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Monday, March 26, 2012

81

Spring into Organization: My Favorite Organized Spaces

This is going to be a super inspirational and FUN week!  Why you ask?  Because I am participating with a great group of bloggers to share our favorite "Organized" spaces in our homes!  That's right, you get an Organized Parade of Homes this week, and participating in the fun are the following friends:

Anna from Ask Anna
DaNita from Delightful Order
Becky from Clean Mama

Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post.  We are giving away two Clutter Rehab books by Org Junkie's Laura Wittmann!

To go to the first home in the tour, hop on over to Becky's blog here, I am home number 2 in the home parade!


Today, I get to show you a couple of my most favorite spaces, and that is my laundry room and my playroom!  If you are new to IHeart Organizing, welcome and have fun checking out my spaces.  If you have already "seen" it all, I have a special surprise ending!



I can't express how much I LOVE LOVE our laundry room.  Nope, I don't really love to do laundry, but I do love to be in that space.  Even without any natural light, it still feels colorful and bright and I have organized every square inch!

Here are a couple of things that have helped us out in the space...

We have added a boatload of storage through an Expedit bookcase and miscellaneous storage baskets.



The baskets hold everything from light bulbs to vacuum attachments to our excess cleaning and paper products. 

Floating shelves keep everyday laundry essentials right within reach:.


I stash our paint supplies in the baskets above and keep our small things in those green media boxes.  The laundry tub is where I toss our delicate wash items.

Detergents and fabric softeners are hanging out to the left in a pretty wire wall basket:


And a framed stain removal chart helps us out in a pinch!


Another wall organizer holds our ironing items:


While even more storage holds all of our lower level linens:


When it comes to sorting, we try to keep things simple with some labeled canvas sorters:


I am such a believer in loving your spaces, especially those that require you to do a little labor!

Now, on to a room where little work is involved.  In fact, it's where we get our playing on!



Our playroom is actually a GIANT work in progress and a mix and match of leftover and thrifted furniture, but it doesn't really seem to matter much what we put in it, it's just a happy place.  Our kids are growing and finally past a lot of those random little kidlet toys and more into wooden trains, blocks and Legos, lincoln logs and games galore.  If I could offer any one toy storage tip it would be this:

Pick a few select favorite "types" or sets of toys and around the holidays, ask for those to be expanded upon vs. adding many new kinds.  I found the more miscellaneous types of toys that we had to store, the more clutter we seemed to have.  Once I streamlined things and bit and the more their wooden track sets and Lego sets began to expand, the more they wanted to keep playing with those same toys and the more they could do with those sets.  Not to mention it became easier for me to containerize and categorize and simplify what we store.

We used some ReStore cabinet doors and created a place for them to display their art and creativity:


Since the boys have Lego sets that have been passed down from dad and have also been accumulating for the last 5+ years, some special storage was dedicated to their favorite activity:



To give the boys a place to draw, play and build, a thrifted coffee table was given a fresh coat of paint along with a chalkboard top:



The entertainment center was a Craigslist find and holds boatloads of games on the open shelves and toys in the cabinets below:


The playroom gets love on a daily basis, and is simple enough that it's easy to pick up and maintain.  But I have some MAJOR plans for this space and now for the secret surprise!

We have begun making plans to update the playroom with a few new colors, additional storage for a couple of toy sets being stored under our stairs, bringing in some artwork and even swapping out the light fixture!  All simple and inexpensive things that will give the most loved room in our home the finishing touches it deserves!

The first project involved $25 worth of paint that made all the difference in the room already....  Check out the entertainment center!


Stay tuned, this week I will share more playroom projects and details!

Thanks so much for stopping by today to take a peek at my favorite spaces!  The next home on the tour is the super fabulous Anna {author of Ask Anna}.  Her organized kitchen feature can be found here!


Don't forget that this Friday there will be a link party so you can share your favorite organized space {or spaces!} and I can't wait check them out!


Now, on to the giveaway!



a Rafflecopter giveaway




Have a great week everyone and enjoy!



81 comments:

  1. I love your organized spaces, the colors that you use are so pretty. I really like what you did with your laundry room. You are an inspiration

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  2. Lovely and so big inspiration... Me too I have too start woth spring "tour". Have a nice day. Xoxo V.V.

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  3. Oh your laundry room is so ORGANIZED which is probably why you're showing it today. LOL! And I love the idea of taking an old coffee table and making it into a play table with chalkboard paint.
    Have a great day.
    Kim

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  4. I am so jealous of that laundry room! I love the chalk table in the playroom too.

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  5. Amazing, as always, Jen! It's going to be a fun week!

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  6. Love it!! Where did you get that run in the laundry room, it's amazing!!

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    1. Hi Cindy,
      The laundry room rug is from Urban Outfitters: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18491175&color=000&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=A_FURN_RUGS

      ♥ Emily

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    2. Love the laundry room and the Lego storage!!! Where did you find the lego storage? We have legos everywhere!!!

      Michele Beggs

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  7. Sorry, apparently I can't spell. I meant to say rug not run. ;)

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  8. Great job on the entertainment center! I LOVE the blue accents!!

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  9. I have a quick question for you. How and where do you store things like bug spray, sunblock, etc.? Do you store them together or separately? I am tackling my laundry room right now and feel like I have a huge collection of odds and ends that don't really have a home of their own.

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    1. Hi Margot!

      I keep those items together in a bin in the laundry room linen closet during the winter and during the summer, they end up in a caddy that typically lives on our kitchen counter and goes in and out of the screen door {since our laundry room is so far away from our backyard}. I also keep a spare set in a "beach" bin that we grab and go with frequently in the summer.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  10. I love the blue in your entertainment center redo! Your organizing skills are a constant source of inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing your spaces!

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  11. I love both of your rooms. My favorite thing in the laundry room is the bookcase storage and in the playroom is the Lego storage. What a fun week!

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  12. Is that bottled water to refill your iron??? Brilliant! :)

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  13. First off, I LOVE your blog!!! It inspires me to organize my house in a different way!!! What did you do to the entertainment center before you painted it? We have a piece of furniture that I would love to paint, just not sure how to prep the wood. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jallen!

      I made sure to take a bunch of pictures as I went through the process so I could finally share a how to on the blog, so stay tuned! :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  14. LOVE this post Jen! So fun to see so many organized spaces! I just posted about my organized bathroom drawers. I think it's a post you'll appreciate. :)

    http://www.thesunnysideupblog.com/2012/03/organized-bathroom-drawers.html

    This organized home tour will be so much fun!! Thanks again for your great blog. Puts a smile on my face every day!

    Happy Monday!

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  15. Awesome as always! What is the source for the stain removal chart? I've looked at a few but I like the format of that one better.

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    1. Hi Jesse!

      I found it on Martha Stewart's website. Here is a link: http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  16. Ditto on the stain removal chart. Where can we get a copy of it? Thanks! Love the laundry room!

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    1. I found it on Martha Stewart's website. Here is a link: http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    2. Thank you so much! I have a laundry room closet that is in dire need of help. Perhaps if I sent you a photo you could suggest ideas of how to improve it and I could send you before and after photos to use on your blog. Let me know if you are game. :) Love your website!!!!

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  17. Your laundry room is a dream! Love the entertainment stand. Can't wait to see the updated playroom!

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  18. LOVE the repurposed coffe table in the playroom. What a great idea!

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  19. This is GREAT! Not only do I heart your blog, but I have now been introduced to a bunch of other ladies that will hopefully inspire me to organize! Thank you!

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  20. Where are the wire baskets from on your Expedit shelf and the big wicker basket in that same picture?

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    Replies
    1. Hello!

      The wire baskets were from HomeDecorators.com but have since been discontinued. The wicker basket was a Target find: http://www.target.com/p/Target-Home-Alicia-Round-Storage-Basket/-/A-13531038?ref=tgt_adv_xasd0001&AFID=Performics_Skimlinks&LNM=Primary

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  21. I love your laundry room so much!
    Hey--I'm trying to enter and rafflecopter won't work for me. I know I'm signed up and doing it right because I've used it on other blogs today. Any idea what's up? Might just be my wonky computer...

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  22. iheartyourblog! the end. oh and pretty much pin EVERYTHING on here. it rocks my world.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks friend! You are so kind and totally just made my day! <3

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  23. Thanks for the tour, very inspiring!

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  24. are you willing to share your laundry stain removal cheat sheet?

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    Replies
    1. sorry, just saw your reply to another comment. thanks!!

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  25. I love the new space already! But I was wondering about the new entertainment center- Does the TV fit? It look like its bulging out a little bit.

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    Replies
    1. It does fit - we just didn't have it all set up and pushed in and plugged in yet. :)

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  26. Every single picture is like eye candy!!! seriously...amazing!

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  27. I LOVE this space - it's a great way to show how important it is to enjoy all of your home & make it a place you want to be!

    Thanks for sharing ~ can't wait to see the other spaces, too!!

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  28. Pretty and practical - love it! Jen, where did you get the slipcovers for the club chairs in your play room? I've been looking for some. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kim!

      They were from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70071720/

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  29. Where did you find the rug in the laundry room?

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    1. Hello!

      The rug is from Urban Outfitters: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18491175

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  30. I love the chalk board paint on the table top and the lego organization! Brilliant!

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    1. I totally agree with Michelle!!! So doing that!!! Keep up the great inspiration!

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  31. I love the display of the kids' art work in your playroom and the entertainment center looks great!

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  32. Three things:

    1. I can NOT believe I never thought to keep a bottle of water next to iron for refills. I LOVE it! Thank you for bringing such a brilliant and simple idea to my attention.

    2. The boxes on tops of the washer and dryer to hold all the little laundry essentials is awesome! Walmart is literally 5 minutes from my house (and Target is 7 minutes. I have timed these. HAHA!!!) and I will be looking for something similar to these for my washer and dryer

    3. That entertainment center looks AMAZING!!! You did such a great job on it and it looks so much better (not that it wasn't great before).

    As always Jen, you have done a FABULOUS job and everything looks great!

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    Replies
    1. It makes me so happy to know that you found an idea {or two} to help you out! That's what it is all about, and totally makes me smile!

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  33. Hi Jen! Thanks again for opening your home to share your wonderful organizing ideas & inspire all of us to do the same for our homes! I tried entering the contest, but I don't tweet- so can I Facebook it? Also, I couldn't find the "pin it" button anywhere on the blog article...did I miss it? Love, HEart & Blessings, The Head Cuckoo- & your newest fan! :)

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  34. Just a quick question but you do so much with paint, do you use a sprayer or do you brush and roll it all?
    I'm waiting in anticipation for the new playroom space!!

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    Replies
    1. Hello! I brush and roll it ALL! :) I am going to do a couple of posts on that subject this week so stay tuned!

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  35. Jen,
    Your spaces are truly amazing! Enjoyed your post.
    DaNita

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  36. That rug makes all the difference and totally jazzes up the laundry room. Love it!

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  37. I always know if I pop onto this blog I will be inspired to start organizing. Mission accomplished today!

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  38. Your laundry room is glorious! We love those IKEA Expedits around here & have used several in different sizes throughout our home. I do have one of the teensy little pass-thru laundry rooms, but I'm still trying to make it look prettier so it's more fun to be in there. Thanks for some great ideas!
    CAS

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  39. I love all your spaces, but its so nice to see a playroom that functions so well for older kids. My boys are 6 and 4, and our playroom is still in the "toddler" years. I am planning on updating it and getting rid of all the things geared for babies, but unsure of how to keep it practical and fun for the stage they're at now. Thanks, yet again!, for the inspiration!

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  40. I'm in LOVE with what you have done with your space! The way you have re organized every is so functional! I also love your laundry room, the little things (like the stain chart) reallllly bring it together! I'll be saving your post for my own decorating inspiration. Thanks! -Kate

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  41. I absolutely love your laundry room! You've totally inspired me!

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  42. Not another reminder of how envious I am of your laundry room. It sends me off into a day dream every time I see it. So very pretty! It's even in my colours too. Would it be bad to turn a bedroom into a laundry room?

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    1. Clair when you end up doing it be sure to have Jen post pictures of the old laundry room that is now your bedroom :)

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  43. Wow! I would love to let you loose in me house :) You sure rock at organizing!

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  44. Where did you get the "wire wall basket" with the cleaning supplies on your laundry room wall?

    (I hope it's not discontinued, too!)

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    1. The wall basket is from Willow House - you can find my consultants facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pkjolly2

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  45. What great organizing ideas! Thank you! In browsing your post, I fell in love with the playroom wall color. It is just the color for my daughter's new bedroom walls. Would you happen to know the details? What brand of paint and the color? Thanks!

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  46. I missed the home tour?! My head has been down working with clients these last few weeks. I love your organized spaces, esp the playroom. Just beautiful!!!

    xo
    cbp

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  47. I love your laundry room. When I buy my own place I am really going to look at the spaces I HAVE to spend time in and make them as lovely as possible.... I would want to do laundry every day if I had somewhere gorgeous to do it!

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  48. Where did you get that darling "lace" storage bin that is above your lego storage in the playroom? So cute.

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  49. Hi Jen!
    I am just now getting on the bus and touring everyone's homes!
    I have gotten SO many ideas from your laundry room!
    My favorite brilliant idea: a water bottle next to the iron!
    I no longer have little kids that play with lots of toys, but I'd love to come to your house and play in their Playroom!
    It's beautiful and fun!
    It's been so wonderful to get to see your home and heart through this tour!
    Happy Homemaking!
    Love, Leslie

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  50. Ooo Great job! Love those canvas sorters!

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  51. I love the rug in your laundry room, I want the same one for ours, do you remember where you got it?

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  52. The storage bins are awesome! I really need to get more of them in my house.

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  53. Do you know if the Expedit pieces can be painted? We have the natural color and I'd like to paint ours with a bright color for our playroom.

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    1. Oooh, I think you could!

      Because they are a laminate finish, you would have to find a good tutorial like this one: http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/04/go-right-ahead-and-paint-that-laminate/

      And I would let it cure for a bit before using it since it will most likely be a high traffic piece. But I LOVE the idea!

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  54. Love your spaces! So pretty, all of it...
    What is the color you used in the playroom? It's a great grey/blue. Perfect for a little girl's room!
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Monnie!

      It's Behr's Prelude.
      It would be pretty in a girl's bedroom! It is soothing!

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  55. Can you tell me where you purchased your dining room furniture. Your design is gorgeous!! Thanks!

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  56. Immaculate. Thank you

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  57. I love all of your spaces, Jen, but I think my favourite would have to be your playroom. The table is my favourite part. So creative! My kids are getting some chalkboard paint on their table now, what a great idea!

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  58. You're amazing!!! In the playroom tour I thought "aw what a shame, everything was perfect until the non-updated entertainment center... all it needs is white paint!"... thennnn you did it! Haha awesome. I'll be using these ideas: display clothes pins, use painted clothes pins to attach a non- permanent label to a storage bin, display art on old cabinet doors and the chalk board paint on a table top!
    Thanks :0)
    P

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