Dream of a clutter-free home, but don’t have enough space? Here are some clever space saving ideas you can use to maximize unused areas in your home. 

Whether you live in a tiny urban apartment or a more spacious suburban single family home, we all face our own space challenges. It might be how to keep bedroom storage hidden in a studio apartment or how to deal with not having a separate office space in a townhouse; but whatever the reason, we all can use some more space saving ideas.

The ultimate way to deal with these challenges is to not accumulate too much stuff. Realistically though, even the most conscientious consumers among us still easily end up with more stuff than our space allows and that’s even if we don’t live in a tiny house. It’s even worse for those of us with partners and/or children–the ability to accumulate possessions is magnified then!

So, if after being a conscious consumer you still find yourself needing some space saving ideas for how to store your stuff, we have put together some some clever tricks for maximizing your space. There are solutions for cramming in more stuff to your apartment or townhouse that you might not have thought about and here are some of the best.

Clever Space Saving Ideas

1. In the kitchen, hanging pots and pans is one fantastic way to maximize space. Free up cupboards by adding a hanging rack.
2. Add corner shelves to utilize what is often viewed as unusable space. Think about how handy some corner shelves next to the bathroom sink could be.
3. Under the bed storage is a must if you are trying to maximize space and it’s possible to use the space without adding unsightly clutter. Consider some of these space saving ideas for under bed storage.
4. Many of us don’t use our closets to their fullest potential either. The back of closet doors are an often overlooked storage space. Try adding shelves or hanging storage to the backs of your closet doors.
5. Add more counter space in the kitchen by using a large cutting board that fits over your sink.
6. Clean up clutter that piles up on the table by making and using “seat sacks” for the backs of your kitchen or dining room chairs.
7. Build a storage ottoman to add hidden storage space to your living room or den.

Top Image: Wicker Paradise

Related on EcoSalon:

9 Functional Home Office Ideas for Small Spaces

Minimalist Living: Our Problematic Obsession with Small Spaces

My Tiny House Adventure: Have I Lost My Mind?

The post 7 Clever Space Saving Ideas: Big Dreams, Small Spaces appeared first on EcoSalon.

Clever solutions for stylish clutter control.

Estimates show that we use about 20% of our objects 80% of the time. Why, then, are our lives so cluttered? It could be that we have an overabundance of stuff – here’s a hint: we do. Or perhaps we haven’t yet discerned the fine art of fitting all those bits and pieces seamlessly into our personal sanctuaries.

A word of caution: I’m a proponent of downsizing – even purging – to get to a minimal way of being. But there is a better way, a cleaner and prettier way to selling off that 80% horde. Indeed, these clutter solutions prove that there is a sexy way to stick your stuff where the sun don’t shine.

Hidden compartments behind expensive works of art are typically reserved for grand houses under investigation by Sherlock Holmes. Now thanks to iBride, you can bring some of that nineteenth-century style and mystery to your own abode.

From the series “Les Dandys,” these hidden bookshelves depict a trio of Baudelaire-era gentlemen in immaculate dress and rams’ heads. Sexy beasts, if I do say so myself.

These mile-high bookshelves are deceptively tall. Designed by London and Germany based architecture team Kraus Schoenberg, this integrated and stylish book cranny is one of the main storage features in an affordable, prefabricated low-energy house.

Repurposing staircases as storage drawers was, I’ve read, invented by Japanese cabinet makers. They called them kaidan tansu; I call them very cool.

Another variation on staircase storage, this serves both form and function.

If you’re lucky enough to land an antique mail sorting cabinet, turn it into a gorgeous storage opportunity. It’s an enviable solution for shoes, hats, and scarves.

Had I grown up with this cloakroom under the staircase, I’d be a much more organized person today. Certainly our most family-friendly clutter solution.

Yet another inventive use for our trusty friend, the mirror. It’s a logical arrangement: jewelry, makeup and other flair tucked tidily inside a sturdy floor-length.

Try as we may to meld the modern television set with the wall, it nevertheless detracts from the quiet simplicity of our homes. Perhaps by tucking it discretely behind the stairs, we’ll forget it’s even there. Out of sight, out of mind…until it’s time for True Blood.

Now that the clutter’s sorted, how about a therapeutic purge?

Images: Storage Geek; iBride; Kraus Schoenberg; The Lennoxx; Spoon & Tamago; House to Home Pinterest; Department of the Interior via Kim Ficaro; HB

The post Discovering Your Nook: Storage Solutions for Minimalists appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Dandelion Dresser by design team iannone:sanderson is made from reclaimed Kirei board.

Made from the reclaimed stalks of sorghum plant and using a formaldehyde-free adhesive, the six-drawer Dandelion Dresser is a perfect addition to the sleek, minimal and eco-aware bedroom. The cabinet itself is constructed of FSC-certified sustainable plywood, while the white laminate conforms to healthy indoor air standards.

Non-toxic, cute and imaginative, what we love most about this fun, yet subtle, storage unit is the Bumble Bee. Do you see it? There he is, pollinating the bottom middle drawer.

Price: $3,995.00 from Vivavi.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: The Dandelion Dresser appeared first on EcoSalon.

Who says the pantry has to be a catch-all black hole for prolonging that shelf life? That’s what high school lockers are for!

It’s time to take stock in our most commonly used household storage nook, and make it as inviting as a vintage general store (with a modern green twist, of course).

Open pantries offer easy access for the organic gardener and cook, but also should look tidy since they are exposed to your visitors. Mine is en route to the powder room. Yep, that’s country life.

I find it’s easy to arrange a cool display of dry goods, serving dishes and other odds and ends containing them in boxes, baskets and jars. Not an organizer? Just read Catherine Pond’s The Pantry, chronicling the history of keeping every can and tin in its place.

I have staged many pantries of homes, finding prospective buyers are sold on nicely organized utility spaces, especially when they also reflect some style with a pop of color, especially red. Yes, panache even extends to the shelves of rice and cereal.

Here are some ideas for ordering and celebrating your own healthy green pantry:

First, sort by category: If you haven’t done so already, clean and designate shelves for categories, i.e. stack tea and cereal boxes side by side on one shelf, canned goods on another, bulk items like rice, pasta and beans on another. Make sure the opened items remaining in original packages are well sealed to preserve them. I use painter’s tape to reseal cardboard boxes to keep items fresh.

Reuse glass mason jars: Mason jars from pasta sauce, jams and other goods are great to reuse for storing and displaying dry goods from quinoa and baking ingredients to various herbs and spices. I love reusing an array of food jars in my pantry because they look cool and help extend the shelf life of the dry goods.

Reuse plastic take-out containers: If you are stuck with plastic, spare the landfill and clean out some of the small containers to store items. Below, they work well when reused for cake decorating sprinkles and beans.

Store packaged items in boxes: You can recycle your old shoe or gift boxes or locate eco-friendly storage to place on the shelves along with the jars and cans. Boxes, especially those with fun patterns from the Container Store and other organizing outlets, add flair even when the cupboard is bare.

Canisters add flavor: Mix in canisters (an easy second hand store or garage sale find) to hold organic flour, raw sugar, baking soda and other items you use for baking those healthy treats every day after work (yeah, right). I have a collection of canisters given as gifts or found in various towns. I love how they look in an open pantry, especially red ones like these from Amazon. These are also great for animal kibble which you might want to buy in bulk to avoid the large paper bags.

Stackers for shelving help you squeeze more in and add depth: Locate metal stacking shelves, like this one from Oraganizeit, to lift and separate cans and other packages. These work really well in both small and large pantry nooks.

Baskets add charm and warmth: Good natural fiber storage, like these water hyacinth nesting baskets from Cultural Elements, work well for onions, potatoes and other perishables, especially in an enclosed pantry. These fresh foods tend to last best in darkness and under wraps. Baskets are great for all loose food items and add that creature comfort organic appeal.

Design tip: Remember, even if your pantry consists of one cupboard in your apartment kitchen, you can still make it look fun and appealing – you might even hang cups on hooks inside.

For me and many of you, ordering clutter reduces stress. When I don’t have to spend an hour searching for taco mix, I don’t scream as much on taco night. Can a neat pantry save on therapy? Try it and see.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Images: The Book Depository, Container Store, Stevie Rocco, La Fattina, Container Store, la fattina, Organizit

The post Flash in the Pantry: 8 Ways to Make Storing Less Boring! appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s time to take stock in our most commonly used household storage nook, and make it as inviting as a vintage general store (with a modern green twist, of course).

Open pantries offer easy access for the organic gardener and cook, but also should look tidy since they are exposed to your visitors. Mine is en route to the powder room. Yep, that’s country life.

I find it’s easy to arrange a cool display of dry goods, serving dishes and other odds and ends containing them in boxes, baskets and jars. Not an organizer? Just read Catherine Pond’s The Pantry, chronicling the history of keeping every can and tin in its place.

I have staged many pantries of homes, finding prospective buyers are sold on nicely organized utility spaces, especially when they also reflect some style with a pop of color, especially red. Yes, panache even extends to the shelves of rice and cereal.

Here are some ideas for ordering and celebrating your own healthy green pantry…

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

First, sort by category: If you haven’t done so already, clean and designate shelves for categories, i.e. stack tea and cereal boxes side by side on one shelf, canned goods on another, bulk items like rice, pasta and beans on another. Make sure the opened items remaining in original packages are well sealed to preserve them. I use painter’s tape to reseal cardboard boxes to keep items fresh.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Reuse glass mason jars: Mason jars from pasta sauce, jams and other goods are great to reuse for storing and displaying dry goods from quinoa and baking ingredients to various herbs and spices. I love reusing an array of food jars in my pantry because they look cool and help extend the shelf life of the dry goods.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Reuse plastic take-out containers: If you are stuck with plastic, spare the landfill and clean out some of the small containers to store items. Below, they work well when reused for cake decorating sprinkles and beans.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Store packaged items in boxes: You can recycle your old shoe or gift boxes or locate eco-friendly storage to place on the shelves along with the jars and cans. Boxes, especially those with fun patterns from the Container Store and other organizing outlets, add flair even when the cupboard is bare.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Canisters add flavor: Mix in canisters (an easy second hand store or garage sale find) to hold organic flour, raw sugar, baking soda and other items you use for baking those healthy treats every day after work (yeah, right). I have a collection of canisters given as gifts or found in various towns. I love how they look in an open pantry, especially red ones like these from Amazon. These are also great for animal kibble which you might want to buy in bulk to avoid the large paper bags.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Stackers for shelving help you squeeze more in and add depth: Locate metal stacking shelves, like this one from Oraganizeit, to lift and separate cans and other packages. These work really well in both small and large pantry nooks.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Baskets add charm and warmth: Good natural fiber storage, like these water hyacinth nesting baskets from Cultural Elements, work well for onions, potatoes and other perishables, especially in an enclosed pantry. These fresh foods tend to last best in darkness and under wraps. Baskets are great for all loose food items and add that creature comfort organic appeal.

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• »

Design tip: Remember, even if your pantry consists of one cupboard in your apartment kitchen, you can still make it look fun and appealing – you might even hang cups on hooks inside.

For me and many of you, ordering clutter reduces stress. When I don’t have to spend an hour searching for taco mix, I don’t scream as much on taco night. Can a neat pantry save on therapy? Try it and see.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Images: The Book Depository, Container Store, Stevie Rocco, La Fattina, Container Store, la fattina, Organizit

The post Flash in the Pantry: 8 Ways to Make Storing Less Boring! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Whether hosting a casual summer cookout or stashing your sandals and towels after a trip to the beach, the Recycled Black Garden Trug from Spanish company Fiel is versatile enough to handle it all. We love that this flexible bucket is made from polyethylene used for manufacturing tires and comes in several sizes.

It looks durable enough that it could last for several years, even stored outdoors and exposed to the elements (after all, tires are made to withstand harsh winters, spring showers, and everything in between). We can totally picture this trug sitting in a hallway to collect dripping umbrellas, in a cute little shed to hold gardening tools, or at a backyard BBQ filled with ice and cold drinks.

Tell us! Where and how would you use this handy little trug? What other uses can you think of?

The post Green Crush: Recycled Tire Trugs appeared first on EcoSalon.

We love the look of modular shelving, but we dread the thought of having to assemble yet another piece of IKEA furniture – you feel the same way? Enter the cute, eco-friendly cubes from Way Basics. These cubes come in a variety of colors (hot pink for a little girl’s room, espresso for a grownup living room) and require zero tools for assembly. These cubes come with industrial-strength double-sided adhesive so you just need to peel off the backing and stick the pieces together. Of course, it’s recommended that they set overnight before you add books or other items.

Plus, they’re made from recycled paper, making them 62 percent lighter than particle board (not to mention the fact that they’re 100 percent recyclable when you’re done with them.) Our first thought upon hearing this was, “so, can these shelves actually hold a full load of books?” Depending on which kind you order, the recommended maximum load per shelf is 50 pounds (or up to 100 pounds with a divider to add stability). We also love the versatility of Way Basics’ cubes. For instance, the cozy bench can be used as a storage bench, a TV console, or as shelves.

You can also customize kid’s furniture with super-cute decals or fabric cubes.

And (be still, our bargain-loving hearts) they’re cheaper than many of the similar options we’ve seen. I’m seriously thinking that this would be a good storage option in my new apartment. Which color or style is your favorite?

The post Say Yes Way to Modular Storage Made from Recycled Paper appeared first on EcoSalon.

What’s your secret for making electrical cords sexy? Let’s face it, they just aren’t. And with so many gadgets on the market these days, an ugly tangle of chargers and power strips don’t add to the sexy factor.

The latest solution to this problem? The Ledge from Urbancase. This sleek console hangs on the wall, conceals unsightly cords and features a drop-down, pull-out shelf on the right side.

As Design Milk points out, the Ledge could serve many different functions in the home, including a desk, a hall table, or stereo/media cabinet. The designers built the Ledge around the notion of cord management.

Admittedly, the stylish little number doesn’t come cheap (it’s listed at $1,500 including shipping), but it’s available in walnut or red, comes formaldehyde-free, and we love that it’s designed by an indie furniture company in Seattle.

According to their website, Urbancase is committed to minimizing their negative impact on the environment, so they use Forest Stewardship Counsel-certified lumber and low VOC finishes whenever possible. Each piece is hand built in their Seattle workshop.

How would you use the Ledge? Can you picture it in your space?

The post So Long, Pesky Cords – Thanks to the Multi-Purpose Ledge appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ever since Re-Nest posted this stylish recycling station, we’ve been craving a chic solution of our own. Recycling isn’t one-size-fits-all (natch), so we’ve rounded up five recycling options to fit any size space.

1. Flip Lid Recycler (pictured above)
   Simplehuman is known for their sleek, yet practical designs, so we weren’t the slightest bit surprised to find several options on their website. This one has two inner buckets for sorting trash and recyclables. It also comes with a five year warranty.
2. Front Load Recycler
   At just $29.99 a piece, this recycler is probably the most economical option outside of DIY. Available in black or grey, they also come stackable, so you can rearrange them according to your needs.
3. Premium All-in-One Home Recycling Center
   This gadget may resemble a desktop computer, but it’s actually a super-cool compaction system capable of crushing cans, bottles, and jugs, saving you space. Other notable features include a one-step foot pedal, a recycle day reminder, and an odor eliminator on top.
4. Top Mount Recycling Double Bins
   If you’re going for a minimalist kitchen, then keeping recyclables out of sight may be your best bet. These 35-quart bins can be concealed inside a sliding cabinet for easy access. Here’s another hidden recycling option from Organize-It.
5. The DIY Option
   All you DIYers no doubt have a fabulous system for keeping recyclables nicely sorted and organized. Apartment Therapy shares one option using a Crate & Barrel media console and some colorful bins. Here’s another system courtesy of Re-Nest.

Tell us! How do you handle your recycling? Do you keep it hidden or incorporate it into your home’s decor?

The post 5 Stylish Recycling Stations to Fit Any Space appeared first on EcoSalon.

Dog gone it, not again! My gluttonous pug – not satisfied with a veggie burger chew toy – has gone bin diving in my compost bucket and recycling bags. These receptacles for reusable waste are placed securely under the sink and not so securely beside the other trash cans in the kitchen. What a mess it makes on the kitchen floor as I catch him in the dirty deed, flattened face buried in the bag, chewing hardened flakes off a cereal box or licking up the yolk residue and eggshells now pasted to my hardwood floor.

I can visualize the sequel now: Smokey and Me. Now that Marley has been put to sleep, we focus on the next heartwarming saga of a well meaning conservationist and her beloved, mischievous family pet.

No matter how much I try pug-proofing my compost containers, the wrinkly chunk always finds the loopholes and manages to get his flat snout in the waste whenever we ease up on our security – a naughty act that begs answers to the following queries:

1. Is the pug an eating machine akin to the great white shark, propelling robotically through his milieu, jaws opening wide and devouring anything and everything in site – from Bounce sheets to cardboard to whatever foul things are carelessly discarded on the street or Polo Fields at Golden Gate Park?

2. Does the dog think of me as terribly wasteful and shameful for getting rid of perfectly good gristle, chicken skin, pork fat, egg shells, coffee grounds, biodegradable clam shell containers and rotting fruit? Does he eat it to teach me a valuable lesson about sustainability?

3. Am I simply dysfunctional in the temporary storage of  disposables?

“Be compassionate with yourself,” my therapist reminds me when I get frustrated about someone removing the rubber bands we connect to the cabinet knobs to proof them. Who would do such a thing? Was it the kids, neighbors, the cleaning lady?

Fine, I’ll ease up on myself and seek counseling for the dog, who might be undergoing some sort of eco-stress from all the talk about eliminating waste around the house. “I’ll eliminate it for you, you guys, if only you will stop trying to lock me out of the goods.”

I wonder what other green dog owners do that we aren’t doing. I would happily take pointers. Do you keep all your household recycle and compost containers outside of the house in a hidden spot, so they can be dumped in the bins collected on trash days? Do you maintain counter buckets that tenacious animals cannot reach? Do time outs? Take away treats. Tell me. I want to know!

Maybe I should resort to threatening no dessert or taking away the privilege of peeing in the doctor’s carport across the street. In the meantime, I’m trying to talk some sense into Smokey, hoping that those scoldings make an impression.

How does it make you feel when your family is doing its part to reduce and reuse, and you go and tip over the containers and cause a lot of angst? Look at the cat. She doesn’t behave like that. She also poops neatly in a box and never begged for food at the table until you came along and corrupted her.

He seems to think I’m speaking in a foreign language, like how some disbelievers glare at us when we talk about climate change and plastic poisons. He cocks his little head and seems to be saying, “When you can get the girls to pick up their wet towels off the floor and un-glue their Power Bars from the car seats, I will resist burrowing in your trash. Otherwise, talk to the paw!”

Guess I’ll have to rely on the blessings of the skinned knee. One day he will suffer a bad case of  diarrhea and projectile vomiting from consuming something nasty and disturbing my waste. He will learn from the pain of his mistakes and only eat kibble at meal time and be a more obedient pug-child. And if he won’t, there is always college.

Images:Mavis, Wickenden, Luanne Bradley

The post When Composting Goes to the Dogs appeared first on EcoSalon.