My TV stand is actually a chest. It was my grandmas, and I love it. It needs re-sanded and oiled, but it does well as a TV stand. Of course my TV is not that large so it sits well on this chest along with the DVD player. The best thing about my chest is that it does double duty. It’s packed full of boxes I want to keep; such as old baby clothing and a few other things.

Here are some pieces of furniture you can use as basic furniture pieces, and also use to store stuff in:

A chest - obviously! I love this chest below, it’s great because it’s not funky with locks and shiny hinges, it’s simple so if you did use it as a TV stand, it’s not obnoxious. That’s how mine is, but not quite this pretty. You can also use chests as bedroom, or entryway seating and still store items inside.

[Beautiful chest from Martin Davis Furniture Design - go visit, all the pieces are gorgeous]

A good ottoman with storage is the perfect living room solution. You can store CDs or DVD in long ottomans or kids toys in smaller ones. You can also use it for small items that look messy - magazines, remotes, and so on. Plus of course, you get to double use an ottoman to sit on or put your feet up. Here are two choices:

[Hess Ottoman from Houseworks]

Uno Storage Table/Ottoman - this awesome ottoman below does triple duty with storage, sitting, and table capacity. Very nice, and a sleek design to boot. Available at Jensen - Lewis.

Share This

Some people are born organized, some pick up how to be organized with less effort, and some of us will simply never be perfectly organized. It’s just not in some people to avoid clutter altogether.

Tip: Know your organizing reality, and learn to live with it.

Organizing to the point of perfection is not everyone’s reality. What can be your reality is to organize within reason. Focus your organizing energy on the stuff that matters most - things like your bill paying area and important files and warranties come to mind. If you can declutter enough to stay sane, then it’s good enough, no matter what your ultra organized friend says.

Source: I’m that annoying ultra organized friend; but I do see how my insanely unorganized pal looks at me when I’ve gone too far with complaining about her organizing skills. Thankfully, we’ve learned to mesh without holding the same ideals about clutter.

Are you realistic about your organizing abilities? OR do you try too hard and make yourself nuts?

Share This

Wow - how about that title? Long, no?

My laundry nightmare carrying story:

When I was maybe twenty-two or so I lived in a pretty tall apartment building. I can’t remember how tall, (memory failure), but I lived pretty high up. The laundry room was in the basement. It was spooky and dark and had this door leading outside. It was smack in the middle of downtown Portland, OR, so there are plenty of folks you don’t want coming into your spooky dark laundry room, yet idiot residents would leave that door open. Also, the elevator would break down, in the summer! So flights of stairs it was. Sucks to be you when that happens.

In the last few years my only major goal when moving as been a washer and dryer in house. I hate carrying laundry all over the place, and dealing with having change on hand, and messing with other people’s clothing. It’s not a good time. If it’s up to you, have a washer and dryer in your house.

If it’s not up to you, and you do need to carry laundry all over, or you’re headed to a college dorm in the fall, here are some bag options that will help:

Kiwi 3-Compartment Hamper Tote

Square Graphic Crunch Can by Umbra

White 3-Compartment Hamper Tote

Red Stripe Crunch Can by Umbra

All of the above and plenty of other laundry tote ideas are available at The Container Store.

For kicks, why not tell me the worst laundry carrying story you have.

[images via The Container Store]

Share This

Shower racks, or caddies are great little organizers. They keep items off the tub side, and can also keep stuff that kids shouldn’t have up and out of the way.

Here are some nice shower rack options:

Sunshine shower caddy - how cute is this?

Teak Shower Caddy - really unique and beautiful.

Avant Corner Shower Caddy - not totally my style, but would work great in the corner of the right tub. Comes in three color flavors.

And just for fun… Giant Safety Pin Wall Rack - I know; not a shower rack, but still pretty darn cool.

Share This

I love, love, love, this room. It’s so nicely put together and soothing colors too. Perfectly set up, and good visual motivation to get your own home decluttered.

See more of this space and learn all about it in this post; or see more design goods at the whole blog - JenJapan’s.

Share This