This is how my library / piano room looked by the end of the holiday season (messy, cluttered, ... ick):
Here's how it looks now!
Here's what I did:
- Moved the shelves from the south wall to the east wall flanking each side of the piano. The impact was HUGE! When I had the shelves on the south wall, they blocked the doorway to the dining room, which cut off basically all of the natural light. I was shocked at how bright and warm this room became when I opened it up again! Plus I love seeing the glimpse of the dining room wallpaper.
- Painted the backs of the shelves a warm grey (Benjamin Moore Chelsea Grey HC-168) ... I had some left from when I painted my family room! I love how everything pops against the neutral grey backdrop. (Don't know the wall color because it's been there since I moved in.)
- Removed approximately half of the books and accessories from the shelves.
- Kept the colors of the accessories to a minimum. Mainly used white, and threw in some orangey-red because I was craving warmth.
- Used a lot of symmetry on the shelves... I find symmetrical arrangements calming.
Some organizing tips:
- Keep magazines in these inexpensive white boxes to cut down of visual clutter:
- Crayons and markers are hidden in the white cardboard boxes:
- Random
crapspecial stuff that boys collect is hidden in large plastic bins
