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solutions
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Calm chaotic shelves by organizing books
by color. Leave some upright, and stack
others, placing decorative objects between
them. Painting the inside of a cabinet a fun
color or covering it with wallpaper or wrapping
paper is another simple lift.
Melissa Gulley, designer
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Relocate your art. We stop noticing things
that have been in the same place for a while.
Aubrey Smiga, designer
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On open shelving or in an armoire,
matching storage bins, baskets, or boxes
make a room look more pulled together and
less cluttered. Toss in DVDs, phone books, and
more. Stick with solid-color neutral containers
for flexibility in moving them to other spots
when your needs change.
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Spread a lively fabric or shawl on the
back of a tired sofa. Tuck a dowel or
broom handle deep between the back and seat
cushions to keep the fabric from slipping when
someone sits down.
Light kitchen countertops with
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inexpensive desk lamps rather than
paying an electrician to install undercabinet
lighting. The extra illumination is more than
functional; it makes countertops shine.
Jean Norman, stylist
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Pretty much everything—from
decorative accessories to everyday items
like remotes and mail—looks better and more
organized contained on a serving tray.
Meredith McBrearty, designer
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A n e w ta b le
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G e n e r a l r u le :
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Give a bathroom the spa treatment. Add
lots of white—towels, shower curtain,
floor mat—and contain countertop clutter on a
bamboo tray. It’s a surefire way to refresh.
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A fr e e s t a n d in g c o a t r a c k is a s im p le
w a y t o f i l l a lo n e ly b e d r o o m c o r n e r
w h ile a ls o g iv in g ro b e s a n d c lo th e s
p r o n e t o e n d in g u p o n th e f lo o r a
t id y h o m e . I t ’s e s p e c ia lly h a n d y in a
g u e s t b e d r o o m . W it h p r e t t y h a n g e rs
p la c e d o n s o m e o f th e h o o k s , g u e s ts
h a v e a t e m p o r a r y c lo s e t s o y o u c a n
k e e p th e r e a l o n e t o y o u r s e lf.
Donna Smallin
author,
A t o Z S t o r a g e S o l u t i o n s
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Raise a low ceiling with nothing more
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than paint and a roller. Paint walls and
trim the same neutral color, using a satin or
semigloss finish on the trim. Then have the
paint store mix the wall color at “half formula”
to use on the ceiling. The lightened up color
allows a smooth flow from walls to ceiling,
unlike a stark white ceiling that creates a
jarring and ceiling-lowering visual stop.
Meridy King, designer
m
^
Don’t let the fireplace be a black hole
in the off-season. Fill it with pillar or
three-wick candles, a woven basket filled with
silk flowers, or a plant in a colorful pot.
M
Hang a few artsy tiles, trivets, or
trays on the kitchen backsplash. Just
because you haven’t splurged on sparkling tile
doesn’t mean you should neglect the space.
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B ET T ER HOMES AND CARDENS | MARCH 2011 |
BHC.COM
PHOTOS: (CABINET) CAMERON SADEGHPOUR; (LAMP) MARTY BALDWIN
