Finding Your Spring Cleaning Groove.

So your a single guy, living in a cramped studio apartment, which looks like an apartment for something other than a human. Don't fret, it's really your place, it's just lost in translation, because there is stuff EVERYWHERE!

Where to start? A Hurricane - you! Has spent the last couples months doing as little housework as possible, and in that same time span, you've worked hard on turning your tiny apartment, into an abstract piece of art worthy of a Picasso. But you've also alienated Katelyn, the pretty girl from school that you've had a crush on for forever, and who has been to your apartment once, and hasn't returned... Hmmm, I wonder why? So how to impress Katelyn, and teach yourself great organization tools, that will save space, and make your four-hundred-square-foot shoebox, look like a shoebox straight out of Home magazine.

Lets get started!

So I'm going to assume that when you first walk into the front door of your tiny mansion, there are shoe scattered about - your a bachelor, at least for now; Kate is waiting, or maybe she isn't. But it's safe to assume that you have your dirty five year old Nikes that should have been tossed after year two, and a host of other footwear debauchery, that need to be put out of their misery. Here's what you do to get your non-existing foyer looking nice and spiffy. Separate your shoes into two different piles, slightly scuffed, to the, you know, I don't have to tell you - yes those! So your going to need two things, a shoe rack and a place mat for no more then two pair of shoes, which means you can have just one pair, leave an extra space for your visitors. The rest go in a shoe rack, shoe caddie, shoe file, or whatever they're calling'em theses days. Here are a few suggestion. You could go with a cloth one, like the one illustrated here.

However, your tiny apartment and it's one closet will not accommodate this type of storage solution, because with the amount of junk piled high in your closet; this simply will not suffice. While stylish and compact, we're not going for style, we're going for practicality, and affordability, because money is not your strong suit, and we must stay in budget, and what works with this space. So I suggest something more affordable, like this one.

This one is slightly cheaper, more in line with your budget, and you can also hang it inside your closet door. This way, Katelyn doesn't have to see or smell you stinky shoes.

Okay, so we've taken care of your messy entry. Now lets work on all the music and gaming CD's you have strewn all over the floor in front of your gigantic flat screen TV that you have sitting atop a massive sideboard entertainment unit, that is ruling a good portion of the space in the room. They made flat screens for a reason - to save space, and you've done just the opposite - your in college right? Alright, I won't disparage you, we have too much work to do - way too much for the mere size of the room.

The first thing we're going to do is get rid of the oversized, bulky entertainment unit. You can purchase an inexpensive wall mount from Menards, Home Depot, BestBuy, or Walmart. The cheapest, for a 65" inch TV, is from Menards for $17.00, it swivels in both directions, and extends as well.

As for the sideboard, you can purchase a smaller unit, that can store your music CD's and PS3 games, as well as your gaming unit, and stereo equipment. Ikea and Amazon have great prices, that are within your spending budget, and are great space savers. Here's a couple that I think would work great for the room.

The first is good for storing books and CD's, while the second can hold both your PS3 unit and all your games. I would pick the second. It holds your equipment, and best of all, it's a wall mount, and saves you space.

We're almost there my friend, your space is going to be impressive and Katelyn will like it too, but we still have work to do. Now, when I first came in I was struck by the claustrophobic amount of furniture in the room. I take it, there's a sofa bed inside that puke green monstrosity you call a couch? Well it just won't do. You also have two recliners that look as though you plucked them right out of the alley, I can almost smell them from here. And why you put them in a 20x20 space is beyond me - this is why this cramped space has no uniformity, and the girl of your dreams has not been back since.

Once again we are going with affordability, which means it wasn't made in Italy, by master craftsmen, so Ikea, will be your safe bet. While it is not expensive, it works, it's stylish, and works with the new décor we are implementing, tell me if you like it.

You like it? Good, because it certainly looks a hell of lot better than the alternative. Now we need extra seating, that doesn't stank, or look like it belongs in a homeless encampment, and guess where we're going to find it? You guessed it, Ikea!

What we have here is a stylish, inexpensive arm chair, that matches the futon, only we'll have to match it in black or gray. I can take care of the remaining décor, but you'll have to do all the cleaning yourself. "But I have a question. When are you going to move out my house son and get your own place? Your dad and I want to remodel the basement, but your in it!"

"Are you kicking me out mom?"

"Yes... I mean no. Look Bryan, your twenty-three years old, with a year left in college; it's time to spread your wings. Besides, it has to be a bit embarrassing to be still living with your parents, in their basement. What ever happen to that girl Katelyn? She's a lovely girl."

"Mom, I came here because your an interior designer, now I have to add youth counselor to your resume. I know it's not a good look in terms of my living situation, but I can't afford to live on my own right now-"

"I know honey, that's why your dad and I payed for the first year of a lease, in a lovely apartment near the Uof M. It's not much bigger than the space in the basement, which is why I made the choices I did today. So get off your ruckus and lets go shopping kiddo."

"Thanks mom."

"Thank me later, when you get the girl honey..."

"You got it mom. Hey, while your in the spending mood. How about a new Beamer? Now that'll really impress Katelyn..."

"Don't push your luck son..."

"Can't blame a guy for trying..."