Our very own HOMEdigz member, KDepp, has a room with issues! She’d like our collective help in coming up with a game plan to get inspired and get it done!

She is game to tackle this project and provide picture updates along the way (what a good sport!) Check out these pictures, and you'll see what we mean!


Now, here’s the background…this space started out as her study. But when she moved her workstation to another part of the house, this area was taken over by everyone and everything! It became the place for things that had no place to go.

But wait, that’s not all…during hurricane Katrina they opened their home to 26 folks, and this became a storage place for STUFF, some of which never found its way back out. And finally, they are the accidental recipients of relative’s belongings which are taking over.

(Hmmm, are you thinking boundaries are needed here?)

Before we get started, I interviewed our collective client to provide some background:

What is the dimension of this space?

Approximately 24x12. It is divided into two spaces almost - first space is a study type area with special lighting for drawing table or desk and phone jack.

Door from kitchen opens into this end of the room. This area faces onto back gallery and has a french door leading outside onto back gallery. Other end of space faces driveway and side yard and has the usual w/d hookups and another one under the double windows for a laundry sink of sorts.

What activities SHOULD take place in this room?

Laundry! Maybe some off-season clothing storage. There is a closet that is used for vacuum cleaner, mops etc.

What items MUST stay in this room?

Washer/dryer and refrigerator.

Is this a high through-traffic area, or destination spot?

Definitely a destination spot -- dead end room.

What style is the rest of your home?

One floor rambling southern style house with eclectic furnishings. Brick and wood floors, high ceilings, lots of windows, front and rear galleries, large flagstone patio/pool area which this space opens onto with french doors.

Describe the current fixed structural elements in this space: floors, walls, cabinets, etc.

Brick floors, blue walls, built in cabinetry over w/d and along that wall.

Ok, there you have it folks…please Help This Home with ideas regarding organization and design! Go for it!

If you have a room you need help with, just PM me!

Ok, I'll start!

First (and perhaps the most obvious) get rid of what you don't need. Better yet, approach it with the mindset of "what do I use" not "what can I part with". Trust me, it makes a difference! Have something sentimental but unnecessary? Take of pic of it then pitch it!

Then once you've set aside what you use (having disposed of the rest!), decide what you need immediate access to, and what just needs stored for occasional use.

Hey you NAPO folks (National Association of Professional Organizers) - am I right here?

I'll think about some design ideas and chime back in again later!

Oh my. First of all anyone that is the kind of person to take in others during a crisis is deserving of all of the help we can offer. If I was closer I would be there for her in a flash.

It appears to me that these rooms first need a professional organizer. Eliminating much of the excess, unnecessary and unneeded would be a giant first step.

Plus adding some storage is clearly necessary. A built in storage space (larger closet) would certainly help. Something like a pantry but for office and misc. supplies.

In the photos it appears that the office space and windows has great potential but needs some jazzing up after purging and organizing. I love the tall closet type cabinets offered by Ikea and they could hide a lot of the necessary items plus still look good.

As far as colors go I would stay away from a deep blue in my working environment UNLESS it's a favorite color. Something brighter or more pastel might help liven up the space. AND if inspiration is needed to get started I've found that painting can be a great first step.

I agree...she has a big laundry room AND a big heart!

Ok, so lets make an assumption that the clutter has been cleared. I love the tall cabinet idea for more storage. The walls could also be utilized for decorative storage a bit more too.

Let's talk color here...I think the space does need to be brighted up a bit. I think a sunflower yellow would look nice with the darker woodwork and brick floor. Perhaps some green accents, in curtains and area rugs?

What other color ideas do you all have?

Good morning-
What a big heart you have for helping so many!

So, if I am understanding the purpose of the room it will be for laundry and seasonal storage. Definitely additional storage will be needed. But what about extra counter space for folding and sorting laundry? Maybe you could do cabinets with under counter storage and additional wall cupboards for storage above? Baskets on the counter to keep the folded laundry. Even some rolling laundry baskets you could store under the counter to keep the area free. I couldn't tell if your ironing board is free standing. If so, how about replacing it with a wall unit or an over the door ironing board. It stays folded up and flips down when you need it. (they really work well - I have one!)

Like Susan, I could see a nice yellow in the room and I am also a big fan of green. Especially with the brick floor. Grassland by Sherwin Williams is a nice light green and Hawthorne Yellow by Benjamin Moore is a great color.

Good luck, can't wait to see the "after" photos.

First, thanks for giving back to the community. Imagine if everyone gave back to the community.

Looking at the big picture, this is a large project. The first step is to not think of it that way. This project requires baby steps. Otherwise, becoming overwhelmed and procrastinating will be an issue. This job can be tackled! A professional organizer has the knowledge to do this and knows how to do this in small steps, but you can do this also.

First, write down which activities you need to do in this room. Then write down which tools you need to do these activities. When you have this figured out, you need to designate "centers". For example, for the laundry activity, you will need all the detergents, ironing, and laundry storage tools to be in the "laundry center".

Once you have all the activities determined, the tools needed to complete these activities, and have determined the "centers" that will be the focal points for these activities, you can begin setting up and organizing these "centers".

Take everything out of one of the "centers" -- one center at a time. For example, take everything out of the area that you determined will be the "laundry center". Create a pile for items you will get rid of or donate, one pile for items that don't belong in this "center", and another pile that will go in this section.

Determine where everything will go and how they will go there. Look at the pile of items that you determined will go in the laundry "center". The items that are used most frequently will need to be the easiest to access, and the items used infrequently can be placed up high or in the harder to access areas.

Put everything in the correct area. Everything needs a home. Dividers and labels are very helpful. Also, some organizing products can be very useful, like an Over the Washer Shelf http://www.organizeworld.com/laundry/washing-drying/over-the-washer-shelf-white.html/ or Ironing Board Holders and Organizers http://www.organizeworld.com/laundry/ironing-solutions.html/.

For a lot of people, this can be overwhelming. You may want to choose a professional organizer to help with some parts of this.

Good news everyone! I've learned that she has taken her first trip to Goodwill this morning! We'll post more pics as they become available.

So, what decorating tips do you have? Colors? Window treatments? Artwork? Rugs? Whimsey?

Thanks to everyone for all the great ideas and suggestions. I am here working on it again today. I have discovered that really, the biggest hurdle is getting rid of stuff that isn't even mine! When I tell the owners of the stuff that it has to go, they take it most personally - as if I were trying to get rid of THEM and not their junk. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?
I am thinking that I can put the study area to better use these days, so if anyone has any good thoughts on that I would appreciate hearing them. I tried to convert it into a study for Dr. Deeds, but he never used it because he didn't like having a separate place! Yikes - I LOVE having a nice, quiet place to myself, but......
So I am thinking maybe, what? A place for kiddos to hang around in when they come in from the pool - brick floors are great for wet feet. Telephone, tv, place to sit and visit, close to refrig in laundry room where cold drinks are. Or a "keeping room" concept maybe - adult style? I really can't see it being a giant walk-in closet like it has been for all these long years now.
So - thanks again and I look forward to your help.
Karen
PS I thought about using the space as a studio, but the natural light is not bright enough. Sadly, the light in the laundry end of the space is fantastic. Maybe I could incorporate that into the design for that end? What do you think?

I'm thinking that a transition zone from the pool makes the most sense. Unless someone really wants to sneak away on their own to study, most seem to end up in a more populated study area, such as the kitchen table! lol

As far as those who won't get their stuff? Ask once, then pitch. Extending the process only increases the drama. This is YOUR home.

ps - Who is Dr. Deeds?

I would be tempted to divide the 2 spaces. Maybe a cute curtain. Ideally a set of up-cycled French doors would be lovely. That way you could treat the space as 2 separate rooms. I like the idea of a yellow for the laundry. ( May as well feel enlightened when doing laundry chores.)

The other room could be set off as a cute area that is nice to enter from the "pool"?. A place to show off a nice flower arrangement on a table, a set of cute curtains on the window some collections/plants, outdoor related items. All without having to always view the laundry and storage room.