Teenaged Girl's Bedroom in Scandinavian Design

It has been several months since we redesigned my teenaged daughter's bedroom for her birthday, but I wanted to share how lovely it turned out. It's difficult to get into her room and photograph these days, as she is now homeschooled and spends an enormous amount of time in her room, and more specifically on her bed! If you've been following me for any time now, you may remember that we re-did her bedroom a few years ago! She is now a full fledge teenager and has very specific design ideas and so for her 14th birthday, I told her we could redecorate her room. It has been FIVE years and she's a lot different at 14 then she was at 9 years old! Here is what her room looked like before:

How Decluttering Can Pay Off, Literally!

Lately, I have been hit by the decluttering bug. And by hit, I mean HIT hard. I am pretty good about decluttering, honestly, but about once or twice a year I just start to go a little nuts around the house. Just ask my husband! What I do is I imagine that we are going to be moving across the country! I give myself a deadline - say 2 months - and I start going room by room through every closet, cupboard and shelf! I think about whether I've used the item in the last six months, or even a year. Why am I keeping it? 

Mom and Daughter Tiny House Adventure

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Tiny House? Maybe you are like my daughter and I, watching all the Tiny House shows that are on right now and thinking "how could people possibly live in those?" Well, I definitely wondered how that would feel to live in one of those tiny houses and NOW I can say I have lived in one! Let me share how...

SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE Organizing Clipboards

There are many times that organizing ideas just happen, and this is one of those times! I wanted something to hang up the schedules for each of my kids' activities but I didn't really want it out in the open. I've done file folder and they do fine, but I changed thing around since re-doing my command center recently and wanted to keep those papers close by me in my home office. 

AMAZING Wall Treatment and Command Center Update

This post is sponsored by the Formica® Corporation. All opinions are my own.

Last time I shared with you how I was getting that organizing itch again! Remember that? Well, I've been doing a LOT of fun projects in our home because I just love organizing and decorating! Our command center area had been working well for a while, but then it stopped really working and we needed to update it! I have the big reveal of what we did - and it's AMAZING!

Updated Master Bedroom Wallpaper

I was given products from Sherwin-Williams and Walls Republic to complete this project! 

It's the season of projects for me now, at least I've got that drive to get lots done right now. I doubt I'll ever be done with projects around my house and something will always need updating, but I just love doing new things and having projects to do! Our master bedroom hadn't been painted in nearly 8 or 9 years - and that's a long time for me. Add to that, I wanted something to sort of pop in there and make it change. I updated our bedroom a few years ago but wanted something more. It looked nice, but it really needed new paint since the walls had faded a lot. 

I decided that I would take my wallpaper obsession to another level and again get some wallpaper up behind the bed. I had previously had a darker blue-ish paint color and wanted to update with gray. I also had put these decals on behind our bed and they were starting to pop off! 

New York City - Organized!

We had such an amazing month of May and had the privilege to travel quite a bit, including a trip to New York City! I have always wanted to go there - I'm a true city girl and love to visit the hustle and bustle of cities like that. My husband has a particular conference that I travel with him each year where the location changes each year, too. This year it was in New York City - so I was very excited to get an opportunity to see NYC. The best part, now that my daughter is homeschooling online, is that she got to go with us! We got to see SO much of NYC and do so much! But, I wanted to share some tips that we used to keep organized and see as much of NYC as you can while visiting, for your future trip!

Organizing Those Awkward Small Spaces in an RV + Giveaway

I was give product and compensated by

Tidy Living to share my awesome organizing experience. 

We have been vacationing again in our RV/motor home {have you seen our incredible made over RV?}, and  I can't wait to show you some great ideas for small space organizing in THERE, but also in your own small space at home that you can get ideas for! PLUS, I've got an amazing giveaway that YOU can enter to organize your own space! 

The Organizing Itch

This post was sponsored by Formica Corporation

I've got that organizing itch again and so I've been busy trying to work out a few areas in my home to fine tune and get re-organized. I've noticed, and I'm sure you have to, that many of the areas around my home need an organizing update - kinda like my schedule as the kids get older and more independent. I no longer need the big command center area that I once did, but I still need that entry dresser and I wanted to make the space even more functional for our lives now.

I decided that things weren't looking so well and my friends at Formica Corporation told me about a few amazing new products that they wanted to show you, in a normal, everyday environment like mine! So, I agreed - let's do this!

First, I needed to figure out what was the problem because lately our command center area was piling up with more and more stuff. So, I went through and cleared out the clutter on the top of the dresser and got rid of a lot of unnecessary stuff. 

Second, I went through the dresser and determined that I had too much in there, also - surprise! It didn't take me very long to do this process, maybe 20 minutes.

Third, I decided to make this area function a little differently. Instead of having so much stuff on the wall, I wanted something functional yet pretty! This is where I decided that using the Formica® Writable Surfaces came in! I decided that using these surfaces both on top of the dresser and also writeable panels for the wall treatment would be exactly what would work for this area! Formica® Writable Surfaces come in six colors and designs, giving you the opportunity to make lists, jot down inspirational quotes or even doodle. These surfaces, like all Formica® Brand products, are budget-friendly and durable.

 

Now, I can't wait to show you the surfaces I chose and how the project came together....but, you'll have to wait just a little longer before it's ready!

 

  Want to know where I got that product?

 Go HERE and find it!

**I have a few affiliate links in this post - this does not mean you pay a dime more for the product when you purchase through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find what you might like, so I make a few cents if you purchase. I SO SO SO appreciate when you support Organizing Made Fun. Thank you!!**  Like what you see here? Consider becoming a follower or subscribe via email! 

Connect with me:

 

Step 4 - Find a Faithful Friend: The Mom's Guide to Getting Your House Organized and Clutter Free

Last week, I shared the third step of getting your home organized and clutter free, which was letting go of clutter. You might be thinking, "letting go of clutter might be easy for some, but not me." I'm here to tell you that if you struggle with hoarding and/or are a clutter bug, I've got the fourth step directed especially for you. Find a faithful {organized} friend. Yes, this is very important. You need to find a friend {or if you really can't, hire a professional organizer} to come and help you to let go of clutter.

Look at your home with fresh eyes this week - WALK THROUGH your whole home and start looking at the piles of things everywhere. Actually look at it - pretend you are a visitor in your own home. Are you horrified? Or is it pretty good? Look around carefully. 

Step 3 - Let Go of Clutter: The Mom's Guide to Getting Your House Organized and Clutter Free

Today is the day. Are you ready to start looking at things differently? In the Mom's guide to getting your house organized and clutter free, we started by simply getting into the habit of sitting down each evening and planning out our schedule and routine each week. Second, we started meal planning. Those two things are vital habits to form in your home in order to get your whole life/home organized and clutter free. And, did you start these habits? How are you feeling about them? Is it making a difference?  Today, I want you to start looking at your stuff differently.

Step 2 - Meal Planning: The Mom's Guide to Getting Your House Organized and Clutter Free

This week, we're going to explore the next step to getting your house organized and clutter - and becoming more of a home and your life much calmer. Meal Planning.

Meal Planning is truly vital for us Moms, it's the second step to helping you get your home organized and clutter free! Like step one, getting into the habit of doing this on a regular basis will help you the most. You need to decide how often you want to meal plan and how often you need to grocery shop. I have a weekly plan, since we have two teenagers and need food often! Let me help you with this simple weekly step:

Step 1 - Calendar: The Moms' Guide to Getting Your House Organized and Clutter Free

Last week I told you that I am going to get you ready for the new year and coach you to get organized and clutter free. I've got everything a mom could want to know to get your house and life organized. This week we're going to start working on just life in general. You have to decide what kind of calendar person/family you are going to be. For me, I'm all digital {paperless} but I have a large family calendar, too. For you, it might be that you've tried several different ways and you've been unsuccessful, but until you make it a habit EVERY SINGLE NIGHT to sit down and work through what your day will need to basically look like the following day, or weekly sit down and plan out meals and family business, you aren't going to be able to even attempt to keep your house clutter free or organized. 

The Moms' Guide to Getting Your House Organized and Clutter Free

Today is the day! This year is YOUR year! You can get your house decluttered and organized - I'm here to coach you through it! We're going to answer all your questions and excuses for not doing it. Are you ready?

First, let me say, if you don't really want to be organized or clutter free, you won't. It's like trying to make someone lose weight that doesn't want to. It's not going to happen. You have to WANT to make changes. You have to WANT to get organized. You have to WANT to get rid of the clutter. 

Second, this is not a challenge. I know there are lots of "challenges" to get organized in so many days, but I'm not necessarily a big believer in these for everyone. It probably works for some, but my goal is to help you develop solid, long-lasting habits that will help you to stay clutter free and organized. So, if you're looking for a challenge, this isn't it. 

Third, start thinking about what you want for your home. I am adamantly anti-perfectionism. If you are a perfectionist, you absolutely have to give up that thinking - imperfect organization. That's a big topic I'll be talking about throughout this journey and series. 

What area of your life do you need to organize? Your schedule, your kitchen, your whole house, your whole life? Share this with your friends and tell them where you hope to get organized this year!

 

  Want to know where I got that product?

 Go HERE and find it!

**I have a few affiliate links in this post - this does not mean you pay a dime more for the product when you purchase through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find what you might like, so I make a few cents if you purchase. I SO SO SO appreciate when you support Organizing Made Fun. Thank you!!**  Like what you see here? Consider becoming a follower or subscribe via email! 

Connect with me:

6 Ways to Conquer Letting Go of Meaningful Things

“But,  What If I need It Someday?”

This is a common thought we have when we want to declutter and get organized.  I would bet that if you have a small (or large) problem in your home with clutter that you (or someone in your home) has used that phrase once or twice. This thought can sometimes even paralyze our ability to get rid of anything.   

My grandmother was born to a poor family in 1930 and spent her childhood playing with bits and pieces of scraps and junk in the yard rather than the playhouses, swing-sets and electric ride-on cars that her great grandchildren enjoy. Unlike many of her generation, who struggle with hoarding, she kept an immaculate home all of her life.  

The Best Thing About Reusable Bags + Giveaway

I have been given compensation from Full Circle Home to express my 

opinions on their product and share with you. All opinions are my own. 

Over the years I have become more and more of a conscious Mama, who is focused on a natural, organic lifestyle, the more I learn about the things that are in our food, our health, and environment. So, to say that I want to have environmentally conscious products, describes me completely! One of my newest favorite companies is Full Circle Home - a company dedicated to earth friendly, non-toxic products. This is something I can get on board with! 

Today I wanted to share a new product that I've been using and offer it as a giveaway to you - reusable bags. It's one of the products I've been searching for a long time to find that really works, can be washed in the dishwasher, and is truly leak proof. I found it - AND I get to give them away to one of my readers! Please read on to find out more...

I Hate Packing and 10 Reasons I'm Learning to Like it Again!

I was given compensation from EzPacking to share with you my experience with their amazing product that will make you a much happier packer, too! Plus, I've got a great coupon code for OMF readers...so read on!

If there ever was something I'm happy to share with you, it's that I hate packing. I'm not exactly sure what makes it so awful - perhaps it's the idea that I can't fit everything in that I want or the not knowing what to wear or maybe just the having to put outfits together and not knowing what "mood" I'll be in when I get there. Do you feel my pain? Maybe not, but packing is just one of those dreaded things for me. Funny thing is, my husband can pack in like 5 minutes - well, he actually likes ME to do his packing but he can pick out all his clothes in 5 minutes. Anyway, I digress...

How to Organize Kitchen Cupboards

If you want to get some more great ideas with organizing your kitchen, I've got them! Last week I shared my new kitchen and how I organized all the drawers in there! Today I'm sharing the rest of the cupboards in the kitchen! There's so many great ideas I'm going to give you about organizing them, so be sure to share this and pin all your favorites!

Where to Get Those Kitchen Products and Appliances

With all that has gone on in the past months with our kitchen, I wanted to share some of the amazing products that I used and recommend for you to use also, should you decide to re-do a kitchen, update a bath, or just pin a few of your favorites. 

I work with a lot of great companies and I was able to reach out to a few of them that I have worked with in the past to provide me with a few things for my kitchen. Other things are just fun finds that I found on my own and want to share my opinion about how it works and whether or not it was worth the money to purchase that products. So, I'm going to go through everything and hopefully answer all your questions about them.

The New Kitchen: Organizing the Drawers

This new kitchen is truly AMAZING! Having someone take what was in my head and design it on paper, then to have it actually in my home, is just an amazing feeling! I can't wait to show you all the organization that I've done in the new kitchen, so today I'm going to share all the organizing in the drawers! There is so much organizing that it's going to take multiple posts to share it all - there is just THAT much awesomeness! Are you ready to PIN some great organizing ideas? 

To begin with, my dream was to have as many drawers as possible in the new kitchen. I wish I could have had many more than I have - I would have liked two big drawers under my cooktop but I had to sacrifice those drawers in order to have the downdraft exhaust fan - since that exhaust fan takes up a big chunk of space under the cooktop, so no room for drawers. I also would have loved it under the sink, but being that I wanted to have actual plumbing it's nearly impossible to have drawers there, also! I have drawers all over the place, though!  In my opinion, drawers are much better for organizing things than a big, open space. So, I'm going to start with my coffee/wine bar drawers in the dining area of the kitchen, because I just want to start over there and bring you around the kitchen.