Home Organization Ideas: Up and Away - iVillage

50 Unique Home Organization Ideas 0 chimes

Want to get organized without sacrificing style? Get all the ideas you'll need (plus product picks!) for every room in the house.

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Home Organization Ideas: Up and Away

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Home Organization Ideas: Up and Away

Installing a wall-mounted cube shelving system gives plenty of space for storing odds and ends in assorted containers.

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Home Organization Ideas: Orange Pop

Painting the interiors of shelves a bright orange highlights the shapes of white ceramics and storage containers.

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Home Organization Ideas: Modern Library

An expansive shelving system dominates the look of this masculine, modernly furnished living room.

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Home Organization Ideas: Flexible Arrangement

Modular shelving can be adjusted and rearranged according to your specific storage needs.

Rectangular Ice table, $2,381 at Hive Modern. Similar shelves: Elfa components at The Container Store.

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Home Organization Ideas: In the Box

Open shelving is kept neat and tidy with uniform storage containers.

Kassett Series boxes and magazine holders, $4 to $13 at Ikea.

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Home Organization Ideas: Surround Yourself

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves contain novels and other tomes in one place and create walls that are visually stunning.

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Home Organization Ideas: Steel Logic

Industrial elements—a factory chair, metal file cabinets and a lab-style desk—contrast nicely with a pair of upholstered chairs in this masculine study. Plus, the desk's cubbies help keep paperwork and magazines organized.

Similar chair: Park Avenue Bergere, (price upon request) at Hickory Chair.

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Home Organization Ideas: Lively Display

Covering the back of an antique sideboard with bright, modern wallpaper makes a cheerful place for displaying office supplies.

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Home Organization Ideas: Three Cheers

Scalloped wooden drawers look sweet tucked under a bed and provide ample storage in an underused space.

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Home Organization Ideas: Basket Cases

Wall-mounted cubbies fitted with baskets keep hats and other outdoor items organized.

Similar Shelf, Entryway Shelf in Cream, $229 at Pottery Barn. Similar Basket, Large Seagrass Storage Basket, $25 at Cost Plus World Market. Similar Bench Cushion Fabric, Criss-Cross Navy Fabric #672453, price available upon request at Waverly.

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Home Organization Ideas: Save the Date

Creating a giant monthly calendar on a chalkboard-paint wall helps everyone stay on schedule.

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Home Organization Ideas: Mix It Up

An impressive white shelving unit adds an unexpected element to a dining space and provides the perfect spot to store large serving dishes and cookbooks.

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Home Organization Ideas: Showcasing Sets

Open shelves proudly display a museum-worthy collection of white ceramics.

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Home Organization Ideas: Country Living

Built-in shelves provide the perfect space to display an eclectic collection of international treasures.

Similar tablecloth: Victorian Heart Vintage Modern stripe tablecloth, from $6.95 at The Country Porch. Similar mirror: Uttermost Walton hall mirror in Gold, $151.80 at CSNMirrors.com.

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Home Organization Ideas: Book End

Storage is tricky in a long, narrow space; columns of built-in bookshelves at the end of the room are an ideal design solution and attractive look.

Three-Leg Ant Chair in Black, designed by Arne Jacobsen, $427 at Hive Modern.

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Home Organization Ideas: Color Combinations

Under-bed white wicker baskets nicely conceal toys, books and other childhood favorites.

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Home Organization Ideas: True Blue

A large coffee table with cubbies makes for a perfect side table and a place to stash trinkets and toys.

Hemnes bed frame, $199 at Ikea. Similar table: Hermnes sofa table, $169 at Ikea. Similar pillow: Heart pillow, $49 at Room and Board. Alvine Flora cushion, $24.99 at Ikea.

 

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Home Organization Ideas: Color Coordinate

Keep books neat and tidy and within reach with an open-front storage bench.

Marta bed in Blue, $249 at Total Bedroom. Similar bedding: Marimekko Madison Persimmon twin duvet, $79.95 at Crate & Barrel. RiverRidge kids’ storage bench in White, $99 at Target.

 

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Home Organization Ideas: Patchwork Effect

Mix bedding in different patterns and shades of blue for a homey and whimsical look.

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Home Organization Ideas: Pretty in Pink

Small baskets tucked here and there (and everywhere!) can make a big difference in your clutter.

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Home Organization Ideas: A Little Hang-Up

Chaos is tolerable when it’s confined to a long, colorful pegboard. A bench covered with pillows doubles as storage and seating.

Similar bench: Madison 60-inch lift-top storage bench, $199 at Home Decorators Collection. Similar hooks: Spectrum 82200 seven-peg wood rack in White, $14 at Amazon.

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Home Organization Ideas: Well Contained

A busy family requires structured storage with room for everything from sports equipment to mail. Use baskets and bins to corral papers, toys and balls in an open cabinet.

Similar cabinet: Circo bookcase in White, $90 at Target. Similar hooks: Eames Hang-It-All Rack by Herman Miller, $179 at Room & Board.

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Home Organization Ideas: Shipshape

Glass-door cabinets keep the kitchen feeling light and airy. Plus, it means you can find what you're looking for, without all the searching.

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Home Organization Ideas: Out on Display

Instead of hiding dishes and pots in cabinets, hang wooden floating shelves on a brightly painted wall and display everything in neat stacks.

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Home Organization Ideas: High Contrast

A mirrored chest hides clutter and a pedestal sink boosts the glamour of a sleek black-and-white bathroom.

Similar chest: Mirrored lingerie chest, $789.90 at Horchow. Gatco accordian wall mirror in Chrome, $127.92 at CSN Mirrors.

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Home Organization Ideas: Playful Hideaway

For the best use of space in a narrow room, install captain beds with underneath storage and arrange them head-to-head along one wall.

Orleans Twin Quilt in Lemon and Blush, $128 at Garnet Hill. Similar sham: Dottie Standard Sham, $24 each (regularly $35) at PBTeen. Echo Green Chair, $79.95 at CB2.

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Home Organization Ideas: Gridlock

If your kitchen has limited cupboard space, hang your own floating shelves.

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Home Organization Ideas: Heavy Metals

A recessed oven area with subway tiles matches the industrial style of the kitchen’s stainless-steel elements.

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Home Organization Ideas: Mix Master

Dishes don’t need to match, but a common palette or pattern will ensure that they coordinate and look cool (not like clutter).

Terramoto ceramics at Coastline Imports. Similar ceramics: Polka-dot ceramics at Emma Bridgewater. Chantal ring bowl, $36.95 for a three-piece set at Amazon. Similar shelf: White shelf kit, $14 at Aubuchon Hardware. 

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Home Organization Ideas: Sky High

Shelving built up to the ceiling creates a grand display for oversized vases.

Similar light: Alico Pendina Newton 120V pendant light, $309 at American Home Plus. Similar vase: Glass bud vase, $33 at Wendy Gee.

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Home Organization Ideas: Overhead Storage

When cabinet space is lacking, a long row of ceiling-mounted pot racks creates additional storage space for cookware and baskets.

Maple ceiling pot rack, $50 at Crate & Barrel. Farm table, $675 at Trailer Park. Tuscany bench, $199 at Home Decorators Collection. Copper saucepan, $30 at JCPenney.

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Home Organization Ideas: Accented Space

Look for a bedframe with built-in drawers to maximize storage space. A lidded bench at the foot of the bed creates room for extra blankets and linens.

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Home Organization Ideas: Display Worthy

Tuck shoes away in an open storage bench.

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Home Organization Ideas: Orange Crush

A brightly colored storage bench keeps toys hidden, while a poppy board is great for displaying works of art.

Fargglad chair, $15 at Ikea. Similar desk: Leksvik children's table, $50 at Ikea. Similar ottoman: Storage ottoman in Orange, $229 at P’kolino.

Home Organization Ideas: Build Up

Floor-to-ceiling shelving provides plenty of storage for children's toys.

Similar chair: Kritter children's chair, $13 at Ikea. Similar shelving: Cameron wall desk system, $1,459 at Pottery Barn Kids. Similar storage bin: Hot pink cube bin, $10 at Land of Nod.

Home Organization Ideas: Color Story

For a customized look, work a bit of DIY magic and paint furniture and wooden storage containers in coordinating hues.

Terje folding chair, $15 at Ikea. Knuff magazine file, $10 for set of two at Ikea. Similar desk: Jonas desk, $129 at Ikea. Similar lamp, Mad White desk lamp, $70 at CB2.

Home Organization Ideas: Warm and Inviting

Forget hiding the toys. Here they are integrated into the decor.

Matine toile drape in Marigold, $89 at Pottery Barn. Similar sofa: Brentwood sofa in Arden Chocolate, $1,239 at Ballard Designs.

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Home Organization Ideas: Down by the Sea

Towels tucked beneath the sink are both organized and chic.

Similar sink: Conical Bell Vessels above-counter lavatory at Kohler.

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Home Organization Ideas: Rock-a-Bye Baby

A rocking chair and daybed near the crib ensure that you're prepared for middle-of-the-night cries and early morning wake-ups. This daybed has under-frame storage for an extra touch.

Classic crib, $890 at Oeuf. Similar rug: Twist and Shout rug in Multi Bubblegum Pink, from $149 at Land of Nod.

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Home Organization Ideas: Wild Thing

Bold textiles, like an abstract animal-print rug and bright floral bedding, liven up a white bedroom. Baskets in open shelving keep things neat.

Similar crib: DaVinci Alpha 3-in-1 stationary crib, $170 at Babies R Us. Similar changing station: $230 at Oeuf. Similar bedding: Organic Stepping Stone Blossom fitted sheet, $60 at Chulamama. Similar rug: Zebra rug in Orange and Natural, $995 at Jonathan Adler. Small Lined Makati basket in Natural, $25 at The Container Store.

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Home Organization Ideas: Soft Pile

With limited space and lots of supplies, bathrooms require thoughtful storage solutions. Here, open, built-in shelving means everything is stacked within easy reach.

Large glass apothecary jar with lid, $28 at Save on Crafts.

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Home Organization Ideas: A Delicate Balance

Maintain a sense of proportion without making a room look overly symmetrical. Here, a pair of floor lamps flank the sofa, while mismatched tables and chairs face off.

Similar tables: Peekaboo clear nesting tables, $199 at CB2. Similar chair: Chair 1846-01, at Lee Industries. Similar chair: Concorde chair, (price available upon request) at Baker Furniture. Flokati high-pile rug, $80 at Ikea.

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Home Organization Ideas: Tunnel Vision

For a combined office and playroom, use similarly shaped furniture for a cohesive look.

Speja tunnel, $20 at Ikea. Eames molded-plastic side chair in White, $249 at Design Within Reach. Similar kids' chairs: Medium plastic classroom chairs in Blue with Chrome Frame, $24.50 for set of four at GlobalIndustrial.com. Similar table: Here There Anywhere play table, $119 at Land of Nod.

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Home Organization Ideas: Cloud Cover

A repeated cloud motif is reflected in this room's soft blue and white palette. The small storage cubbie keeps things organized.

Similar bookshelf: Expedit shelving unit, $99 at Ikea. Similar storage cubbie: Bratt Decor Blu storage cubbie, $878 at All Modern. Similar storage boxes: Bigso Bold Box in Blue, $18 at The Container Store.

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Home Organization Ideas: By the Books

A library wall filled with your favorite titles gives a living room a personal touch.

English roll-arm upholstered daybed, starting at $3,415 at Restoration Hardware. Similar chandelier: Gold Empire-style chandelier, $99 at Gallery 803.

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Home Organization Ideas: On High

A box shelf makes use of extra wall space when the room is small.

Similar crib: DaVinci Alpha mini rocking crib, $150 at Target. Similar mobile: Cotton Tale Tiger Tale musical mobile, $24.75 at BabyEarth. Similar shelf: Large open cube in White, $35 at Target.

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Home Organization Ideas: Red Stripe

Bold graphics—stars, stripes and skulls—and bright colors play off a sleek white cabinet and shelves.

Similar rug: Sveje rug in Red/White, $13 at Ikea. Domoor cup in White, $18 at Droog. Similar globe: Silver Ocean 12-inch globe, $99 at Kikkerland. Similar side table: Vitra metal side table, $550 at All Modern.

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Home Organization Ideas: Animal Print

Have fun with window treatments—a colorful pattern can set the tone for the rest of the room. Plus, look for a crib with extra drawers below.

Flat Roman shades in DwellStudio's Gio Lemon, $230 at The Shade Store. Dots Petal large rug, $550 at DwellStudio. DwellStudio for Target Silver Lake Convertible Crib 2nd Edition in Natural/White, $300 at Target. Vitra Model A cork stool, $405 at Design Public. Saucer lamp, $269 at YLighting. 

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Home Organization Ideas: A Place for Everything

Tall bookshelves with bins keep a play space tidy.

Similar bookcase: Billy bookcase in Birch Veneer, $70 at Ikea. Similar chair: Triumph lounge chair, $229 at CB2. Wilson U.S. Open Jumbo Tennis Ball (nine-inch, basketball size), $20 at Walmart. Similar tricycle: Italtrike 10-Inch Touring Classic tricycle, $80 at Toys R Us.

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Home Organization Ideas: Flower Child

Mix soft '70s inspired designs, like a shag rug and a beanbag chair, with contemporary pieces for a fresh look.

Similar rug: Ultimate shag rug in Orange, $129 at Home Decorators. Louis Ghost armchair, $410 at Design Within Reach. Similar beanbag: Hybrid Floral Anywhere recycled beanbag, $119 at Pottery Barn Kids.

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Home Organization Ideas: Warm and Inviting

Cozy up a living room with warm yellow curtains, a patterned taupe sofa and soft cream colors.

Matine toile drape in Marigold, $89 at Pottery Barn. Similar sofa: Brentwood sofa in Arden Chocolate, $1,239 at Ballard Designs.

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