Rules for Rearranging

by Michele Miao

If you're having trouble getting your rooms to look the way you want, there may be a simple solution. Instead of buying new furniture or accessories, try rearranging what you have for a fresh, new look. Elizabeth Mayhew, decorating expert and author of Flip! For Decorating, shares her secrets for placing your furniture to make the most of your space.

Pick Your Room's Purpose

First, decide what purpose your room serves, advises Mayhew. Do you spend time in the room watching television, reading or having family time? Once you know what you need the room to do, you can arrange your furniture to help you get the most out of your space.

Find Your Focus

Every room has a special trait or feature that you can play up when you arrange the furniture, says Mayhew. It could be a great view, high ceilings, an interesting architectural element or a big-screen television. Figure out what's special about your room and you'll be able to arrange your furniture to show the room at its best.

Decorating Is an Evolution

You don't have to decorate the whole room in one afternoon, reassures Mayhew. Place your largest piece, like a sofa, first and live with it for a while. Lounge on the couch to see what your guests would look at if they were seated there. Walk through the room to see how traffic flows around the piece. Then decide if you like it there.

Don't Think Horizontally

Remember to look up when you're arranging your furniture. There's lots of space to decorate above eye level. Draw the eye up with a tall piece of furniture, a colorful piece of art or a cleverly placed light source, advises Mayhew.

Don't Forget the Lighting Fixtures

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in furniture arranging, reminds Mayhew. She uses it to create ambiance and draw the eye around the room. Use an assortment of standing lamps, table lamps and sconces to create a mix of light and shadow.

Think About Shape

If everything in your room is square, add something round to add interest to your decor, suggests Mayhew. That doesn't mean you have to buy a new table, though. If you're on a budget, see what's in your other rooms that could be moved before you make an expensive investment.

Think About Scale

Every room needs something big, advises Mayhew, but it also needs smaller pieces to balance out the decor. For example, mix a big sofa with smaller tables or chairs. The combination will make the room more harmonious.

Rugs Delineate Space

Rugs can anchor a seating area but they don't have to cover the entire floor, advises Mayhew. Use an area rug to separate a portion of a larger room for a special purpose

If It's Not Working, Don't Panic

Nothing is ever definite, assures Mayhew. There are numerous ways to correct your mistakes. If you don't like something, move it to another room or give it a coat of paint. A piece painted the same color as the wall will recede and look less prominent. If all else fails, simply put it up for sale on Craigslist or eBay.

MY THOUGHTS

i need to do something about my room in Laguna - get rid of stuff, repaint, some new cabinets???on the other hand, i was able to do it with s mall condo space. i can do the same with this room.

Closet Organizing Pinoy Style

5 Quick (and Free) Fixes for Your Messy Closet

Closets by Design Professionals Offer No-Cost Clutter Busters
July 24, 2009
Franchising.com

Professional organization systems installed by Closets by Design are helping consumers across the U.S. get organized and the company's professional designers offer up expert advice to help clients keep their closets uncluttered. Here are five simple tips from the pros that every consumer can use:

* An Operating System Isn't Just for the Office – Organize your clothes by color or by casual to formal and then hang like-types of clothing together (i.e. shirts, pants, skirts, etc.).
* Make the Shoe Fit – Squeeze in more shoes per shelf by arranging pairs with one toe facing out, one toe facing in. If you like to keep your shoes in boxes, make sure you label the original box or use clear storage containers.
* When Seasons Change, it's Time to Rearrange – Rotate your fall & winter clothes with your spring & summer clothes. Store the out-of-season clothes in covered clothing racks in the attic or basement or flat storage boxes under your bed.
* If You Don't Use It, Lose It – If you're hanging onto that pair of jeans that will fit only if you lose 10 pounds, donate them. Once you shed the weight, you can buy a new, trendy pair. Get rid of stretched out bathing suits, worn out shoes, and that pair of pants you've been planning to alter for months now. Cutting the clutter will automatically make you more organized and efficient.
* It's Not Your Closet, It's You – Get into a routine of straightening up your closet the same time each day. Whether its before work, after work, or before you go to bed, don't wait to put your shoes away or hang your clothes until you can't see your closet (or bedroom) floor.

About Closets by Design

Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a reputation as the nation's leader in the closet organizing and storage remodeling industry. The company offers customers comprehensive solutions to all their organizational needs in a short and simple process by designing, building and installing custom home offices, closets, garage cabinets, wall units, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and other home organization systems. Closets by Design offers a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware. There are currently 33 franchise locations serving major markets across the country.


My Comments:

If you're anything like me, your closet organizing skills can either make or break your day. As we get busier (more work, more priorities) and our space gets smaller (more things, moe kids) effective closet organizing can save the day. I found this article on closet organizing very simple. I think most of us know these closet organizing tips. The question is how pinoy is this? will this really closet orhanizing tips work for us pinoys, who, like everyone else is always on the run? do you have ideas on how to do our own closet organizing. send me your comments on closet organizing, please....