Helpful Catch-Alls Keep Visual Clutter at Bay
What a difference it makes when you corral your stuff in pretty bowls, baskets or crates
Around the corner is a time when any clearing in the day is grasped tightly and held closely, embracing the slightest wisp of calm provided by the day. As most of us are well aware, extra time is something that becomes increasingly harder to find as the holiday season draws nearer.
Coming home to find to do lists scattered, gift receipts lost, floors left unswept and dishes piled high. Mountains of laundry and phone calls forgotten. The typical grind we try to rebalance with festive holiday cheer.
And if you observe how you feel during this time of stress, you realize that a space that's kept in order versus one that's a bit disheveled can go a very long way. And although the floors and dishes may still slip out of reach, there are other subtle ways to keep your environment in just enough visual order to still find room to breath. Read through the ideas ahead to see what you can try in your own home.
Coming home to find to do lists scattered, gift receipts lost, floors left unswept and dishes piled high. Mountains of laundry and phone calls forgotten. The typical grind we try to rebalance with festive holiday cheer.
And if you observe how you feel during this time of stress, you realize that a space that's kept in order versus one that's a bit disheveled can go a very long way. And although the floors and dishes may still slip out of reach, there are other subtle ways to keep your environment in just enough visual order to still find room to breath. Read through the ideas ahead to see what you can try in your own home.
If you collect handmade papers or enjoy seeing your rolls of holiday wrap, it might make sense to keep these pretty papers out so you can admire them. A wooden crate shelters the rolls from getting crushed.
Bars of colorful handmade soap wait patiently in a richly hued ceramic bowl on an old stool. When it comes to the bathroom, I usually think that soap left out in the open feels a little out of place, but in this case it works.
A vintage wire basket is perfect for holding spare rolls of toilet paper, as most other items would slip out of the large gaps.
A stack of blankets that occupy the seat of an old weathered chair makes it feel less stark and gives a sense of "home."
If you still enjoy clipping images from catalogs and magazines, keeping a large decorative bowl or dish by the couch may come in handy for keeping your scraps in one place. It looks much nicer to have them in a stack rather than scattered across the table.
This collection of colorful plastic tabs draws visual interest beneath an umbrella of glass, but the options for creating a similar display are endless. Try this with glittered pinecones or ornaments for a wintery feel. Seeing even the smallest area of order can make things seem okay on the busiest of days.
I have this deer hook close to my entryway and swap the necklaces out regularly. I like to see my favorite pieces of jewelry as I walk by, and it's nice to have a necklace close to the door for last-minute accessorizing.
A lidded glass jar of cotton swabs make these daily wands easily accessible and look much nicer than if they were left out in their box.
Toys corralled into an old wooden crate that's still in good shape is much more aesthetically pleasing than a plastic toy box. These wooden crates are becoming increasingly harder to find, but can still be swept up at flea markets.
More: See How to Make a Rolling Storage Crate
Smart Storage: Wicker Baskets
Tray Chic: Turn an Everyday Item Into Décor
More: See How to Make a Rolling Storage Crate
Smart Storage: Wicker Baskets
Tray Chic: Turn an Everyday Item Into Décor