With a flurry of day-to-day activities around your home, it's easy for hardworking spaces to feel overlooked or become cluttered. However, with a little attention—plus the right lighting, hardware, storage, and decor—you can refresh and update these areas to be better equipped for how you’ll actually use them. Creating spaces that not only function for your needs—but that also inspire efficiency, organization—and look beautiful as well. Here are our top tips to help you get started on your next project.

Your Project: Creating a Cohesive Entry

Your entry is where the indoors meets the outdoors—a transitional space intended to organize you and your family as you come and go. It also sets the tone for the rest of your home, which is why it’s important to enhance it with beautiful, functional details.

Top Tips

  1. Make sure your entryway is well-lit with a flush or semi-flush light. If you have a smaller entry, adding one overhead light can provide ample illumination, but if your entryway leads into a hallway, try adding multiples to elongate your space.
  2. Our wall hooks and hook racks are an easy update that add a layer of organization. With styles that range from whimsical solid brass animal hooks to Mid-Century-inspired wooden hook racks—we have over 80 styles and seven different finishes to choose from. You can also coordinate the finish of your hooks and door hardware with your lighting to create a more cohesive look.
  3. Refresh your entire space with a new rug or runner that’s sustainably crafted and easy to clean. Perfect for high traffic areas, it will instantly add a welcoming touch that helps guide your guests into the rest of your home. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate personality, color, and texture.
  4. If you have built-ins or a bench with a lower shelf near your entryway, placing baskets underneath it is a great way to neatly store shoes, hats, scarves, and any other items you don’t want on display but use daily.

Your Project: Mudroom Organization

Whether it’s where you leave rain-soaked jackets or wash the dog, the mudroom is a space that serves multiple functions. Keep yours looking fresh and organized with storage and organizational essentials.

Top Tips

  1. Start with ample overhead lighting. Our Thurman Flush Mount is a classic solution with a range of shade options to choose from, so you can create a customized look. Made from solid brass, our pared back Crawford Flush Mounts are another option that adds an updated Mid-Century-inspired vibe—plus, they look great in multiples.
  2. Shelving instantly adds surface area to any space and is an easy way to store items that you want on display. You can customize our shelving in a variety of options—choose from multiple shelf depths, lengths, wood finishes, and bracket finishes. Use small baskets on top of your shelf to corral everything else.
  3. Much like your entryway, adding a rug is an easy update that can help give this utilitarian space some personality. From plush hand-knotted styles to patterned flatweaves, our handcrafted designs come in a range of patterns, color palettes, and sizes. Consider one of our indoor/outdoor P.E.T. flatweave rugs, which can be hosed off outside for easy cleaning.
  4. If your mudroom doubles as an entryway, create a personal area for each family member to keep things organized. These can be defined using built-ins, baskets, or a designated shelf, guaranteeing everything stays within reach and is easy to find.

Your Project: Closet Refresh

Having a well-organized closet will help start your day off right. Make sure everything has a place with the right storage essentials—think bins, baskets, and hooks. And don’t forget a good source of overhead lighting to help you streamline your morning routine.

Top Tips

  1. Install overhead illumination that casts a soft, diffused glow and adds enough light so that you can see all your options when you’re getting ready. A flush or semi-flush mount is perfect for walk-in closets.
  2. Hanging hats, purses, or accessories on hooks is a great way to use vertical space that might be otherwise wasted. Use multiple single hooks for hats or a hook rack if your space is limited.
  3. Storage baskets on shelves is an easy way to store smaller items. Our Strap and Rod Brackets & Shelf Set provides plenty of shelf space and is ideal for hanging belts, purses, and other accessories.
  4. Solid brass hardware is like jewelry for your home. Adding solid brass cabinet hardware is a great way to elevate your closet built-ins or refresh a vintage dresser. Try our Mission Hardware Collection for a more traditional look, or opt for the timeless elegance of our West Slope Hardware Collection, which features a subtle coining detail around the edges and is available in up to seven finishes to coordinate with your lighting.

Your Project: Add a Wet Bar

Make entertaining easier by carving out an unused corner of your living space and adding a wet bar. Choose details that enhance the overall aesthetic of your home and highlight your personality. Complete yours with lighting, shelving, and a sink with a stylish faucet.

Top Tips

  1. If you don’t have quite enough space for built-in cabinetry and a full sink setup, try a solid wood sideboard instead. We have styles made from American hardwood, like our Mid-Century-inspired Shaw Sideboard, that can be customized with several hardware options.
  2. Add task lighting with a pin-up sconce or an elegant table lamp. A sconce with an articulating arm or shade allows you to direct light exactly where you need it—whether it’s prepping snacks or dishwashing.
  3. Put your favorite pieces of decor on display with open shelving. Shelving also adds an extra layer of storage for glassware. Keep your wine glasses clean, easily accessible—and off the countertop with our Under-Shelf Wine Glass Accessory.

For more home updates that combine beauty and function, see our handcrafted hooks, shelves, storage baskets, and more.