Finding extra storage in our homes is something we all struggle with.  We do like our stuff, so much so that there are television shows about storage locker auctions and hoarding. De-cluttering is something we could all probably do. The beginning of summer is a great time to go through our homes and try to organize and de-clutter our spaces. Taking it room by room, closet by closet and shelf by shelf can make the task seem less daunting.  Even our kitchen cabinets need to be sorted through and de-cluttered at least once a year.

Once you’ve cleaned out your space, finding storage for what you have left can still be a challenge.  Cabinets and bookshelves are the go to places to store the objects of our lives.  Baskets and bins on the floor are other popular options.  Built-in cabinets and shelves are a more permanent option for additional storage in living and bedrooms. All of these storage options can provide you with standard storage in most rooms of your home.

Creating additional storage spaces can be created if you think outside the box, or shelf as it were.  Think about wall mounted inset medicine cabinets that keep products off the counter and floor. These cabinets use the gaps between the wall studs as additional storage space in the bathroom. This idea can work in other areas of the home too.  Nooks and crannies can be created out of the space under the stairs or in walls in a family or playroom.

Think creatively and you just might find a bit more extra storage in your home.

If you are lucky to have a designated room as your home office, there are some key design elements you’ll want to include in the room: a work surface; comfortable chair; task lighting; and storage. These four elements form the very basic elements of a home office. Once you have these in place you can begin to personalize the space with color, pattern and decorative accessories like art.

A home office work surface can be a classic desk with fire drawers in the base. Or it can be a vintage table that you’ve refinished. Determine what kind of work you’ll be doing and how much desk space you’ll need.

The desk chair you choose doesn’t have to be a standard office style chair but it should offer good support for your back.  Test out several styles of chairs to see what will work for your back and your design style. Take into consideration what type of flooring you have in the home office. If you want a chair that rolls you may need a hard mat to protect carpeting and rugs.

Task lighting is important for a workspace. Beyond the overhead lighting in the room, you’ll want something to illuminate the work surface. Table lamps and adjustable desk lamps are good choices.

Finally storage is key for an organized home office. You don’t need to buy standard filing cabinets but you will want a place for files. Look for filing cabinets that look more like furniture. Baskets and decorative boxes on shelves can store important files.