The Art of Organization

Conquer the closet and more tips for tidiness

An organized closet makes for a happy homeowner.

Photo by Jerry McClure

We’ve all been there: the mad dash to dress for an event and your left shoe has pulled a disappearing act. The frantic pantry search for that one ingredient you need to complete your signature dish. The elusive car keys, the vanishing billfold, the glove that got away.

Striving for order and organization this year? Here are a few techniques, compliments of Dave Perry Miller & Associates, to help you stay in sync.

Conquering the closet
We turned to Real Simple, the de facto publication for home organization, to help us make sense of a chaotic closet. Following this checklist, the publication’s experts recommend hanging additional rods (easy breezy to install) so you can spread out clothing and identify pieces clearly and swiftly.

Real Simple’s experts also advise using baskets to store off-season accessories, as well as installing a valet hook for dry cleaning or to plan outfits for parties.

Managing the mud room
Mud rooms are forever prone to messiness. HGTV provides “22 Storage and Decorating Ideas” to help you make the most of the typically small space.

Of importance: a bench for taking off and putting on shoes, for preparing a backpack or book bag, or for providing a place to wait for the rest of the crew. HGTV’s experts say other must-haves include hooks (for children, label each hook and make them low enough so the little ones can hang up their own coats and gear), an umbrella basket and a full-length mirror.

Another tip: have one basket for keys and wallets, and one for hats and gloves. These items often go missing so now they’ll have a cozy home — and you’ll save time and energy searching for them.

Putting the pantry in order
Get in the zone. This is one of the best ideas we’ve discovered for organizing the pantry, and it comes courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. BH&G’s experts recommend “zoning,” or keeping your food in order by creating categories and then designating pantry real estate for each.

This way, similar items are in one area, giving you a crystal clear snapshot of what you have, so you can save time hunting for that bottle of Tahitian vanilla extract or jar of herbs de Provence.

Do you have organization tips to share? We welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please use the space below to comment.

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Dave Perry Miller & Associates is a premiere residential real estate firm with five locations that specialize in marketing the key areas of the Park Cities, Preston Hollow, Uptown, Lakewood, East Dallas and Kessler Park. Dave Perry-Miller & Associates is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. For more information on luxury living, please contact Dave Perry Miller & Associates at 214-369-6000. Also visit daveperrymiller.com/blog for the latest news in Dallas real estate.

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Swedish meatballs news

Swedish furniture fave IKEA reveals opening date for first Dallas store

IKEA

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The first IKEA store inside Dallas city limits is ready to open its doors: Called IKEA Dallas - University Park, the store will be located at The Shops at Park Lane (8080 Park Ln.), at US-75 and Park Lane. According to a release, it will open Wednesday, March 11.

The Swedish-born furniture company will say hallå to Dallas with some fanfare on March 11, beginning with giveaways, coffee, and cinnamon buns at 8 am, followed by remarks from VIPs at 9 am. Doors will open to customers starting at 10 am.

And yes, there will be meatballs, they promise.

At 63,000 square feet, the Dallas IKEA will be a smaller-format store than its suburban siblings, such as the Frisco location, which spans 310,000 square feet.

IKEA is on a journey to become more accessible, affordable, and convenient, with smaller "urban" stores that have a limited inventory of items sold on site: 3,200 articles, just 2,200 of which will be on display. (The full product range, including big items like beds and couches, can be ordered online for free store pickup or home delivery.)

“This new store is a great example of our commitment to making IKEA even more convenient and accessible," says Rob Olson, Interim CEO of IKEA U.S., in the release. "We’re excited to become part of this vibrant shopping district and look forward to meeting the needs of customers in the area."

The Park Lane store will be two levels and will include a unique As-is Department, featuring gently used and discontinued items to support more sustainable home furnishing choices, they say.

The store will also feature a full Swedish food experience, offering IKEA favorites like meatballs, plant balls, hot dogs, and veggie dogs to enjoy in‑store or at home.

“We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of IKEA Dallas – University Park and share the IKEA experience with members of the Dallas community,” says Ben Sandoval, market manager, IKEA U.S. “From finding inspiration for your dream space to enjoying a taste of Sweden, we can’t wait for you to experience the joy of making yourself at home at IKEA Dallas - University Park.”

IKEA is not the only new tenant at The Shops at Park Lane. The shopping center piggybacked on IKEA's announcement to share the additional debuts of Crème + Crepes, Connect Studio DFW, and Intuit Turbo Tax, all of which are now open.

Once IKEA debuts, it will be open 10 am-8 pm daily.

openings retail university park, tx ikea