How is your house organised, how does it flow?

[NotABanana]

Our house doesn't work for me. Moving is not an option at the moment, though I long too, so I have to find a way to make it work for us.

Come in the house and on the left is the door into the lounge. The dining room (used for piano, computer, book case, bureau, hamsters) is separated by an archway (doors not on) and you go right, into the kitchen. Off the kitchen is a door to the hall way, which is opposite the front door.

The stairs are opposite the front door and DS2's room is just off centre to the top of the stairs. Either side of his room is DS1 and DD's rooms. Opposite DD's room is the main bathroom and to the side of DS1's room is our room.

There is no where to put stuff so DD has had a game from school since lat Friday and we haven't got around to playing it. Just tried and will get Dh to do it with her when DS2 is occupied.

Our room gets to be a dumping ground until we can get things put away. We also have an utility room, downstairs loo, downstairs cupboard and a big airing cupboard.

Every day is the same with me tying to get the house looking half decent and it gets me down.

MIL tells me it shouldn't bother me but it does and that is just the way it is.

I am going to bath the kids now.

foxy, that is great. I want a coat hook for by the door that also has a shelf or storage boxes but no luck so far.

DS2 calling me, back later.

You access the dining room through the kitchen or through the hall via the lounge
and DH said no to knocking down any walls.

I want DS1 to have a new bed soon and am looking at ones with storage or desk underneath but not sure which is best having never bought one before.

hat rack If you have one of these high up for adult coats, we keep bags and rugs on top - then half way down the wall we have the children's coat pegs. Then underneath is a double shelf until which we put bags on top the two rows for shoes. Its still a mess, but a compact mess.

This thread is really helpful My house is TINY, count yourself lucky!! This is what my hovel is like! Open main front door into a very small porch just enough room for a shoe cabinet (slim) and a coat stand (which looks a wreck as absolutely covered with coats) then in through the front door to a hall way in front of you. Immediately to left is my two dds room and opposite that my ds room go down hallway door on right to my room opposite that on left is small lounge and pathetically small kitchen, just squeeze a small table in it on one side but a real squash. In between door to my room and door to lounge is the bathroom....yes small again!!! Storage is a nightmare as the rooms are odd shapes and not really big enough for much furniture, furniture nowadays seems so big or is it that my rooms are just small!

I know exactly what the problem is, not enough things have a proper home.

hooks
and matching shoe rack These look smart, i have baskets on to of shoes rack for bookbags & stuff, a a lower row of pegs for the DCs' coats.

They look nice but I am not sure I could justify spending nearly £100 on them at the moment. Thanks though.

Ah, i didn't look at the price - sure they weren't so dear before.

Mind you my house is a total tip so i understand your frustration.

Notabanana, it's the idea that counts! Ikea have cheaper hat and shoe racks (although do try to avoid the very cheapest they are usually too flimsy to take the strain). Or could you put up a shelf and coathooks underneath? Are you or DH handy at DIY if that's not a personal question?