by Dave Ulacia

Have you ever noticed how differently you see your home when you're preparing for holiday guests? Your home may be very well organized, but when you look at it through the eyes of a potential houseguest, you suddenly see things that look just a little off.

You see your fridge buried in your children's creations, the unkempt stack of papers on the back of the counter, or loose items on the bookshelf that suddenly seem out-of-place. Strange how that is, isn't it? After all, each of those things is right where it belongs.

Honestly, if you did nothing about them, chances are good that no one else will ever see them-and if they did, they'd be glad to see that you're human after all. But the trouble is, now that you've seen them, they're probably going to eat at you for a while.

Luckily the solution is simple. Containment. Let's start with that stack of unkempt papers on the counter. You know that they're current financial items that you need to keep out until they're completed. There's a medical bill for your daughter, a credit card statement that you need to double check, and a few other unopened pieces of mail. A simple basket or a mail organizer on the counter will hold them nicely, and remove that cluttered feel.

Your fridge should always be a place to show off your little cherubs' creations, but sometimes it tends to get a little overtaken. If you aren't ready to take them down yet, you may be interested in a magnetic white board or a magnetic tabletop display board for those special pieces. You may even find a magnetic board that also accepts thumbtacks. Spreading the masterpieces around creates a sense of rhythm to your decorating and it eases the burden on your refrigerator. While you're at it, you may consider updating your magnets to something a little stronger and more decorative.

As for the things on your bookshelf that look just a little out of place-consider using a few bookends to keep the books more upright. Our eyes are trained to see vertical lines when we look at a bookshelf, and bookends are a great way to make that happen. You may also consider using small baskets to contain smaller items in a more decorative manner. And if you notice any odd-looking larger items in your room that really need to stay where they are, you can find some really beautiful baskets for those as well.

As much as we'd like to, most of us can't live in a room that looks like the rooms in the fancy decorating magazines. We have to live-and living creates it's own chaos. Some things just have to be out in the open. But as long as they're out there, we might as well make them fit the look of the room as much as possible. These few suggestions will help soften that lived-in look in your home. If you have any other suggestions, we'd love to hear them.

Thanks, and happy organizing. 

Shred it Now
Keep a paper shredder where you open your mail. That way, sensitive mail can be shredded immediately instead of going into a pile that may end up sitting and growing for quite some time before the trek to the shredder is made.

Compatible Containers
Each storage area of your home or office should be fitted with one general brand or type of containers, especially if any stacking is needed. Keeping to one brand ensures compatibility and a "cohesive" feel to your space. 

Complete Can Coverage
You should really consider having a garbage can in every room. You're much more likely to throw something away if it's convenient to do so. You probably already have the common areas covered: in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. Maybe you even have trash cans in the bedrooms...

But think about every room in the house, and you'll probably find one or two missing. Think about how you use that room, and if it makes sense to add a trash can, go for it. Don't worry that a waste can will make the room look trashy; on the contrary, a well-placed wastebasket can be part of the balanced décor in every room.