The space in which we spend much of our time at home should be neat, organized, and reenergizing. You should not feel as if your home is the place that drains you, but rather the space that recharges you. Having to look at a disheveled area, being constantly reminded of all there is to do, will not provide the haven that a home should be. Organize your living space to give you the breathing space you need.
Our living rooms and family rooms are the center of much activity. Just as they can be the setting for rambunctious game nights and lively gatherings with friends, they should be able to switch to a relaxing home theater or cozy spot for quiet reading. The art of perfecting a soothing space revolves around creating the boundaries that allows for that. A stack of bills on the end table does not sound very conducive to a relaxing night of watching television. A home office in the corner with a computer screen just calling you to check your work email does not allow you to unplug from the outside world. Organize your family’s living space to do just what you want that space to do. Let it be all about the comfy seating and the conversation and the entertainment. Let the elements more suited to an office setting have their own space away from your unwinding. Store DVDs and games in entertainment center cabinets so they are out of sight but easily accessed. Put a large wicker basket in the corner or under an end table to round up toys so picking up is quick and easy. Return your remote controls to the same spot always when the TV is turned off so they do not wander off. Have a small collection of books near a side chair with a soft throw for a reading area.
The same principles apply to your home’s bedrooms. You do not need a computer in there. You do not need a bill paying station in the corner. You may not even want a television if you want to really have an unplugged retreat. Instead, keep organized nightstands that only hold the basics, like a lamp and clock, and store other items in the drawer or in a small basket tucked to the side to hold your tissues, hand cream, and current reading material. Clear off dresser surfaces or just add a small jewelry case or decorative bin to hold items that would otherwise be left out, like a watch, wallet, rings, or glasses. Keep extra pillows and blankets at the ready in a trunk or armoire. Keep the kids’ toys out of the master bedroom. Set up your personal space to have the same feel as a nice hotel room – inviting, relaxing, and back to basics.
Only you can ensure that you have true living space in the rooms of your home that help keep that dividing line in check between the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and home office and the haven qualities of your living room and bedrooms. Organizing for that visually-appealing minimalist quality gives you a secure place to relax and recharge and be ready to face a new day.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 23rd.
