing bunks on either side, with a walkway down the middle. In a square room, positioning the bunks in one corner, as shown here, can free up more room for storage.

Tamara Mack Design

How to get a high-end headboard look for less

Design idea: Pair of beds.

Why: A pair of beds can make more sense than one larger bed. Twin beds can be pushed together if a couple comes to stay or left separate for a pair of kids. If you have the space, why not use two full-size beds? In a hardworking guest room, there’s no reason to leave a lot of space open when it could be put to use, and if your visitors tend to be older relatives, they may appreciate having a traditional bed rather than a bunk or Murphy bed.

Budget tip: If you are looking for beds on a budget, consider skipping headboards. A basic metal mattress frame can be found for under $100. Pair it with crisp linens, a bed skirt and a few plump pillows, and no one will care about the lack of a headboard.

Sasha Meredith Designs

Browse more photos of attic bedrooms

Layout tip: If your guest room has a sloped ceiling or another challenging architectural feature, consider tucking the bed in there. What could have been an unusable area will be a charmingly cozy spot in which to slumber.

Thorp Design

See 10 tips to make a small bedroom look great

Small-space layout tip: If you have a compact guest room, it’s important to position the bed properly for optimal flow. One easy way to do this is by marking out the area where the bed will go on the floor using painter’s tape. Try opening the door and walking all around the bed area to check if there is enough space to move freely. It’s OK to tuck a small bedside table behind the door if you are tight on space (as shown here), but ideally nothing should impede the door swing and the path around the bed. If you simply can’t make the layout work using your painter’s tape mock-up, that could be a sign you need to use a smaller bed.

Jodi Fleming / Fleming Distinctive Homes

HAYNES & GARTHWAITE ARCHITECTS

Guest room checklist: Once you have your guest bed(s) chosen and the layout right, it’s time to stock up for visitors. Here are some things to make your guests’ stay a pleasant one:

Fresh bedding, including a mattress topper or pad for comfort
An assortment of pillows, from soft to firm
Bedside lighting and an alarm clock
A door that closes and latches
A place for luggage
Window coverings that provide privacy
Fresh towels and extra toiletries
A card with your home’s Wi-Fi password and a power strip for charging devices
A small table and chair
A notepad and pens
A carafe or bottle of water
A chocolate bar and some nuts for late-night snacking

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Mudrooms That Really Cleanup

“Mudrooms are a great first stop when you enter the home. You can unload a little before you head on in. However, have you really given them the thought you could?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

When we asked people to share their best mudrooms, we were surprised by the outpouring of love for a room whose most important function is storing and organizing boots, coats, gloves — basically, the things we shed as soon as we enter the house. Readers and design pros offered their ideas for making the room work harder by configuring it to suit everything from pets to gift wrapping.

Byron Haynes and Andrew Garthwaite of Haynes & Garthwaite Architects say that mudrooms are more than a luxury in New England — they are essential. In this one the clutter is hidden in a wall of cabinets. “The owners are very active,” says Haynes. “They ski, climb, snowshoe — you name it. The cabinets allow them to stow all that stuff and still have a space that looks tidy.” Their big idea was to outfit the doors with slatted windows, allowing air to circulate and dry damp gear.

The other life-bettering move was to install radiant heat under the tiled floor. Haynes says the heat not only feels good on the feet; it helps dry wet boots.

Weedman Design Partners

Arielle Weedman of Weedman Design Partners says one of her favorite mudroom designs is also her smallest. “Sometimes you just have to work with the space you are given,” she says. “This couple wanted a mudroom but had no room for it.” Weedman solved the problem with a custom-designed, wall-hung shoe shelf and rows of hooks. She calls it an easy drop point where the family can leave their belongings upon entering the house.

Weedman Design Partners

For a family with more space, Weedman provided open cubbies crafted from oak. “This is a material that ages really well, and it doesn’t show the chips and scratches as much as painted wood,” she says.

ClearStory Construction

Another small-space mudroom comes from Sarah Potter of ClearStory Construction. For her own house, Potter created a mudroom along the stairs that connect the back door to the kitchen. (The other flight of stairs goes down to the basement.) “I love it because it makes use of unused space, allowing the stairs to serve a dual purpose,” she says.

Menendez Architects PC

When Luis Menendez of Menendez Architectsremodeled this condominium in Aspen, Colorado, he borrowed space from a utility room to create a hidden mudroom in the front hall. “The condo didn’t have one, and with people coming in with boots, coats, hats and helmets, it was mandatory,” he says.

Menendez Architects PC

A sliding door hides the space (and winter clutter) when necessary.

Designer Diane Gordon calls her new mudroom no less than a life changer. “For 10 years we trekked across the patio from our garage to the house,” she says. “I have two teenagers, and there were wet boots and coats all over the place.” The designer created an addition that bridged the space between garage and house — she describes it as a covered breezeway. “On a day like today, when the temperature is 0, you really appreciate it,” she says.

There is radiant heat under the terra-cotta tile floors, but the designer says it’s more for comfort than for drying. “The space is a bit chilly,” she says.

Right now, in the dead of winter, she puts out boot trays under the row of hooks. Old metal locker baskets in the cubbies are assigned to each family member.

The bench has drawers that hold regular shoes. One is for the designer and her husband; the other is for the kids.

Anchor Builders

Shelly Lindstrom of Fluidesign Studio has designed a number of mudrooms that were built by Barak Steenlage of Anchor Builders. Her team’s mantra: flexible, durable and affordable. The spaces have to be adaptable to the seasonal changes of clothing and gear, must stand up to wet and gritty conditions, and have to fit the clients’ budgets. “When people start cutting their project budget, they often start with the mudroom, and say they’ll do it later,” Lindstrom says. “We try to give them a mudroom that works for them and that they can afford now.”

This mudroom is for a family with two adults and three boys. The designer made the space accessible to the kids by making many of the baskets low and putting the hooks out in the open. “You have to give kids just one easy step, or things end up on the floor,” says Lindstrom, a mother of three.

Anchor Builders

When it came time to remodel his own home, builder Barak Steenlage chose a simpler mudroom for budget reasons. “We could have cut it completely, but it was a must for us,” Steenlage says.

Lindstrom, who worked with the builder on the project, says they made the simple room more interesting by installing molding around it to give it a wainscoted look. Tile is laid on the diagonal to make the room feel more expansive.

“It is pretty simple, but it gives us what we need,” Steenlage says. “We have a place to sit and remove our boots and take off our coats.”

Designer Kelly Nelson took a cover-it-all-up approach when her family built a house. “Rather than using cubbies or any type of open storage, I gave each family member a closet of their own,” she says.

“Everything looks neat and pretty from the outside, but on the inside we have shoe trays and vertical shoe cubbies, hooks for backpacks and bags, baskets for scarves, gloves and sports equipment,” Nelson says. “We designed each closet especially for the needs of that person — and so far, so good!”

The pros at Whitten Architects often tell their clients that the smaller the home, the larger the mudroom should be. “As you can imagine, mudrooms are very important to homes in Maine,” they write. “They often become the engine room of the home. In fact, when done right, they can afford efficiencies in other areas of the home.”

The example they shared has a rod that hangs over the stone floor for wet coats, as well as ample storage.

Other people have carved out mudrooms where none existed. “We live in a 1,328-square-foot 1970s ranch. There isn’t a mudroom,” says kraesmom. “But we have made the most of our small entry with an Ikea shoe cabinet, some trim and a cabinet that I custom built to coordinate.”

The Houzzer added a long midcentury dresser to hold scarves, gloves, a charging station, a bowl for keys and other launchpad necessities.

Paradisewindsor says this space used to be the laundry room, but since it was just to the left of the front door, the placement wasn’t ideal. The Houzzer moved the laundry to the basement and installed an economical mudroom.

The skis were picked up for $10 at a thrift store and, with the addition of hooks, became a place for coats and bags. The bench provides seating, and plastic tubs and a dresser act as storage.

When loribmomof3 and her family added a mudroom, it became her favorite room in the house. With a family of five, plus a dog and cats, it’s easy to see why. “I designed every detail myself to meet the needs of our family,” she says. “I even measured the backpacks to make sure I could fit both their school and sports bags in each locker.” The space also includes hooks for coats, shoe drawers and storage for everything from sunscreen to gloves to bug spray. There’s also an extra refrigerator and drawers for storing cat and dog food.

This Houzzer added a desk and wrapping station across from the coat lockers. “I could not be happier,” she says.

Another mother, with five kids, is just as thrilled by her new mudroom, made by stealing 3 feet from the garage.