So with all the organizing and cleaning out we do this time of year it can create a small dilemma for some of us.  How can we display things without it looking cluttered?  I was thinking about this very problem this weekend and decided to go on a hunt for some inspiration of rooms and places where that had been accomplished.  Let’s check them out and see what we can learn.

I love the way the pottery in this room is organized by color.  Nothing cluttered here!

traditional living room design by other metros interior designer Joni Spear Interior Design

Another great example of grouping similar colors together.  The all white look is so classy!

traditional dining room design by san francisco media and blogs My Romantic Home

Sometimes collections look great when placed up high where they can be observed.  I think the look of this bottle collection is so eclectic and organic – but it is not cluttered!

modern kitchen design by san francisco architect ChrDAUER Architects

Another all white collection – I love this one.  Isn’t this room just beautiful! 

traditional living room design by dc metro kitchen and bath SKD STUDIOS

This is a great example of mixing two different types of collections.  One is pottery the other is calligraphy – but they both have an similar feel which keeps the look cohesive.

contemporary living room design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Love this grouping of larger items too and how they are grouped according to size. 

contemporary living room design by interior designer uttara and adwait

These plates on the ledge are another great example and a great way to use some of that wasted space above the cabinets.

eclectic kitchen design by other metros general contractor Andrew Melaragno

Finally – this last picture has so much.  A great collection of globes, tins, books, and model planes and cars.  All balanced and perfectly uncluttered.  (Although I am not sure about the parrot over there to the left.)

traditional family room design by san francisco interior designer ADEENI DESIGN GROUP

So there you go – now what do you think?  What are your tips on how to display collections?  Or what are your fears on how collections can become cluttered?  Let’s all share and see what we can learn!

Well I know I always feel like cleaning things out with turn of the New Year.  My closet has been something that has been out of control for awhile.  However, within the last two weeks my belly has popped out and everything that was just kinda tight is now just not even getting over my tummy.  So not only did I need to get it reorganized – I also needed to get everything out of it that just didn’t fit anymore. 

Are you ready to see the “before”?  Brace yourself – it is a little more than messy.

Doesn’t look so bad?  Let’s continue.  This is supposed to be a walk in.  It is more of a lean in right now.

Hmm… oh this is just embarrassing to share but let’s just go there together shall we.

Ok – so obviously we need an intervention here.  So here were my steps for tackling the chaos. 

1.  Went piece by piece and decided if it either a still would work with a pregnant belly or if I wanted to keep it in storage.  Everything that I decided I didn’t care to keep for another 9 months went to a donate pile.  Everything I wanted to keep but just couldn’t wear went into another pile.  Everything that I decided I could keep and still wear (hello my beautiful cardigan collection) was hung separately to be organized on its own.

2.  Cleaned out and refolded everything else.  I also reorganized my shoes and put everything 3 inches and up in the corner and left all my comfy flats and kitten heels closer to my reach.  Put all my scarves in a basket and all my belts in another.

3.  Hung up all the maternity clothes that my sister-in-law loaned me (now that there was actually room to hang things up) .  Added those back into the closet and ended up with something like this.  Ah – looks so much better!

Now if you are looking closely you may notice two things.  One – I am only using white hangers.  (All of the colored ones were banished to the hubby’s closet!)  Two – they are all flipped the wrong way.  This is useful in two ways.  Using hangers that are all similar or the same color helps present a more unified look.  Flipping the hanger the other way is a way to keep yourself honest.   The next time you clean out your closet – if the item is still sitting there flipped around – you know you haven’t worn that in the last however number of months.  You then have a good reason to put that in the donate/yard sale pile. 

Ah!  And look!  You can see the floor.  Not only that, you can actually walk in there!

I am not finished yet. I still want to put some little Command hooks in over top of my little storage unit to hang up some necklaces and makes a jewelry station.  But it is still looking a lot better.  And yes that is a bait box – those things are awesome for storing jewelry and earrings. 

Now for all the clothes I kept – I went out and got the 40 gallon under the bed boxes.  Use these smaller ones instead of the longer (60 gallon) ones on wheels.  The way a lot of bed frames are made now – you can’t get more than two of the long ones under them.  I got four of the 40 gallon ones (which is more storage space than the two long ones) and I still have room to get at least 2 more under my bed! 

So – there you go!  Those are my favorite tips for cleaning out your closet!  Did you learn any new tips?  Have any you want to share?  I would love to hear them!

Linking this to

Metamorphosis Monday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

So – originally – when we got all our furniture from our house in VA after it sold – we had to rearrange the current “room usage” in our house.  We had planned to take down the twin daybed in our office and put our extra sofa in that room.  But it wouldn’t fit.  So we ended up having to flip our guest bed room and office.  

So the room is pretty basic.  Just a queen size bed and a dresser with a mirror.  And I had plans to spruce it up, accessorize and make it pretty.  But then those plans just went out the window…

My cat Faith can probably sum it up best. 

Yep – we are expecting!  And very excited!  I am 15 weeks along and due on July 5th.  If it appears that I am slower on responding to emails and writing posts, it has been because I am exhausted!  Plus I just got a promotion at work so I am juggling more at the office too!  But let me get that caught up and I will be back with you guys on my regular basis. 

So now … that guest room and the office will have to be consolidated.  And a nursery will have to be created!  I am super excited to start working on that.  We should find out what it is in the first two weeks of February – and I am ready to start planning and sharing with you guys soon!