When a Home Breathes Easier

The first sign of a well-organized home isn’t what you see. It’s what you feel.

It’s the pause that comes when you open a drawer and find only what belongs. It’s the ease of a morning routine unhindered by searching. It’s the shift from reaction to rhythm.

As a designer, I’ve long held that beauty is only half the story. Behind every effortlessly styled space is a silent system—an order that invites clarity, ease, and control.

Organization isn’t a trend. It’s an architecture of peace.
And your home deserves nothing less.

A Guide to Organizing with Elegance

This guide is designed for the real world—the client who shops at both The Container Store and antique markets, who values both form and flow. Whether you’re rethinking a single closet or reimagining your whole home, what follows is a space-by-space approach that honors both utility and aesthetic.

You’ll find:

• Room-by-room solutions for closets, pantries, garages, and basements

• Design advice that makes storage look beautiful

• Cost breakdowns for DIY vs. professional organizing

• Product picks that blend into sophisticated interiors

• A soon-to-launch printable Whole Home Organization Planner PDF

Why Now?

Minimalism may have once been about reducing things—but today, it’s more about revealing priorities. Post-2020, we’re more aware of how our spaces affect our minds.

And Google trends show it too:

• “Closet organization ideas” → 50K+ monthly searches

• “Garage storage solutions” → 20K+

• “Pantry organization tips” → 18K+

But most results prioritize plastic bins and Pinterest-worthy labels. Let’s go deeper. Let’s organize with elegance.

The Closet: Personal, Private, and Often Ignored

Why It Matters

Closets shape the pace of your day. A chaotic one delays you. A considered one restores confidence. And no—it doesn’t have to look like a Kardashian showroom to work beautifully.

Essentials

• Edit first. If it doesn’t fit or flatter, it doesn’t stay.

• Group by category, then color. Let your wardrobe feel like a curated boutique.

• Use slim velvet hangers for visual consistency and to save space.

• Double rods and shelf risers can double your capacity—elegantly.

Style Advice from Rachel Blindauer

• Swap plastic for linen or seagrass bins—they soften the visual noise.

• A single accent wallpaper on the back wall elevates even a builder-grade closet.

• Add a dimmable LED strip under shelves—small light, major impact.

Budget Considerations

•  $1,000–$3,000+ (Elfa, custom millwork)

Recommended Closet Systems:

Whether you’re designing a boutique-style walk-in or optimizing a reach-in closet, here are the systems I recommend most often to clients:

• Elfa Decor+ from The Container Store – Clean, modular, and surprisingly elevated

• IKEA PAX System – Budget-friendly and endlessly customizable

• California Closets – Luxe, bespoke storage with architectural presence

The Pantry: Your Quietest Workhorse

Why It Matters

Pantries are rarely designed—they’re outfitted. But with just a few layers of strategy, they can become a thing of beauty and clarity.

Essentials

• Store like with like (breakfast, snacks, baking) in labeled baskets or clear bins.

• Use glass canisters with bamboo lids for staples.

• Shelf risers and lazy susans maximize depth.

• Use the back of the door—not for chaos, but for overflow zones.

Style Advice from Rachel Blindauer

• Avoid over-branding. Transfer bulk items to minimalist containers with cohesive labels.

• Use woven baskets for a more grounded, organic aesthetic—especially in open shelves.

• Layer in a few ceramic or wood pieces to bring the pantry into your home’s design language.

Budget Considerations

• $1,200–$5,000+ (built-in cabinetry, lighting, specialty containers)

Recommended Decorative Kitchen Storage

Elevated storage is about more than hiding things—it’s about what you want to show. These are the systems and containers I trust to keep your pantry and kitchen beautifully functional:

• Williams-Sonoma Storage – Marble, glass, and brass storage that looks luxurious

• Rig-Tig by Stelton – Danish efficiency with soft visual appeal

• Marie Kondo Bamboo at The Container Store – Elegant, nature-inspired drawer systems

• Crate & Barrel Modern Pantry – Organic, open-kitchen friendly

📌 Rachel’s favorite kitchen inspiration

The Garage: Underestimated and Overdue

Why It Matters

The garage may be utilitarian, but that’s no excuse for chaos. When you organize this space with the same intention as your kitchen, it changes how the whole house feels.

Essentials

• Use vertical wall systems (like Elfa or Rubbermaid FastTrack).

• Store power tools and seasonal gear in lockable cabinets.

• Add overhead storage for bulky items (holiday, camping, etc.).

• Group items by task or frequency: sports, home projects, gardening.

Style Advice from Rachel Blindauer

• Paint the concrete floor a soft gray epoxy—it adds polish and hides wear.

• Choose modular black cabinets over wire shelves. Less chaos, more calm.

• Label bins in a neutral, consistent typeface—no neon, no clip art.

Budget Considerations

• Professionally Installed System: $2,000–$7,000+

Recommended Garage Systems

Here are a few top systems I recommend based on function, durability, and style in order:

• Gladiator Garage Works – Sleek steel options for serious storage

• Elfa Garage by The Container Store – Modular, clean lines, customizable

The Basement: Storage, But With Intention

Why It Matters

The basement often functions as “the place where things go”—which means it accumulates without purpose. With a little strategy, it can become one of your most versatile zones.

Essentials

• Use metal shelving units for bin storage—categorize everything.

• Create physical zones (holiday decor, tools, keepsakes, etc.).

• Keep a digital inventory of what’s in each bin via spreadsheet or app.

• Add a folding table or drop-down work surface for utility tasks.

Style Advice from Rachel Blindauer

• If it’s a finished space, treat it like one. Add area rugs to define zones.

• Use uniform bins in muted tones (black, forest, sand). Avoid visual chaos.

• Hide open shelves with curtains or sliding panels to soften hard lines.

Budget Considerations

• DIY Basement Setup: $200–$600

• Renovation-Level Redesign: $5,000–$25,000+

System Recommendations:

• PAX / HASVIK Wardrobe with sliding doors

• PAX / STORKLINTA Wardrobe combination

Whole-Home Principles That Apply Anywhere

• Use a single label style throughout your home for subtle cohesion.

• Stick to one bin type per room to reduce cognitive load.

• Add a standing “donate” bin to your hallway or mudroom—it keeps purging on autopilot.

• And remember: decluttering without rethinking your systems is only a temporary fix.

Download the Organization Planner

📥 Get the Whole-Home Organization Checklist PDF →
Includes:

• Room-by-room planning pages

• Product & layout guides

• Aesthetic organizing tips

• Budget estimator

Final Word

Organization doesn’t have to be rigid. In fact, it works best when it reflects how you actually live—not how you think you’re supposed to.

It’s not about creating a showroom. It’s about creating flow.

So whether you’re reworking a chaotic closet or refreshing your garage, know that every square inch is a chance to make life feel just a little lighter.

Start With What You Can Control:

 Book a Design Consultation
& Follow us on Pinterest for Layout & Styling Ideas

Design is what you see. Organization is what holds it together. Let’s do both beautifully. — Rachel Blindauer