and if you have children, you know their area of the living
room is always a little awry. Invest in storage ottomans. They
appear to be extra seating tucked away in a corner, but open
the tops and you've got a large box for use as a toy chest. Place
all of your children's toys inside and put the top back on. Your
guests will never know they're sitting on Legos.
her toys will be stored in there, and it will be their job to keep
it organized. A good way to section off the play area is with a
rug. Lay one down (make it a fun color or odd shape) in their
corner, add a small work table (or large chest that can double
as more storage) with the seating, and they'll feel like they
have their own living room altogether.
like to close to hide the mess. It is time to open those doors and
deal with the clutter that lurks behind them. Start by grabbing
some twist-ties and gather up all the extra cords and wires
spilling from your electronics. Tying them all together and hid-
ing with cord covers is a good way to reduce the eye sore. Wipe
down all the shelving and add small candles or another deco-
rative items to make the space more inviting when the doors
are open. For DVDs and music, be sure to buy a storage rack to
keep them neatly stacked and easy to retrieve. Reserve draw-
ers at the bottom for game system controls and other add-ons
for your entertainment system you don't want to lose.
chances are it is probably in need of organization. The best
way to organize this small, yet significant space is by investing
in actual office supplies.
mouse and printer, and wireless routers are the best for elim-
inating all those cords that clutter the area. For the remaining
essential wires, invest in cord covers and a place a plastic of-
fice mat under your desk and where your chair is going to roll
around. Not only will it be easier to maneuver, but by placing
the computer tower, paper shredder, and any other electrical
equipment you have on the mat, you will reduce the risk of
electrical fires and shock or power surge dangers.
you in tip-top organizational
shape is a filing cabinet. Most
are fireproof and come with
locks, so you can keep import-
ant documents like passports
and children's birth certif-
icates in them. Insert filing
folders into the drawers and
color-code the sections so
you know what goes where.
For example, medical files
may be in red and pay stubs
and tax information may be
coded in green.