Destination Organization

With all the different sources of information and pulls on your time, maintaining basic organization can easily consume a big part of your day – and, if you’re anything like me, you still feel like you’re behind. Sure, there are a few people out there with spotless homes and alphabetized books on their shelves. If you’re one of them, this column isn’t for you (and if you are, maybe you can share your secrets). The rest of us need all the help we can get. As an interior designer, I continually look for products that can help organize yet add style to a home. Here are a stylish few that I’ve recently come across.

Pottery Barn has created a new system of organizers that are equal parts decorative and functional. Their ‘Rustic Wall Organizers’ would be a great focal point in dressing up an otherwise boring home office, kitchens, or laundry room.

Most stores supply some kind of organizational desk systems, but West Elm has a new, unique looking Lacquer collection that is very sleek and contemporary. As an extra bonus, white products add a clean look to a sometimes cluttered desk.

A great way to generate a high-end looking design for a low budget is to creatively spice up selective IKEA products. In designing one of my recent home offices, I used a basic IKEA ‘Bergsbo’ bookcase and inserted linen paper instead of the standard (and boring) laminate backing. Decorative knobs rounded out the feel of far pricier furniture.

Storage ottomans are a chic way to add extra seating as well as storage. Z-Gallerie just released an all-new Chelsea upholsterered storage cubes with nail head detailing that would be a great fit in any room.

Finally, for those with a sense of humor, Z-Gallerie also supplies a collection of hilarious folders including, "To Do", "To File", and my favorite for those procrastinators, "To Ponder" paper folders.