10 Smart Organizing Ideas That Make Life Easier

Go beyond mere neatness by making small changes around the house that will help you out each day. When your home is primed to efficiently support common activities and tasks - from dealing with mail, bills, and memorabilia, to gifting, cleaning and more - it's as if a little weight is lifted from your shoulders.

Photo: Stagetecture 

Read on for ten easy (yet ingenious) organizing ideas to try today.

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#1 Buy enough storage containers to fill your shelves or cabinet - even if you don't need them all now

Having storage boxes and bins waiting for you will help avoid future clutter pileups. This is especially useful for storage of items you know you'll be accumulating: photos, kid's artwork, and financial records, for instance.

If you have children, consider purchasing slim plastic containers with lids that fit under a bed, and/or paper art portfolios. Limit yourself to filling one container per school year, but supplement with digital photos of large or 3D artwork that would be impractical to save.

#2 Store medicines in a labeled box in the kitchen

The medicine cabinet is actually one of the worst places to store medications. The warm, damp conditions can damage sensitive ingredients, and the bottles and tubes tend to clutter up what should ideally be a spot for getting ready in the morning.

Instead, transfer your medicines and first-aid supplies to labeled storage boxes with lids and keep them on a high shelf in the kitchen or pantry. Sort them in a way that makes sense, and label accordingly. For example: kids, first aid, cold & flu.

#3 Be prepared for birthdays and last-minute events with a grab-and-go party prep spot

Keep a yearly birthday calendar taped to the inside of the door, a basket filled with easy gifts bought in bulk (and an assortment of cards), as well as a few favorite party drinks, snacks and serving dishes.

Extra credit: choose a "signature" gift wrap and ribbon for your house and wrap all your gifts with it, no matter the occasion. People will begin to expect it, and it will certainly save you the hassle of buying themed gift wrap for every holiday and occasion. 

#4 Make a moveable baking station

Unless you bake constantly (or have a massive kitchen), it's likely you, too, struggle with where to keep all of those specialty baking supplies. Instead of scattering them throughout the kitchen, keep baking supplies (including equipment like mixers) on a moveable cart in the pantry. Simply wheel the whole thing out when you're ready to bake, and tuck it out of sight when you're done.

#5 Store extra liners in the bottom of the trash can

The next time you take out the trash, put a big stack of liners at the bottom of the can. Do this for every trash can in the house, and you will never find yourself in that awful "who forgot to put in the new bag!?" situation again. Bonus: putting a dryer sheet under the pile will help absorb odors and moisture.

#6 Keep a "donations" box in your entryway

Any time you see something around the house you no longer need or want, plunk it in your donations box. When it's full, carry it out to your car, so it will be easy to drop the contents at your local charity thrift shop the next time you run errands.

#7 Keep everything you need to pay bills under your coffee table

Stock a pretty basket or lidded box with checks, envelopes, stamps, pens, and current bills. When you sit down to watch TV, just grab the basket and write checks during the commercial breaks.

#8 Keep a second set of basic cleaning supplies in the bathroom

It is so much easier to tackle an undesirable chore like cleaning the bathroom when the supplies you need are at hand. So why do most of us keep cleaning supplies only under the kitchen sink? Store a second set of bathroom-specific products and tools in the cabinet under the bathroom sink, or in a lidded basket on a shelf or the floor.

#9 Presort your incoming mail rather than putting it all in one big tray or pile

Magazines, catalogs and other things you'd like to peruse get stashed in a magazine file; bills to pay go in you bill basket; personal correspondence goes in a toast rack or on a pretty tray; notices for upcoming events and items to file can go in another magazine file or a folder.

#10 Use photos as labels

Try snapping a pic of the contents of a box before storing it in the garage or basement, then use that photo to label  the outside. A quick glance at the photo and you'll instantly know what's inside.

Decorate With Intention: Nourish Your Creativity at Home

Photo: Going Home To RoostWhether you knit, sew, paint, write or craft, chances are that you find it challenging to squeeze in as much creative time as you would like. It is all too easy to allow our schedules to be filled to the brim with obligations to others, but the fact remains that when we take the time to do the things that feed our creative spirits, we feel better. When fall approaches, and the coziness of home beckons once again, it's the perfect time to take up your chosen craft (or try something new).

These 11 ideas and beautiful, inspiring spaces will help spark your creativity, get you out of any ruts and support your craft side.

No more excuses! Avoid distraction and make the most of limited time

Even if you can set aside only 10 or 15 minutes, if you make them count - and repeat daily - you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. While it's true that some projects require a few longer dedicated work times, if we are being honest, mostly "I have no time" is just another way to procrastinate.

If creating is important to you, you probably can find the time. Set yourself up for success by avoiding easy access to the Internet and turning off all of your devices during dedicated creative work times - and let those you live with know how important this this time is to you.

If you need a big, open space, make it happen

If what you really need is an expansive surface to spread out on and you don't have a dedicated place with one, don't let that stop you. It's perfectly all right to call dibs on the dining room or kitchen table between meals, provided you can clear your work to the side relatively easily. Keeping a cabinet or drawers nearby will make it easy to sweep things off the table in a hurry.

Feeling stuck? Take a time-out for exercise

The next time a creative block hits, try taking a brisk walk, settling into a few yoga poses or lifting weights - anything to get your blood pumping. Exercise gives your mind a rest from actively thinking about your creative problem while improving circulation (and likely your mood). The best ideas can bubble up spontaneously during these time-outs, pulling you out of your rut in a much shorter time than if you had been trying to force an idea to come. 

Find a corner to call your own

Whether it is a small table pulled up to a sunny window, a closet that can be curtained off from the rest of the space, a tiny unused nook or a cabinet with a work surface hidden inside, it is important to find somewhere that lets you fully commit to your creative practice. There will be times when you must leave your work in the middle of a project, and it is so helpful if you can leave some of your materials out rather than needing to clean up completely every time. Don't fret if the only space you can find is a bit out of the way - sometimes a desk with a spectacular view is not as conductive to good work as a tiny nook, where you can focus your energy on the task at hand.

Make sure you have easy access to your materials

If you need to hunt and dig every time you want to work on your craft project, chances are that it's not going to happen as often as you would like. It's not necessary to keep every last item on display, but putting frequently used tools in an easy-to-grab spot is key. Fill an open-top bin or basket with your materials and store it in the room where you like to work.

Let your entire space reflect your creative passions

There is something to be said for having an entire studio devoted to your art (of course), but for most of us, finding creative space within the rest of our home is just how it goes. But that doesn't mean you must confine your creativity to one zone - in fact, the more you can integrate mini creativity spots throughout your space, the more likely it is you'll be tempted to make something. Try displaying your guitar on a stand in the living room, keeping pretty fabrics or luscious yarns in open cubbies, and stashing a stack of fresh notebooks and nice pens near your favorite chair.

Know when you need privacy

This tip is especially pertinent for those living with kids or roommates. Even if you have a large space, if others are constantly interrupting to ask you questions or chat, you need to find somewhere more private. Taking over part of your own bedroom with a worktable and an inspiration board could be the ideal solution. If you want to be really tricky, you can even pretend you are still sleeping - and squeeze in a little creative time first thing in the morning before anyone knows you are up.

Mood matters: Your creative space should inspire you

While it is true you should minimize distractions during creative time, that doesn't necessarily mean you ought to work in a completely unadorned room, either. Tap into what fuels your creativity and bring more of that into your space. Consider a small stereo if you enjoy music while you work, textiles or vintage objects that spark your imagination, an inspiration board where you can collect your ideas, and book you love; even fun wallpaper or a vibrant wash of paint can enhance your mood and help juice your creative spirit.

Entice yourself with inspiring quotes

I am a big believer in the power of words, and an apt quote has helped me out of a creative rut many times. Keep a rotating selection of favorite quotes, says, song lyrics and lines of poetry on a chalkboard or pin board, or simply taped to your wall for a quick boost whenever you need it.

Know that moments of humor in your decor make creativity flow

Keep the mood light in your creative space with a cheeky, fun touch like a decorated or "dressed" sculpture, a cheapo vintage portrait that you have drawn a mustache on or any object that brings a smile to your face.

Be open to creativity in all areas of your life

Creativity permeates everything we do, from our conversations with friends to preparing dinner for our families. Approaching everyday tasks with a creative outlook makes our daily life richer and more satisfying.

Choose Paint Colors With a Color Wheel

Color Wheel Guide

Photo: The Color Wheel Co.

Picking out paint colors can be a confusing experience, leaving you racked with indecision as you peruse swatches from paint companies intent on re-creating all of the 7 million colors distinguishable to the human eye. Trying to figure out which of those colors will mix harmoniously on your living room wall is enough to make you turn straight to the ecru-and-eggshell-white family and never leave.

One way to go, however, is to use a complementary color scheme. Proving the rule that opposites attract, these pairings can always be found at opposite ends from each other on a paint color wheel. When put together, they bring out the best in each other, making both colors look cleaner and brighter than if either were mixed with, say, a neutral gray or a different shade of the same hue.

An essential tool for paint pros everywhere, the color wheel is constructed to help you see the relationships between different hues. The bases are thre primary colors: red, blue and yellow. These are then combined to make the three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. Finally, the remaining six colors on the wheel are known as tertiary colors and are mixes of the secondary colors, including such hues as red-orange and blue-green.

Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel can help you understand how to best mix and match a cool color with a warm one, for a naturally balanced room. Here are some examples of how to use these color pairings effectively.

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw-Llewellyn

Complements: Red and Green

When considering paint colors, remember to figure in the finish of any woodwork in the room. In this rustic Colonial-style kitchen, the green hues brushed onto the walls and lower cabinets complement the red tones of the mahogany beadboard and upper cabinets. 

Photo: Mark Lund

Complements: Red-Orange and Blue-Green

The two colors you choose don't have to have equal prominence in the room to work. You can use one as the main color as an accent, or bring small colored accessories into an already painted room to see how you feel about the pairing. Here, the energetically bright orange-red towel and glass pop against the cool, blue-green walls without overwhelming the soothing hue.

Photo: Laura Moss

Complements: Orange and Blue

Keep the furniture you already have in mind when considering a new paint color. The cool blue milk paint on this wall accentuates the bright burst of orange on the blank chest in front of it - a scheme echoed in a more muted fashion in the bedroom rug beyond the doorway.

Photo: Laura Moss

Complements: Yellow-Orange and Blue-Violet

Bright colors can breathe new life into traditional woodwork and work especially well in casual living areas. Here, glossy violet-blue pantry doors in a mudroom pop against the yellow-orange of the adjacent wall. When working with more saturated hues, remember that the colors will often appear more intense on the walls than they do on the strip. 

Photo: Laura Moss

Complements: Yellow and Violet

If you're a bit timid about suddenly splashing a couple of cans of color onto your walls, consider using two complementary colors as accents in the same room. In this 1950s kitchen the yellow window casing and violet countertop show nicely against the neutral beadboard and white cabinets. 

Photo: Gregg Segal

Complements: Yellow-Green and Red-Violet

Make sure the intensities of the tones you use are balanced. In this kitchen, the pale yellow-green trim and pantry door meet their match in the subdued reddish-violet paint on the walls. 

Armstrong's Countdown to Cabinet Construction

Four thousand cabinets a day!

That's the current output at Armstrong Cabinet Products, a division of Armstrong World Industries.

In business since 1860, Armstrong World entered the wood products industry in 1998 following its acquisition of Triangle Pacific's cabinet and flooring businesses. Fiscal 2011 net sales for the Lancaster, PA-based corporation were $2.9 billion, with the cabinet division accounting for $136.4 million. 

Sales of the company's semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets are driven by both multi-family as well as single-family new construction and remodeling markets, which are slowly showing signs of improvement. Armstrong sells its cabinet products through independent retailers; like American Cabinet & Flooring, Inc., and building supply distributors nationwide. It recently announced an agreement to also work with 84 Lumber for sales of its products.

Armstrong currently offers four series of cabinet constructions targeted at a variety of price points and environmental requirements:

• Allwood Series: this top-tier series features an all-plywood box construction, hardwood plywood sides and bottom panels, six-way adjustable concealed hinges and wood dovetail drawers. Available in traditional - contemporary - transitional - and causal country styles with a variety  of door options.

• Premier Series: with similar features to the Allwood; this series has a composite panel construction and is available in a wood grain or laminate exterior. Available in traditional - contemporary - transitional - and causal country styles with a variety  of door options.

• Origins Series: available on most cabinet styles, this series is environmentally friendly and uses urea-formaldehyde-free, soy-based adhesive PureBond panels from Columbia Forest Products; which the company says can contribute to LEED NC EQ Credit 4.4.

• Extreme Series: targeted for the public housing segment, with hardwood plywood end panels and multi-ply plywood top and bottom panel construction, and a pine drawer box.

Lean and Green Manufacturing

A proponent of green manufacturing, Armstrong has its Town & Country maple wood cabinets, part of the Origins Series, featured in Disney World's Epcot Vision House in Florida.

All cabinets are manufactured to order at the company's 300,000-square-foot facility, located on 27 acres in Thompsontown, PA. Approximately 450 people work at the cabinet plant. 

Panel processing, frame manufacture, drawer box construction, finishing and assembly are done in-house, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts currently outsourced. Approximately 90% of production is kitchen cabinets, with the remaining 10% for bath vanities. The majority of the product is veneered, in species that include: cherry - maple - oak birch - and plantation hardwood.

Armstrong sources the veneered panels with laminated panels laid-up, in-house. Panels are cut-to-size on one of four Schelling saws before being sent to the Andi CNC routers or the company's new Keystone Automation end panel machine for further processing.

In another area, Koch bore and dowel machines are used for frame construction. Armstrong uses a variety of sanders throughout the production and finishing process, including Timesaves, Costa and DMC.

Output at the machines is tracked throughout the plant. "With the lean process, you can see the movement of the product on the floor and know at a glance if you need to produce more. It's a very visual management tool, " says Tim Clontz, plant manager. 

Parts are finished before being married up in assembly. The company uses a combination of hand spraying and UV coating, with specialty finishes available on its higher-end lines.

Continually looking for ways to improve, Armstrong recently conducted a value stream mapping of the area, which identified a bottleneck in the door finishing process for topcoating. In a quick resolution to the problem, by early May, the company will have replaced a tow-hang line with a Superfici flatline system, which will provide significant improvements in the workflow speed and process, Clontz says. 

Another area targeted for improvement is assembly, Clontz says. Moving from three long lines to five shorter ones will not only speed production, but reduce overall handling on the cabinets, while enabling workers to "have more involvement" in the finished product. "Lean is a never-ending journey," he says. "Every day we're trying to get better."

Safety in Numbers

Armstrong also is aggressive about emphasizing the safety of its employees. Placards throughout the plant illustrate correct methods of operation. In addition, twice daily employees perform stretching exercises as part of the work routine. 

Clontz says he is proud of the recognition the cabinet plant received recently for going more than 600,000 hours without an accident. "Our best resource is our employees," he adds. 

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Armstrong Origins Cabinets Help Make LivingHomes' PreFab Homes Low-Cost, Zero Energy, Zero Carbon and LEED Platinum® Certified

Armstrong® Cabinets' eco-friendly OriginsTM line has been included in the specifications for the new LivingHome® C6 - an affordably priced, comfortably sized-home, designed by LivingHomes®; a premier developer of modern, sustainably designed, prefabricated homes. As part of the introduction of this new home design, the C6 model homes, featuring Armstrong® Cabinets, were on display to the public at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, the TED Conference in Long Beach, CA and at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA in February-March 2012.

Renewable resources are important in the kitchen, especially if a homeowner or a business is trying to qualify for LEED or other green building system points. The trend is to move towards green, minimalist and contemporary, especially if it makes sense for the budget. 

Armstrong Cabinets remains conscious of environmental needs, as well as good design and pricing, and offers eco-friendly Origins with PureBond®, a urea formaldehyde-free, soy-based adhesive. The hardwood plywood is derived responsibly from managed forests, and then enhanced with a proprietary resin giving it particularly strong bonding and water-resistance qualities. These cabinets combine easy installation and maintenance with the durability of AllwoodTM, Armstrong's top-tier construction with quality features usually found only in custom cabinetry, alongside the environmental benefits of sustainable, low emitting materials.

"The Origins line is especially appealing to green-minded homeowners because the line offers the durability and strength of all plywood construction with the environmental benefits of sustainable, low emitting materials," said LivingHomes CEO Steve Glenn. "It has always been our most important goal to develop an affordable LivingHome, and Armstrong Cabinets is an important component. We believe this is the first production home to feature Cradle-to-Cradle® inspired materials and a LEED Platinum level environmental program. It's also the easiest and fastest LivingHome to build."

For cabinets, it's all about wood. Armstrong's ModernoTM slab door style, selected for the LivingHome C6, is a tribute to traditional tastes, yet refined for modern living. Moderno cabinets have unassuming, effortless beauty, and are ideal for homeowners who love the look of natural hardwood cabinets but prefer the understated wood grain patterns and textures of maple. Known for its close, uniform grain, maple's fine texture lends itself well to either contemporary or traditional styling. Variations on dark/light (espresso, cafe, mocha/creme, or white), warm wood tones are the hot cabinet colors. The most popular stains include naturals, light browns, and darker espresso colors.

"Kitchens have become an all-encompassing, central room to the home environment. Families are changing, and while they may not be "cocooning' anymore, they certainly are 'nesting'. They want their home to reflect the way they really live," said Mel Heintz, Product & Marketing Manager, Armstrong Cabinets. "We continue to give homeowners top-quality choices in kitchen cabinet selections, and that includes environmentally sustainable product options like our Origins line," she said.

The C6 was designed as part of a new partnership with Make It Right, a nonprofit founded by Brad Pitt and renowned architect William McDonough to build 150 Cradle-to-Cradle® inspired LEED Platinum homes in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each C6 will help support the efforts of Make it Right.

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