Stylish Organizing Idea #1
Stack attractive old suitcases on top of cabinets.
You can use them to store extra silverware, cloth napkins,
party supplies or whatever you want!
Stylish Organizing Idea #2
Use dead space under side tables for lidded baskets
to contain anything from magazines to out of season decorations!
Style Organizing Idea #3
Stylish trunks can hide your stuff AND be
pulled out for extra seating!
Stylish Organizing Idea #4 & #5
Find end tables with storage inside for
out-of-season pillows or blankets!
Even small containers with lids can be
attractive stacked on a cabinet.
You could store greeting cards, stationery, jewelry,
receipts or other smaller items.
My focus word for the month of March (for my Beautiful Life 12 months of goals series) is organization. In spite of my best intentions, I’ve had every excuse in the book why I couldn’t do much organizing, namely this one: my old house is still sale pending and until it closes and I get all of my stuff up here at my new house, I can’t get organized. Is that a good enough excuse?
Well, good excuses or not, I can’t escape the need or benefits of being organized. I am such a visual person that I can’t stand clutter ruining what could be a pleasantly pretty room. Not that I don’t have clutter, I just don’t like to see it. But I am also NOT a minimalist, I like to see things, as long as they are pretty!
So, where does that leave me? I need pretty things to put my stuff in. I love having things you can decorate with that serve a dual purpose as a clutter controller.
Whether you are hiding toys, papers, magazines, projects or dog food, you don’t always have to resort to plastic bins or cardboard boxes. And you don’t have to fill up precious closet space with things you don’t need very often.
TIP: If you tend to put seasonal stuff or rarely needed items in containers only to forget where you put them, keep a master list taped inside your closet door. If you put your spring wreath in a container in the living room, simply write “spring wreath: living room chest.”
The photos above are all from Better Home & Gardens. I originally was drawn to these images for the obvious coastal style (which I love, click here for more in BH&G series on nautical style), but then started being inspired the great organizing ideas.
It is time for Beautiful Life Friday!
Where are you finding beauty in your life?
Please join us!
Here are some inspiring links I found in blogland this week:
I found one of you getting the look for less,
I spotted a gorgeous egg wreath,
I loved this tutorial for a project table
A sweet idea for embroidering your children’s artwork
Inspiration to try something new
A lovely laundry room makeover
A gorgeous idea for repurposing a desk
100 different ways to save $100
Inspiration for simplifying life (blog talk radio shows)
Yum, I want to make these root beer cookies
I’m joining up on Julia’s Hooked On Friday Party this week, since I am trying to get myself Hooked On Organization!
And, last but not least, a great post for pondering contentment, finding beauty in life, and what it all means...Good Enough
This week’s links are now a permanent part of this post! Thanks to everyone who participated in a Beautiful Life Friday!
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Hi, I'm Melissa. This is where I share inspiration for creating a simple, authentic and beautiful home.
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Melissa, I am hooked on organization too! I had all these beautiful photos and was going to put a post together but I got sucked into basketball and then fell asleep last night
Thank you so much for the link! *muah*
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I’m always on the hunt for pretty ways to organize- and love it when I find great new ideas-
Thanks for all the inspiration today- and all the great links.
Happy Day!
teresas inspiring blog post..Celebrate Spring-
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I love these organizational ideas! I think we can ALL use a little help with that – if nothing else, to make our organizational efforts look more beautiful.
Good luck with your organizing! I remember when we moved into our new house, it took FOREVER to get everything organized, and I’m embarassed to admit that we still have a few boxes of CDs that we just shoved in a closet.
living with lindsays inspiring blog post..Tackling My Tassel Obsession
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I love those gorgeous vintage trunks and suitcases – I wonder what stories they could tell? Lovely, lovely storage ideas. I’ll make sure that I do a post on organising next week. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Meredith.
Merediths inspiring blog post..Perservering
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I really want the chair in your 3rd example. Gorgeous. And I love the entire composition in the second photo. I’ve been trying to get organized this year too…and have found that those clear plastic storage bins are really useful – we put them in our storage closets and in the garage – and no list needed since we can see right into them. Your ideas are much more stylish than my own!
christys inspiring blog post..The Irish Are So Polite
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I love clever ways to organize and store items. We have lived in military housing for many years and we are always looking for ways to maximize our space.
Toni
The Happy Housewifes inspiring blog post..Ultimate Blog Party ~ Welcome to The Happy House
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oops – Sorry, Melissa – I didn’t mean to put the title on there. I linked it to the Building Character post.
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlams inspiring blog post..Triple coupon alert for Harris Teeter
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AWESOME ideas!
Happy Spring!!
suzanns inspiring blog post..Welcome Spring!
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Melissa,
Thank you for visiting and for your sweet comment. I love the stylish hidden storage ideas in your post today. I have been tackling organizing my craft room this week and hope to post on some ideas in next weeks post. Thank you for the link to the table tutorial that is so sweet! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Miss Sandys inspiring blog post..She Speaks Scholarship Contest For Bloggers…
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I like the idea of the lists. Every Fall I start a list that is hidden in my closet. It reminds me of all the Christmas gifts that I’ve already purchased throughout the Summer (tag sales, flea markets…) so that when Christmas shopping rolls around, I’m not looking for things that I’ve already bought. Hey with 4 kids and large families on both sides, it’s easy to forget who gets what.
Have a beautiful weekend. Blessings… Polly
Pollys inspiring blog post..Skin Deep
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Thanks for sharing that great tip on how to remember where you’ve stored things. I’m definitely going to use that one!!
debi@life in my studios inspiring blog post..Happy Birthday Stephanie!
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Beautiful inspiration photos! The “Good Enough” post was definitely food for thought.
FYI…I’m having a 100th post giveaway! 3 signed photos and 1 huge chandelier decal from Wilson Graphics. Stop by if you get a chance!
ALVN of WhisperWood Cottages inspiring blog post..100th Post Giveaways!
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Beautiful Organization…one of the qualities I am not so great with. I am organized in a messy kind of way…I know where things are, but they aren’t always placed in a aesthetically pleasing way…
Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarms inspiring blog post..Mood Enhancement in the Dominican
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I love your organized, pretty solutions! I am like you-I don’t like to see clutter but I do want my pretty things displayed. Those photos strike a lovely balance. It is amazing how much easier cleaning is when you store the clutter. Stop by my blog today to
I have a pretty fabulous Giveaway too 
CELEBRATE SPRING!!!!
Kirstys inspiring blog post..WHOHOOOOOOOO!!! SPRING! PARTY! PRESENTS!
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I’m not much for organizing if it’s not pretty! I love pretty in evey nook and cranny of my house. Love the pictures~
Happy Friday
Robin Rane’
All Things Heart and Home
Robin Rane’ ~ All Things Heart & Homes inspiring blog post..Wanna see Elllie in action???
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I’m all for stylish organizing! Love these ideas. So glad you joined my blog party today!
Julia @ Hooked on Housess inspiring blog post..Hooked on Toile
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great organization ideas!
Mois inspiring blog post..The Waiting Room
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Great ideas for storage. I’m obviously not using my storage areas well… I actually am using an old trunk for a tv stand…nothing in the trunk. I’m using my grandfather’s old toolbox for a coffee table…empty again. Hmmm… I can fix that! (Maybe not the trunk, but definitely the toolbox. I do use an open vintage cosmetic suitcase for my bedroom bureau things…lotions, perfumes, etc.
Once again, you’ve given me plenty to ponder.
Vees inspiring blog post..A Proper Centerpiece and a Beautiful Gift
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Great thoughts today, Melissa. I feel like I have things organized in the big picture. It’s the little things that need to be done now to make things more attractive–things like organizing stationery like you write.
Katie
Katie at makingthishome.coms inspiring blog post..Joel’s Small Kitchen Tour
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Hi Melissa!
I love all of your pictures of beautiful ways to store our JUNK!
I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Bella Casas inspiring blog post..I’m Hooked on Virtual Design Makeovers from Alt-erior Design
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You posts speaks to me this week as I am up to my eyeballs in a remodel of my kitchen, laundry room, foyer and hallway. We can’t even walk into our living room because the kitchen stuff is in there. Only two weeks to go before this part is OVER. Then the cleaning and organzing begins!!
Dianas inspiring blog post..Fantasy Friday: Blair Hill Inn
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Love the use of vintage suitcases as storage!
Our Creative Lifes inspiring blog post..Spring Fluffing
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we’re of a like mind this week. I posted a blog this week on a few vintage storage solutions..
have a lovely weekend
sue
sue@solsticehomes inspiring blog post..vintage storage solutions
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There were some very appealing ideas for storage here. It can be a little tricky when you want to “store” an entire collection. The pictures on the wall are lovely, and make such a pretty collection when put together the way that you showed. Thanks, Melissa…have a great weekend.
♥, Susan
black eyed susans kitchens inspiring blog post..HOOKED ON AND TRYING TO ORGANIZE VINTAGE COLLECTIONS
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Happy first day of spring! I have a post from a neighborhood bulb farm. Oh so beautiful…and just that winter is turning into spring is always a joy to our blessed life.
Gayle at Mountain Momas inspiring blog post..Finally…Spring
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Thanks for the inspiring organizing tips!! Happy Spring!
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Organizing – I love doing it, but why do I need to keep re-organizing? Thanks for the beautiful ideas.
Lorrie
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Luv all the photos and i am looking for the right containers to place under my sofa table I have in my hallway just like the picture! now I’m more motivated than ever to find it.
happy spring,
LuLu
LuLus inspiring blog post..Welcome With Open Arms….
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I love the pretty organizing ideas, Melissa!
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Love the suitcase in the first photo. Gives me the Out of Africa feel.
Gennaros inspiring blog post..Angkor Wat Through The Lens
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Love looking at the pictures of functional & fabulous!!
Laura
Org Junkies inspiring blog post..Fridgefile ~ Filing System + giveaway!
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I love to organize things. Hate clutter. Ruins the look of every room.
Brenda
Brenda Kulas inspiring blog post..Time For Tulips
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I love fun storage things. Thanks for the tips!
Kristens inspiring blog post..Spring has Sprung!
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I love nice storage ideas. I love using old suitcases to hide mess, baskets etc.
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Hey Melissa~ I could really use an organization list. I am still hunting for one of my favorite easels that got put away at Christmas! No tell where that thing is… Great post!
Misti of Studio M Designss inspiring blog post..Featured Store: Southern Charm Home Decor and Gifts
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1st time visitor—love it!!! You have such a neat and chic way of decorating and such–will be a frequent visitor from now on:’)
Lauries inspiring blog post..Decorating for Spring
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Hi Melissa ~ I use the baskets under the bench/table idea too, but if I have anything soft in them, they automatically become a kitty bed.
My Beautiful Life contribution this week (with March’s theme of a Peaceful Home), involved making old-fashioned washcloths. They are simple, humble, but somehow more luxurious than terry cloth ones. I made four, just like Grandma taught me.
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star’s Fault
Eileen @ Star’s Faults inspiring blog post..Grandma’s Washcloths ~
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Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. These remind me of my parents’ house- my mom has stacks of hat boxes and vintage suitcases for storing/hiding in plain sight.
Myrnies inspiring blog post..Beautiful Bedding
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Great ideas for organization and storage! Thanks for sharing the links, too!
Happy spring!
Debbykay
Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
Debbykays inspiring blog post..Awake! It’s spring…time to get organized!
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I feel SOOO much more organised, and in a stylish way too, which is simply fabulous!
Many thanks for all the great features and ideas!
Keep up the excellent work!
Paola
PAOLA DE GIOVANNIs inspiring blog post..Crocus I
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You cant believe how much I adore the suit case storage idea.. I blogged about it twice.. with LV trunks and antique suite cases.. I cant seem to find it easily in Kuwaiti market.. though I need it badly.. Very inspiring post!
ROOM design studios inspiring blog post..and I intend it to be this elegant..
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I love all the organization ideas!!!! Spring puts me on that mode! And I can’t wait to go look at all the links now! thanks!
Kristi
Kristis inspiring blog post..A Dreamy Nursery……
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Hi Melissa. I love being organized, too, and there are not many themes sharper than nautical to say our homes are “ship-shape and bristle-fashion!” Happy Spring! ~Arleen
Arleens inspiring blog post..Inspiration ~ More Decorating with Pink and Green
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I soooooo doooooo need to be organized. I think it will help me remember where things are!
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I LOVE your blog! I visit almost daily to get new ideas!! I have you on my blog as a favorite and have told several people to visit your blog. You have such talent! Thanks for all you do, Kelley
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I meant to join in the fun on Friday… I’m a little late… I’m always trying to achieve a beautiful life!
ENJOY the rest of your weekend!
Fifi
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Count me in for next Friday. We all need more beauty in our lives! I’m a first time visitor and have thoroughly enjoyed your blog.
Jojos inspiring blog post..Everything’s Turning Up Violets!
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I love the storage ideas! Very inspiring! I hope my little idea inspires some in return! Thanks Melissa.
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
Donna at Funky Junk Interiorss inspiring blog post..Functional wall art for the kitchen
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On my blog I share how I’ve made over one chandelier into two matching chandeliers~
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Wow! These ideas are inspired. We pull our hair out when we can’t find something and yet it’s these simple things that take just a few minutes to do that save so much impact and save so much time.
Huge fan of suggestions #2 and #3. You’ve got to make the most of your space, especially when you don’t have a lot!
Todd and Jen´s last blog ..Aug 16, Carpet Cleaning Tips For Your Dream Living Room
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