For CCF and anyone else interested, here are the pics of the main living area of our condo!
I did tidy up a bit more than I do on weeknights, but didn't try to quickly solve any of the clutter problems I wrote about in my last post. Soo ... be kind! 
OK, so here's the view through the hallway from the foyer into the living space ... note record collection and random liquor bottles on left, AA's toy kitchen & the cat's house thingie that AA also plays with more than Noodles does.
Here's a view from the corner of the kitchen, looking over the island, that attempts to capture as much of the space in one shot as possible.
Here's the kitchen straight-on ... very small space. The stuff that's out pretty much has to be out; we've used most of the cabinet space to its capacity.
Here's the living room, and the least problematic view of the space, probably; unfortunately it's the view I look at the least, since I spend a lot of time on this couch.
Here's the dining room/crafts room. The sewing cabinet is behind the dining room table; the sewing machine lowers into it, which is super sweet because it's one less bit of "stuff" visible. To the left is my pet peeve, the sewing supplies storage unit.
Here's the view of the DVD/CD/videogame storage that AS finds problematic. I will admit that the clock which was there when we had a much taller entertainment center looks sort of silly and off-center.
This built-in cabinet is against the wall by the window, and in the lower right you can see the toy shelf and the board games shelf just peeking out behind the couch -- the couch is about 8 inches away from the shelf, so getting games is a pain, but we don't play them that often now that we have kids, so it doesn't matter too much. If we had room elsewhere, that's something I'd consider moving (the board games).
Closer view of the toys and games:
And, just so you can see some of the more "necessary" clutter -- AA's blackboard, our rocking chair, the bassinet up on two chairs, the swing, the bouncy seat -- so you can see why I want to simplify elsewhere and give my eyes a rest! (To the left in this shot you can see the balcony door covered by the brown curtain.)
There you go, my life laid bare. Let me know any suggestions or ideas this gives you of how to improve.
Our cluttered space -- (mostly) uncensored
June 20th, 2012 at 02:05 am
June 20th, 2012 at 02:39 am 1340159990
June 20th, 2012 at 02:53 am 1340160814
June 20th, 2012 at 03:04 am 1340161440
I'm literally going to sleep on this and see if I have a better suggestion than containers.
I keep fabrics in a flat bin, one that might be able to be stored under a bed. Would that work in your home for some of the longer bolts of fabric?
June 20th, 2012 at 04:04 am 1340165050
Kitchen: Try to limit the front of the fridge to just the calendar if its used for appointments, activities and messages. Try the microwave side for photos, magnets and mementos. If practical, move the microwave to the top of the fridge. Designate a cupboard in your Island as an appliance 'garage.' If you have any appliances that are rarely used sell them or move them to secondary storage like the impossible cupboard behind the fridge or Dining Rm cupboard.
We limit items on the countertop to those being used nearly daily. Your above the sink holder could hold more, like take-away cups for example. The nice glass fruit bowl for fruit? Would you consider adding a shelf above the stove to form a line with the bottom of the adjacent cabinet to offer the eye a straight line?
June 20th, 2012 at 04:21 am 1340166114
Bottom sections for juicer, irregularly used appliances, new home for counter items.
June 20th, 2012 at 05:11 am 1340169087
I'm actually currently doing the same with our wardrobe. Now that we don't have the walk in wardrobe anymore we need to have doors on them.
Sometimes just rearranging your furnitures around could help getting rid of that dullness feeling.
Also baskets and cardboard boxes are good for decluttering. I just got archive boxes from Aldi last week for $1 each and I saw them at Ikea on the weekend for about the same price, these prices are in Australia so they are probably cheaper in the US.
June 20th, 2012 at 05:17 am 1340169470
And if it were my stuff, I'd sell the records and lots of the CDs. But I know it's not my stuff, and maybe those are the things you really want to keep.
You might consider putting lots of the baby toys in a basket or two and then using that space on the built in shelves for other things. When our kids were little, we kept toys in baskets. If we went to the other room, we just grabbed a basket. And it made it very easy to clean... just toss everything in.
I sympathize. I remember feeling like we had a lot of clutter with babies. You need all that equipment AND you're short on time!
June 20th, 2012 at 03:10 pm 1340205036
June 20th, 2012 at 03:25 pm 1340205934
I completely agree with the wish to sell all the records, DVDs, CDs, videogames. If it were up to me, I'd keep about 25 items and sell the rest. Believe me, we comb through them at least twice a year and sell whatever we (ahem, NT) aren't attached to. I'd get rid of all the fabric, too. But before I bash NT's and AS's passion for collections, I'd have to post a photo of the bookshelves in the bedroom; we got rid of 75% of our books a few years ago, and they still cover most of a wall. That's my weakness and I'd have a really hard time parting with them.
The stuff that's out in the kitchen is the stuff we use at least weekly, if not daily. There are many other appliances and tools stored away, and we have virtually no more cabinet space available; you can see the Kitchenaid mixer had to take up residence in the fabric cabinet! But I'll have another look through the kitchen and see if we can't put more stuff out of sight somehow.
I'll definitely post "after" pictures, and now I'm fired up to make some changes in the next couple weeks.
June 20th, 2012 at 03:34 pm 1340206454
RE the record collection in the hall. It could use snug fit curtains (for safety & appearance). Use at least 4, probably 8 separate curtains. My idea is to have two tension rods for each horizontal shelf--on at the top and one at the bottom. Shirr the curtains (which are the same length as the shelf opening onto both rods. Each shelf gets its own curtain.
Oh, in general, I think any added curtains in the whole area, should try to look more like tailored panels, rather than gathery curtains. Clean, taught lines, rather than fullness and looseness. So actually I favor the double tension rod use over weighted hems. But to be honest, I think added doors would look better.
Is there a gap between the right side of the toy & game cabinet and the wall? If so, use it for storage, if you aren't already.
June 20th, 2012 at 05:11 pm 1340212293
In your built-in, upright books use less space and segment sized bins work wonderfully for toys or supplies. Alternatively use the space under the coffee table. Fabric fold down bins are terrific or cut down sturdy cardboard boxes to fit, paint on a couple of coats with a mini foam roller or cut to measure & staple on a vinyl tablecloth.
How do you feel about change? Try the butterfly chair in the DVD corner...can your TV hang on an articulated wall unit? Designate one segment of built-in for laptop and computer supplies. If DD uses her replica kitchen toy more than table/chair set reverse locations. The photos included a fabric bin and TV looking table holding a pretty box which need better locations. Can glass bowl filled with fruit transfer to D/Rm table?
IF the hall unit is as tall as the window above the built-in and IF width permits, I suggest reversing units. How much is that collection played? Would NT permit some albums stored in totes slid under the sofa or other storage space?
June 20th, 2012 at 05:32 pm 1340213525
I admire your willingness to consider new ideas. Most people find change incredibly difficult.
June 20th, 2012 at 05:45 pm 1340214313
June 20th, 2012 at 06:49 pm 1340218191
This wouldn't be free, but a microwave installed above your stove would free up quite a bit of counter space.
I really think bins in those cubbies could hold those fabric rolls vertically in the same space. I think the sewing cabinet has too many small cubbies to fit things well.
Could some toys/games be put away in another room, such as a closet shelf or under the beds? Kids often find joy in something old that they haven't seen in awhile.
Snafu, has some great ideas about rearranging the pieces of your home. I liked rotating of the kitchen table.
June 20th, 2012 at 07:18 pm 1340219915
June 20th, 2012 at 07:40 pm 1340221200
June 23rd, 2012 at 08:38 pm 1340483899
June 27th, 2012 at 10:44 am 1340793849
I much prefer the look of a clean fridge door with no stuff on it. Makes a big difference.
Here's an idea. Why not scoop up alot of stuff you're on the fence about as far as getting rid of it, box it up and ask to store it at a friend or family member's place. If you don't miss it after 6 months, i think you can safely toss it for good.