Here are our top picks to make the most of your garage this summer:

1. Lift items off the ground. Spare your floor from pileups and keep your belongings clean and dry by storing them up and off the ground. A slatwall system with adjustable hooks, racks and baskets provides plenty of flexibility to add and rearrange.

2. Make it easy to go green. Choose a space right outside the door to store recyclables and bottle returns. Placed in a convenient location, it’s simple to access and easier to remember the next time you’re heading to the store.

3. Create an activity area. Designate a space in your garage for your favorite hobby. A workbench with cabinets and drawers keeps everything from tools to gardening equipment organized and in one convenient location.

4. Store the “Fun in the Sun” essentials. Keep all your sun essentials in one spot so you can get to the pool or beach sooner. Place baskets and hooks at kid-height for storing sunscreen, swim gear, towels and other summer supplies so the whole family can grab and go.

5. Keep the dirt outside. Set up a shoe storage rack and practice the habit of shedding shoes before entering your home. Place a rug outside the door to prevent dirt from being tracked inside.

Check out EasyClosets garage storage for some fantastic design options, or to start your very own design.  Not only will you have a super-efficient garage, but being organized will give your family more time to embrace the best of summer together: catching waves, chasing fireflies, and taking in some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

How are you spending your summer?

(And don’t forget to enter our Father’s Day Family Garage Giveaway! You could win a garage storage solution worth up to $2,000! Hurry -the giveaway ends June 17. Enter here.)

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What will you do with your garage if you win?                    

Good luck!

No purchase necessary to enter or win. The EasyClosets Father’s Day Family Garage Sweepstakes ends on 6/17/13 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Open to legal residents ages 21 and over of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Void in Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, and where prohibited by law. For prize description and official rules, see EasyClosets.com/rules

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Summer is the time when “For Sale” signs pop up in front yards and prospective homebuyers excitedly comb through the plethora of realty listings. If you’re selling your home or plan to do so soon, how do you know if your home has what it takes to appeal to buyers? Taking time to make a few simple updates to your home is an easy way to make your home stand out and show off its full potential. Here are four quick fixes that are sure to please homebuyers:

1. Declutter:  When preparing your home for sale, decluttering isn’t limited to picking up items and putting them in their proper places; it’s also about removing anything that doesn’t lend itself to the overall design of the room. Precious heirlooms and knickknacks are beautiful to us because they’re personal, but they can distract a prospective buyer and take focus away from the room they’re in. Store these items safely away when showing your home, but do display a few carefully chosen, artfully arranged home décor accessories to keep things from looking sterile. 
2. Maximize Organization: According to Forbes , closets and storage spaces are one of the top things homebuyers are looking for. Even a big closet can seem small to a homebuyer if it’s not organized to its full potential. Tidy up your closets so they look their best. Trade a wire rack organizing system for one with a wood appearance to give closets the luxurious look buyers are after. Easy DIY solutions from EasyClosets will delight prospective homebuyers.
3. Keep it Neutral: Neutral paint colors turn any room into a clean slate. Paint colors shouldn’t be too flashy, lest they turn off some buyers who aren’t able to picture their own color choices throughout the home. And don’t feel like you’re limited to beige tones when choosing neutral paint colors –these days grayish blues, soft greens, and creamy yellows are all considered the new “modern neutrals.”
4. Bring in Natural Light: Potential buyers won’t be able to tell how beautiful your home is if they can’t see it! Open up blinds and window treatments to let sunlight in and to show off how bright and inviting the rooms are. Replace dark, heavy curtains with light, airy ones to maximize natural light.

A few small changes are often all that’s needed to make your home stand out in the housing market. These updates, along with some general sprucing and cleaning, will be sure to have potential homebuyers talking – and offering – in no time!

Have you recently had success selling your home? What easy updates worked for you?

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Don’t get stuck when organizing the garage –instead, design with family organization in mind. A simple redesign of your garage can make all the difference, specifically when you assign organizing “zones” to each section of the garage. Each zone will have its own purpose: outdoor gear, often-used, hobby items, etc. When you organize your garage by zones, don’t be surprised when you find yourself thinking, “Was my garage always this big?!”

We like to stick to 6 main zones when organizing the garage:

1. The Transition Zone. This is a place to put all the items you grab or take off when you’re going in and out of the house. Shoes, jackets, bags, etc. find their home on shoe racks and hanging hooks. This area should be a natural transition zone; in other words, it’s a spot that’s right by the door and can be easily accessed when entering and leaving.
2. Need It Now. Every day items like dog food, canned goods, and recyclables can be placed on shelving located by the entrance to the house. This is an area for things you need every day and can be easily reached. This is also a great place for things you don’t want taking up space in the pantry, like bulk food items.
3. Long, Tall, Thin Storage. The name of this zone explains it all: if it’s long, tall, or thin this is the place to store it! Rakes, shovels, and other yard equipment can be hung on the walls for a non-bulky storage solution that won’t leave you squeezed for space next to parked cars.
4. Large Item Storage. Large, rarely used items should be placed in an area that’s up high and out of the way. Camping gear and holiday décor are perfect candidates for this high, corner storage area. The less you use it, the higher it should go to free up space for more frequently used items.
5. Frequently Used Items. Frequently used outdoor and yard gear should be placed by the garage door for easy access when you need it. Rakes, brooms, and bird feed are best stored here so you can quickly grab them when you’re outside. Sports equipment is also best suited for this area. Keep bikes and golf clubs within easy reach when you’re itching for some outdoor fun!
6. Workspace. What are you passionate about? This is place to create a center for your favorite hobby, whether it’s gardening, woodworking, auto repair, or something else. Focus on your hobby with a versatile workbench and cabinets for plenty of storage.

A few other points to keep in mind when reorganizing your garage:

• Keep safety in mind by placing non-child safe items up high, like chemicals and cleaners.
• Place toys and children’s outdoor equipment, like sidewalk chalk and roller skates, down low where kids can easily reach them.
• Always remember the correlation between ease of access and frequency of use. Often used items should be stored in the easiest-to-reach places in the garage. Rarely used items can be placed in more out-of-the-way places.

Design a garage layout with organizing zones to keep your garage running smoothly and maximize its storage potential for the whole family. You’ll be amazed at how much space you really have when you use smart organization and stick to it. You’ll be able to kick back, relax, and zone out knowing everything is in its place in your perfectly organized garage. 

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Here are four home improvement projects to get you started:

1. For moms who love the outdoors, a gardening center is the perfect addition to a garage organization project. Those with green thumbs will be thrilled with a space to cultivate their passion. This project will give her a special place where she can focus on her beloved gardening hobby.

2. Any good chef knows a fantastic meal doesn’t necessarily need a beautiful kitchen, but it sure does help! A culinary queen needs a kitchen and pantry that’s as delightful as the edible masterpieces she whips up with ease. A pantry organization project isn’t complete without special places for her favorite gadgets; and drawers give mixers and blenders a place to call home and free up precious counter space.

3. Fashionistas will feel right at home in a closet that’s redone to include a special place for their shoe collection. Let a fashionable mom’s wardrobe shine with shoe shelves that both protect and display. Installing velvet jewelry trays in a closet is the cherry on top of a DIY closet.

4. For a tech-savvy mom that’s always on the go, installing a small but useful charging station in the entryway is a great way to make her life easier. Often-used gadgets will always be charged and within easy reach when she needs them most.

Unique and meaningful home organization updates are a wonderful way to show you care. Mother’s Day only comes around once a year, but she’ll be able to enjoy her beautiful, newly renovated space every day for years to come.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Sporting durable materials and a cutting-edge design, your new EasyClosets solution will provide ample storage to support every family member’s favorite activities, all while keeping your garage looking its best year ‘round. Whatever your family needs to put in order, our smart garage organization options help you streamline your active lives.  Best of all, our new line is especially engineered for easy do-it-yourself installation and high performance durability.

Speaking of durability, here are a few excellent reasons to purchase your EasyClosets garage system with complete confidence:

• Integrated back panels, one-inch thick sturdy shelves, and doors with quality Euro-style hinges are standard with our heavy-duty cabinets.
• Workbenches feature a durable high-pressure laminate surface. 
• Drawers come with full extension, quality glides.
• Our wide selection of steel hooks, racks and baskets snap into place on the slatwall, and rearrange easily with your changing needs.

For your garage and every space in your home, we’re here to help you get organized with solutions that are easy to design, install, and love.  So… ready to get your dream garage started? Let’s go! EasyClosets.com/family-garage

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It’s National Organize Your Files Week, which means it’s the perfect time to gather the important documents in your home and get them in order. When you identify which papers are important and develop a system to sort and store them, you’ll always be able to find them immediately when they’re needed.  Here are my tips to help you identify and store important documents so you’ll never waste time looking for them again.

What are Important Papers?

Important papers are comprised of legal documents and any vital record you may need to reference in the future.  A sampling includes wills, vehicle titles, passports, birth certificates, health records, social security cards, copies of insurance policies, tax records, credit card account numbers, and warranty documents. These important files need to be stored in a location that is both accessible and safe. 

How to Organize Important Papers

1. Sort by Category:  Before storing your important household records, get them organized.  Gather your files and sort them into categories. Create separate piles for each so you can group like items together, e.g., all family members’ passports, or all records related to the family cars.
2. Place in Folders:  For important papers, I like to use a file folder with gusseted sides so nothing falls out when I handle them.  I’m also a fan of using clear page covers to hold original copies so they don’t become damaged. Similar documents that I refer to often (such as health information and insurance policies) are placed in a binder, making it easy to retrieve the entire collection all at once. 
3. Label and Color Code:  Label your documents first and then put them in color coded binders. For example, put all auto-related documents in a blue binder with labels for each individual file inside. Put your most important documents (birth certificate, social security cards, etc.) in a red binder. Labeling and color coding helps you quickly identify what is in each binder and creates an organizing system that’s easy to stick with in the future.

How to Store Important Papers

Deciding how and where to store your documents is just as important as sorting them. For documents that need to be truly secure, consider purchasing a home safe or lease a safety deposit box at your local bank.  For papers that can be stored at home without concern, use a file drawer with easy access in your home office, or create a “kitchen communication center” where important, often-used documents can be stored within easy reach.

Invest in your family by making time to organize your important papers. You’ll be amazed at how great it feels to know the documents that matter most are safe, secure, and easy to find when you need them.

How do you organize your important papers?

For more than 13 years, Molly Gold has worked in the mom market as an Integrated Media Lifestyle Expert and Spokesperson in home organization and family time management. Truly the Mom-Next-Door, her sphere of influence reaches tens of thousands of moms monthly via her website www.GoMomInc.com, social media outlets, and select partnerships with key brands. A creative video blogger and parent-focused media columnist, her projects include Mabel’s Labels™, EasyClosets™, Real Simple with Samsung Appliances, Walt Disney World® Parks and Resorts, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, Honda®, Tide®, Baby Center®, Scholastic Parent & Child®, Primrose Schools®, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fine Living Network, Kenmore®, and MomTV.

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Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and you can give the special mom in your life the gift of organization! It’s an unforgettable way to transform and refresh her home, and no better time than right now! Take advantage of our special sale event and create a dream space designed just for her!

Springtime, Mother’s Day –with so many reasons to celebrate, you won’t want to miss out on this event!

EasyClosets Spring Celebration Event promotion is valid for a limited time only on purchases made on easyclosets.com. The 5% off promotional discount is effective from 4/23/13 at 6:01 am ET through 5/14/13 at 11:59 pm ET. No promotion code necessary. The discounts are off list price and will be applied automatically to qualifying purchases at checkout. Cannot be combined with other offers or used on prior purchases. Taxes, shipping, and purchases of gift certificates are excluded from the discounts. Not valid for cash.

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Keeping your shared closet organized can be quite challenging, with two wardrobes and two potentially different organizing styles. Thankfully, smart planning and a team effort to keep it all in order can make sharing a breeze. Here are three tips to make your shared closet an efficient and harmonious space.

1. Divvy Up. Mixing both wardrobes together within the closet creates chaos, so divide the closet space into two zones, one for each of you.  This will simplify finding the items you need each day.  Separate zones not only streamline the process of finding the items you need each day, but also accommodate your unique organizing styles.  Perhaps you like to organize your shirts by color, while your partner organizes by sleeve length; with a divided closet, you can each personalize to your heart’s delight.
2. Design with Sharing In Mind. When designing your shared closet, keep each person’s specific needs in mind. If one of you has several dresses, long robes or coats, plan sections with plenty of vertical hanging space.  If the other has quite a collection of ties, belts, or scarves, pullout racks placed in their zone are just the ticket. Customize your design to the exact needs of your wardrobes, and your daily routine will be effortless
3. Organize Together. Carve out time at the beginning of spring and autumn to sort through your closet together, deciding what to keep and what to donate. Organizing together will keep you both on track, maintain your beautifully organized space, and make the process of starting and ending each day a pleasure.  

For more helpful advice on organizing a shared space, see our Master Closet Organization Tips page on EasyClosets.com.

How do organize your shared space? Tell us in the comments below!

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Emerald – Are you as enchanted with emerald as we are? Awarded the title of Pantone’s “Color of the Year” for 2013, Emerald is sophisticated and upscale without being stuffy. This sparkling jewel tone is definitely a “wow” color that makes a confident statement in both big and small doses. Create a knock-out, modern look by pairing emerald accessories in an EasyClosets walk-in closet constructed in our new deep, deliciously wood-textured French Roast.  Gorgeous!

Monaco Blue – This rich, classic navy is back in a big way. From midnight to ocean to aqua, blues of any shade make the grade with their calming fluidity and everlasting appeal.   If you’re that perfect blend of traditional and timeless, you’ve met your color soul mate! Try Monaco Blue walls with an EasyClosets entryway system in new Chateau. Chateau’s warm mid-tones and light cathedral wood grain patterns pair beautifully with blue shades for a bold, nautical look.

Linen – Light, airy, summer-fresh linen.  The perfect neutral for spring, linen evokes the feel of breezy curtains and fresh air. And when paired with the natural, weather-worn look and feel of EasyClosets Driftwood, in its true-to-life textured blend of earthy grays and light browns, you’ll turn any room into an effortlessly peaceful, coastal retreat.  Food for thought: is it time to create, transform and refresh that kitchen pantry?

African Violet – It’s a universal truth… everyone looks great in shades of purple! African Violet is subtle enough to be used anywhere in your home, yet still bold enough to make an exciting splash. This punched-up pastel is a perfect partner when paired with an EasyClosets reach-in solution in lovely, linear wood-grained Cocoa. A modern and sophisticated style statement!

Adding new life to your home is as simple as adding color. Whether it’s a new vase, a rug, a work of art or a fresh coat of paint, color refreshes and revitalizes every room. Don’t be afraid to experiment and mix it up as you explore your captivation with color this spring. And while you’re decorating in your favorite fresh colors, get a head start on creating organized, beautiful dream spaces in every room with our fresh new finishes and incredibly life-like wood textures! See EasyClosets.com/New-Colors.

Are you a fan of this season’s “in” colors? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

(Images courtesy of Pantone.)

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