We are (and should) becoming less reliant on piles of papers and file cabinets. Our computers are shrinking. So, while I love those fabulous old lawyer's desks (bigger than the average dining room table), they are a tad impractical for most people, especially apartment dwellers. Here are five compact and space-saving desks and workspaces. Not only do they leave a minimal footprint, many of these can be shut up and tucked away when you want to escape from the seductive come-hither of your computer screen. And nothing makes a room look messier than a stack of bills on a messy desk.

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We love to organize children's books using front-facing shelves. It makes for easy recognition for kids, plus the book covers become a design element themselves. But there is one drawback to this method. More

Most of us have a set of shelves that are decidedly more functional than they are fashionable. This shabby set survived the move into our new house and managed to look even shabbier sitting on our brand new tile floor and adjacent to a freshly painted wall. It only took me three years but it finally got a makeover more befitting its new station in life. More

Over on Ikea's inspiration blog, Livet Hemma, their Nasum baskets get turned on their sides and stacked together to make easy storage with a rustic-bohemian vibe. More

Sometimes on the road, it's easy to accidentally come across some wonderfully unusual things. During a recent weekend trip from Buenos Aries to Colonia Del Sacramento, we took a short tour outside of the historic town to explore the countryside of Uruguay. We came across a lush forest preserve of imported trees, a secret swimming hole and one of the most fascinating museum collections I've ever seen. More

Many of us are IKEA fans but do you ever wish there were more finishes and colors to choose from? Sure, some DIY IKEA hackmasters may be able to put orange cabinets on their Expedit shelves but for the rest of us IKEA is a universe dominated by white and birch. Until now. A new company called Panyl is giving IKEA lovers a way to personalize and customize their favorite flat-pack pieces. More

Clean and serene — those are pretty idyllic words for a bathroom. But neat and organized? That might seem a little out of reach for those of us with small spaces shared with roommates and family members. If you're looking for a little inspiration, there's nothing better than taking a cue from some of the best bathrooms from our house tours: More

Good closet space is key to living well in any size home. But just because it's behind closed doors doesn't mean you should let your closet become a mess. Maintain your sanity and maximize your storage space by keeping your closet the same as any other room in the house — neat, beautiful and organized. More

If a certain room or even all of your home is lacking in square footage, don't give up — in fact, set your sights high. I'm talking higher up and, in this case, over a doorway. More

Last week I wrote about my upcoming move. I've looked at a few places within my budget and one things for certain...I'll be downsizing. Moving into a studio doesn't bother me. In fact, I'm excited about a smaller place because it'll force me to be neat and tidy.

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