Adding the finishing touches to our newly renovated space

FREE IMAGES Our house is almost done. so close.... and baby is due in 3 weeks.  Hubby has been working tirelessly for four months now to make our house our home.  I don't even begin to know how to thank him!  And now the fun part begins - decorating! While we do have many pieces we are going to keep, there are some things we need.  I've been scouring flash sale sites to try and get good stuff at a good price, but you have to check often and move fast - which can be tough if you're undecided.  Here's what I've found today that would look gorgeous in our space:

Now that we have a breakfast bar - we need stools.  These would be a great contrast to our white upholstered dining chairs.

We just bought a gorgeous silvery taupe sectional, and this color would be so great with it!

Two large baskets are needed by both doors for shoes.  We don't have room for any entry way furniture like a shoe cabinet, and I will never train hubby to put his shoes in the closet.

3 items above were all found at Joss & Main

 A lush, textured carpet for our master bedroom.

Throw pillow with a little punch for our new sofa.

These 3 items found on Gilt.

Outdoor Storage Solutions

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It's amazing how many outdoor things you accumulate as a home owner. It's start slowly, just a few things you need in order to maintain the outdoors, then there's outdoor entertainment, seating, cleaning, gardening, and before you know it you own a 10x10 tent just in case! 

via ikea

What happens when you have all these items and no where to put them? You get creative. 

via simplicityinthesouth

My favorite way to get creative with storage is to have duel purpose items. Like a side table that duels as a storage bin!

via bhg

Or bench seating that you can store all your pillows and cushions in the winter.

via curbly

The garage can get cluttered pretty quickly, so using generic baskets and buckets in different sizes can help you keep things organized as your transition through your needs.

via thelilypadcottage

If you are someone who has outdoor parties often, finding something versatile like crates can be used as storage or seating!

via westelm

I hope these creative ideas help you keep your outdoor space clutter free so you can sit back and enjoy the view! 

Calling all organization junkies: Making the most of small closets

FREE IMAGES Our house has a fair amount of small closets, but we lost one in the renovation, so now we have to be even more organized in the closets that we have.  So, I've been gathering up ideas and inspiration for how to make the most of what we have.

The secret seems to be bins and compartments designated for like items.
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We will definitely be utilizing the back of doors, so I really had my eyes peeled to see how people utilized their own.

via Pinterest via Buzzfeed

Maybe not as aesthetically pleasing, but clear bins can help you spot things more quickly.
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Shelf dividers make it easier to grab items as opposed to pulling something from the bottom of a tall stack.
via a cultivated nest

via ?

Little people have little things, so smaller bins will help keep little socks and hats in order.  You could also add another rod between the top one since their clothing is not as long as adults'
via ?

Chic, affordable ways to get your home ready for guests

FREE IMAGES Undoubtedly at some point this holiday season you will be invaded by at least one guest.  For me, the toughest part of hosting is having a place to keep the extra "stuff" that comes along with a guest, or all of my stuff that has accumulated in the guest room, which tends to become a storage room.

Here are a few furniture storage solutions to help you solve these issues.

 A storage cabinet or shelving unit with baskets.  This one is an oldy but a goody.  During the winter/holiday season you need extra storage in the entryway to house scarves, gloves, and hats. A cabinet with bins or baskets provides storage space that attractively hides all of your/your guests' stuff.

 via Pinterest via Country Living

via Joss & Main in the "Tidy Up For Visitors" sale

via Joss & Main in the "Tidy Up For Visitors" sale

A wall cabinet/storage unit.  I don't know about you, but my guest room is SMALL.  When a space is small you really need to take advantage of vertical/wall space.  Even a slim wall cabinet can be a thoughtful touch that gives guests a little bit more room to unpack and feel at home.  It's also nice when it doubles as a mirror.

via Pinterest via Shanty 2 Chic

via Ideel in the "Furniture for every room" sale

A rolling bar cart with trays is a multitasking machine.  It can follow you and your guests from room to room and encourage them to help themselves.  Also, when you are ready to take it to the dining room just remove a tray and use it on the table.

via Pinterest via Crate & Barrel

via Rue La La in the "Guest Ready Essentials" sale

Extra linen storage.  Your guests should not want for clean sheets and towels.  That being said, our linen closet can barely fit enough for my husband and I.  A stand alone unit is an attractive and affordable way to add extra linen storage in the bathroom.

 via Pinterest via Flickr

 via Pinterest via Interior Magasinet

via Gilt in the "Bath Organization and Storage" sale

Beautiful and clever small closet ideas

FREE IMAGES In older homes and small apartments it's hard to find great storage and closet space solutions. Don't let the words wardrobe and armoire scare you though! There are some seriously great designs to choose from that give you the storage you need.

via bhg

There are simple, modern, sleek ones that let you close all the doors and not notice any clutter. Most of these have great options for how you can stack and shelve things as well!

We have a very, very small linen closet in our home that could really benefit from a treatment like this.
via Pinterest 

 We've all seen the closet-turned-home office - I still like finding a good one!
via Pinterest via Modern Home Decor

via CasaSugar

Don't neglect small accessories - they need a designated place too. Having these guys piled up in a corner or shelf can really make or break the feeling of chaos.  Clear acrylic boxes or no-frills baskets are a good way to organize small items if you don't have a drawer.

Your walls are your best friends when you live small.  Hang as much up as you can and save precious surface, drawer, and rail space for items that can't go on walls.

via Pinterest via Place of My Taste

via marthastewart

A simple traditional look with more storage necessities than you could ask for! Although this lacks hanging space it can be a great addition to a small closet, or a place to organize craft supplies.

Contain Yourself (and the necessary clutter in your home with these clever storage ideas)

FREE IMAGES While spring cleaning has yet to begun at my house, and likely won't this year with my wedding in May (yikes!), I thought I'd share with you some fun ideas to contain the chaos you'd like to keep in a way that doesn't affect your home decor.

via bhg

Matching baskets are fantastic! Especially ones with label options to help you remember what you have stored inside. It keeps this bookcase clutter free but makes it possible to not have to store a ton of things behind closed doors.

via etsy

Picking similar styles, all see through containers at the bottom and baskets at the top make this cabinet look so well organized. Clear canisters also help remind me if I'm running low on something.  I also love the pop of color with the labels.

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via inmyownstyle

Not everything is going to fit in the same size containers and if keeping everything matching is too much of a commitment for you, you can mix it up a bit and it still look great. Just try and use similar sizes and shapes to create a cohesive look.

via twotwentyone

I love the mix of three colors here. Using pops of color is great but I love how this one is minimized to two color options and scattered throughout the storage.

A Functional Office

FREE IMAGES Between tax season and spring cleaning, I've been trying to plan how I'm going to reorganize and clean out my office to make it a little bit more functional and pleasing to the eye. Here are some looks I've been loving

via livesimplybyannie

Loving this cabinet/bookshelf. Use matching decorative boxes or baskets to store receipts, paperwork and office supplies that you don't use on a daily basis.

via pinterest

Labeled drawers are a great way to keep your supplies and items organized. I love the simple look of the picture above and the labels are barely noticeable so they don't take away from the piece of furniture. The large drawers are great for keeping papers flat and not bent or rumpled.

via theglitterguide

A simple open shelving bookcase with a few baskets might do the trick for you! This can give you great places to add a little decor as well as store items. I actually have this same shelving unit in my office and love it.

via BHG
Keeping everything I need to get my task complete close by is key for me to stay productive.

I love a good inspiration board as long as it's kept somewhat tidy! Mine can get a bit cluttered and then I find them distracting...
via Sweet Home Style

Collections and archives are great as long as you are able to keep them grouped together and orderly.
via Sweet Home Style

Only a few hours left to enter to win $100 from Novica!!

FREE IMAGES Get your tushies over to this Decorology post to enter to win a $100 gift code to use at Novica!!! You must enter by 12 AM, Dec 14th for a chance to win!!   Artisan apparel, jewelry, home decor, and much, more.

Beaded basket by Wayan. Click here to see it.

Mirror by Edmundo. Click here.

Quilt by the Artisans of Tilonia.  Click here.


Hurry over to this Decorology post to enter!