Tabla de contenidos para Early Spring 2024 en BH&G Secrets of Getting Organized

WHEN I MOVED TO BROOKLYN AFTER COLLEGE, I lived in a 5-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment with five adults and two cats. My room was only big enough to fit a full-size bed, which was lofted, plus a small desk and lounge chair underneath. I loved every inch of it. My own—very tiny—slice of New York City. Four apartments and a cross-country move later, a lack of square footage still inspires me. A nonexistent entry in my current apartment led me to outfit a blank wall with hooks, a bench, and a shoe rack (“Small Made Mighty,” page 30). I especially admire homeowner Ashley Mayes’ philosophy about keeping only what you truly need (“Built for Three,” page 8). Writer Samantha S. Thorpe saw her family’s growing belongings and added an all-purpose space…

SET UP A MORNING ROUTINE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS CREATE TWO LISTS On a sheet of paper, write down the tasks you must do in the morning—brush your teeth, get dressed, drop the kids off at school—and the tasks you want to do—sit down with a cup of coffee, exercise, read the news. MERGE THE LISTS Put tasks in order based on the best flow for your morning schedule as well as the layout of your home. If your bathroom sits closer to your bedroom than the kitchen, first brush your teeth and then make coffee. MANAGE YOUR TIME Figure out how long each task takes—even two-minute jobs add up. Then, based on the time you need to leave your house, work backwards to create your schedule. EDIT YOUR PLAN You…

NARROW NOOK PUT A WALL TO WORK: No closet? No problem. This quick weekend project turns a blank space into a hardworking leave-your-sneakers spot. 1 LOOK HERE Attach a mirror with hooks near the front door to keep your keys—and give yourself one final check before heading out for the day. 2 FOCAL POINT Affix sheets of wainscoting to the wall with pin nails. Then create a ledge by securing a 2-inch-wide board on top of a 1×4 board. Paint and let dry before screwing round wood hooks into the trim on which to hang jackets, bags, and other belongings. 3 DROP BOX Hang a wicker basket with handles from a hook to stash small accessories that tend to pile up, like winter gloves or mail. 4 HAVE A SEAT…

ALL-IN-ONE “Look for a multifunctional, small-space piece that combines hidden storage with open shelves. At the end of the day, you can roll it away.”—LESLIE POYZER, DESIGNER + PRODUCER…

CHOOSE A METHOD THAT FITS YOU The perfect time to clean out your wardrobe is whenever it works in your schedule. Approach your closet organization energy in one of three ways. 1 STICK TO THE SEASONS “Spring cleaning” doesn’t have to happen just once a year. Your home routine might function best by timing a closet refresh to each season. One advantage? You’ll likely remember which pieces you wore that season when you’re closer to the time frame. 2 SET A STRICT ROUTINE The goal is to feel good—and that may mean a more frequent refresh than a seasonal shift. Your closet size may also influence your decisions. If you don’t have a lot of space, implement a monthly or one-in, one-out routine—if you buy something new, something else needs…

SPLIT DECISION HELP A SINGLE ROOM PULL DOUBLE DUTY: A tall, open-back bookcase commands compartmentalization. The makeshift “wall” divides a large open space into two functional zones, while also packing in storage and allowing light to pass through. 1 BUILD OR BUY If you’re handy, you can construct a 72×78-inch bookcase from sheets of medium-density fiberboard cut to size and screwed together. The front and back face frames are assembled from poplar 1×4s and pin-nailed onto the shelf. If you’re not handy, no sweat. Look for a sturdy open shelving unit that can stand on its own as a room divider. 2 MAP IT OUT The bookcase acts as a peninsula when positioned with one short end abutting the wall. On one side, create a more formal seating area. On…

CLUTTER CURE 15 MINUTES Snack boxes take up extra space on pantry shelves and make it difficult to see how much of an item remains. Make better use of your storage by removing single-serve products from their packaging and placing them in a clear bin. HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR PANTRY Meal prep and grocery shopping becomes simpler when you know what’s behind your cupboard doors. PUT EXTRAS ON TOP Store lightweight items you don’t access everyday, such as bulk paper products or party ware, on high shelves. Label their bins to help you find what you need quickly. KEEP ESSENTIALS AT EYE LEVEL Place goods you reach for most frequently—often-used ingredients like sugar and flour, oils and vinegars, or spices—at eye level wherethey’re easiest to find and access. SET HEFTY…

A FEW YEARS AGO, ASHLEY MAYES CHANGED HOW SHE DECORATES AND ORGANIZES HER SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, HOME. “I got over consumerism and the constant feeling to buy or change things,” she says—no small feat for a blogger whose job requires content creation. “As a family, we’re concerned about sustainability. We want to work with our home, not completely gut it.” So she, husband Luke, and their son, Greyson, 13, made three big changes. “It started with only buying pieces I connect with,” Ashley says. The second rule: Give every item a purpose and a place. To begin, Ashley took stock of the linen closet and decided she and Luke didn’t need five sets of bedsheets. She kept two and rehomed the others. “I apply that to everything: dry goods, baking pans,…

☑ DESIGNATE A BOUNDARY Place a rubber mat, multilevel rack, moldproof baskets, or cubbies near your front door to section off an area. Consider your space’s layout and the lifestyle you need to accommodate. Kids might be more likely to toss their shoes into a basket than line them up neatly. □ PUT AWAY RIGHT AWAY Allow only seasonal everyday sneakers or sandals to snag a spot near the door. The bulk of shoes should live in one’s own closet. Wipe down and walk special occasion shoes back to storage after wear. This way, they’re properly maintained and ready for the next event. □ CHOOSE AN ORGANIZER Go vertical to save space within your entry area. Try a narrow shelf that works as a drop zone for mail or a…

“Have a simple process in place for all incoming papers, mail, and miscellaneous items, then schedule time on a recurring basis to review what has collected.”—STEPHANIE SHALOFSKY, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER ☑ CONTAIN AND CONCEAL Corral everyday accessories, toys, and trinkets that litter the length of the counter. Before you cook, sweep everything into a small, lidded basket or tub. This reduces visual clutter and facilitates meal prep. After dinner, open the basket and have family members put their items back where they belong. □ TRIAGE PAPERWORK Stephanie Shalofsky, an interior designer based in New York City, recommends immediately filing anything that must be retained long-term. Recycle or sort the rest into a tiered tray, wall slot, or folder organizer, labeled by family member. File papers that require action to the appropriate…

☑ STOW A SHOWER SQUEEGEE NEARBY Dry tile and glass surfaces before you towel off by using a squeegee to wipe away water. “This prevents soap scum and hard water buildup and deters the growth of mildew,” says Robin Murphy, founder of the subscription cleaning service ChirpChirp. Similarly, hang a microfiber cloth inside a bathroom cabinet to grab and remove smudges on the mirror. □ STOCK CLEANING WIPES WITHIN REACH After putting on makeup or having the kids brush their teeth (how do they always manage to get toothpaste everywhere?!), swipe a multisurface cleaning wipe along the vanity and faucet—then finish it off by going over the toilet seat, outer bowl, and handle. □ MIND THE PLUME Each flush can send bacteria from the toilet into the air. Let that…

KEY [P] PAINT COLOR Because of the magazine printing process, paint colors depicted on our pages might vary slightly from the manufacturers’ colors. Use paint color names or numbers, when provided, as a starting point. To get the exact color you see in the magazine, take the page to a paint retailer for matching. ON THE COVER Door paint Rejuvenate SW 6620—The Sherwin-Williams Co.; sherwin-williams.com [P]. Mirror shelf, blue bag—Target; target.com. Clock—Amazon; amazon.com. Bench Better Homes & Gardens—Walmart; walmart.com. Leopard pillow, long pink pillow—Homegoods; homegoods.com. Rug—Urban Outfitters; uo.com. Pages 8-15 BUILT FOR THREE For more from Ashley Mayes, visit biggerthanthethreeofus.com or follow her on Instagram @biggerthanthethreeofus. Page 9: Wall paint Ultra White—Valspar; valspar.com [P]. Door paint Cracked Pepper PPU18—Behr; behr.com [P]. Baskets—Target; target.com. Bench stain Weathered Oak—Minwax; minwax.com. Rug under…