The same applies to the pens, markers, rulers and crayons that are required each night for homework. I think I have found the perfect solution. Ikea offers something they call Wall Storage. It is ingenious and can go just about anywhere.

Need to keep the toothbrushes off the vanity? Combine the Asker container with a rail and S hook and you have simple storage for under $10.
Add a magnetic strip to any combination of rails and hooks, use the three-pack of lidded containers and you can contain thumbtacks in the office, spices in the kitchen or buttons in the sewing room.

I like the idea of using a magnetic strip for displaying kid’s artwork or even recipes. Just use a magnetic clip to hold them up. Better yet, let the kids decorate clothespins and add a magnet to the back.

Here’s an idea from Funky Junky Interiors:

This storage system was originally designed for the kitchen, and although I see it as multipurpose, the system comes with pieces designed specifically for the kitchen – paper towel holders and spice racks.

If you are planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, or trying to organize your existing rooms, you might want to consider the use of open wall space for extra storage

Check it out here.

The Fix&Flip Network offers some tips:
For beginners in home improvement, the flooring material that is easiest to install is vinyl tiles and sheets. Many vinyl flooring materials are already self adhesive, so you really do not have to think much about applying adhesives and bonding materials.

With vinyl, after you have laid down the vinyl tiles or sheets, you just need to ensure that the tiles are clean and free of dirt and you already have a floor that will look as if it has been done by a professional. Ceramic tile flooring is also popular, but it is easy to break. Utmost care is needed while installing them. Overall, vinyl is much cheaper and easier to redo just in case you see problems.

Remember that you cannot simply install vinyl tiles, wooden panels or ceramic tiles on top of your existing flooring. Finally, it is also important that you have all the tools that you need before you start your flooring project. Again, if you are not comfortable with using home repair tools, the best flooring material for you is vinyl flooring .

“Research shows that many homeowners don’t like clutter in the bathroom and seek storage at their fingertips,” says Steve Bissell, president of Robern, a Kohler company and leader in bath storage solutions.

For an innovative storage option, Robern has designed a new mirrored cabinet for people who want storage along with the aesthetics of a seamless mirror.

The Uplift cabinet isn’t like the standard medicine cabinet over the vanity that opens out and may block your access to the sink. The seamless mirror lifts upward, with a position-hold feature allowing it to stay partly open while you access everything inside. It is deep enough to safely contain medicine bottles, toiletries and a small radio and has an optional mount for an LCD TV. Interior lights and outlets for up to six electronic devices make the Uplift cabinet perfect for bathroom storage so you can have all those items you need at your fingertips. And, they aren’t cluttering the countertop anymore.

If you need additional storage space in the bathroom, try rolling shelves or pull-out baskets that can hide in the cabinets under the sink. You can include one basket for each family member and, since they pull out, you don’t have to crawl on the floor to reach a bottle way in the back of a cabinet.

If you don’t have cabinets under your sink, there are many options for creative storage including bins and baskets to hold items like extra toilet paper, perfumes and colognes or hair-styling accessories. Depending on how tight space is, you can put a cabinet above the toilet, or find a stand-up container to fit between the toilet and the vanity. Another option is to find containers that work well on top of the vanity, allowing you to keep items within close reach.

In the shower, don’t trip on loose bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap. Find an organizer that fits over the shower head or attaches to the shower wall with suction cups so you can get those items off the sides of the bath or the floor. If you have more than one person using the shower, consider getting each family member a separate organizer.

To keep your outlets uncluttered, make your nightlight part of the vanity mirror. The Uplift cabinet has an interior light to illuminate items stored inside and an optional nightlight along the handle that allows you to see well enough to move about the bathroom safely.

“Sometimes the most inspired ideas are the simplest,” Bissell says.

Repair broken floor tiles/install new tiles
To spruce up the bathroom or kitchen, repair broken tiles and install new ones. Try using the Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool for best results. Insert a grout blade into the oscillating tool and orient the blade on the tool so you can best access all four sides of the broken tile. For hard set grout, use the maximum speed; softer and less-set grout can be worked at a medium speed. Keep the blade at a right angle to the floor, being careful not to knick the remaining good tile. Remove all the old tile and dust.

Continue working away remaining grout. Remove the remaining thin set material with a diamond coated accessory. Attach the sanding pad and diamond paper. With the sander flat to the floor, work away any old material, dusting several times throughout. Removing the excess material will allow the new tile to sit flush with the other tiles already in place. Once the surface is clean to the subfloor, remove any dust with a wet sponge. Finally, affix and grout new tile into place.

Refinish kitchen or bathroom cabinets
Refinishing cabinets in a kitchen or bathroom is an inexpensive way to update the look of the whole room. Detach all of the drawers and doors and store them in a clean, dry place. Inspect the cabinets for any damage, and repair with wood putty or by sanding. Then, wash cabinets to remove any dirt that has accumulated over time. In order to make the next step, sanding, as effortless as possible, use an oscillating tool with sanding pad and sand paper. 120 wood sandpaper is usually recommended. While sanding on medium speed, keep the sanding pad flat to the wood. Always move the pad in the direction of the grain. Finally, paint or stain the cabinets.

Tile grout
Removing and replacing tile grout is a small renovation project that pays big dividends in appearance and most homeowners find the project simple enough to do on their own. One of the primary reasons people replace grout is because of mold accumulation. The first step is to remove the existing grout material. Invest in an inexpensive power tool equipped with an attachment designed specifically for quick grout removal such as a rotary tool with a grout removal blade which will grind the old grout away in a matter of minutes. Then, thoroughly clean the areas where the existing grout was removed before adding the new grout between tiles. Remember to follow the grout manufacturer’s directions for a clean and thorough job.

Remove old caulk
Removing old sealing caulk from around a sink or bathtub is a simple way to refresh a room. Begin by lining caulk with masking tape to reduce the risk of scratching the porcelain or tile. For easy removal, use an oscillating tool with a flexible scraper blade. Set the tool at a low speed and insert the blade in between the wall and the caulk. Make sure that the screw head does not make contact with the surface during the scraping process by holding the tool at an angle to the blade. Work the line between the sink and the lower edge of the caulk and peel away the remaining caulk. When all the caulk is removed, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue and remove the tape.

To re-caulk, line the seam with fresh tape. Hold the nozzle of your caulking gun toward the joint about 45 degrees out from it. Apply steady pressure to the trigger while moving the gun at a smooth speed along the length of the seam.

It’s hard to believe there are really so many beautiful bathrooms out there. I know not one of mine comes within miles of these, and yet zillow.com has assemble photos of real bathrooms for views to vote on in “duals”.

Check it out: dueling digs: bathrooms

Maximizing livable space is how the American Institute of Architects (AIA) describes this new trend, a by-product of a down new-housing and real estate market. Smaller remodel projects – finishing attics and basements – readily achieve that goal, making the home more enjoyable today while increasing its resale value tomorrow.

Nearly 130 million homes are currently in need of work, including adjustments to meet “changing preferences and lifestyles,” such as family members returning home to live, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

As the owner of a smaller home, you should know that adding even a small bathroom is among the best investments you can make, typically returning 65 percent or more of the cost on resale. In the attic or the basement, you can save money on a bath addition by using macerating plumbing, which requires no digging for under-floor drainage piping.

For this same reason, you can also convert an existing room or even a closet into a new small bathroom to better accommodate guests or even family members moving into your home. No digging for drainage means a quicker, less messy and cheaper installation experience. Macerating plumbing systems can handle the waste from a toilet as well as a sink and a tub/shower. As a result, you can create not just a powder room, but a full bath with all the decorative accessories.

Install an up toilet
Known as an up toilet or above-floor plumbing, macerating technology is the way to go, says East Taunton, Mass., plumber Mike Sikorski, who installs Saniflo brand products. Plumbing waste and water are pumped through small-diameter piping, which can be located inside the wall, right into the sewer or septic tank. Sikorski estimates that this type of system saves his customers $1,000 on average, “and that’s on the low side,” he says.

Mike Vines of Lake Orion, Mich., recently improved his home with a basement upgrade using an up-toilet system. “I couldn’t be happier,” he says of the half bath he added to the family home. “In these tough times, anything you can do to increase the value of your house, the better off you’re going to be.”

Tips for a better bath
Here are some tips to make the most of your bathroom addition, even if it’s a small one:

* Maximize space by placing a pedestal sink in the corner along with a mirrored medicine cabinet designed for in-corner installation.
* Plan your new bath so the door won’t bump into anything when it is opened. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (www.nkba.org) is a good resource for planning dimensions.
* Must you have a tub, or will a shower suffice? Putting in an enclosed stall shower saves a lot of space.
* Install grab bars to prevent falls. They’re not just for the elderly. The Home Safety Council (www.homesafetycouncil.org) recommends grab bars in every bath.
* No window? Good lighting can make a room look and feel larger. Recessed lighting is a smart choice for small spaces. Task lighting over the sink is a welcome feature.
* Don’t forget the fan. Installing a fan can help prevent moisture problems, such as mold and mildew.

This is not the track lighting from the 1960s and ’70s – those clunky and chunky fixtures in black or white that became hallmarks of contemporary interiors. Now there are a lot more choices: Track heads are smaller in size, available in traditional styles and offered in a variety of finishes including brushed nickel and bronze to coordinate with appliances and hardware. These same metallic finishes are also popular in recessed lighting trims for the same reason, according to Shelley Wang, president of WAC Lighting.

Besides coordinating seamlessly with decor, today’s track and recessed fixtures provide supreme versatility. These lighting products come to the rescue when space configurations make it tough to illuminate all areas.

Out of sight = clean design

“Recessed fixtures are generally preferred for general lighting in almost any room of the house,” notes Joe-Rey Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.

Wang agrees, adding, “They are perfect for illuminating otherwise dark spaces where portables and direct-mount fixtures have limited capabilities and would visually clutter the design.”

Recessed lights offer flexibility in that they can be individually aimed, according to Wang. “Square downlights in singles and multiples are a great linear look that was first made popular in retail and architectural spaces, but are now found regularly in high-end homes,” she explains. “Trimless recessed lights ensure that nothing protrudes below the ceiling plane, giving a minimalist look.”

Homeowners can rely on recessed not only when illuminating hallways and kitchens, but also to supplement other light sources in family rooms and bedrooms.

Glenn Siegel, marketing director for Cooper Lighting, has observed two growing trends: an increase in finish choices and a preference for recessed, square shapes for an architectural look. “In both Halo’s recessed and track lines, we now provide updated metallic finishes that range from Aluminum Haze, Satin Nickel, and Tuscan Bronze to Antique Copper,” says Siegel.

To save on energy, plus limit awkward bulb changes on the ceiling, consumers can buy compact fluorescent bulbs suitable for recessed fixtures. Placing the lights on a dimmer will further cut electrical costs and allow the user to vary the levels of light to create ambiance. Several lighting manufacturers are now offering LED-powered recessed fixtures and hanging pendants suspended from track for even greater energy savings over time.

Where to use today’s track stars

“Almost any room in the house is a candidate for a track system,” Rey-Barreau says. Once relegated to applications such as hallways, recreation and family rooms, and basements, track lighting is now being employed in dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

“Track lighting has changed from a mundane product category into one that is design-conscious and extremely flexible,” Rey-Barreau states. The variety of fixture styles and lamping choices are diversified and available in an array of bulb options.

“One of my favorite applications is in renovation projects where the lighting placement is limited by the location of electrical service in the ceiling. Since the track allows for multiple fixtures in a linear configuration, it is possible to provide electricity to the track in one spot while allowing the fixtures on the track to reach many parts of the room,” Rey-Barreau says.

“Tons of homes are built with one junction box in the ceiling, but the residents want to update the space to incorporate general, accent and task lighting,” Wang concurs. “If recessed lighting is not feasible without lowering the ceiling height, a track system is a nice alternative. I faced this issue inside my pre-war New York City apartment and the track solution came out great.”

Track systems have evolved into highly decorative and functional lighting solutions. “The most common type is the monorail, which contains a single rail of electrified cable that can be installed either in straight runs or can be bent in the field for custom designs,” Rey-Barreau notes. The monorail provides the greatest flexibility and has an almost unlimited range of fixture options. With these new systems, the track becomes very much a part of the room’s overall aesthetics.

“One of the advantages of the monorail is that you can attach both pendants and accent fixtures on it,” Rey-Barreau explains. “Therefore, in a location such as a peninsula in a kitchen or a basement bar, you can place pendants above the work surface while creating spot lighting on objects in the room.”

Terry McGowan, director of technology for ALA, also appreciates the monorail’s flexibility. “I like to use it in dining rooms, even if there’s a suspended fixture over the table. Track adds downlighting and sparkle to table settings and can also be adjusted to accent sideboards, buffets, wall art, or sculpture,” he comments. “The decorative fixtures can then be dimmed so they’re not glaring.”

“Natural ventilation created by venting skylights is much more effective than opening a window,” says John Carmody, director of the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. “ Green building guidelines encourage homeowners to provide more natural ventilation, primarily because it reduces energy consumption,” says Carmody, the author of several books on building design.

The chimney effect created by an open skylight exhausts volatile organic compounds (VOCs) along with humid, moist, stale air while admitting healthful, natural light, explains Joe Patrick, senior product manager with VELUX America. “Homes that can’t ‘breathe’ can be unhealthy, as VOCs can build up in tightly sealed spaces and cause health problems.”

Patrick also points out that while modern skylights allow a home to breathe, they don’t leak. “This was sometimes a problem with early skylights, but quality units, properly installed with matched flashing kits, make that an unnecessary concern,” he says. “They are as dependable and functional as any vertical window or other installation that requires an opening in the sides or roof of the home.”

Kitchens and bathrooms are areas of the home where venting skylights are particularly effective for removing heated, moist air.

Kirsten Ritchie, a civil engineer and regional director for sustainable design for Gensler, a global architectural, design, planning, and consulting firm, says, that among her favorite innovations or design ideas for a green kitchen are, “lots of operable windows for natural daylight and free ventilation.”

Patrick points out that operable skylights serve the same function and offer as many, if not more, accessories to adjust and control light and ventilation as do vertical windows. Plus, skylights offer sensors to close them in case of precipitation.

“Venetian blinds are available to adjust light, cellular shades to diffuse light, light block shades to block light from the inside, and exterior heat block awnings block heat before it enters the home,” Patrick says. “And ENERGY STAR-qualified skylights with energy efficient, insulated, low-E glazings offer protection against solar heat gain, resist condensation twice as long as clear glass, and protect interiors by reflecting the vast majority of the sun’s fade-causing rays.”