RENEWAL: ELEVATING YOUR SPACE WITH THOUGHTFUL ORGANIZATION
Interior design offers an opportunity for a fresh start - a chance to transform your living spaces into environments that truly align with your vision and lifestyle. At Studio Thomas, we approach every project with tried-and-true design principles, by blending beauty and function to create spaces that feel renewed.
Central to this transformation is intentional organization. We believe that a functional home begins with thoughtful systems, ones that aren’t just efficient, but also aesthetically pleasing. That’s why we collaborate with experts like NEAT Method and EB Lewis to create spaces that are effortlessly functional for your everyday. As Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer of NEAT Method put it,
“The function of a home should be the foundation of how one lives. Once your home is organized, you will feel the positive impact in all areas of your life.”
With this guiding principle, we aim to help our clients refresh their homes and reflect on how intentional organization can elevate their lives.
At Studio Thomas, our design philosophy centers around the mantra, “Less, but better.” We prioritize simplicity, functionality, and timelessness in every space. Organization is integrated into our second layer of design, truly transforming a house into a home. Our approach begins with the “shell” of a space, carefully considering built-ins, storage solutions, and other functional design elements that enhance a room’s purpose. We’ve seen how even a small adjustment, like a custom closet layout, can make a huge difference in daily routines. A great example of this is in our own studio, where we’ve implemented an organized library system for our team. This setup not only has enhanced efficiency for our team, but reflects our design philosophy. As Kristen explains,
“Efficiency is number one. You can’t function in a space if you aren’t organized. If our goal is to create environments for clients that give them peace and good energy, it’s one of the most important things to do right at the beginning—get rid of stuff you don’t need and embrace our philosophy: ‘Less, but better.’”
When it comes to balancing style and function in organizational designs, EB Lewis offers valuable insight:
“Balancing style and function is at the heart of my organizational systems. I focus on creating systems that enhance the space itself, both aesthetically and functionally. The key is designing systems that make sense for how the items are used. Daily essentials should be easy to access, while less-frequently used items can be stored away but still have a clear place to return to.”
If you're looking to refresh your own home, here are a few practical tips from Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method co-founders and authors of the book, The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book:
NEAT Method X Studio Thomas collaborations in current projects.
DECLUTTER FIRST AND REGULARLY
Start with removing items that no longer serve a purpose.
This is arguably the most important step of the organizing process. Arranging items you aren’t using is not only a waste of precious time but requires more space in your home and larger product to store effectively. We suggest sorting your belongings into categories before editing to give you a better understanding of what you own and help you make informed decisions. You may be shocked to discover that you own 5 different staplers.
DESIGNATED ZONES
Organize spaces by function for ease of use.
Creating zones streamlines routines and helps you move effortlessly through your home. You can do this by storing items together that support a single task, such as making a cup of coffee or morning smoothie. When placing your belongings into your space, we also recommend prioritizing shelves and drawers within arms reach for your most frequently accessed items. Typically, you’ll find that they coincide with your daily routines.
INVEST IN STYLISH, FUNCTIONAL STORAGE
Choose solutions that are both practical and stylish, such as baskets, trays, or custom cabinetry.
You shouldn’t have to compromise style in order to be organized, or vice versa. This belief is at the heart of the NEAT Method, and it inspired us to create our own product line after years of organizing thousands of homes. From canisters and baskets, to hangers and labels, each piece is thoughtfully designed to bring both beauty and purpose to organized spaces.
MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY
Reassess and adjust organizational systems as needs evolve.
Organization is not one and done. As your needs change, so should your system. Pay attention to spaces that are becoming cluttered and difficult to maintain – this is a sign that a refresh is needed. It’s not uncommon for a space to need a label, layout or product update once or twice a year, especially if you are experiencing a milestone transition like welcoming a new baby or becoming an empty nester.
At Studio Thomas, our process begins by understanding our clients’ needs, and a vision for how their spaces should function. Using custom layouts and thoughtful space planning, we seamlessly integrate organization into every project. Whether it's a mudroom, pantry, closet, or laundry rooms, organization is always at the forefront of our mind. A great example of this is in our own studio, where we’ve implemented an organized library system for our team. This setup not only has enhanced efficiency for our team, but reflects our design philosophy.
Organization is about so much more than tidying up; it’s about creating a space that serves you, promotes peace, and enhances your well-being. By taking the time to declutter, plan, and implement intentional systems, you can transform your home into a sanctuary of calm and purpose.
Ready to renew your home? Schedule a consultation with Studio Thomas today and discover how our design expertise can combine beauty, function, and organization to elevate your living space.