Decluttering & Stylish Storage Solutions: Simple Design Tweaks for a Fresh Start

The beginning of the year tends to expose what isn’t working at home. Jackets pile up by the door, kitchen counters disappear under daily clutter, and storage that once felt adequate starts to feel strained. Daily routines feel more effortful than they should.

For many of our clients—and future clients—Q1 is less about a major redesign and more about small, thoughtful changes that make everyday life easier. Decluttering, when approached through a design lens, isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating systems that support busy routines and evolving lifestyles.

Here are a few storage strategies we regularly recommend (most of which can be implemented without a full renovation): 

Start Where Life Enters the House

Entryways take the brunt of daily chaos, especially for families and professionals on the go. Even in rentals, this area can be improved significantly with a few smart adjustments.

Designer tip:

• Use a slim, closed cabinet or storage bench to contain shoes and bags

• Add wall-mounted hooks at varying heights for coats, backpacks, and totes

• Consider concealing hooks behind walls or within cabinetry so that volume is minimized (especially key when entertaining!) 

• Keep open baskets for grab-and-go items like scarves or reusable bags

The goal isn’t hiding everything, it’s giving everyday items a predictable place to land.

Rethink Kitchen Storage for Real Life

Kitchens are often designed more for appearance than functionality. For clients who don’t cook frequently, aesthetics can take priority over practical use. One of the simplest decluttering shifts is organizing storage around daily habits rather than ideal scenarios.

What we often suggest:

• Store everyday dishes and glasses close to the dishwasher

• Use drawer dividers to prevent “junk drawer creep”

• Keep counters clear by dedicating a single cabinet to small appliances

  
  

These small changes reduce friction and make kitchens feel calmer, even during busy mornings.

Choose Furniture That Pulls Double Duty

For renters and homeowners alike, multi-purpose furniture is one of the easiest ways to add storage without altering the space. We approach storage by studying how a household moves through space. Where do items naturally land? What needs to be accessed quickly, and what can recede?

Some of our go-to recommendations:

• Storage ottomans in living rooms or bedrooms

• Benches with hidden compartments for entryways or dining areas

• Bed frames with built-in drawers for seasonal items

  
  

When furniture does more than one job, it naturally reduces clutter elsewhere.

Use Vertical Space (Without Overwhelming the Room)

Not every home has generous square footage, but most have underused vertical space. The key is keeping things visually light.

Designer-approved ideas:

• Floating shelves used sparingly and styled simply

• Tall, narrow cabinets instead of wide, bulky pieces

• Over-door hooks or organizers in closets and bathrooms

  
  

These solutions are especially helpful in rentals, where permanent changes aren’t an option.

Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not Redesigning Yet)

Many of the people we speak to aren’t ready for a full interior design project—and that’s okay. Small, thoughtful updates build awareness around how space affects daily life. We encourage clients to edit first—removing what no longer supports how they live today.

Over time, these insights often shape bigger decisions: a future renovation, a home purchase, or eventually, working with a designer to bring it all together.

For now, the goal is simple: create a home that supports your routines rather than fighting them.