Organized homes built to last
Denver Business Journal
Real Estate Section
October 28, 2005
Here’s a concept: create a design team that includes the builder, architect, designer and also a professional organizer to build efficiency into the home while it is under construction, rather than attempt to figure it out later.
Builders, designers and architects come together to build a home that is pleasing to the eye, that uses appropriate space and the finest materials that add luster to the overall look. But what about the organizational function of a home and the lifestyle of the family living in that home? The home looks great, but will it accommodate their activities, comfort zones and fast-paced daily routines?
People need their homes to function well to reflect their lifestyle and personality. That means the home needs to be well designed and well organized. This applies to all homes, especially larger high-end homes that can demand unique organizational planning.
Most families don’t feel in control of the clutter and disorder in their home. Maintaining a comfortable lifestyle has us purchasing more and more. Our homes can be full of “stuff,” but we can feel terribly empty -- overwhelmed by our environment.
ENTER THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
A local woman had built a lovely home where she lived with her family. But living there became chaotic and the house didn’t function efficiently. She now is in the process of building a new home. She called in an organizer to work with the design team.
In the current kitchen, the desk is a dumping ground, as well as the kitchen counter. The door from the garage is the family portal, generally leading directly into the kitchen. Why not create a place for those never-ending family “possessions” that enter from the garage before they reach the living spaces?
An organizer can work as part of the design team to create counters, big drawers for boots and shoes, little drawers for little stuff, hanging spaces, mail slots and wall space for family communication and schedules. Organizers can create a space for most things that do not belong in the kitchen.
The organizer evaluated her family home office. It needed to be designed as a separate space next to the kitchen, not in it. The homeowner worked with the designer and the organizer to create a space between the kitchen and the home office, a corner area to function as the phone center for the family. It was out of the kitchen, but close to it.
Next, the family room was designed to accommodate efficient growth for the family. Again, the designer, architect and organizer created an efficient space for storing the children’s toys. There is a space for arts and crafts. And the children’s play space was designed to incorporate a more formal look, so it could evolve as the children grow older.
The TV and sound system were inconspicuously, but conveniently, placed away from the entrance to the room and surrounded by drawers, shelving and cabinets to hold and hide all the accessories. This included a special place for all those wandering remote controls, warranties and instructions. Consider incorporating wireless elements into the home design to plan for future technology.
Children’s bedrooms should be designed with efficiency and flexibility in mind, to grow with the child. Keep a child’s bedroom fairly neutral with the ability to convert the walls and spaces from Winnie the Pooh to Led Zeppelin over time. Minimize built-ins to allow for movement of furniture and style. Closets should be big and flexible enough to hold pint-sized clothing as well as adult clothing later on. Sliding doors hide half of the closet contents, but bi-fold doors provide easier access.
Another organizing “must” is to have a drop-off area near the entrance to the bedroom. Install a shelf or surface for flat belongings, hooks for the hanging stuff, and cubbies or baskets for bulky stuff. Keep this area hidden from guests walking down the hall. Keep it simple and make it easy for children or teens who just don’t have the time (nor inclination) to put stuff away. The floor is not an option.
Bathrooms seem to hold more little stuff than any other room in the house. What is it with those “black holes” under the sinks? How inefficient is this use of space? The team designed pullout shelving and drawers under the sink to hold all the bottles that topple over every time you reach behind them. Lined wire baskets on runners hold loose items.
Another area of contention in bathrooms is the location and number of towel racks. You can never have too many to keep the soggy towels up off the floors. Make this routine as easy as possible for the user. Also, put a small linen closet in each bathroom to hold towels and supplies. A larger linen closet should be easily accessible, in the hall or laundry room, for all family members. Large items such as blankets, pillows and bedding should be stored there.
Efficiency in home design can benefit all families, large or small. Storage spaces, nooks and other creative tools can be used to hide and organize everyday messes. Next time you build a home, consider including an organizing consultant in your design team to improve your lifestyle, comfort zone and the systems for maintaining the environmentally friendly atmosphere that is appealing to you.