Small Kitchen Inspiration and Ideas for adding space

Working within a small space is a hard job, especially in a kitchen when you love to cook! There are some really creative ways to work in a small kitchen and one of them is a small island. Sometimes you just need that extra work space and it can make a huge difference, and also look pretty awesome.  I have also found that once I get my small kitchen organized, it can actually be easier to cook in because everything is within an arm's reach!

An island is an obvious solution and for good reason.  They can add surface/work space and storage underneath.  And these days, you have your pick when it comes to island style, size, etc.
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I don't think the island has to match your cabinetry, but I do like them to be tied into at least one other element in the space, like this island does the hood.
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Keep it clean and sleek looking and it will help keep the small space from looking cluttered. Dress it up with a vase and flowers when you have company over. 

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Buy one with wheels so it can roll away if you need it to! Some kitchen's need that extra work space but it's not convenient to have around all the time.  We actually have this exact same island from Ikea and it's going strong 4 years later. 

Beautiful and clever small closet ideas

In older homes and small apartments it's hard to find great storage and closet space solutions. Don't let the words wardrobe and armoire scare you though! There are some seriously great designs to choose from that give you the storage you need.

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There are simple, modern, sleek ones that let you close all the doors and not notice any clutter. Most of these have great options for how you can stack and shelve things as well!

We have a very, very small linen closet in our home that could really benefit from a treatment like this.
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 We've all seen the closet-turned-home office - I still like finding a good one!
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Don't neglect small accessories - they need a designated place too. Having these guys piled up in a corner or shelf can really make or break the feeling of chaos.  Clear acrylic boxes or no-frills baskets are a good way to organize small items if you don't have a drawer.

Your walls are your best friends when you live small.  Hang as much up as you can and save precious surface, drawer, and rail space for items that can't go on walls.

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A simple traditional look with more storage necessities than you could ask for! Although this lacks hanging space it can be a great addition to a small closet, or a place to organize craft supplies.

Contain Yourself (and the necessary clutter in your home with these clever storage ideas)

While spring cleaning has yet to begun at my house, and likely won't this year with my wedding in May (yikes!), I thought I'd share with you some fun ideas to contain the chaos you'd like to keep in a way that doesn't affect your home decor.

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Matching baskets are fantastic! Especially ones with label options to help you remember what you have stored inside. It keeps this bookcase clutter free but makes it possible to not have to store a ton of things behind closed doors.

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Picking similar styles, all see through containers at the bottom and baskets at the top make this cabinet look so well organized. Clear canisters also help remind me if I'm running low on something.  I also love the pop of color with the labels.

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Not everything is going to fit in the same size containers and if keeping everything matching is too much of a commitment for you, you can mix it up a bit and it still look great. Just try and use similar sizes and shapes to create a cohesive look.

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I love the mix of three colors here. Using pops of color is great but I love how this one is minimized to two color options and scattered throughout the storage.

Make The Most Out Of Your Closet

Spring cleaning can get to the best of us sometimes and when it feels just a bit too overwhelming sometimes I like to start small! A closet is a great place to get a great amount done but it not take too long to accomplish.

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Try pulling everything out of your closet, sorting it into piles of keep, donate, and trash. Sort your keep pile into sections on a table or floor of how you would organize it. Plan it out to fit the size of your closet so you don't have any extra bulk in the way.

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Figure out what you need in your closet to function for the stuff it's going to contain. Do you need more shelf space, more drawers, a few buckets, or more space to hang things? Do a quick drawing of how you'd like it to look so you know you are putting everything in the right place and not missing any essential pieces.

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Sometimes it can be a quick run to the store to get what you need, other times you'll need to think about custom fits for your closet to make it work but either way the closet needs to function for you so customizing it is a great option. Since most closet storage items are not that expensive and most closets aren't large enough to get to pricey, this is a great budget friendly place to start as well.

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Once you've updated your closet to fit your needs, put everything inside and enjoy the glory of your new organized closet. Want to keep that amazing? Don't put anything new in the closet without taking something else out. Make sure you keep a balance of items and space in the closet or every time you go to get something out it will be a big ordeal.

Tips On Searching for an Apartment as A New Mom

Finding apartments for rent isn’t easy. You worry about location, size and amenities. If you’re a new mom, you have even more to think about. Finding an apartment that works not only for you, but also for your baby is a top priority for new moms. Here are some things to look for during your apartment search.

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1. Location

Location is a primary concern for all apartment seekers, but even more so for new moms. Getting an apartment close to work and day care is priceless. Babies require a lot of work and saving time is important. Look for rental properties near work, friends, relatives, and day care. Even if you pay a little more or if you have to accept a slightly smaller place, the advantages will likely far outweigh the drawbacks.


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2. Security

Keeping your baby safe is on the top of the list for all new moms. Let’s say you’re looking for apartments in Orange County, for example. While this is a very nice area, crime isn’t negligible and having a secure entry point, gated or monitored parking, security cameras, and even an on-site security guard can really put a new mom’s mind at ease. There are plenty of other things for moms to be concerned about – security shouldn’t be one of them.




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3. Extra Space

Contrary to what you might thing, babies actually take up a lot of room. New moms are always surprised at how much space such a little person needs. Think twice before deciding to have the baby share a room with you. New parents need some breathing room. Initially it may be nice to have the baby in your room, but after a while you’ll want the baby to have his or her own space so you don’t wake up startled at every little sneeze. You’ll also need plenty of space for diapers, a crib, baby clothes and lots and lots of fun baby toys!


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4. Storage

Speaking of needing extra space, new moms will also want to check for extra storage space. Whether it’s a small garage area or big closet under the stairs, it’s a great idea to make sure you have space to store items that your baby has already grown out of, or hasn’t grown into yet.


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5. Safety

Above all else, you want to find apartments for rent that are safe for a new baby. If you have to walk up a lot of stairs to get into your unit, it may be difficult to lug the stroller, baby seat, diaper bag and baby – and you certainly don’t want to leave the baby unattended while you run back for the second load! You’ll also want to check for upgraded appliances, new paint, and clean, up-to-date electrical wiring. Safety guards on outlets and other child-proofing features are a huge plus.

Small Spaces: Defining a space

More and more people are choosing smaller spaces to call home. They tend to be more efficient and don't take as much time to clean ( a big perk for me), and are easier to maintain. Sometimes it's hard to define a certain area or space as it's own but all of my tiny NYC apartments have allowed me to try out almost all of these ideas. Here are some of my favorites.

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For me, feeling like I had a little privacy while sleeping was crucial. Creating a foot board that creates some privacy for the bed is a great way to define the bedroom space. I also love the entryway table they used against to the foot board to create a real wall look.

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Looking for a not so permanent solution? A rod with a curtain can do the trick. You can keep it open and airy or close it off for privacy. A sheer or semi-sheer curtain is important to help filter light through though. 

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On the topic of light, it's important to choose window treatments that will allow for maximum light to come through.  Make sure when you open the curtains you'll be able to pull them completely to the edges of the windows.  Also make sure you have proper ambient lighting to prevent dark shadows which will make the room seem smaller.

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A very budget friendly solution is to purchase an open bookshelf like the one above to use as a wall space. The fact that it doubles as storage is really important since small spaces tend to lack storage space. This is one of my favorite tips and I've used it in the past.  You can find similar, inexpensive modular shelving at Ikea.  Mine has held up well over the years.

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Consider raising up a space! This creates a ton of storage space and puts one part of your space above the rest. This is a great solution if there's not enough square footage to create storage otherwise. 

A Functional Office

Between tax season and spring cleaning, I've been trying to plan how I'm going to reorganize and clean out my office to make it a little bit more functional and pleasing to the eye. Here are some looks I've been loving

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Loving this cabinet/bookshelf. Use matching decorative boxes or baskets to store receipts, paperwork and office supplies that you don't use on a daily basis.

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Labeled drawers are a great way to keep your supplies and items organized. I love the simple look of the picture above and the labels are barely noticeable so they don't take away from the piece of furniture. The large drawers are great for keeping papers flat and not bent or rumpled.

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A simple open shelving bookcase with a few baskets might do the trick for you! This can give you great places to add a little decor as well as store items. I actually have this same shelving unit in my office and love it.

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Keeping everything I need to get my task complete close by is key for me to stay productive.

I love a good inspiration board as long as it's kept somewhat tidy! Mine can get a bit cluttered and then I find them distracting...
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Collections and archives are great as long as you are able to keep them grouped together and orderly.
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Kitchen Inspiration! Open up those shelves

I keep seeing open shelving in the kitchen and I'm starting to love the look. It's a great way to open up your kitchen since bulky shelving can take up a lot of visual space. This is also a great way to keep yourself organized since you don't want your shelves looking messy!

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If you aren't sure whether open shelves works for you, consider taking out one or two just to see how it goes!

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Not only are they great for storage but it's a great way to add a little decor to your kitchen as well!

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If you need larger shelving space going with large open cabinets may be what you need! It still gives you the visual open kitchen but doesn't lack in storage.

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Love all the jars labeled for organizing dry goods.
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There are so many different styles of shelves, have fun with it and find a shelf that matches your style and home decor. Of course, if you know there's just no way you can keep your stuff tidy, stick with cabinets...

Add A Little Interest To Your Hallway

Since hallways aren't meant for hanging out, we tend to leave them out of the decor process. Here are a few ideas to bring your hallway a little more love:

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Add a touch of luxury with decorative molding. It's eye catching without taking up necessary space so it's perfect for small hallways and tight corners.

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Add decorative corbels or moulding for some character.
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Add a dynamic impact to your hall by adding a chair rail and painting one half a contrasting color.
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Adding some floor to ceiling curtains can make the hallway feel more luxurious and grand. A beautiful light fixture makes the space seem well thought out.

Decorating for the later years

As we grow older, there are many things we need to consider. From what we’ll do with our time, to how we’ll stay fit and healthy, the options at our disposal are endless and that can leave us a little unsure about what to do.

In particular, how we approach decorating our homes can be a tricky thing to manage. It may seem relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things but the appearance of our home can have a profound impact on our attitudes, emotional health and general well being.

No one wants to spend their retirement staring at four unsightly walls and here we look at a few tips for decorating your home in your later years.

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Shelf for success

From books and ornaments to films and music, you’ll undoubtedly have a lot of need for storage in your home. Wall-mounted shelves should be at an accessible height and not contain anything too heavy. Anything you require regular access too should be stored at a comfortable height on freestanding bookshelves or display units. You can always arrange items by color for something artistic and playful.

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Spare a thought for cleaning and maintenance of these though. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get some help with this. For example, retirement property for sale from leading firms like McCarthy and Stone offer domestic cleaning services with some of their developments.

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Get it framed

Whether you’re a proud grandparent who wants to show off pictures of their beautiful grand kids or someone looking to take a trip down memory lane through old photos, it’s important you get them framed.

There are many styles to choose from but popular favorites include collage frames which display multiple photos in a large frame or single frames arranged in a symmetrical or eclectic pattern. This set-up can also be applied to artwork as well as to personal photographs.

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Go minimalist

Accessibility is an important buzzword as you age so make sure your decorating takes this into account. Keep walkways clear to prevent the risk of falls and embrace minimalist styles that promote clean layouts and minimal furniture. Combine natural woods with light, neutral colors for a stylish contrast.

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