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Help! Who is looking for a project?

4K views 67 replies 25 participants last post by  anthasam 
#1 ·
5 people living in 800 square feet, both parents full time students, dh working part time as well. Three boys all full time students as well: 6,9, and 11.
I hate to clean. Our house needs serious help!
I posted a thread here if you want background
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=806848

I am posting pics as the house is right now. It is not always this bad! Friday was my last day of class, so this is a cumulative 10 weeks of class, plus two big work weeks for finals. However, I am posting them so you can see it at its worst and really help me figure out how to avoid it.
We need to go for easy solutions, if it takes any time to do it, it won't get done.
The other side of the coin: I am 36, and dh is 40. Even though we are still low income, I am really ready to move out of "early marriage thrift" style. So any inexpensive ideas you can come up with to make the space more tasteful, hit me with them!

I have put them in flickr, but am not sure how to share
Hopefully this works
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31792589@N00/

OK, some of the pics didn't make it onto the flickr site
I will post them here
coats, shoes, and sideboard
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/186_8663.jpg

dining table
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/186_8662.jpg

Storage spot in laundry
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...86_8674_r1.jpg

Big picture on the kitchen (sorry it is so dark)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/186_8665.jpg
 
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#53 ·
Okay! I got my bedroom as done as I can. Now looking for feedback and a few suggestions.
This is pretty much the view for the door. I think the scarves are still kind of cluttery, but I like having them not take up space in a drawer, so I don't know what else to do
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...87_8747_r1.jpg

I moved the bed against the other wall. There is no a small walkway next to it. The way it was before, the entire side of the bed (where I sleep) ran along the front window, which overlooks the street. It is still against a window, but this window is small and looks out at our driveway. Also, the way it was, there was about a foot of space between the end of the bed and the wall, which was a major clutter catcher.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8749.jpg

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...87_8748_r1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...87_8750_r1.jpg

I am sorry these pics are so blurry! I need to play with my camera settings.

Now, for the window over the bed, what should I do? What kind of window covering? I hate the fact that the bed is off center from the window. We had moved it all the way over because dh was going to put his desk along the other wall. Maybe I can center the bed now. But I do like having a bit of floor space in fron tof the bed, so I might leave it as is.

Not sure what to do with this wall
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8751.jpg
I think there is enough space for shelves, but shelves scare me. They will scream at me to fill them. So, maybe a large painting?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8744.jpg
I want to replace that dresser. I have another one that is dark blue with green drawers. Would those colors be horrible in my room?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...87_8752_r1.jpg
The cross is sitting on a little mirror. I have three of them, two are on the dresser adn the other is on the bookshelf. They have wide black frames and tiny mirrors. I plan to hang them over the dresser.
 
#56 ·
Couldn't read without chiming in with a huge congratulations!! You've done so much with just decluttering and rearranging. It really goes to show that the basics are where it's at!

Keep going and keep us updated!!
 
#58 ·
Wow! You are doing a FANTASTIC job!

About the bedroom:

I would center the bed. You would have room for a nightstand on either side . . . if they each has shelves, you could keep some stuff on there. I like symmetry when it comes to furniture.

As far as a window covering, I am horrible with that kind of thing. We bought 20.00 tab curtains at Lowe's 8 years ago when we moved in and they are still up in all the rooms (that sounds really bad when I type it out, but they're neutral
. I don't like blinds, so I'd replace those though. Maybe with some long fabric? I've also seen on decorating shows that they do the whole wall like it's a window. Use a small rod that runs the length of the room and curtain from side to side to cover the whole wall, leaving a wall of fabric. If you did it in two panels, you could always open them if you'd like. I'm sorry I'm not doing a better job of describing this . . . I can see it in my head
.

I would not put shelves on/along the wall. I think it would be too cramped and likely to fill up with stuff. I like the idea of a big painting . . . maybe invest in a big canvas at the craft store (using a coupon it wouldn't be too bad) and have your boys go at it for some modern art.

Do you really need that dresser? Could you purge and condense clothes into the built in dresser on the wall? If not, I think it's fine the way it is.

You are an inspiration!
 
#60 ·
i also just happened upon this thread and can't believe how much you've done!!!

i would remove the picture between the 2 windows. it looks a bit big for the space. as a pp said, center the bed & do curtain panels that span the entire wall behind the bed in a color/pattern that you really like, so the bed becomes a focal point. you could do a matching valance for the smaller window. you can leave the blinds for room darkening. just pull them up in the morning so the room looks bright and cheery!

i'd take the cross off, too, and hang it over the dresser w/the other crosses you have to create a montage or, hang one cross on the left wall between the windows next to the bed and another directly across it on the right wall for symmetry and hang the floral picture over your dresser. that right wall won't need anything else. less is more, imho.
 
#61 ·
I started to take pics upstairs, but my bettery in my camera went out! I will take more after it recharges, but here is a start.
6 yo's bed and night stand. I am going to get baskets or plastic caddies to fit in most of those cubbies to turn them into drawers
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8756.jpg

Better view of the nightstand. I finally got dh to hang the very cute curtains in their room.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8761.jpg

10 yo's bed. Notice the crate that is there now for them to put books in at night, instead of scattered all over the floor. We had a big brainstorming meeting to talk about what they need in their room. Because I clean it top to bottom and then they trash it, so obviously they need something different. They don't even have a lot of stuff upstairs. What piles up is books, dirty clothes, and papers. Hoepfully we are providing them with better options
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8762.jpg

9 yo's bed as well. We are goign to replace the big beds with twins and so they will get some more floor space
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8763.jpg

And that is when the camera ran out!
 
#63 ·
Great! The books in crates are a wonderful idea. I use those canvas bins from Target (they're usually on sale 2/11.00) for the kids stuff. They fit well on some built-ins they have in their room. They look neat all lined up in a row, and they keep everything contained. Eventually, I'll add labels.

That's an awesome nightstand, by the way.
 
#64 ·
I just read through this entire thread and wanted to say I am impressed!! You have accomplished so much.

I have a few areas I cannot get decluttered and organized. Actually I declutter and organize and then it is a mess again - telling me I haven't done it right. I am motivated by your success.
 
#65 ·
I have been hard at work decluttering and organizing. I have taken two more van trunkfuls to Goodwill, and I have another one almost ready. We have recycled tons of paper, and filled our garbage can quite full.

Here are some pics. I haven't gotten to take pics of every room in the house yet, but this is some of my progress.

Here is one angle of our front room. This is where the fish ended up. We moved the coffee table.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8771.jpg

This was the wall with the pic that was too small and high. I replaced it
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8772.jpg

Now, the laundry room. That was my project today. Here is a before
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...86_8674_r1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...86_8675_r1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...86_8676_r1.jpg

And after

The clothes on the dryer are three things that need to be dyed
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8779.jpg

Still dealing with the laundry!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8778.jpg

The sink and floor are really gross, there is no way to fix it. The stuff in the sink are laundry that needs to be done. Its a heck of a lot better than it was though!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87...s/187_8777.jpg
 
#66 ·
Just thought I should update!
I got the house quite organized, and then lived in it for another quarter. I have now found which areas don't work and am decluttering even more. I am still struggling with where to put the coats and shoes! The front room stayed pretty clean, but every other room needs to be overhauled.
 
#67 ·
YAY! This was a really fun thread to read and I was ASTOUNDED by what you got done from 12/8 to 12/9. OMGoodness. Now I am inspired to go and do the decluttering I've been putting off
.
 
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