At CPI Interiors, we understand that tackling clutter is often at the top of our clients’ wish lists. We love being able to help them reimagine areas to create storage solutions that fit their lifestyle by using the spaces they may have been overlooking.
The truth is, clutter doesn’t just happen because there’s too much stuff—it’s often the result of not having the right storage solutions in place. With a bit of planning and a fresh perspective, even the most chaotic spaces can be transformed into functional, organized areas that make daily life easier and more enjoyable.
Foyer: The First Impression of Your Home
The foyer is the first space guests see when they walk into your home, and it’s often one of the most challenging areas to keep organized. A cluttered entryway creates stress and makes it difficult to find what we need as we head out the door.
One of our clients’ front hall foyer was a busy area with lots of traffic, and they needed a more practical solution than they previously had. They had a freestanding bench that sat in a niche area, which was useful for putting on shoes but they didn’t consider the ability to use the space around and above it.
A Smart Storage Solution
To make better use of the space, we designed a custom cabinet that had both a bench and surrounding drawers. The bench still provided a comfortable place to sit while putting on shoes, but now, shoes and other miscellaneous items could be neatly tucked away in the drawers. This eliminated the visual clutter that often made the foyer feel chaotic.
To create a more visually appealing and functional space, we incorporated glass shelves at eye level. These shelves add a sparkling, elegant touch while offering a place to display decorative accents or functional items like keys and sunglasses. Behind the bench, a dark accent colour was painted to draw the eye to a mirror—perfect for those last-minute checks before heading out the door.
Maximizing Closet Space
Another common issue in foyers is the standard closet, which is often overlooked as an area that can be optimized for better functionality. In this project, the existing closet was reconfigured with a custom two-tier rod system and additional shelving. This new system made it possible to store coats, outdoor gear, and accessories much more efficiently, reducing the clutter that used to accumulate in the entryway.
By making these changes, the entire space became more streamlined and welcoming, proving that a well-designed foyer can make a big difference in everyday routines.
Mudroom: A High-Traffic Area in Need of Order
Mudrooms are another area where clutter tends to pile up, especially when they double as storage for items that don’t have a designated place elsewhere in the home. For one family, their mudroom had become a catch-all for bulk food items and miscellaneous household supplies. Since this space wasn’t originally designed for this purpose, it quickly became overwhelmed with clutter.
A Functional Cabinet Layout
The solution? A new cabinet layout designed to maximize closed storage and maintain a clean, uncluttered appearance. The new cabinetry was chosen to match the existing kitchen design, creating a seamless transition between spaces. To add character, the cabinets were painted in Benjamin Moore’s Sandy Hook Gray, a beautiful gray with subtle green undertones that complemented the floor tile.
One of the most useful additions was a tall cabinet next to the fridge, which provided a designated space for storing less frequently used appliances. No longer did the kitchen counters need to be cluttered with blenders, slow cookers, and other bulky items—everything had its place. A cleverly designed drawer even allowed the family to organize their tea collection, making it easy to see and access each variety without rummaging through multiple boxes.
By optimizing the cabinetry and layout, we were able to make the mudroom a much more functional and visually appealing space.
Pantry: Creating Efficient Food Storage
With bulk food items taking over the mudroom, it became clear that the family needed a better pantry solution. The existing pantry closet was a standard clothes closet with a single rod, which was being used to hang shoe racks. This wasn’t the most efficient use of the space, and it was contributing to the overall disorganization of the home.
Transforming a Closet into a Pantry
By redesigning the foyer closet to store more shoes, we were able to redefine the mudroom closet exclusively as a pantry for extra groceries. This meant we could maximize storage potential by fully outfitting the closet with shelves from top to bottom.
With this transformation, the family was able to triple their available pantry storage. They now had designated shelves for different categories of groceries, making it easy to keep track of what they had on hand. A small folding stool was also incorporated into the design, allowing them to easily access items on the top shelves.
This simple yet effective redesign helped create a much more organized kitchen and mudroom area, ensuring that everything had a place and reducing the stress of dealing with cluttered surfaces and overstuffed cabinets.
General Storage Tips for Tackling Clutter
Storage solutions are never one-size-fits-all. Each family has unique needs, and the key to effective organization is designing systems that work for their specific lifestyle. Here are a few general tips that can help anyone tackle clutter and make better use of their storage spaces:
1. Assess How We Use the Space
Take a step back and evaluate how the space is currently being used. Are certain areas becoming dumping grounds for miscellaneous items? Are there spaces that could serve a better purpose? By identifying pain points, we can start making strategic changes to improve the organization.
2. Utilize Vertical Space
One of the most overlooked storage opportunities is vertical space. Adding shelves, hooks, or cabinets that extend upward can dramatically increase storage capacity while keeping surfaces clear.
3. Incorporate Multi-Functional Furniture
In smaller spaces, multi-functional furniture is a game-changer. Benches with built-in storage, coffee tables with hidden compartments, and ottomans that double as storage bins can all help reduce clutter.
4. Use Clear Containers and Labels
Clear storage bins make it easy to see what’s inside without having to dig through multiple boxes. Labelling shelves and containers further streamlines organization and helps ensure that everything has a designated place.
5. Regularly Declutter and Reevaluate
Even with great storage solutions in place, clutter can still creep in over time. We make it a habit to regularly declutter, donate unused items, and reevaluate whether our storage systems are still working for our needs.
Conclusion: Redefine and Refresh Our Spaces
At CPI Interiors, we believe that when a space isn’t working for our daily routines, it may be a sign that it needs to be redefined and refreshed. Whether it’s a foyer, mudroom, pantry, or another area of the home, strategic design solutions can make a world of difference in keeping clutter at bay and maximizing storage.
If you’re struggling with a disorganized space and aren’t sure where to start, we’d love to help! Book a 15-minute chat today to discuss your project and see if our fun and collaborative design process is the right fit for you.
Book a 15-minute call today to discuss your project and see if our design process is the right fit for you! |
