The 5 Tips to Organize Your Small Space

Let’s talk about small spaces. We have now moved into an era of people living in smaller homes, apartments, and even for the travel luster, RVs! I hear time and time again from clients that it is impossible to keep a small space organized. With the endless amount of clothes, books, toys, and so many other items I understand how it can feel overwhelming.

In today’s blog, I am here to share my 5 tips to keep small spaces neat and organized even if you are on a budget.

Multipurpose Furniture

When it comes to finding storage for small spaces I like adding furniture that is multifunctional. A bed with built-in drawers or a storage ottoman for off-season items and blankets.

Use the Vertical Space

Utilizing the vertical space under sinks and on shelves is a great way to gain storage. I like to use stacking drawers under sinks and containers with lids on shelves. You will be amazed how making a few small changes can provide you with the extra storage you need.

The Back of the Door

There are so many options these days for utilizing the space on the back of a door. Pantry doors and closet doors are seldom used and they are a great option if you are looking for extra storage. Plus, it’s an easy way to see what you own!

Storage carts with wheels

Storage carts are an easy inexpensive way to gain storage in a small space. I like to use them in kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, and playrooms. You not only gain storage but they have wheels so you can move them from room to room and easily store it away when you are done.

Paint the Space White or a Neutral Color

You would be amazed what a new coat of white paint can do to make a room appear larger. One of my favorite colors is White Dove by Benjamin Moore. It is not too white and brings warmth to a room.

By following these tips, you can easily get started on maximizing your small space. Getting organized should never be limited by the size of a room!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use.

My Secret To Healthy Hair

I get so many questions about my hair and the products I use so I thought I would take the opportunity to answer some of them in today’s blog.  I want to start off by saying my hair is extremely thick, coarse and naturally wavy so to say it has been a struggle managing it my entire life would be an understatement. I feel very lucky that I don’t have the normal hair issues that come with getting older. I know a lot of it has to do with genetics because my mother has great hair and she is 81. I wish I could say it is just one thing I do to keep my hair healthy but when you have hair like mine it’s a combination.

Find The Right Stylist The first and most important tip is to find the right stylist for your type of hair. My stylist understands my texture and type of hair which is so important. I love so many short hairstyles but because my hair is thick I found that short hair is not an option for me. Whether your hair is thick or thin a good stylist will understand what hairstyles and products work best for you.

Deep Condition I color and highlight my hair so deep conditioning it once a week is key to soft shiny hair. I prefer to leave the conditioner in overnight and style the next day. It keeps my hair soft, shiny and manageable.

Wash Less Frequently I only wash my hair only once a week and I can hear the gasps as I write. I know this sounds impossible for some but I have been doing this for almost three years and although it wasn’t easy in the beginning it has definitely made my hair feel and look healthier. Shampooing too often strips your hair of its natural oil and makes it dry. I highly recommend a good dry shampoo when you start to wash less frequently. I have tried so many and this is my absolute favorite because it really works!

Hot Rollers The question I’m asked most is how do I achieve the fullness in my hair. It may be a throwback to the eighties but I use these hot rollers and have for years. I put them in my hair before I apply my makeup and take them out when I’m finished. It’s just enough time to give my hair the body I want and no dry ends.

Hair Care Products There are so many hair care products to choose from and I have tried so many through the years and I have found that my holy grail products are from Oribe and Kerastase. All my favorite products are listed below.

Vitamins Another important part of keeping my hair thick and healthy are vitamins. As you get older your hair loses some of its volume and luster. The supplement I use for hair, skin, and nails is Biosil and I have definitely noticed a difference. This is not a paid endorsement it’s just something I found that works for me.

Everybody’s hair is different and that is why it’s so important to find what works best for you. It has been a lot of trial and error over the years but I have finally found my secret to healthy hair!

Check out my YouTube channel for a detailed video on how I style my hair and tons of organizing videos. I love answering your questions so keep them coming!

 

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Welcome to the Neatly Designed blog, where I share my favorite organization tips, and must-have organizing products.

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Simplify Your Kitchen With These 5 Easy Tips

PURGE

Kitchen drawers can become cluttered quickly if not purged often. When working with clients to clear the clutter in the kitchen the first place I start is to remove everything out of the drawers and cabinets, yes EVERYTHING! It is the easiest way to finally let go of kitchen clutter. Get rid of items you don’t use or need, pair down multiples of utensils, get rid of broken items and if you don’t have a place to store it let it go. Do you use all of those cookbooks? Do you often wish you had a bigger kitchen? It is never about enough space it is about having too many things that are never used. Simplifying is the hardest part of any project but so well worth it!

REARRANGE THE SPACE

The next step is to look at the space in the kitchen now that you have purged. You will be surprised how much extra storage you have once you let go of the things you don’t need. I usually rework the entire kitchen so that it runs smooth and efficiently. Are you using the drawer space properly? Sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes to look at the kitchen and talk through want you want to achieve.

DON’T FORGET TO MEASURE 

This is important not only for the obvious reasons but it prevents mismatched items and unwanted containers that don’t get returned and become more clutter and frustration. Measure first then buy what you need.

MAKE A LIST

I always make lists when working on any project. Keeping a list helps to keep track of what you need and also allows you to check off items as you purchase them.

DRAWER INSERTS

I always add drawer inserts to prevent clutter and keep drawers neat and organized. It not only allows you to have a space for everything but prevents a mess from reoccurring. If there isn’t a place for an item the drawers become cluttered and unorganized.
Drawer insertsare always an important part of an organized kitchen.

KEEP LIKE THINGS TOGETHER

I know you have heard me say this before but its worth repeating keeping like things together prevents clutter and overbuying items you already own. No more searching the house for one thing and only to find something else you had been looking for last week. “I was looking for that” is one thing I hear the most when helping clients purge and organize. Kitchens run more efficiently when like items are kept together.

For more tips on simplifying and organizing your kitchen watch my latest segment on River City Live by clicking videos at the top of the page.