BEDROOM

During the summer, I have a tendency to let my room get messy (i.e. clothes all over the floor, bed never made, photos laying all over everything). So I've made it a goal to keep my room tidy, and organizing everything in a cute and efficient way has made that easy and fun. I'm a little bit obsessive compulsive, therefore I love cleaning. Here are some easy ways to maintain a cute and neat bedroom (note: you'll have to excuse my splatter paint - it was an eighth grade thoughtless act of violence to my walls)...

1. The Closet

If you're like me or any girl, you have a lot of clothes and not a lot of closet space. My closet is fairly small and very crowded. (You can't really tell in the picture, but my hanger rack is falling down...eep!) I've organized by the item of clothes: coats and sweaters in the back, dresses next, then skirts, then shirts/tanks/etc.. In the very little free space I have, I hang scarfs (which I wear many different ways - on which I'll make a post) and belts. This way, everything I need to be hung is neat and in one place, and I can close the closet doors to hide them away if needed. 

2. And Also In The Closet

Space limits me, once again, to keep my turntable on display. So where do I put it? On the floor of the closet! Most likely, you don't have enough shoes to cover the entirety of your closet floor. If you do, it's because you're messy and don't pair your shoes together! I have enough space on my closet floor to store shoes, an old suitcase, cassettes, a backpack, sweatshirts, aaaaand the record player. I've simply put it on top of a box (not the most attractive thing, but it works. And in front of this handy dandy turntable table is an old milk crate to hold my records. 

And on another note, I use the knobs on my closet doors to hold my backpack.

3. The Guitar

This is simple and nothing special; you'd probably display your guitar this way too. I've just set up my guitar stand right outside the closet on a chunk of wall that just needed a little something. It's in the perfect place for me, and it hides a power outlet in which my record player is plugged. 

4. What's On The Door Knob

Once again, this is really simple and obvious, but I thought I'd share anyway. I have a few bags that I use often and like to keep out all the time. So I just hang my bags on the back of my bedroom door. My film camera also hangs there, since I use it often and it doesn't have another permanent residence in my room.

5. My Bed

Until recently, I had fashioned my bed with a white patterned quilt and its matching duvets, a couple purple fuzzy pillows, and a black/grey checkered pillow. My taste has changed, and I'm loving a more vintage look. This lace throw was a find from my grandmother's house. It's made for a twin bed (I have a queen) so I've just laid it in a diamond shape over my bed. The floral pillow case is a remnant of an old bedding set, and it looks lovely with the lace. I know it doesn't match the walls, but it's cute.

6. Simple Things

I'm a big believer in glass-bottle sodas - they're just better. I'm also a mini collector, so I use old bottles as flower vases. You've seen this done before, I'm sure. I cut flowers from my yard every once in a while, and this gives my room a little freshness. In addition to these, I have my Alice In Wonderland hardback collection and a vanilla candle on display. 

7. The Chest

My bedroom furniture is pretty bulky and cabinintheforest-esque. I like to keep as little as possible out on top of it. So here I display (from left to right) an un-hung framed picture, an old film canister holding earrings, a lavender candle (for calming), books, artwork, and another unscented candle. The way I've displayed my books is as follows: Books I own and need to read or just like to keep out are stacked horizontally. The brick on top of these is a remnant from Rocketown's old location, and honestly it's there because I have nowhere else to put it. Sunglasses are on top because I always need sunglasses, and if I put them up somewhere I'll definitely forget to take them out. Books I've checked out from the library are stacked beside my own books so that I can remember to return them.

8. Mirror, Mirror

Finally, I have a full-length mirror! I actually just bought it last night (for $4.50 at Target - can't beat that!). I don't plan on hanging it or securing it to the wall in any way, so it's leaning against my wall beside an tv cabinet (inside which there is no tv, only craft supplies and photos). To the left of my mirror is another milk crate, on top of which is my camera case. I'm not sure if I'll keep this set-up, but it works for now.

And Finally,

Here's a full view (almost) of my room! Right now, it's perfect for me, and I hope these ideas/tips/whatever they may be have helped you.

Sincerely, Mary Claire