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Do you ever wake up and feel like you need to reorganize your whole living space? Since we got back from Australia that is all I have wanted to do. It probably has to do with all of the souvenirs we brought back and have no room for, but we don't really need to dwell on that, right?

I just can’t help noticing how cramped the apartment is beginning to feel, so this past weekend, I did something about it. I focused on the trouble areas, mainly the bedroom, the desk area, and our closets. I made myself a list of all the cleaning and reorganizing I would need to do (the only way I stay organized) and set to work redesigning our apartment.

My need to find an old portfolio led me to start on the closets first. I dragged out every box and never found it. Surrounded by a pile of boxes that needed to be put away was not motivational. I did have a moment where I thought “ugh, what have I done?” I got past it though and was able to make more space. I found a home for our luggage and extra pillows, which had been taking up space in our bedroom, as well as a place for two dining room chairs. The closets still look full, but these changes made some much needed room in other areas.

For example, my desk area was way too crowded with the dining room table. So we put the table away for now. We never use it, and the moment we have a place with an actual dining room, we will get it out again. For now, it gives us room to breathe in the living area and makes my office space more . . . well, like an office area! I don’t think Alice minds the extra room to play either.

Aside from reorganizing my filing system, that was all the desk area really needed. I plan on adding a small filling unit, which is safely residing at my parents’ house, later this week. With that simple addition, I’ve made more room for picture frames and office supplies. The best part, none of the changes cost me anything! Actually, I lied. The cute little blue basket cost me $1 from Target. My shopping impulses couldn’t pass it up.

Last was the bedroom. Our bedroom isn’t terrible, but it was cluttered. We I have way too many photo frames and Disney collectibles. They were getting stuffed in areas that had no room because there wasn’t enough furniture to put them on. To solve that, I purchased a $30 bookcase from Target. This made space for all of the collectibles and filled up the emptiness of the big room.

The other problem area in the bedroom was our dresser. All of my loose jewelry and Robert’s receipts kept cluttering up the top. So I purchased another $1 basket from Target (have to love that $1 section) and put it in one of Robert’s drawers. This is now where the receipts will go. As for the jewelry, I found a jewelry box I’d forgotten about when cleaning out the closets. It was perfect for all the loose items and finished the area up nicely.

I won’t lie! I did make a few other adjustments as well, such as a display of our Australian souvenirs on the kitchen counter. I also found two blue lanterns on sale at Pier 1 ($6.98 each). They made the perfect addition to the brass tree that hangs in our entryway.

I must have done a good job, because when Robert came home he started working on his game room. It feels much less cramped and so much better in the apartment now. I can’t think of a better way to bring in spring . . . well, other than with some much needed warmer weather!

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