Tip to Make Christmas Decorating Easy

I love Christmas decorations.

What I don't love is the moment when I open up all my holiday boxes (did they breed and have babies in storage, how did I end up with this many!?) and realize I don't remember how I displayed it all last year.

You would think that I would remember from year to year what decorations went where but I don't, and this makes decorating just a bit more difficult and my mood a bit less jolly.

It turns out that a friend of mine has the perfect solution!  She has quite an extensive Christmas decoration collection.  To make setting up her decorations easier, she takes a photo of each area of her home after she decorates and stores the photo with the decorations when she puts them away for the year.  She takes a new photo of an area if she makes changes, otherwise she just uses the same photo year after year.  Genius, I say!

So if your holiday decorations are up, take a moment to go around and take photos of each decorated area and print the photos.  When you are ready to put your decorations away, store the photos with the items that are pictured.  Next year, you will be all set when Christmas rolls around.

 

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Need somewhere to store your Christmas decorations?  Contact Closets For Life,  a custom organization company based in Apple Valley, Minnesota, for custom shelving to keep your Christmas treasures safe.  Contact us by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com for a free in-home consultation.

 

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado
 

Organize Your Pantry in Time for Thanksgiving

For all but the brave, Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting endeavour.  The Thanksgiving meal is, after all, the main event of our Thanksgiving holiday.  Steeped in tradition, the Thanksgiving meal is also incredibly stubborn to change.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and more are all prepared the way our grandma always made it and, of course, it all needs to time out just perfectly.  No wonder we stress!

While we can't come to your home to help you cook your Thanksgiving feast, we can help.  The first step toward success with any job is preparation/organization.  So, today we will help you start this Thanksgiving with a solid foundation...an orderly kitchen pantry. 

That's right folks.  Follow these 4 steps to organize your kitchen pantry and we won't guarantee your turkey will turn out perfect but at least you'll be prepared for any culinary curve balls Thanksgiving throws your way!

Step 1:   Empty your pantry
The first step in any organization task is to clear out the space to be organized. Take every last item out of our pantry and place the items out in an open area. 

Step 2:  Sort and examine
Now that everything is out in the open, it is time to sort your pantry items into logical groups.   Organize items according to function; for example, group baking products all together and breakfast items all together.  Ultimately, the groupings are up to you, but your goal is to sort your pantry items in a way that works for cooking.  Group ingredients that are usually used together whenever possible.

While sorting, also look for expired items or items that haven't been used in a long time.  Consider: how long has it been since you used that item? Herbs, for example, loose a great deal of flavor after 6 months even in a dark, cool space. To test them, open the jar and sniff: if there's no smell, there's no taste to them.

Step 3: Clean and analyze your pantry space

After your items are sorted, it is time to turn your attention back to your pantry space.  Wipe down all surfaces in your pantry with a damp cloth.  Then, analyze your pantry space.  Do you have enough shelving?  In most standard cabinets, the shelves are spaced too far apart for efficient pantry storage.  Think about what can you change or add to better utilize the space within your pantry.  Depending on your needs and current configuration, the solution may be as simple as purchasing risers or bins for your shelves or you might want to consider something more involved such as a custom shelving system or pull out shelves for your pantry.

Step 4: Restock your Pantry
Now it is time to put items back in your pantry.  As you put items back, think about how often you use your items. The most frequently used items should be at eye level and in an easy to access location. High shelves can contain those items that are rarely used.  Items that kids are always snacking on should be located within easy reach.  Keep the groupings that you made back in step 2 together and determine where they should go based on how often they are used.

If you liked our blog and found it helpful, please share it with friends on Facebook or leave us a comment.

Also, if you are interesting in seeing how Closets For Life can help you transform your kitchen pantry, contact us by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com for a free in-home consultation. We will come out to your home to discuss your needs, assess your existing food storage space and then design a custom  organization makeover tailored just for your kitchen and your needs.

Closets For Life, a custom organization company based in Apple Valley, Minnesota, works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including kitchens, closets, offices, garages, laundry rooms, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado

Sample 3D Closet Drawings

Dreaming is half the fun of a home project.  But more than just fun, dreaming about what features you want and searching for inspiration is an important step in your home improvement process.  One way to envision your project is to look at 3D layouts.  It's a great way to learn about your options and how they fit within a space. 

To get you started, here are some sample 3D CAD drawings of organization projects we have designed at Closets For Life including a few closets, a garage and a media center.

And, if all this inspiration has you ready to start you next organization project, contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com for a free in-home consultation.  You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.




Master Bedroom Custom Closet

Master Bedroom Custom Closet

Master Bedroom Custom Closet



Master Bedroom Custom Closet

Garage Organization System



Media Center

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including closets, offices, garages, pantries, laundry rooms, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business based in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Closets Doors - Something to Consider

Planning to remodel or building a new home? Now is a great time to think about your closet doors. Yes, we said closet doors. Often overlooked, a smart closet door choice can be icing on the cake, something that increases the functionality of your closet or an intriguing design element that enhances a room. 

One of our favorite choices is installing pocket doors.  Built to slide into the adjacent wall, pocket doors can open up smaller closets where space is at a premium and improve accessibility to clothes.

For example, in most smaller walk-in closets there is a door separating the bedroom and closet that, when opened, swings into the closet. That open closet door covers half of a wall of clothes and takes up physical space in an already restricted area. Installing a pocket door that slides into the wall will provide better visual and physical access to your clothing and free up to 10 square feet of space previously occupied by the swinging door.

Another favorite choice of ours is externally mounted sliding doors that are suspended from overhead tracks.  Choosing a visually interesting door that pulls in design elements from the room transforms your closet from ho-hum boring to an eye-catching focal point. 

Intrigued? Contact Closets For Life today for a free in-home consultation on how you can incorporate smart door choices into a new closet organization design in your home. Contact us by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including closets, offices, garages, pantries, laundry rooms, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. 

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado

How To Help Your Child Be An Organized Student

The start of the school year is the perfect time to help your child develop skills that will lead to a successful school year.  One of the most beneficial skills a child can learn is organization.  Not only will learning how to be organized help your child do better in school this year, it is a life long skill that will benefit them in adulthood.

So, what can you do to help your child learn to be organized?  One of the biggest things you can do as a parent is to help them set up an environment and routines that encourage organization.

Creating Routines That Work
Most children thrive in a structured environment.  Routines provide predictability and stability that help a child feel safe and in control of their environment.  Creating and following a before school and after school routine will empower your child to take responsibility for their school life and make the transition to and home from school much smoother.

A routine will have a much better chance of succeeding if you solicit your child's input and preferences so involve your child in decision making process of a establishing a routine. 

Ideas to consider for a before school routine include putting out clothes, making lunch and packing their backpack the night before and deciding in what order they get ready in the morning.  Having a routine will make everything run smoother, discourage last minute morning chaos over what to wear and help your student to remember homework. 

The same goes for the after school routine.  Ideas to consider including emptying their backpack each day when they get home and putting important notes and homework in a designated spot.  Encourage them to do their homework at the same time each night and place it in their backpack when done so it doesn't get forgotten.

After coming up with the routines, help your child stick to the new schedule for the first couple of weeks until it becomes routine. 

Creating Environments That Foster Organization
Having organized areas to do homework and store school items are another way to encourage your child to be organized.

Mudroom Organization

For example, when you child walks in the door, make sure the mudroom or area where they take off their jacket and backpack is set up to help them easily follow their routine.  Ideas to consider include installing child-height hooks, cubbies or open lockers to store jackets, backpacks, shoes, hats and gloves.  Nearby, install wall mounted file folders and label one folder for parent communication, one folder for homework and one folder for artwork.  This will make it easy for your child to empty their backpack and will mean no missed permission forms for you and no forgotten homework assignments for your child.


Kitchen Office Space

Your child should also have a designated area to do their homework.  Depending on your child and your family, this can be a small office area right off the kitchen or in a quieter location of your home.  Set up the desk area with all the supplies they will need to complete homework assignments and color coded folders to hold homework assignments not yet started, in process and completed.

Off To a Great Start
Establishing routines and creating areas to foster organization will help your child have a successful school year and more importantly, help them develop organizational skills that will continue to benefit them for years to come.  Good luck and have a great school year!

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Do you have a mudroom designed to make your child's after school routine a success or a designated homework space designed to encourage organization?  If not, contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation.  We will meet with you at your home to assess your space, brainstorm design ideas to best meets your needs and create free custom 3D design of your project for you to review before ordering and installing your project.

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including mudrooms, closets, office spaces, garages, laundry rooms, pantries, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. 

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Enjoy The End of Summer - Closet For Life Style

Sure, we could be writing right now about some great project idea meant to inspire and motivate you into starting your next organization project. We could, but we're not going to because......

We are down to the last few weeks before Labor Day weekend people! The official end of summer.  We say go out and enjoy it! 

Have some friends over for a barbecue and relax.  We'll even provide you with some closet humour to amuse your guests with.  Who doesn't love a good closet joke?  You'll be the hit of the party (well, maybe) and when your done relaxing you'll be refreshed and ready to tackle your next organization project.

Joke #1:

Chuck Norris doesn't check his closet for the bogeyman. The bogeyman checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Joke #2:

What do you call a skeleton in a closet?
The winner of last year's game of hide and seek.

Joke #3:

Any closet is a walk-in closet if you try hard enough.

Joke #4:

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoebox in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoebox and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $25,000.

He asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving.

He almost burst with happiness. "Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."

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When you ready to tackle your next organization project, contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation. 

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including closets, offices, garages, laundry rooms, pantries, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. 

Contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Laundry Room Organization - 5 Ideas For Sorting Out Your Laundry Room

I recently saw a sign in a store that read 'Sorting Out Life One Load at a Time'.  Isn't that the truth?  With five people in our family, I spend a ridiculous amount of time in my laundry room letting my mind wander over the tomorrow's task list or a recent conversation with a friend while I sort, switch and fold laundry.  However, for all the time I spend in there, it was the last room in my house that was painted, decorated, and organized. 

Let's face it, no one wants to spend time in their laundry room but we really don't have a choice.  So why not put some effort into making your laundry room a more efficient and pleasant place to be in?  Here are 5 ideas to get you started.

1) Spice up your laundry room with color and pattern:
Your laundry room is one of the few rooms in your house where you can get away with something outside your normal color range and theme so have some fun with it!   That may mean a fun eye-popping color scheme or something tranquil and serene.  It's up to you.  Whatever you choose, make sure your choices make you happy to enter the room.

2) Short on space?  Here are three great space saving ideas to maximize your laundry room storage.

• Install a Pull Down Closet Rod like this one from Rev-A-Shelf.  A pull down closet rod will give you space to hang clothes right out of the dryer and then easily folds out of your way when you don't need it.
• Add a counter above your washer and dryer.  If you have a front loading washer and dryer, installing a counter over the top of your units will provide an ultra convenient folding space exactly where you need it.
• Utilize the space between your machines.  There are storage shelves designed to fit perfectly between your washer and dryer. This is a great place to store laundry supplies that stays out of sight when not in use.

3) Have a large laundry room? Add a laundry room island.
If you have the space, a custom designed island can feature pull-out laundry sorting bins, custom sized shelves designed to hold laundry baskets and a great laundry folding surface!

4) Add wall cabinets for storage.
Install wall mounted cabinets to store cleaning supplies.  The laundry room is a perfect place to store all of your cleaning supplies.  Cabinets keep them out of sight and away from little hands.

5) Designate spaces for everything!
Use bins and baskets to keep everything in its designated area.  Clearly label or color code the baskets to make it easy for everyone in the family to keep the laundry room in tip top shape.

Closets For Life is a custom closet company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including laundry rooms, closets, offices, garages, pantries, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. 

For a free in-home consultation, contact Closets For Life by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Shawnessy Schwartz
Closets For Life Aficionado