“Use every nook & cranny.”
“Try convertible furniture.”
“Get rid of the entertainment center.”
From influencers and bloggers to expert guests on Oprah, there are a million tips and tricks to help you maximize your space and organize each room of your JLofts residence. We’ve scoured through them all (mostly) and chosen three concepts we believe can be implemented with minimal fuss and expense.
GET TIDY
She became a household name in 2014 with the release of her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Marie Kondo is still inspiring us all to use our spaces for the items we believe have the most value. Kondo’s minimalist style approach suggests we organize our belongings by category, rather than by rooms. Here’s her six-step approach:
- Commit yourself to tidying up.
- Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
- Finish discarding first. Before getting rid of items, sincerely thank each item for serving its purpose.
- Tidy by category, not location.
- Follow the right order.
- Ask yourself if it sparks joy.
And five categories to tackle include:
- Clothes
- Books
- Papers
- Miscellaneous Items
- Sentimental Items
THE TAKEAWAY: Purge items you do not need or that do not add value to your life and organize by category. Get a little help by taking Kondo’s course on the Fundamentals of Tidying!
KEEP SHOPPING
Finding it hard to say goodbye to some of your old favorites or classic clothes? Are you addicted to fashion, style and continuing to enhance your wardrobe? You may want to consider the re-sale market.
The RealReal began in 2011 and has transformed the business of luxury resale, where expertly crafted items can change hands countless times and still retain their beauty and value. On The RealReal you can sell and purchase clothes, handbags, shoes, accessories, men’s clothing and accessories and more.
Chicago-based blogger Jessica Sturdy (Bows & Sequins) recently used The RealReal to follow the advice she often gives her own followers about keeping a clean closet and shares her experience. She said in a recent December 2023 blog, “I’m so excited to have made some extra space in my closet and to make some extra cash this holiday season, too. It’s a win-win!”
It’s not all about the goods though! It’s also about doing good. The RealReal has had a major influence on sustainability and social impact in the fashion industry, saving 73,207 metric tons of carbon and 3.9B+ liters of water saved.
Another well-known resale site is Poshmark, a social marketplace for new and secondhand style for women, men, kids, pets, home, and more. With over 80 million community members across the U.S., Canada, and Australia and 200 million items for sale you’ll be able to reorganize your own closet with new-to-you styles. Poshmark makes listing sales super easy and convenient. You snap a photo of the item for sale, complete a description, set the price, and you’re done! Poshmark also hosts parties, which are virtual buying and selling events that let you easily shop and sell by category – “Sweater Weather Posh Party”, “Posh Party LIVE: Head to Toe in Black” and “Best in Boutiques Posh Party” for a few examples.
THE TAKEAWAY: Cleaning your closet doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your passion for fashion. A resale site can help you make the most of what you have and replenish your style stock with items you actually wear now! Plus, sustainable clothing can have a profound impact on your carbon footprint.
TIPS & TOOLS
Here are a few more tips and tools to use to keep your home organized and stylized:
- Baskets have an endless amount of uses. They can be squeezed into closets or on display for all to see. Perfect for storing toys, shoes, cleaning supplies and more. They come in countless colors, shapes and sizes and can be both affordable and luxurious. Shop Wayfair for some ideas.
- Furniture can become storage. Coffee tables, ottomans, benches and beds can all feature storage components that allow you more room for blankets, toys, books and more. Shop Frontgate for ideas.
- Go vertical. Take advantage of JLofts high ceilings and install cabinets and wall shelves that allow you additional room to store anything from office supplies to kitchenware. Shop Pottery Barn for ideas.
- Keep your closet tidy with dividers. This allows you to organize by category (thank you Marie Kondo) and have dedicated spaces for handbags, hats and other accessories. Shop Modular Closets for ideas.
- Put your shoes away! Use a shoe rack to get your shoes off the floor and out of your way. Shop IKEA for ideas.
- A Label Maker makes organization personal. Use jars, folders, containers and create your storage category labels for everyone to see and hopefully use when placing things in their proper place, whether it’s the pantry, closet or desk. Shop Staples for ideas.
THE TAKEAWAY: There are many tools on the market to help you in your efforts to remain organized and maximize your space.
