29 Secrets to a Simpler Life (That You Can Actually Afford!)

Closet coach Alexandra Ryan and interior designer Lara Friedman overhaul four disheveled spaces and prove that with a little pluck, even chaos can become picture-perfect.

(Photographs by Dave Henderson)

BEDROOM CLOSET

Problem

This master bedroom closet is home to all of the owner's clothes and shoes and is bursting at the seams. She hasn't pruned her wardrobe in ages, shoes are thrown haphazardly on the floor, and shirts are stacked too high and are out of reach. "A disorganized closet affects personal style and budget," Alexandra Ryan says. "If you are unable to see your clothes, you forget about them. You might feel like you have nothing to wear, or, worse, waste money on things you don't need."

Solution

* Remove everything from your closet. Paint the interior a color that makes you happy. Getting dressed should be joyful.
* Now that everything is out, separate it into piles by clothing type. Toss wire hangers, rip plastic off dry-cleaning.
* Throw away items that are damaged beyond repair, and donate items that don't fi t or you haven't worn in more than a year.
* If you are having trouble parting with a certain item, remove it from your closet and put it in a storage bin, like those shown at the top of the closet, from The Container Store.
* Invest in new ultra-slim hangers covered in a nonstick velvet that help keep your clothes in place and that increase your closet real estate. Organize clothing by color and category.
* T-shirts and workout clothes should be folded neatly and stored on shelves in small piles, organized by color and type of item. Our team outfitted the closet with see-through boxes for a crisp, neat look.
* Do not pile shoes on the floor. Invest in clear shoe boxes so you can see what you have and keep them orderly.

HOME OFFICE

Problem

Bills are paid and iPods charged, but often papers overrun the desk, along with wires and computer equipment, leaving hardly any surface on which to work. "Manage your office," advises Ryan. "Don't let your office manage you."

Solution

* Be realistic about just how many rubber bands and binder clips you need.
* Invest in a desktop home for supplies, like the multifunctional piece shown here.
* Use masking tape or a label maker to label each cable and cord, and gather and attach them to the underside of your desk.
* Store papers in a document box - one drawer for bills, another for papers that need fi ling.
* Hang a bulletin or magnet board for urgent items, so you can see and attend to them. Use a dry-erase or chalkboard to maintain your to-do list.
* Choose accessories that reflect your style (bright resin accessories for creative types; leather ones for the business-minded).
* Supplies that coordinate with your colors will make your work space seem less busy; most items shown here are from Pottery Barn.
* Paint your backdrop wall a bright color for some pop, especially if yours is a small space.

MUDROOM

Problem

A catchall for junk - recycling bins, sports gear, a stepladder and keys. Things are jammed onto the top shelf or piled on the floor. "Make sure you have the furnishings and accessories you need to make a space work for you," says Lara Friedman.

Solution

* A mudroom is valuable real estate. Paint it a fun color, like retro lime from Babel's in Needham, and add accessories that are both useful and imaginative, so it will be a distinct room.
* Easy access to outerwear is essential. Add a fun hook for each member of the family.
* Invest in a bench with an upholstered seat in a durable, patterned fabric (to hide dirt). Here, our makeover team used ottomans from Target that double as storage cubes.
* Label containers so everyone knows what's in them. Organize off -season items in brightly colored fabric bins.
* Open storage makes it easy to park baseballs, caps, and lunchboxes.
* Hang a dry-erase or chalkboard for family reminders.
* Designate hooks or a specific basket for keys. Deposit your keys in the same place every time.
* Swap out a busy printed curtain for a calmer one to make a space feel harmonious.

LAUNDRY ROOM

Problem

The shelves hold a mishmash of household goods. Some oft-used items are nearly impossible to access, while others tip over. "Just because it's a utilitarian space doesn't mean you shouldn't add aesthetic touches," says Friedman.

Solution

* Install several shelves, and store all laundry-related items in the space. For example, keep your sewing kit stored here so you can easily mend a hem or sew on a button.
* Invest in pretty bins for a neat and organized look. Here, they used lined wicker baskets from Target that match the laundry basket. This also makes the space more functional. Now you can pull out a basket to easily access items without disturbing its neighbors.
* Group supplies according to use. Place detergent, dryer sheets, and stain remover together in one basket, sunscreens in another.
* Hang the ironing board on a hook.
* Lay a rug in front of the machines (no reason for your feet to freeze!), and if there's a window, hang a treatment in a coordinating pattern and color.
* Consider adding cheerful artwork or family photos in nice frames. After all, you probably spend a bit of time here.

Organization
ALEXANDRA RYAN
ShowMeStyle, 617-459-3927, showmestyle.net

Design
LARA FRIEDMAN
Lara Friedman Design, 774-571-7556, larafriedmandesign.com