Form Meets Function: 6 Tips For Integrating Style & Decor Into Organization

One of the greatest misconceptions about organizing is that it’s all about creating a picture perfect aesthetic. In reality, it’s about designing systems that simplify routines and allow for proactivity in the future. When we organize anybody’s home, our #1 goal is making our clients  feel good in a space. That’s because feeling good in your space allows more room for you to experience feelings of joy, calm, and productivity. When your space feels intentionally laid out, you feel more at peace in your surroundings and you actually have the time to get things done. One of my favorite parts of my home is the matching bins. For me, matching bins are the perfect combination of organized and styled, because they create a home for smaller items and they contribute to the aesthetics of the room. Marrying form and function in this way makes me feel comfortable and happy in my home.

Of course, I want a space to look and feel good everyday, but it has to work for each client/family we come in contact with. 

So, how can you achieve a functional and stylish space that’s easy to keep organized and tidy? We asked our partners from across the globe to share their thoughts on integrating style and decor into organization. Read their tips below!

• Incorporating cherished pieces that tell your unique story into a space, like utilizing your grandmother’s teacup as a jewelry holder, is a great way to make form and function meet. Our homes are a reflection of who we are, and finding those conversational pieces and complimenting them with organizational systems is key!

  - Laura Kinsella, Urban Organyze (New York City, NY)

Photo by Urban Organyze

• When integrating style and decor into organization with items you own, the first step is editing belongings down to only what is needed and loved. That way every item in the home has value and is important. Once this step is completed, you have a blank canvas from which you can start to layer and display personal belongings and accessories. The key is to create the right amount of visual space between items to highlight them as well as create visual interest.

  - Lisa Smith, Simplify Studio (Raleigh, NC)

Photo by Simplify Studio

• We all have our own unique styles that show through in our living spaces. A great way to add a personal touch to systems of organization is by using products that compliment your style! If your home has a modern feel, then using acrylic pieces and touches of black and clean lines will accentuate that. If your home is more farmhouse style, using wood tones that add warmth and woven baskets will add to the look and feel of your home!

  - Amanda Haskin, Organize with A.S.H.home (Fort Worth, TX)

Photo by Organize with A.S.H.home

• Choosing a pretty basket is easy, but picking one that functions according to your specific needs is also a necessity. Thinking through each space with thoughtful intention is so important on the front end of a project. For example, a large basket may look good on a high shelf in a kids' playroom, but are they going to be able to see what's inside and actually reach it to play with the contents inside? If not, it's useless in that space.

  - Amy Davis, Less is Living (Nashville, TN)

Photo by Less is Living

• When your organization and styling/decor work in tandem, it allows the systems of organization to feel more intentional. When our surroundings look lovely, you’ll feel more inclined to keep it that way, thus making it easy to create a habit of organizing!

  - Niayla Suarez, Organized Simplicity (Atlanta, GA)

Photo by Organized Simplicity

• If you want stylish home organization on a budget, be strategic about where you splurge. I recommend spending more on products that can be easily seen, like a bathroom counter or on top of a dresser, and spending less on products for concealed spots like inside a closet or under a sink. Another way to integrate style into organization is to buy as much of the product as you can at once so you can create a cohesive look, keeping textures and colors aligned to avoid an organized space from looking jumbled.

 - Jessica Steckler, Organized to Thrive (Tacoma, WA)

Photo by Organized to Thrive

No matter how you choose to approach combining your home’s style and organization, all that really matters is that it works for you. If it makes you happy and contributes to your wellbeing, you’re doing it right! For more guidance on marrying form & function, be sure to check out our partners pages for even more tips & tricks!

To see if one of our amazing partners services your city, click here. They are truly the best of the best! If you’re interested in becoming a Life in Jeneral partner, click here.