Make the Best of Your Space

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19 Comments

  1. Deb. Mathenia says:

    I HAVE to get organized more this year! My craft room is a must. I got a LOT of supplies, etc. As the shipments came in, they never got put away properly (‘can’t be in two places at one time). Now, a friend is willing to help make crafts, (proceeds to help shelter animals) and I have boxes every where.

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Yes–it will change your ability to create!

      1. sherry.melvin says:

        Heidi, please let a grandmother share a little. My first & even my 5th & 6th homes weren’t nearly as beautiful as you have made your home. My first married home was an old (even back then) mobile home, had 2 bedrooms as I recall, one was made by sliding closed the bathroom door & sliding closed the door to the kitchen, the 6′ hall WAS this bedroom…dresser & closet on left, bed on right completely built into wall on 3 sides!!! Only one person could pass down the hall at a time or for that matter thru the kitchen which was decorated with rainbow colors…yellow (before harvest gold) sink, pink counter top & turquoise stove. Cannot even remember what color the fridge was. Oh yes, my husband could lie on the couch & touch each side of our home both front & back @ once! What a hoot!!! Several homes later I was able to “decorate” my girls room when they were about 3 & 5 but what I was sssoooo very proud of then almost embarrasses me now, light purple walls, DEEP DARK purple toy box (bought 2nd hand & paint color for wall was white with some of the purple added to it) & lots & lots of ruffles on girls beds & curtains made with flowered sheets w/white sheet ruffles! One of my daughters had graduated & the other finishing high school years before the girls & I ever owned our home but what fun years we did have. I like to think there was never a home we lived in, that love laughter & friends joined us & that each of us took pride in. The early years of my family were probably my most fulfilling because there were so many things to do & people to take care of. Accomplishing the major goals in my life was great but the striving years were the years & memories I am most grateful for. I say all that to say look forward, plan, hope for, & dream of things you can accomplish, have, build whatever but never let a day go by that you feel less than…….grateful, fulfilled, satisfied with life, & all your blessings because no matter,
        you will always be you, an incredible, compassionate, talented, blessed, inspiring person. Keep yourself on the path God has for you. Thank you, Wannabeeaquilt (aka sherry)

        1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

          Thanks for sharing! Great stories, so fun to read. xoxo -Heidi

  2. First off your place looks almost immaculate. It looks lived in, don’t be so hard on yourself for the little things out of place, it doesn’t really matter. As for those vases, instead of “storing” them up top, put them to use while they are up there being stored, and it won’t look like they are being stored. Put pretty things in them, or use them on the counter to put fruit or utensils in them. If I put all the stuff from on top of my desk right now on top of yours, you wouldn’t even know that desk was sitting in that corner. Trust me I get the desk thing, I am getting ready to seriously purge the junk mail off of mine, but there is more to life than purging that mail.

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      I should look for new uses for those vases! I think overall they are either too small or too big but I could probably make it work. thanks!

  3. Jennifer R says:

    Please don’t be disheartened! We’ve been in our house for 9 years & can’t afford a place with a space to entertain as large as your living room. I can get 6 people into our living room in our side-split house. I’m also envious of your mad slip-covering & quilting skills (and your kitchen island)! You’ve got some good stuff going on 😉 I can really relate about the space vs. clutter problem; my smallest bedroom/guest room/ piano room/ craft room/ wrapping room is packed to the gills (BTW: that’s all one room!) and I would love to have space & money to move the piano elsewhere & get some hot Pax wardrobes from Ikea with lots of organizers but that’s not going to happen. What can I say? We all want enough space for our stuff but it’s not always realistic when we’re the one people turn to when we’re the gal whose got that great kitchen/ crafting/ decorating thingy that they need to borrow!! We need that stuff! .. (trying to Zen about my clutter 😀 )

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      I must sound more frustrated than I actually feel–I’m not too discouraged. I know this is temporary and I’m lucky we have a space like this to live in. We all have clutter and places to organize! Good luck with yours!

  4. Christy Keyton says:

    Heidi, I just want to say that I appreciate your honesty! I am beginning to get a little tired of some blogs because it doesn’t look as if real people live in the homes! In fact, nothing about their lives looks real. I admire you for putting it all out there. This encourages me to choose a room and get going. I am pretty organized, but my craft room needs a purge. That is my goal- purge and organize my supplies so I can find stuff!

  5. Your place looks very cute! I’d love to be able to use the colors that you do. My husband is color-phobic and very stubborn, so every injection of decor brightness on my part requires a battle!

    By the way, I know what you mean about the house. I haven’t been a homeowner since I left my first husband 8 years ago. Now, with my current husband and daughter, we’ve been renting. We even downsized from a townhouse to an apartment when we moved to the east coast. It’s packed to the gills! I pray that we’ll be able to afford a home sometime this millennium!

  6. I think you are doing a great job, especially with young children.I’m going to organize my craft/room with the computer into something special if it kills me this year. Oh and I have a large building that is a walking hazard and catch all for everything.

  7. Susan Van Wyk says:

    Heidi, I enjoyed looking at your place…great use of space in the living room..and the colors are clean and refreshing. I’m a retired art teacher and artist..I have a studio space in my basement. It’s ALWAYS a challenge to keep things organized..seems like several times a year I have to purge all the stuff that accumulates. And with 3 kids I’m amazed you accomplish so much. Love your website. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
    Susan

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Thanks Susan! I am probably not hard enough on myself haha!

  8. I just wanted to say your home is lovely. I’m glad you shared your home with us. And let me tell you it’s very tidy and neat for a women with young children. Don’t beat yourself up about that.

    And home ownership is beyond overrated. Yes I can tear down any wall I like. I can wallpaper and paint until the cows come home. But I also have to pay taxes, fix things when they break (I’d kill to be able to call a landlord). So just be careful what you wish for!

    We live in a townhome we own. And are outgrowing it quickly so I feel you there!

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      I’ve heard many homeowners long for renting again. And I know that it will come with its share of frustration and expense. But believe me, I am ready for those pitfalls that come with the benefits owning a home!

  9. Well, this is my first visit to your blog (found you from your amazing pegboard on iheartorganizing), and let me just say how delighted I was to find such a real post right off the bat. #1 I think you have done an amazing job making your place cozy and warm! We have a basement which we barely use; although not nearly as large as your space, I have always wanted to rent it out simply because I am tired of wasted areas in our home. But your photos gave me some great ideas of ways to utilize the space to make it work better for us. #2 I love that you shared ‘real’ photos of how your place looks. I come to blogland for inspiration, but more often than not, leave my computer feeling like a loser because my house is not ‘that organized’, not ‘that clean’, what have you. Your post was such a great reminder that we all LIVE in our homes, and we all have parts we don’t love and aren’t proud of! #3 Us homeowners sometimes dream of being renters. I would love to pick up and move and start over fresh somewhere when ‘the lease is up.’ Anyway. You are great & fabulous, and you have a new reader for life!! 🙂

    1. Heidi @ Honeybear Lane says:

      Hi Lauren! Thanks for your sweet words. I try to keep it real because I am FAR from perfect. Good luck with your basement!

  10. Hi! I found your blog ages ago when I was looking for tutorials to make a slipcover for an old sofa. I wanted to come back and say thank you for that and also tell you that I FEEL YOUR PAIN. My husband and I have also been in a tiny apartment for way longer than I ever wanted to, and I can’t wait until we are finally homeowners! I’m also trying to find some ways to organize our space so I will be staying tuned for suggestions 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration.

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