Living Room re-do

I've given myself the big task of decluttering my apartment and purging any and all of the extras. To make this easier, I have also given myself permission to purchase a few things and update my space.

It is mostly done now, but I am behind in my intentional posts, so here's one nugget with more to come. 

A list of the little changes that made a big difference:

1 - where I was lacking drawer space, I made some. Storage is always a challenge in a small apartment. It grows increasingly difficult at year seven (!) in the same apartment. 

2 - I added more and different storage to my existing storage area. I admit this is my 'junk' corner, but those corners are important and essential and I'm not one to 'hide' things. So instead I tried to make use of every corner of this space. I added a shelf above the existing one up top. That was a lofty 3' high area that has  at least become double story storage now. I also added the hanging closet organizer, perfect for Rob's hats and other odds and ends. A few months ago I added an extra shelf in that black bookcase to start storing shoes it in - to this day I wonder why it took me so long to think of that.

3 - I color coded my books. Which, in my opinion, is a drastic change in making these groups of things look intentional with an element of design. This is my black to white stack. And my blue stack. The other bookcase has the orange and red. 

4 - I removed half of the back panel on this cheapo bookcase exposing the wall behind it. I wasn't going to go crazy with purchases, so things like this had to stay, but I wondered if I could improve them somewhat? Some people paint these instead for a pop of color. I wanted to completely remove it and when I did, I realized they do serve somewhat of a structural purpose and my backless bookcase was suddenly wobbly. I compromised, cut the thing in half and reattached a portion. I love the open, through look and am happy not to look at even MORE faus-wood in my house.

5 - I got rid of a lot of "knick knacks" and what was left I tried to co-ordinate throughout the room. White, silver, and wooden pieces repeat in various nooks. Some of this was by way of spray painting existing pieces. I also made sure to leave space for these decorative bits to breathe... with hope that breathing room prevents them from becoming "knick knacks" again.

These little things have made such a big difference. My shelves feel cleaner and minimal. I see clean surfaces and intentional spaces.