I started out behind on the February Organizing Challenge over at Org Junkie. My first post was written on Feb 2nd, and the challenge started on the first.
I feel like everything I did throughout the month for the challenge was a last-minute struggle and was always the minimal amount I could justify doing.
And yet, here at the end . . . I’m quite excited about the changes in that room! It has a VERY long way to go with lots of decluttering projects, but the overall flow is sooooo much better and I really believe it will be much easier to maintain it this way.
Here are my before shots:
The view from the door into the room. The view that guests see.
The dresser that was right inside the door from the garage. This was my clutter-catching nemesis. A waaaayyyyy too convenient dumping ground when walking into the house. (By the way, this picture was taken after it had been cleaned off.) Oh, and that’s my tap floor in the background.
The eyesore desk. Another dumping ground.
And the bar. The bar we don’t use, and that we couldn’t use even if we wanted to because we couldn’t get to it.
My goals and results for this project:
Get rid of the dresser. (Turned it into the “TV Stand” and moved it where that was supposed to go.)
Move the couch to where the dresser is. (This totally blocked the door, so I “floated” it.)
Possibly remove the desk. (Heart palpitations . . . this will require an alternate computer set-up solution.) (DID IT! Removed the desk, and used the table that was holding the computer as the new desk.)
Move the TV to where the bookshelf is now. (Done, just on a different stand than I expected.)
Move the bookshelf to where the couch is now. (Done.)
Leave blank wall space around the bar. (DONE!!)
My main goal:
Make this room easier to use and maintain. (Yes, I’m already seeing the benefits of NOT having a dumping ground right inside the door.)
My after shots:
I LOVE it. Love it.
More angles:
There are still between 3 and 29 spots in the room that need tweaking, but I’m just so excited to have the big stuff done. Now, I truly feel that I have the basis for making this room all that it can (and should) be!
Here are my answers to the required questions for the challenge:
1. What space did you decide to organize and why?
When I started, I called this my office/gameroom/guest-room. Although this room had come a LONG way in two years (it was once a storage/ebay room), it had furniture along every part of the walls and too many junky areas which made it hard to maintain.
2. What steps did you take to ensure you completed the space within the 29 day timeline?
I did SOMEthing each week. Even if it was a thirty minute project that didn’t have a huge effect on the room overall, it was progress
3. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, my readers were such a huge help in this difficult space. I took many of their suggestions to heart. Primarily, they helped me decide that this room should just be “The Gameroom” and not try to make it so many different things.
The hardest overall thing was uncovering hidden clutter when I moved furniture. It was a good thing to acknowledge that it was there, but with my crazy month I simply did not have the time to deal with it all. I had to talk myself into just focusing on the big stuff.
4. What did you do with the “stuff” you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?
Most of the stuff I purged is in the back of my Suburban, ready to go to the thrift store. The desk is waiting in the garage for Hubby to drag it out to the curb. I’ll make the “FREE” sign.
5. Tell me one of your proudest moments during this challenge?
When I took the after pictures. I love the look now, and especially am excited that I took a reader’s advice and put a rug in there. (I just happened to have one!)
6. Explain any organizing “tools” you used to help you create additional space and to establish some limits and boundaries?
I think “floating” the couch was key. It helped the walk-through flow of the room and also created a different feel that I really like. I also am so glad that I used the dresser as the TV stand. The drawers will be perfect storage for the kids’ Wii stuff.
7. What is ONE piece of advice you’d give to someone else to encourage them on their organizational journey?
Do the easy stuff first. Don’t be afraid to do something small even in the midst of a big project.
OK. There you go. There’s lots left to do (like finding a spot for my tap board), but now that the room has the overall look I want, I’m so excited!
Here’s my weekly progress –
Initial Plan: Could vs. Should
The Room Re-arranging Story Without a Happy Ending (Proof that it often gets worse before it gets better!)
I cleared off the Very Scary Desk.
I decluttered and organized the bookshelf. (This is also the post that has mid-way pics from all four corners.)
I moved the computer to its new home and (almost) banished the desk!
Whew. Thanks so much to all of you for your help in getting this room figured out!
Oh. And I’ll be putting up my monthly decluttering update post tomorrow!
Chrissy says
I love it! It feels more homey and cozy in there and looking into the room as a stranger you can assume (correctly) its purpose! You did so great! This gives me hope for rooms that currently have closed doors due to the seemingly insurmountable clutter. Thank you for your honesty!
Nony says
“assume (correctly) its purpose” That’s exactly what I was hoping for!
Wendy says
It looks wonderful!
HappyMrsBass says
Nony!!! Great job! *clap clap clap* You made your room function wonderfully as a gameroom and it looks inviting! Can I come over and play video games, LOL? So proud of you! Whoo hoo!!!
Nony says
Thank you! I do love applause!
Livin In Duckville says
It looks great…. the ‘flow’ makes it look homey instead of a storage room with a couch in it. Good job!
Alana says
Hooray! Yeah, OK, there are still 3 to 29 spots left to declutter–but the room has definition now. I think you’re right–putting that couch there was “key.” It defines “corridor” from “this is here you sit” very well. I’m so thrilled. It’s like the room is designed to have that sofa right there. I really hope it continues to ork.
The tap board–behind the TV? I noticed the dresser is pulled out from the wall a bit to accomdate it. Would that work?
Is the bar all that functional? Could you place a curtain over the area and treat it like a closet? Or is that just an invitation for clutter?
I lurve those indos you’ve uncovered behind the couch. Beautiful.
You got a lot done, even though it was last minute and rushed–it as still something! Can e have more decluttering ebisodes, now? And some from this room, too.
Happy March!
Alana says
PS–sorry about the awol “w”s in the comment above!
Nony says
Ha! I read this comment first, so it definitely helped me with the W-less reading in your first comment!
hsmominmo says
you did it! this is an absolutely beautiful, inviting room. Nice job!
Mary Stephens says
Yay!!! Way to go! 🙂 The room looks heaps better….oops, bad use of words there. LOL 🙂 Good job. That rug was a good idea. Kudos to whoever thought of that.
Kathy @ Some of These Things says
Great job on the gameroom; you’ve made so much progress! (Love your blog, love your ebook!)
Some thoughts on the tap board:
1. Will it fit under that area rug in front of the couch? If that would work, then you could just roll the rug back to tap.
2. Could it go under a bed in another room?
3. Do you have an entertainment center or some piece of furniture in another room big enough for it to completely hide behind?
4. I like Alana’s idea of turning the bar area into a closet, if it is not being used at all. An organized closet. That stores a tap board
5. Have you ever considered painting Mr. Tap Board or something to make him more decorative. Maybe instead of trying to hide him, paint him a bright color and stencil the words, “Nonie’s Tap Board” or “Dance!” or some such thing on him. Or even a border area or something, if you need unpainted wood to tap. The point being, instead of hiding it, just make it part of the decor. After all, this is a gameroom, not a formal living room, make the tap board fit in as a part of it.
6. Alternatively, you could get an even bigger piece of wood and paint it with chalkboard paint, maybe make part of it a cork board, etc. Maybe frame out the edges cute. Then put it behind the computer decoratively. You could use the cork board to display kid’s artwork and such. Then hide the tap board behind that.
(I think I may have spent too much time on Pinterest lately.)
7. If it were at my house, I would probably just store it in the garage. Of course, then I would never take it out to use it…
Nony says
I’m definitely thinking about painting the tap board. It’s just too fun of an idea!
Shanna says
Yeah Nony!!!
Aaahhhh! Open spaces, more room to think! The couch/ TV spot is perfect, there is really no other way because what is really irritating when you are playing a game?? Someone walking right through the middle of your sensor area to use the bathroom.
You might have to “go shopping” in your house for something to put officey stuff on by your puter now that big desk is gone. Maybe you could steal that bookshelf? I think your dress form would look good next to your puter on the door side to kind of cozy in the desk from the door. Looking at the 4 corner pics made me think all your wall hangings could group together on the bookshelf wall as a gallery thing.
Sorry, you are probably still wiping the sweat form your brow after squeaking under that deadline!! It’s just that all that new space makes me all brainstormy!!!!
Shanna says
Tap board-totally stumping me. I mean you don’t want to drag it all around and possibly damage something while putting it out of site every time you use it, right? It would inhibit your wanting to use it.
Nony says
Yes, I’m definitely going to be looking for something to handle office supplies. Maybe a rolling cabinet that will fit under the table/desk?
Diandra says
Woohoo!
Both our offices at home double as potential guest rooms – one with a bunk bed over the desk, the other one with a couch/bed thingy. Of course this means we always have to keep our offices organized, in case we do have unexpected visitors.
(And yeah, I should totally get that shelf out of the middle of my office tonight.)
Britt says
I have been reading all your posts via my email, and I have to say I am SO impressed with what you have accomplished this last month! I only just found you a bit ago, (and read everything, everything!) so I can remember how many times you tackled this room, and how much it bothered you , and now it really does look marvellous! You’ve done it!
And the tap board. now you have that nifty rug, why not lay the tap board down, under it? Then you just lift the rug to tap, no moving the board required!
SAHMmy Says says
Good work! What a change!
Michele says
Oh my what a difference, it looks great! You got so much accomplished this month. Congrats on the sales for your book for it’s 1st month too,. Love the book and your new “gameroom” {thumbsup}
Nony says
Thanks, Michele!
kris says
Yay…it looks great!
Lorie says
I was thinking, like Alana, about putting up a big curtain to hide the bar area to use for storage.
Marsha says
Ahh looks so much better! I always hated the dresser covered with the blanket…don’t know why but it irritated me 🙂
Erica says
I didn’t read the other comments, but I have an idea. Could you keep the tap floor where the rug goes, and just roll up and away the rug when tapping? It could be a trip hazard, so your particulars will matter in this working or not.
Erica says
Oh, and the room looks AMAZING!
Jessica says
LOVE the before and after! This room looks so great now!!
Dana White says
Thank you!
Sarah says
Love it! It makes me happy to look at! Such a good job. I was reading as fast as I could (couldn’t not read the in between posts) so I could see the final. It’s just right for the room!
Jeanine says
I can just see your boys as pre-teens and teens having their friends over for game nights in that room. It’s the perfect hang out spot. Maybe have a card table or two available for board games as well. And stock the mini fridge with Mt. Dew for the all day LAN parties. (You can tell I have a couple of boys, a bit older now, but they still use our house for their get-togethers with friends.)
Rachel says
Looks great! I’m happy you found a use for that dresser and floating that couch really makes the room.