This Stylist’s Home Has Envy-Inducing Pantry, Closet, and Home Organization

Starting the year off by touring the homes (and drawers, pantries, closets, and more behind-the-scenes spots) of professional organizers, small space dwellers, and other design experts has become a tradition on Apartment Therapy. After all, how your home functions is just as important as how it looks, and I personally never tire of seeing how the pros organize their spaces. You can find great home tours and even greater organizing advice from this year’s fresh crop of inspiration (and catch up on last year’s tours) all on this one page: Professional Organizer Home Advice.

Rashmi Patel, who is a home stylist and designer, also known as RushMeHome, has been interested in design and organizing since a very young age. “I have lived in a small apartment practically all my life. I was born and raised in India for the first seven years and when we moved to the states we lived in an 800-square-foot apartment. All the years that I lived with my parents has really taught me all I know about organization. I used to be the one to organize my parents’ place even with all the stuff they collected,” she explains. “So naturally, when I got married and moved in with my husband, who also grew up very organized, it was like a perfect harmony. We knew going in that whatever size our home would be, we would not clutter it.”

The home she shares with her husband Chirag and two young children is spacious, but it’s not without its limitations. It’s in these limitations that her organizing skills really shine. While Rashmi would have loved a large walk-in pantry for her family, for instance, she instead had to work with what they had, and the result is a highly organized space, one of many in the home.

“When looking for a home, I knew going in what we could afford in the area we wanted to live in and knew with two kids under 3 at the time, we did not want to deal with a renovation so we opted to purchase a new build. And although we did not get everything we wanted in our checklist, we got what we needed for now and we have built our house into a home. I think that was the most important part for me, that because I didn’t grow up in what we would call a ‘traditional home’ I saw my friends have, I knew that this was a huge step up for me. Our home has an open concept all-white kitchen with gray quartz countertops,  connected to the family room with a nice sloped high ceiling. We have made so many amazing memories already here, can’t wait to see what’s next!” 

My Style: Mix of modern with hints of farmhouse chic

Inspiration: Minimalist, simple, and clean designs

Favorite Element: My favorite element is the accent wallpaper in my daughter’s room. It was our first time with wallpaper and I was so nervous but it turned out so beautiful!

Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge was our small kitchen pantry. As much as I wanted to have a walk-in pantry with all the space for everything, this house didn’t have that. So I took the space we did have and use it to the best of its ability. I realized in the process that I can use other cabinets we do have for other items that are not used as frequently. 

Proudest DIY: Every time I see a DIY on the internet, I feel so jealous and want to try and do it myself but given our busy schedules we have not had the chance to do any big DIY projects. However, we did do our daughter’s wallpaper ourselves and we learned a few things during that project that we will remember when we do work on our next one!

What items, hacks, or tricks do professional organizers use in living rooms, specifically? Depending on which space you are organizing, my advice is just because you have the space for it, doesn’t mean you need to fill it with stuff. This is when you start to buy things you may not necessarily need. Over the years, I would just purchase things because I could. Now, I try and be intentional about purchasing items for my home.  Having baskets, containers, and labeler are always my go-to items for organizing any space!

What are things you should never keep on your kitchen counter? What about in your entryway? Everyone lives differently, but for kitchen countertops, I always say to not leave big items you don’t use frequently on your counter tops. It takes away great real estate in your kitchen. If you have cabinets, instead of using those to clutter items you don’t need, use the cabinet space for things like food processor, mixers, etc. 

For the entryway, depending on space, have storage where you can stow away your shoes, hats, etc. items so that it’s not the first thing you see when entering your home. A small basket can go a long way! 

• Sherwin-Williams  — Agreeable Gray 

• Baskets — Container Store
• Labels — Amazon
• Hangers — Target
• Shoe Rack — Amazon

• Couch — Raymour & Flanigan
• Faux Olive Tree — Amazon
• Art Work — West Elm
• Rug — Wayfair

• Oxo Containers — Walmart
• Labeler — Amazon
• Baskets — Amazon
• Glass Containers — Amazon
• Pantry Rack Organizer — Amazon
• Spice Containers — Amazon

• 12 cube organizer rack — Amazon
• Cube organizers — Amazon
• Lego organizer — Amazon
• Small white baskets — Amazon

• Bed — West Elm
• Side Table — West Elm
• Chair — Amazon
• Sconces — Amazon
• Curtains — Amazon
• Curtain Rod — Amazon

• Bed — Walmart
• Bedding — Overstock
• Wallpaper — Amazon
• Lamp Shade — IKEA
• Bookcase — Pottery Barn Kids
• Chair — The Home Depot
• Rug — Overstock

Thanks Rashmi and family!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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