It’s gotten so difficult to shop for significant others in recent years that many households are skipping gifts altogether. Call us old-fashioned, but we still love receiving something special during the holidays. Even better, we have some great ideas for how you can surprise that special someone in your life.

Instead of racking your brain trying to think of the perfect gift for your partner, you should seriously consider giving them somewhere to put all those incredible gifts!

We’re talking about upgrading your storage space for the holidays with a new closet, pantry, or organizational system to bring peace on Earth to your home — and your relationship!

Find out how you can win this holiday season by giving the gift of organization!

Give Them the Closet They’ve Always Dreamed Of

It’s been reported that people will give up some wild things to have more space in their closets. Thankfully, you don’t have to make any drastic sacrifices to upgrade your closet with Closets by Design.

Even without a full closet remodel, there are all kinds of changes you can make that can maximize your space to make your closet seem bigger and more efficient.

Not only do people want more space in their closet, couples also fight about sharing closet space. A custom closet system could be just the thing to give your partner the space they deserve. It might even improve your relationship!

It has been shown that a tidier home leads to a happier relationship. Maybe some organization is just the spark your relationship needs. See how you can upgrade your closet this holiday season to give your partner a surprise that keeps on giving.

Install the Perfect Pantry for the Foodie in Your Life

If you or your partner love cooking, baking, or just eating, then you’ve probably given plenty of kitchen gadgets and cookbooks as gifts. These can be thoughtful, but what if you already have a stand mixer with too many attachments?

Instead of adding more clutter to the kitchen, you could find a way for your partner to store and organize all their stuff! If there’s one thing that foodies love, it’s an organized kitchen with everything at arm’s reach. The same goes for your pantry.

Consider adding custom shelving solutions to your pantry to find the perfect place for ingredients, spices, and more. Improving your pantry and kitchen storage is a terrific way to make this room one of the coziest and well-organized rooms in your house. That’s not to mention finding a place to put all those holiday sweets and treats!

A Place to Put Those Special Holiday Bottles

If the market trends are to be believed, then there’s a good chance that many people may be giving out a different kind of holiday cheer for gifts this year. Alcohol sales are up more than 25 percent, and sales traditionally double during the holidays. With so much cheer flowing around the table, where are you going to keep it all?

Even the nicest and most well-meaning bottles take up space on the shelf. If you plan on saving some of the nicer bottles from friends and family, then you’re going to need a place to store them.

If it’s a particularly rare or valuable bottle, you may want to show it off in a special light. Installing a custom wine rack and organization system is a wonderful way to store your wine. It also lets you add much-needed organization to show off that special bottle for your holiday feast.

Schedule Your Consultation to Make Your Season Bright!

Do you have a special someone in your life that could use a new closet? Give them the gift of organization to simplify their life during a stressful time and help them go into the new year with style!

Schedule your free consultation today and learn how you can give a gift that will keep on giving long after the holidays are done.

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So many decorations, so little space! If you think outside the box, then you won’t need to store as many things inside a box! Here are some ideas to keep all your holiday trimmings under control.

Decide Before You Buy

When buying decorations, ask yourself this question: “Where am I going to put this when the holidays are over?” Decide where you will store the items before you buy them.

Sneaky Swaps

What everyday items can you make a few tweaks to and use for the next holiday? For example, instead of buying Christmas-themed pillows, cover your regular pillows with holiday slipcovers.

Be Transparent

While storage containers come in a variety of cool colors, it is best to stick with transparent containers. This way you can easily see what is inside each box without having to open them. It will save you time and a potential mess.

Name that Item

If you can’t afford to buy new see-through storage boxes, buy inexpensive label stickers to attach to your containers. Instead of simply marking a box “Christmas” include details as to what is in the box that you might want to use for other holidays, such as “tree ornaments or Christmas lights.” This way, the next time you go to decorate, you’ll be able to easily see what items you are looking for.

Decoration Donation

When you pull out your decorations for the season, go through them and get rid of what you no longer want. You can donate them to a thrift store. There’s no use continuing to store things you never use!

Other Fun Decoration Storage Ideas:

• Wrap string lights around a hanger to keep them from getting tangled.
• Hang artificial wreaths in drawstring garbage bags.
• Store fragile ornaments in plastic cups to keep them from getting crushed.
• Make use of used tissue paper from gift wrappings to wrap up decorations
• Place small ornaments in egg cartons.
• Put bead garland in a water bottle to keep it under control.
• Place wrapping paper rolls in a garment bag and hang it in a closet.

Gift of Organization

The above tips can help a bit, but to truly keep your holiday decor under control, consider giving yourself the gift of custom organization from Closets by Design – whether it’s in a closet, a garage, or a utility room. Custom shelves give you a spot to keep boxes and bins. Drawers can be ideal for small decorations. We can even customize drawers with clear drawer fronts so you can see what’s inside from the outside.

Click here to schedule your free in-home consultation. We can look at the items you want to store, talk with you about your objectives, and assess your existing space and create storage for your holiday decorations and heirlooms.

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Wondering About Wallbeds?

Wallbeds are the ultimate space savers when it comes to making room for guests. Hidden one minute and on display the next, wallbeds mean you can have your media room/office/craft room and sleep in it, too! Closets by Design’s foldaway designbed™ system allows homeowners to turn any spot in their house into a guest room. You can customize the design so that it suits the needs of your family even when visitors aren’t around. Turn a spare room into a den by wrapping a media center around a wallbed. With a couch on the other side, you’ll have a cozy spot to rest once your guests leave.

Organize Your Office Space

If you need a home office but don’t want to waste a spare room just on work, make it a multi-purpose guest room. Installing a wallbed in this space allows you to tuck away any thoughts of guests and get to work when you need to focus. Closets by Design’s designbed with desk system includes drawers, cabinets and a nightstand —which creates a sleek and organized, yet comfortable and inviting, look.

Mixing with Knick-Knacks

Another perfect purpose for a guest room can be to use it as a space to keep your collectibles. Perhaps you have trophies from your high school days, a set of porcelain dolls, or plaques that make you proud. There’s no need to hide these things in your attic, but you may not want them out in the open in your living room either. Allow your visitors to marvel at your marble figurines(or your collectibles of choice) by putting them on display in your guest room. If you have items that don’t need to be on display, but you don’t want them hiding in the faraway attic (maybe your winter coat collection), you could design a wall storage system. Closets by Design experts can create a customized wall unit that allows you to show off these items in an orderly fashion and still have room for a guest bed.

Make it Fit for Your Family

It’s easy to turn any spare room in your home into a guest room if you consider the specific needs of your family and visitors. Choose furniture that can serve a dual purpose. Grandparents with small grandchildren in the family may want to design a guest room that doubles as a nursery. Create a serene atmosphere with a comfortable daybed or fold-out couch alongside a crib with drawers. Homes with teenagers might have a game room where they hang out with their friends. So, add a media center with a wallbed and it’s instantly the perfect place for sleepovers and overnight guests.

Schedule your consultation to learn more about creating custom storage solutions in your guest rooms and Closets by Design’s other organizational systems. One of our design professionals can give you a free in-home consultation!

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And you want to enjoy the time as well, so trying for a complete home renovation is probably not the way to go. However, there are a few things you can do that will enhance the experience of being the “hostess with the mostess” without breaking the bank.

Planning Ahead

With scheduled visits you have the luxury of time to plan ahead. Map out a schedule of tasks that will bring you to the day of guest arrival without going crazy. Don’t put everything off until the last minute; do as much as you can in advance.

• Tackle any deep cleaning like a Swiffer sweep of walls to catch dust or cobwebs
• De-clutter your porch and entryway; replace any burned out lights
• Get out any holiday dishes you’ll need and have them washed and ready
• Do your holiday/seasonal decorating early and pack away the storage boxes
• Do some menu planning and be sure you stock your kitchen with what you’ll need
• Have snacks and drinks to accommodate your guests’ tastes—coffee or tea, sweetener or sugar?
• Add a night-lite or two for safe trips to the bathroom at midnight
• Inventory bed linens and towels to ensure you have enough to accommodate everyone
• Figure out sleeping arrangements if the visit requires some shifting (i.e., grandparents in the kids’ rooms, get air mattresses for the cousins)
• If you have pets, bathe them and clean their sleeping areas
• Clear your yard of any unnecessary items or dead plants
• If the season permits, clean patio furniture and have it ready for use

The more you can do in advance, the less stress you’ll have when your guests actually arrive. You want to be able to spend the time with them, not spend time continually fussing and worrying.

Creating a Gracious Guest Room

The guest room is the designated space for your visitor’s use and comfort. Making that space as inviting as possible will add to the enjoyment of their visit. Whether you have a specific guest room or a room that doubles as an office or other-use room, here are some things you can do to make the guest room (or area) comfortable and welcoming.

De-clutter the area.

• If this room is generally used as a catch-all, clear it out for the visit. If it’s a dual-purpose room, store away the everyday “stuff” that fills the space, freeing up furniture surfaces and the floor so your guest will have usable space.

Have sufficient closet and drawer space.

• Make sure there is enough closet and drawer space so your guest doesn’t have to live out of their suitcase, and show them the space that is available for their use. A dozen assorted hangers in the closet should take care of any hanging needs, and dresser drawers or closet hanging cubbies can hold folded items. Free up closet space for their empty suitcase and shoes.

Provide a seating/reading area.

• Many people travel with their laptops, notebooks or kindles, so a comfortable reading space will be appreciated. A chair, desk and a strong reading light invite leisurely relaxation for time alone or winding down before bed. You may want to place books or magazines that you know your guest will enjoy on the night stand, along with some reading glasses—just in case.

Ensure adequate lighting.

• Along with a reading lamp, a bedside table lamp that can be turned off from bed is a good idea so your guest won’t have to maneuver in the dark after turning off a light switch. A night light in the room or bathroom is helpful in unfamiliar surroundings, especially if the bathroom is down the hall. Supplement natural light with enough lamps to brighten the room, one overhead light is usually not enough.

Use nice linens.

• To help your guests get a good night’s sleep, clean, fresh bed linens and pillows are essential. Providing both soft and firm pillows allows your guest to choose which they prefer. Make the bed up just before the visit; don’t have sheets that have been on the bed for months. Provide extra blankets for layering and a lap robe or throw to wrap up in when reading.

Have extra toiletries.

• Be sure the bathroom is stocked with extra toilet paper and tissues. You can also create a welcome basket with toiletries like shampoo, soap, new toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, shaving cream, a razor—things they might have forgotten. If they’re sharing a bathroom, this welcome basket can be in the guest room along with their towels and wash cloths so there’s no question that these items are for their use.

Additional thoughtful touches.

• Reflect on what you like in your own room, and add that little something extra to make your guest room feel like home.
  • • Holiday/seasonal decoration in the room
    • Fresh flowers
    • Scented candle
    • Alarm clock
    • Small TV, radio or CD player and selection of music
    • Standing mirror and/or makeup (magnifying) mirror

Extra special touches. Goodie basket with bottled water and favorite snacks in the room.

If you need help getting ready for the holidays, Closets by Design can help you get the most out of your space by maximizing utility and storage. Our talented designers are expert at planning dual-purpose rooms, custom closets, highly functional kitchens, pantries and utility/laundry rooms to make your life easier.

Just go online to www.closetsbydesign.com to visit our virtual showrooms, or call 1-888-500-9215 to find the designer nearest you and schedule a free, in-home consultation. Plan now to make the holidays more enjoyable and stress free for you, your family and invited (or surprise) guests.

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That’s what Jason and Melissa Lancaster of Skokie sometimes call the impulse to focus on oneself — wanting “stuff” when there are so many people in the world who need a loving home. These parents have imparted the “Me Monster lesson” to their children — four biological, one internationally adopted and one from a local foster home.

More internationally adopted children are likely on the way; the Lancaster family, now with children ranging in age from 2 to 14, will soon get larger.

“We love kids, and we love to love kids, but we often have a hard time keeping all their necessities organized,” Jason Lancaster wrote. “Soon and very soon we are going to welcome more internationally adopted children into our home. Once the paperwork clears, up to three more children will join in the fun and love. It is a blast, but it also makes for an organizational nightmare.”

That explanation was part of Lancaster’s essay submitted to Closets By Design, which offered a $25,000 “Holidays By Design” home makeover to the winner.

The Lancaster family was that winner, initially among the dozens that submitted a photo of their disorganized home and an essay making a case for the gift.

“The laundry piles are enormously high,” Jason Lancaster wrote. “It’s like climbing a mountain. And where do we put all the food?”

Jason Lancaster is a pastor at Evanston Bible Fellowship Church while Melissa is a stay-at-home mom caring for her six children and Teddy, the family’s affectionate pet.

“I thought we’d never have a dog,” Melissa said. “I swore we never would, but one of our children had sleeping issues and along came Teddy.”

Then again, Melissa also thought that she was done having kids after their four biological ones were born.

“I had given away the baby stuff, I wasn’t going to have more kids, we were not going to have dogs,” she said, smiling. “God tipped everything upside down.”

One changing factor, the Lancasters say, was learning more about international sex trafficking of children. Children in orphanages are especially vulnerable.

On a Sunday night, Jason and a friend became frustrated — tired of just sending in money to help the cause. They vowed to do more and Melissa was on board by the next morning.

Jason Lancaster notes there are 140 to 160 million orphans in the world, though not all of them adoptable.

“But many of them are,” Jason said. “We’re nobody’s hero. This is the way God was encouraging us. We just want to do what we can do.”

Along with a burgeoning family has come more clothes to wash and food to store. Jason’s essay specifically referenced the laundry/food/utility room and called that catch-all venue “one big mess.”

“My system just kind of blew up,” Melissa said. “I didn’t want to complain that I had too many kids because I wanted to be doing this. But I felt my hands were tied.”

The entire family welcomes the outside help.

“I’m really happy because our house isn’t so organized sometimes,” said Elijah Lancaster, 12, the oldest child.

Closets By Design spent three December days at the Lancaster home. By the end of the first day, the family had double the kitchen storage space. Other reorganized space included the laundry and furnace rooms, master closets, the kitchen, the foyer and more.

“We usually don’t do whole house systems,” said worker Barry Ano of Closets By Design. “It’s unique for us to be working on so much of a house.”

It’s more unique for the Lancasters. They already felt blessed, but now they are blessed in a new way.

“I never won anything before,” Jason said.

“We feel like it’s a direct gift from God to give us exactly what we need to do this and to continue to do this,” Melissa said.

by Mike Isaacs

Originally posted in the Post-Tribune | January 3, 2013

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