decor | Nice Family Homestead

Getting Organized in 2015 #4 School Binder & Entryway

Does anyone else have bulletin boards covered in school papers or a refrigerator covered in chaos? I just couldn’t take it anymore. We have limited wall space in our kitchen/entryway area and this is the where everyone drops their stuff and where reminders are posted. Although the space was “functional”, it was lacking “flow” and “style”. I’m a visual person as well as practical and the whole area was giving me a headache.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

First I took down most of the bulletin boards and created a “School Binder”. I keep all the important school papers for each child in one binder. At homework time I pull out the binder for reference and to update papers. I also created this form for each child as a quick reference.

Next, I moved our “shoe bin” to the central drop location. These bins hold winter gear and shoes. I added the fruit basket to hold keys, wallets, mail, etc. The picture frame can easily be turned into a white board to write notes.

On the other wall I still have the family calendar. I added the hooks for the kid’s school bags and got this great wall verse from Amazon.

This area is not the “Main Entrance” to the home, but it’s where we come through the garage and enter as a family. I think this awkward space works much better for us now and it’s much more visually pleasing. I can’t wait to add more artwork and accessories in the future! 🙂 Mama Nice

~Fall Is Here~

We have had a very busy summer. Our garden kept us on our toes as we learned to make organic bug repellents, mold killers and more recently – learning to can a variety of recipes. I hope to share some of the those recipes with you soon. For now, I’m getting inspired by Fall. I started to decorate and wanted to share some pics with you. Maybe you will be inspired too!

Front entrance. I made the wreath from supplies I bought at the craft store. I also painted the rock with a chicken a few years back. The two mums will hopefully tie it all together once they bloom.

The entryway has our “Shoe Bin” and “Hats & Gloves Bin”. I topped that with a family photo, cornucopia stuffed with fake flowers (thrift store special) and added some leaves to the large mirror.

Our Family Room gets the most use out of the whole house. We watch T.V., play games, drink morning coffee and spend time together. I try to keep it free of clutter, but still cozy.

This is a little corner cabinet in the Dining Room. It’s an old record holder I picked up at the thrift store. I use it to hold art supplies for the kids. The wicker watering can on top is decorated with fake leaves and the two photos in front are from autumn memories from years past.