Hide Clutter And Stay Organized With A Simple Curtain Tip

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Staying on top of household clutter can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle, particularly when your house is distinctly lacking in closed-off storage spaces, which could help hide away the worst of it. But if your home doesn't have a plethora of built-in cupboards, sliding drawers, or other hidden storage, you don't need to despair just yet. By cleverly utilizing a simple curtain and rod, you can create bespoke hiding places for a variety of unsightly items while keeping them easily accessible at the same time.

Whether you've got cleaning products piling up under the sink, craft supplies spilling out of open cupboards, or toys littering the floor, you can find clever and unusual ways to decorate with curtains that will add some delightful visual appeal while concealing your clutter at the same time. In addition, using a curtain to hide your possessions can actually help you be more organized as a whole. This is because you can choose to have the curtained area dedicated to a certain type of item — such as clothes, shoes, toys, or even DIY supplies. This means that those objects will have a specific home, rather than being spread out in random nooks and crannies around your house. However, while this is a much simpler and cheaper hack than installing a built-in storage unit, it can be helpful to know which areas of your home you can utilize curtains in and how to go about it. 

Conceal home office chaos

One common source of domestic clutter is the home office. Whether you've got piles of papers, endless notebooks, or loads of stationery, your cupboards can get filled up very quickly. This is a particular issue for offices with open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets because the chaos is constantly visible. So, try placing a tension rod over the cabinet or shelf and slotting a short, cafe-style curtain onto it. Stay more organized by keeping items you use every day out in the open and placing the rest behind the curtain, where they will be hidden but easily found.

Wrangle playroom toys

The nature of playrooms means that toys and stuffed animals often get left all around the space. However, this doesn't always have to be the case. If you have a wall nook, open shelves, or even just a simple table, you can place a curtain over the top to give those items a dedicated space and make it easier to hide them away. To carry on the playful element of the room even when the toys are hidden, try opting for a fun pattern like these GOLDLAWN Boho Rainbow Curtains instead of a solid color.

Clean up closets

Many closets feature open shelving so you can quickly find the clothing you want. This can be a pain, however, if the closet doesn't have doors because the rest of the space can end up feeling full and cluttered. By using the simple trick of placing a curtain over the closet, you can give the shelves a uniform look while still making it easy to find what you need. To stay super organized, try placing a different colored curtain over each area, helping you easily spot the separate sections for tops, pants, shoes, and accessories.

Blanket the kitchen sink

Having a curtain under the kitchen sink instead of a door actually isn't a new idea. In the past, many sinks were mounted on the wall, meaning they didn't have any attached cabinetry, and the space underneath was therefore open. Placing a curtain over that area could hide the buckets and supplies stored underneath. And this solution still works great today. Air out your under-sink cupboard, hide the items inside, and spruce up your kitchen all with one simple swap. For a truly vintage feel, try going for a classic gingham-style fabric.

Tidy up the garage

Though you may not spend time in the garage every day, having lots of clutter in it can make it hard to utilize the space for cars and other activities. By placing similar objects together — such as tools, gardening equipment, and car supplies — into a corner or on a shelving unit and covering them with a curtain, you can help make the space feel much more usable and enjoyable overall. You could also try a freestanding curtain, such as this HOMSCREENER Room Divider Curtain Rod, so it can be moved around to different areas as needed.

Cover under-stair storage

If you're lucky enough to have an accessible area under your staircase, then you have probably rejoiced in all the ways you can turn unused space under your stairs into storage. However, if this area isn't walled in, it can often become an eyesore you pass by every day on the way to the kitchen or front door. So, why not try hanging a curtain over this nook to hide the items inside and add a little flair under your stairs at the same time?

Disguise craft room cupboards

If you have enough crafting or DIY supplies to need a dedicated space just for those items, chances are your shelves or cupboards are bursting at the seams. And while it can be satisfying to know you have what you need for whatever project comes up next, the resulting clutter can end up being an assault on the senses. By hanging a simple curtain in front of your stash, you can contain your supplies to one area and even put your own stamp on the space by choosing a curtain in a fun or stylish pattern.

Stow away laundry mess

Is it possible that one of the reasons many people hate doing laundry is because of the clutter that inevitably collects in the laundry room? Maybe or maybe not, but either way, having an organized space can certainly make those everyday tasks a lot less frustrating. There are two key ways to hang a curtain for organization in the laundry room: you can either hang it over the miscellaneous items like detergent, dryer sheets, and lost socks, or you can hang it over the washer and dryer themselves to make them less of a bulky eyesore.

Block open kitchen shelving

Open shelving isn't for everyone. While it may look classy in magazines, it can often become a pain when the unsightly yet useful items you need every day fill the shelves and start to make the whole room feel cluttered. So, if you've been wondering how to hide the eyesore of open cabinet shelving in your kitchen, why not try a curtain? To help you stay organized, try putting items you use at the same time into one area — such as mugs and coffee pods — and hiding them with a curtain that echoes your kitchen's color scheme.

Cover a doorway

If you have one specific room in your house, such as a mudroom or pantry, that is full of clutter but doesn't have a door, a curtain could be the perfect solution for you. By simply hanging a tension rod at the top of the doorway and sliding your chosen curtain onto it, you can visually block the area off while still allowing for easy access to the inside. Using a thick fabric can even help keep different areas of your house warm in the winter by providing extra insulation.

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