I designated this small chest in our breakfast area as the kids’ official art station, thinking the drawers would hold all of the paper, markers, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, etc. I thought wrong. Somehow, it all kept creeping to the surface every time I turned around.
So, I decided to try a new strategy and actually accessorize the top to divert all of the other stuff.
I kept it simple with a tray I painted blue, some milk glass and a few cheap succulents I bought at Lowe’s (less than $10 total).
So far, so good. I’ve had this little arrangement set up for two weeks and have still managed to keep the top clutter free. Sneaky, huh?
Since art supplies are inevitable around here, I stole this idea from Holly’s blog. Somehow, crayons make a prettier centerpiece if they’re displayed in a dough bowl.
And, I recently rescued this big basket from our playroom closet to keep in the kitchen as a quick way to pick up toys that need to eventually find their way back upstairs. (Ignore the paint sample I slapped on the wall. I couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to play with paint one day.)
(Framed placemat project here.)
What’s your prettiest strategy for clearing clutter?
very cute ideas! I do feel that everything should have it's place, and I honestly can only stay on top of it now that the kids are gone. I love organizing compartments, trays, baskets, dividers, etc. They really do help. Have a great week Emily!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Great ideas. Love the navy paint you did on the tray.
ReplyDeleteI daydream about opening all the closets in our home and discovering perfect organization via pretty storage bins. Inevitably, the needs for various closets change over time though, so whenever possible, I have started to buy many of the same basket so they can be moved throughout the house when needed. I've got about 15 of Container Store's small Water Hyacinth baskets. They are sturdy, inexpensive (currently on sale for $6.99!), attractive, and can be found in several closets at my house!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore that simple arrangement with the succulents!
ReplyDeleteLove all these ideas to keep clutter away! I am a clutter freak.. I can't even stand having one dish in the sink, the one place we accumulate clutter is on our kitchen island with mail.. maybe I need to add some succulents & milk glass & that won't happen anymore ;)
ReplyDelete-Liz Marie
Great ideas! Love the blue tray and milk glass! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas!!! Love your blog, period. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe blue tray with the white containers is so, so pretty Emily! We have the same system - we have a nice big basket downstairs for toys that come down. I keep it near the stairs, so as the kids or myself go up we try to grab a handful.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderfully sneaky idea and one that I have also done. It is so difficult to keep organized when you have small children, but I think that if you make everything around you pretty and you have a spot for everything there is more motivation to keep it going, even for the kids. I love the color you painted the tray. It is such a beautiful accent w/ the white and the succulents.
ReplyDeleteAngela
My strategy for clearing clutter is very much like yours...baskets, crates, trays, everything in plain site....when company is at the door: the 10-second-tidy of all 6 of us throwing everything into these items is too easy!! :) ~Kim
ReplyDeleteI love all your strategies! Very pretty :) The crayons in the bowl look great, and the basket is a lifesaver. Hmmm, as for my strategies.... Sometimes I just throw all the "extra" toys in the basement where I can't see them. Not very stylish though ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this!! I have an art cabinet and yet my kitchen table has been lost to jars of pencils, paint brushes, tins of crayons and a berry basket of scissors and sponges. I started losing my dining room table as well!! I could totally see how putting a centerpiece may divert the items to a new permanent home.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is so nice to get design tips and advice from someone with kids who addresses kid stuff! You are a true gem Emily, the photos of your "mess" before the paper came give you an authenticity others just don't have. Thank you!
Baskets, baskets, baskets! Love what you've done (as usual)!
ReplyDeleteLove the vignette with the succulents! and I've been wanting a dough bowl like that. Do you happen to have any sources to get one?
ReplyDeleteGreat plan! Wish I used it when the "kids" were young. Now I am dealing with my husband's clutter. Doing OK...he has his own "Library" now. That was the answer!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! Ive been wanting to try some succulents. And totally can relate to that little paint swatch on the wall- I have them in several rooms too! I cant leave well enough alone.
ReplyDeleteOlá,
ReplyDeleteadorei a ideia do cesto.
Tenha uma ótima semana.
Anajá Schmitz
Love the blue tray and the succulents!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your ideas, Emily! The tray with the succulents is really nice!
ReplyDeleteMy strategy is waiting for school to start. It is just impossible during summer. They are all working against me.
ReplyDeletePretty!! 3 of my most favorite things. Milk glass, succulents, and burlap.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a difference a couple little small changes can do. Love the succulents and milk glass vases! Where did you find the milk glass vases for the succulents?
ReplyDelete~Melinda
love your clutter free desk top! great solution. And I am a huge lover of big baskets as a "catch all" for toys that need to be relocated upstairs. Your kitchen wall looks great with those wonderful frames! (and both colors of paint look great! ) thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour ideas are always so good and so family friendly. I love everything! So do you think if I put a long tray on my kitchen desk they will stop dropping everything they bring in the house on it?
ReplyDeleteYou know what I love the most about you as a designer? Your ideas are realistic and affordable for the everyday person. Good job & thank you. I'm no longer scared of crayons when my twins start wanting more
ReplyDeleteHaha, good sneaky solution! I might have to steal it for myself!
ReplyDeleteLove the crayon in the dough bowl idea! And I have been on the hunt for some succulents, think I can keep those alive longer than an orchid! As always, baskets are the BEST at controlling clutter, love them everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI'm sill pondering the best way to classy up my clutter. So far, it's just to hide it in a closet, but once I can get some bigger projects finished, I'm going to get on this. Thanks for the clever idea! And, I have several colors of paint swatches in my foyer right now {not the best place to hide it}, plus 3 in my master bedroom, and we still can't decide on a color.
ReplyDeleteI love the tray with the succulents - looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteStacy
Every time I think I have figured out how to corral the kids' clutter it appears again. I truly may ban Legos from the house soon...
ReplyDeleteWe had the crayons in the wooden bowl for a while at our house too--also lifted from Holly's blog!
The succulents arrangement is so pretty!
Lane
www.urbanorchardinteriors.com
the same thing happens in my house---i have a PLACE to put the clutter, but everyone just dumps stuff and before i know it, it is a royal mess. my best strategy for clearing the clutter? oh boy. i just realized i don't have one!!
ReplyDelete:)
Great idea with the tray! My girls always stuff things on the top of tables instead of actually putting them away. But if something else is already there...genius! We are a big fan of baskets around here too. They make all the difference!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit surprised that a barbie or a crayon or heck...a bunch of papers and "junk" hasn't made its/their way atop of your tray or succulents yet!
Bravo!
Love the cute burlap art on the walls, too!
That is such a great idea. Don't leave space for the stuff to collect. Plus it's beautiful. 2 birds, one stone!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
neatsmart.com
I'm so stealing that crayons in the bowl idea!
ReplyDelete