Striking the right balance between expressing your personal style and keeping a cluttered home organized can be tricky. While you want to keep each room beautiful, there are also practical items that need to be kept away.
This is something I think about a lot as an interior stylist: when styling a space for a photo shoot, a magazine, or even a model home, I'm able to set aside practicality for a moment and focus on creating a beautiful space, but my own home is a whole different story.
Other stylists and designers agree: “Over the years, I've discovered a variety of organizational tools and techniques that not only help keep my clients' homes clutter-free, but also enhance their homes' beauty,” says Anna Vasiltsova, lead designer at Anna Designs.
I spoke with Anna and a few other expert stylists to learn their secrets for maintaining a stylish, organized home, plus some of my own tips using my favorite organization brands.
1. Floating shelves
(Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore)
Floating shelves are a sleek and modern addition to any living area, creating storage space without taking up floor space, keeping items off surfaces and making the most of vertical space.
“Install floating shelves in your kitchen for spices and jars, floating shelves in your living room for books and decorative items, and floating shelves in the bathroom for toiletries,” says Anna Vasiltsova.
Cartell Shellfish Tangerine Orange
Price: $136
For something fun and especially cute, we love these clear orange shelves from Kartell, a design brand beloved by stylists.
2. Storage ottoman
(Image courtesy of James Merrell)
Do your best to incorporate multi-functional furniture into your living space. Storage ottomans come in beautiful designs that will suit your style and color palette.
“These multi-purpose furniture pieces are game-changers. They're perfect for storing blankets, magazines, or indoor slippers, keeping your living area chic and tidy. Plus, they can double as a comfortable footrest or extra seating,” explains Ayten Nadeau, founder of i-TEN Designs.
Price: $499
This super chic ottoman from Pottery Barn has a luxurious bouclé finish that will elevate any living room.
3. Under-bed storage
(Image courtesy of Lisa Romerin. Design courtesy of Joshua Smith)
If you're redesigning your bedroom, consider an ottoman-style storage bed that boasts a stylish design you love – upholstered designs with striking headboards are definitely on trend.
“Make use of the space under your bed with discreet storage bins. Store extra blankets, sheets and pillows out of sight but easily accessible when needed,” says Iten.
4. Decorative tray
(Image courtesy of Lisa Staton Design)
Decorative trays made of metal or lacquered material are perfect for keeping items together, which will make any part of your home feel less cluttered.
“Trays are great for organising and displaying items,” says Iten. “In the kitchen, they're great for keeping spices and oils organised. In the bar area, they can hold glassware and bottles.”
Price: $19.99
This lacquered wooden tray has a stylish scalloped base, a big trend in interior design and an interesting detail.
5. Basket with lid
(Image courtesy of Marie Flanigan)
“Organization is absolutely key to keeping your home beautiful,” says Katelyn De Spain, founder of Makehouse Design Studio. “Bring in the baskets, but here's a key tip: choose storage baskets with lids. This allows you to store everything from blankets to shoes to toys without seeing what's inside. This means cleaner surfaces, easier on the eyes, and less clutter for your brain.”
Wayideal Cotton Rope Storage Basket with Lid
Price: $23.99
This stylish basket not only has a lid, but is also shaped to maximise storage space.
6. Bar Cart
(Image courtesy of Jonathan Adler)
Bar carts are stylish pieces of furniture that come in a variety of designs. In addition to styling your bar cart for cocktails, you can also use them in other ways. “Who said bar carts were just for drinks? I use mine to store magazine subscriptions. It's the perfect place to grab a magazine and a cup of tea, and it combines functionality with style,” says Iten.
7. Hidden coffee and breakfast nook
(Image courtesy of Anna Design)
“A hidden coffee and breakfast nook with sliding doors is a great way to keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free, providing a dedicated space for your morning routine and maintaining a clean, seamless look when not in use,” says Anna. While a coffee bar is typically something that's incorporated into kitchen design, you can also buy a freestanding piece of furniture to fulfill this role instead.
8. Hooks and racks
(Image courtesy of Space Factory)
“The entryway can easily become cluttered, so use stylish hooks for hats, scarves and dog leashes, and racks for shoes and bags. Guests will be impressed from the moment they walk in,” says Iten.
Purchase brass hooks rather than coated designs to ensure they will last longer and stand up to long-term use, especially in heavy-duty applications like entryway storage.
Price: $29
Choose brass wall hooks that are beautiful in design so that they are not only functional but also become a feature of your space.
9. Custom storage
(Image courtesy of Anna Design)
One of the best ways to make the most of the space in a room is with bespoke built-in storage – this could be a media unit in your living room, built-in wardrobes in a bedroom or alcove shelving in the bathroom.
Bespoke storage is effortlessly stylish and looks great as it blends seamlessly with the rest of the room's design, and because you have a say in every aspect of the design, it will match the rest of your décor.
10. Labeled containers
If you need to store small items, especially those in your kitchen, and you're tired of flashy branded packaging, Ayten suggests transferring pantry items into labeled glass containers. This will keep everything organized and easy to find, and add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.