Back To School For Your Home

BACK TO SCHOOL
/’bæk/ /’tu:/ /’sku:l/   [NOUN]-[SEASON]

1. When some sense of peace may be returned from the crazy summer of balancing kids, camps, chores, vacation, etc.

2. A time to reflect on what can help bring some organization to you and your client’s home.

Getting back into the hustle and bustle of early bed times, packing lunches, and homework can leave any household feeling overwhelmed. One of my favorite areas of design is organization—whether that may be boot benches, charging stations, or home offices—those are the spaces that need that first-period kind of attention to detail.

Earn extra credit with smart storage

When working with your customer and heading out for the first measure, take a look at how you can utilize your design skills around their home.  Pay close attention to how they are using their spaces, cluttered areas, or blank walls that would benefit from your expertise.  Suggest simplifying their lives and routines by adding built in drop zones, home offices, cubbies and book cases.  The finishes and textures do not need to be matchy-matchy, My niche is ‘wink, nods and handshakes’—with fixtures, door styles and hardware all playing a part as you walk through the home.

I gathered a few of my favorite Medallion inspirational photos of spaces that help keep any home organized while holding true to style and function.

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Boot Benches & Drop Zones

What I love most about a drop zone for young kids or teenagers, is keeping all of their daily items in one spot.  Let’s help out with the inevitable “have you seen my…?” headache!

Seating and Storage

One drawer cabinets, like a 21DB3018, is conveniently used for additional storage and seating. Open wall cabinets are a can’t-miss target for hats, gloves and scarf storage.

Don’t miss out on the decorative elements

Shiplap in a different finish to in bring layers of details, or simply use wainscot panels to play up this door style’s beaded center panel.

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Home Offices

Back to school isn’t just for the kiddos!

Built in Desk Units can be a great add-on to any kitchen or nook in an adjacent room.  Whether they are desk height or standing/bar height, you can easily achieve a stylish and functional space with the same cabinets as the kitchen or complementary style.

I like to add base molding or a valance to dress up base cabinets and make them  feel    more like pieces of furniture. Medallion also has multiple mail cubbies that can be used for clever storage. Hidden or exposed— it’s all about how your client prefers to keep their messes contained.

A ‘flip’ on wall cabinets

Lift wall cabinets, such as our Bi-Fold give your area a more transitional look with an additional center stile, as opposed to a traditional wall cabinet.  Adding an easy to open cabinet that keeps the entire contents visible and accessible is a surefire way to get a gold-star from your customer.

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Drawers, drawers and more drawers…

Filing Cabinet drawers can keep your monthly bills, kids field trip forms, etc. all organized, clutter free and off the counter/desk top. These come in many configurations, quizzing your client on how they use the space will help determine what will work best.

Installed Bin Storage

Deep storage containers are not just for food. Having craft supplies in one space helps tackle those last minute projects, and keep kids accountable. There are multiple configurations available to meet any storage need.  Adding these in your showroom with office supplies and brochures will help your clients visualize the well thought out placement of these drawer organizers.

Ready…Set…CHARGE!

I don’t know any home that wouldn’t greatly benefit from a Charging Drawer.  They have been making a huge appearance in many designs – whether they are in a kitchen, custom nightstand or bathroom—be sure to suggest how convenient they are for all of our tech tools. They can be added in any design very easily with our 1-Click SKU’s – B18Charge is shown here, also available in a 3 and 4 drawer base, as well as a 2 door 36” base cabinet.  Since they come installed – your installers will love you. Have a conversation with the electrician on the project to be sure you have everything required onsite and ready for cabinet installation.

I LOVE all of these design options for a reinforced, clutter-free life that we are all (trying to!) balance these days.

For even more ideas on how to earn that “Designer’s A+”, check out Medallion’s Inspiration and Finish Folio pages.  To get fresh, new ideas for your clients, be sure to follow Medallion on Facebook and Instagram for new ideas from their Design Team, and from other Medallion Designers across the country.