apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I know you say that the stuff is not the problem but I think it might be ?

i agree...the stuff is the problem.
you just need to purge. I would get rid of the plastic drawer cart, and find a smallish table that the shredder can sit under and the printer can sit on top of.
I would actually paint the desk white and line the back of the hutch with cork or fabric covered cork and then get rid of the wall board. This will be a nice bright makover that will look much cleaner. Then I would position it on the wall next to the dresser. I would put the small table with printer where desk is now....then above that, I would mount 2 or three Lack shelves in white that you can use to store books and magazine file caddies for your paperwork.
Maybe a nice clip on lamp for the desk. and a couple of accessories will be all you need.
Good luck!

you can't begin to design until you really declutter that way you know what you are dealing with. there's no way around it. plus once you've filtered out what is garage and what are keepers, this way you can start organizing and creating a workable layout.

the file folder that you are using (the white one), i've never been a big fan of those types. i like the ones that are more discreet. you can find some nice ones at target by real simple or shop on the web. i have tons of them and they do wonders. that's just one tip that i have. i love storage boxes that all coordinate and make things look simple.

It depends on what you have to store. If there is a lot paper, a file cabinet would be awesome. But if there are many books, cameras, odds and ends, a shelf would probably work better. I have desktop files like these:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=18881992&itemIndex=32&CATID=74527&PRODID=10023857

or:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=18881992&itemIndex=15&CATID=74528&PRODID=70434

that I use as files and just place on my shelf since I only really have to file bills and warranties. I'd also make sure the shelf is deep enough to fit the printer in. You could always place a floor lamp in the corner, too. My biggest advice would be to go through everything prior to purchasing! Toss what you don't need and organize your papers, books, art supplies, whatever into organized piles. Then take notes on how many bins, files, boxes, magazine holders, shelves you need. Once you go to a store to buy the organizing system, there'll be a lot less guess work. I finally started doing this and it's really cut done on extra rubbermaids and drawer dividers making extra clutter! :)

www.containterstore.com

You're welcome :)

I agree with Marie.

First things first, go through stuff. If you don't need something, chuck it out. Then you're storing that much less.

Shelving is always a bit of a pain for corners, but that's your best bet. Use as much vertical space as possible not only to maximize the storage capacity, but the reduce the depth of shelves if moving about the room might be a problem.

I usually prioritize along these lines...

1) What do I need easy access to?
2) What do I want hidden, and what don't I mind being in view?

You may go with the current location, or you may alter to shift things up a bit. For instance, you might get a narrow armoire, sideboard/cabinets or shelves for that corner, but move seldom used items elsewhere like a closet, under-bed organizers, etc.

I should take photos, but right now I'm converting a closet that's less than 8 square feet into my new home office. And that has to accommodate two 24" widescreen displays, filing cabinet, a small fireproof lockbox, laser printer, backup battery, router/AP and a TON of large, heavy technical books, plus some general office/shipping supplies... and still have tons of legroom so I can slouch AND not look ugly when it's exposed.

Those plastic bins are awful. I made the mistake of buying them too, and they take up space, and don't really offer you any real good storage.

I suggest you get 2 drawer units. One for filling, and one for misc. storage. Or something like this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20136601 that could do both. I would place them the way you have your dresser, and have nothing but the printer out on top, and maybe a nice plant. I would also use a smaller trash can. Its just too big. Unless its your only trash can in the house, it really should be much smaller.

Above all else, purge first. Go through the stack, maybe 15 minutes at a time (so you aren't overwhelmed), and just start by throwing away any trash. Next pull out items that are useful, but not to you anymore, and start a bag to sell/donate/giveaway. Once you have edited your items, then sort them by type in another location. This has several benefits, first, you will have pulled everything out of the corner, so that you can start fresh, secondly, you will be able to better see what you have, possibly edit a bit more, and make a plan to return the items. Finally, you may realize that some of the items might live better in another place in your home. I'm sure that mess seems overwhelming now, but you will feel so energized once you get started and bring order to that area. Good luck!

I agree with the other posters... go through that stuff and see what you REALLY need and what can be put into storage somewhere else. Do you use everything every day? Like the shreader... could you put it in a closet until you need it? We hide ours behind a chair in our office. Are there some things that should go in a different room? Is that a lunch box? Put it in the kitchen.

Personally, I can stand knick knacks. They require too much dusting. I think it looks like you may have some neat collections though. I would get some picture shelves from say, Target to get them all up off the desk. Then I would look around for small containers to put some of the smaller things in on the shelf of the desk... Like a couple of pencil cans or jars or even canning jars. I don't mind the crates... just cover them with fabric and stand them up instead of on their sides.

I have some of the plastic drawers like that. I ended up taking the drawers out and putting them into a buffet so you couldn't see them. I think you should look at the container store are previously mentioned for some storage and a new trash can with a lid.

Good luck!

i know it's not for everyone - but think about putting some elfa shelving from the container store on the wall

it will free up your floor space - and discourage you from piling things on top of each other. and if you do like storage boxes - then if you put things in them on the shelves it will make a neat display. if you go with this idea - i would suggest a larger size box where you can throw miscellaneous things without it looking messy on the floor and the desk.

added bonus of wall shelving - it draws the eyes up from the floor and desk and can make your room look larger.

Do you have more picture of that particular room so we can make more suggestions ?

I think the Unclutterer has some really great examples of small, but functional workspaces, many of them in bedrooms. It's hard because you're trying to create a place that you both sleep AND work.

I think adding some shelving above the desk would work really nicely. Get some cute and colorful boxes to disguise "work stuff" so it will look like a nice display.

Can you paint the desk white? I'm not sure what the rest of your furniture stuff looks like, but a crisp white would look really nice.

After you clean all your "stuff" out I would think of perhaps only keeping current items out (this year's files and important papers), and get a sturdy file bin that you can put in a closet for deeper storage.

While I think decluttering will be most effective at first, think of a few ways to tie the space together with the rest of your room. Labels and cute boxes go a long way.

Since this is in your bedroom, you don't want files or bills or work staring at you from the corner of the room, so I suggest either a filing cabinet that you can cover with a pretty fabric or a table you can drape fabric over and stow the shredder below, or a small chest with doors on it to conceal stuff. Also, this is me, but I'm on a campaign to rid my office of all plastic containers as I don't like the look or feel of it and there are many prettier options out there now at Target, Container Store, etc.
I agree with adding shelves above and maybe a small task lamp. I agree with purging/categorizing FIRST. Should a skein of yarn be on the desk? Maybe you need to designate a container for crafty stuff? My desk area is typically a mess, so I feel your pain! Usually trying to fit too many uses into one small spot. Good luck! Cute desk!

I think we all become attached to pieces that don't really work for us. I know you want to keep your wooden desk, but for the space that it takes, it doesn't provide much usable storage.

I find that the best way to organize is to go through everything. Decide what you must keep and what you can give/throw away. Then think about how to store it. Shelves and labeled storage boxes may be the best bet for you. You have vertical space. Use it.

Start by stripping the are of anything NOT related to the work you need to tackle there.

Then, put "like with like:" all books in one pile, all (whatever) in another, and do a minor purge of the obvious stuff to get rid of.

You need to take serious inventory of what you have to address before you can get where you want to be.

Although I know you want to keep it, that desk does not seem ample enough to contain the beast within!

And it is a storage myth that just cuz a corner is empty, you have to "use" it. Every space needs some breathing room, somewhere.

Clutter.

Sit down, relax, do nothing for 10 Minutes while looking at the place. Then start asking yourself: Which are the things in that corner which I touched the last 7 days in order to use them. Take theise things (AND ONLY THESE) and put them beside. Then take the things you touched the last Month in order to use them. Take these beside as well. The rest of the stuff goes into the trashcan. Keep only two photos. Done.

Sounds simple, bit it will enlighten your life. I guess the rest of you flat looks somewhat the same? :-] Work your way trough. Best help: Do not ask youself if you could use something sometimes later. You can always buy things you need, when you really need them :-]

Good luck!

Dirk from Berlin

what a beautiful desk! i'd leave the wood as is. keep what's essential and hide the rest in attractive containers.

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I just got laid off, so now I'll have even more time to make this area functional!

And no, BerlinDirk, the rest of my apartment doesn't look like this! This is my "junk spot" and it just has the unfortunate luck of being in my bedroom! The rest of my place is organized and clean...part of why I am so baffled at my inability to get this area organized! ;-)

I agree, Jose A, that those plastic bins are just awful. They've traveled with me since college and I think it's really time to retire them in favor of some sort of closed filing system.

Thanks again, everyone!

Are you familiar with the Gorm storage shelf system at Ikea?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30058508

You want to use that corner, and you want to keep your desk. You could stain or paint the wood on this bare-wood shelf to match a wood or color in your bedroom. There are more sizes of these shelf units in the stores than are shown online -- wider or much narrower (like 15" or so) and even taller ones that can run up to the ceiling. (They used to carry these shelves in black, too... don't know if they still do.) They are made to fit together, so a double set of shelves uses only three upright sections. I have several of these in my pantry, where they are secured to the wall the wall at the top. They hold a ton of stuff. You could use a shorter shelf unit to hold your printer, and then paint or stain the dresser next to it to match, and get a lot of those lovely Ikea storage baskets and boxes, and the whole array would blend together nicely.

Thanks, Forestdweller. I'll look into it!

Your storage containers stop at waist height. Go all the way up. A big armoire, shelves, or even a DIY closet would help.

Can you move the dresser to the other side of the room? This might afford you room for more storage options.

I can't move the dresser, but I like the idea of taller (and enclosed) storage units. I'm on the Freecycle/Craigslist hunt!

Kimskitchensink, I gave you some incorrect information. The shelves I have are Ikea's Fjus set, which is similar to the Gorm but a bit more refined in finish:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30058508

You will see that they are for sale only in the stores. I assume that's why they don't show all the sizes available. The narrowest unit I have is 19" exterior width, and 17" width between the verticals.

I think you should start with a nice sturdy lateral file cabinet that fits on the wall by the dresser. Use the top of that as your guild to build around for your desk area. Then build UP and to the side of that with shelves and desk area. (this can all be prefab stuff). Desk has to go, there's just not enough useful about it. Maybe you can repurpose it into something else.

...or it might have been the Ivar set...they look similar. The ones I have come with solid, not slatted shelves:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59838460

If you are looking for tall storage with doors, I'd definitely hit an Ikea store. They have storage units that can be fit with a variety of their doors. Or you could get creative and make small sliding doors with plexiglass for some shelves of a storage unit or bookshelf.

Yeah, if you're going to go with one of the wood ikea options, i'd go with Ivar. I think it has a much nicer feel than Gorm, and has many more options. You can get doors, for example, and hide some of the clutter....i'm a hidder. Ha!

I also want to point out like mascarah already did, that is a wonderful desk.

I agree with just about everything else. Except I'll add more directly that there is absolutely no point in asking for advice in how to make the space work when the design has so clearly failed. I think you would do best to completely clean out that corner and start over elsewhere or without trying to make your current pieces work there.

There simply isn't enough room in that corner for all that stuff. If it's all necessary, you do absolutely need to start over in a different, larger, dedicated space. All that about purchasing something from Ikea specifically made for organization in a compact space sounds good too.

Or using one Ikea piece for everything will, if nothing else, keep the clutter fairly uniform. If you were to get an Alve with the shelf attachment to add to the top ( http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10115213 http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30115212 http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40120840 ) the benefit would be 1. it's very very compact and stores things vertically while being deep enough to accomadate some printers when the paper catcher is folded and 2. when it becomes cluttered again you could just fold it all up inside and not have to stare at it when you're trying to fall asleep.

Good luck

Thanks for the compliments on the desk :) I bought it for $10 at a theatre's prop/set/costume sale a few years ago (hence my reluctance to get rid of it, aside from its inherent awesomeness).

I'm going to start Project Get Rid of Stuff soon, and will hopefully reinvent the space using your suggestions!

Thanks again!

My husband and I had a similar issue. Our solutions are:

Small file cabinet on casters that rolls in and out of our hall closet. Purge unnecessary documents at least one a year.

Desk that does double duty as my vanity and as a laptop station. One drawer for my makeup and one drawer for electronics and paper. Wall-hung shelf above for extra storage (cup for pens, bills, etc.)

We store our printer in a bin that slides underneath our bed. When we need to print (which is not very often), we just get it out and hook it up then put in back after we're done. In a perfect world, we'd have space to keep like this stuff out but in 900 sq. ft. for two people and two cats, its just not happenin.

Good luck!

I think the probloem is that the furniture is too small for the stuff. It's out of proportion. You either need larger furniture or less stuff. The desk is cute, but it's not cut out for storage. You could use it as a writing surface with almost nothing on it, or else get rid of it. (Landing strip, maybe??)

You need closed storage that makes all that stuff one visual unit that doesn't look cluttered -- for example, I have a storage trunk (think cedar chest, sort of) in my "library" space that has my files in it and serves as a window seat -- I'm making a seat cushion for it.... You could put open file bins and a shredder in one, for example. Probably no room for a printer, you'd need a different solution for that. If you put a trunk at the foot of your bed to enclose all that stuff, used your (now cleared off) desk as a writing surface and maybe to hold a laptop, got a tinier waste basket (empty it more often?) (try a Dollar store), and maybe found a small thrift store table or cube to hold your printer in the corner, you might vanquish the mess.

I think the cheapest solution for you is to

1)Declutter (obviously). Get everything out of that corner, and off the wall, except for the desk itself.

2)Get a bookshelf and find a place to put it. Not in that corner though. You can get something like this
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74528&PRODID=10017282
for your filing needs, and put it in the bookshelf.

3) Put the printer under your desk. Get rid of the trashcan.

4) Get a drawer, like this one http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40107872 and put it next to the desk in the corner. Put potted plant / pictures on top. All of your stuff that doesn't fit into the bookshelf must be organized and stored here.
Some of the bigger items, you can store in the bookshelf by buying pretty boxes (something that matches the filing box you bought) and putting them in the bookshelf.

Also if you get overwhelmed in the process..

Try to declutter the desk first. Just get everything off the desk, dump them in the pretty box for a temporary solution.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=71230&PRODID=10019531

But if you think you can tackle this in one day, try dumping everything on your bed.. Sit in the middle, go through everything, that way you have enough surface area to sort stuff, and you also CANT GO TO SLEEP UNTIL YOU CLEAR THE BED! :D Works for me every time I go through my mess.

Your local bookstore is chock full of books on this very subject. Why not help support your local businesses and drop some moola and get a book that can answer your question and help solve your problem.

We can't really see the dresser and what's to the left. Could you move the dresser all the way to the right into the corner and then put the desk to the left of it ? Then you could hide the printer underneath the dresser and place some nice storage boxes/magazine holders on top of the dresser to hold all the crap in the plastic drawers. Essentially take advantage of the dresser top as a shelf for nice looking storage. Get a cute file box to store paperwork under the desk.

So, have you made a change? I want to see new pictures! (o:

Partially that request is selfish b/c I have a desk/corner that looks sadly similar...