Who says storage can’t be stylish? And for a sense of calm and control, Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick, the authors of Remodelista – a book packed with ultra-slick organisational tricks to deploy all over the house – also suggest embracing some daily rituals, little habits that often take no more than a few minutes but can have life-changing effects.
For instance, studies suggest that people who make their bed every day are not only more rested than non-bed-makers, but happier, healthier and more successful. Opening your mail every day is another of their tips, to avoid that dreaded build-up of unsorted life admin that can weigh heavily on the mind (and clog up drawers!).
Along with handy storage tactics – such as ‘hang it’, ‘cart it’, ‘label it’ and ‘tray it’ – the book sets out to illustrate how, with clever layouts and fittings and adopting a few simple habits, being sorted and tidy can be aesthetically pleasing and make a huge difference to our wellbeing, even when space is tight.
So whether you need to know how to make the best of a compact kitchen, or want to edit your wardrobe ready for the new season, here are five ways to make an art out of order and live better through organisation.
1. A Shaker-style entry
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-1-730.jpg)
A storage-lined open foyer is a great, versatile option for busy households. Taking inspiration from the Shaker use of peg rails to hang all manner of things, all you need to assemble your own version is a sliver of hall off your front or back door.
Why it works: pegs close to the entrance help ensure kids’ bags land in the right spot (parents’ bags on the other end), designated coat pegs offer a place for each family member, a Shaker-style hanging shelf provides a home for small items, a chalkboard marks daily reminders, and a bench can double as a shoe rack.
2. The ultimate compact kitchen
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-2-730.jpg)
A small workspace can still make good use of open and closed storage. Cookware and dishware are concealed behind cabinet doors, and a clever storage rail keeps often-used tools close at hand but off the counter.
Why it works: stacked dishware and decanted pantry goods maximise cabinet space, S hooks and metal clips hold kitchen scissors, coffee filters etc, trays anchor the counter, a small hanging basket holds utensils and a print adds an artful touch – a small detail that makes a big difference.
Read: How to make the most out of a small kitchen
3. The instant cocktail party
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-3-730.jpg)
Let’s face it, you’re more likely to throw an impromptu drinks or dinner party when your tabletop elements are kept at the ready in one place. A kitchen or dining area drawer is especially handy for this kit.
Pro tip: store the items on trays so you can lift them out for quick delivery to the table – and then use trays for serving.
Preparedness kit: bar tools comprising corkscrew, bottle opener, jigger and mixing spoon; candles, tapers and tea lights, matches, ice bucket, glasses, serving trays, ready-for-the-table flatware in leather pockets, cloth napkins rolled into napkin rings.
4. A well-ordered wardrobe
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-4-730.jpg)
A fashionista’s dream – fitted with floor-to-ceiling storage, this space holds a wardrobe’s worth of clothing. Canvas bins, wire baskets, cardboard boxes and metal dividers – most from office and kitchen supply departments – make the shelf storage much more efficient.
Why it works: jumble-preventing bins and baskets create discreet storage zones on open shelves, piles of jeans, sweaters and T-shirts limited to six per stack, metal-rimmed paper key tags serve as labels on bins and baskets and allow for easy sorting, glass fronted drawers are a bespoke detail worth copying (they protect shoes while enabling you to see what you’ve got), and an industrial kitchen stool provides a place to put on shoes, drape clothes and reach high shelves.
5. An elegant all-in-one laundry cupboard
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-5-730.jpg)
This compact laundry has birch plywood shelves and drawers for all the essentials. There’s also room for general cleaning supplies, electronics and a fold-up ironing board tucked into the side, which can be hidden behind closed doors.
Read: Common mistakes you might be making with your clothes dryer
Why it works: laundry detergent is decanted and stored in a stainless-steel dispenser, a galvanised metal bucket holds household cleaning supplies in a portable kit, laundry essentials are sorted by function in a combination of shelves and drawers, and the hard-to-reach top shelf is put to good use as a home for wifi equipment.
![](https://assets.yourlifechoices.com.au/2021/12/new-year-6-730.jpg)
Tips extracted from Remodelista: The Organized Home by Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick, photography by Matthew Williams, published by Artisan Books, available now.
Do you have a new year’s resolution to be more organised? Which of these ideas stand out to you? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
– With PA
If you enjoy our content, don’t keep it to yourself. Share our free eNews with your friends and encourage them to sign up.