Get Organized

Make Life Easier in the Kitchen - Pull Out Cabinet Organizers Are Terrific!

2010-08-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

I recently installed three of these in my most frequently used kitchen cabinets and I can't believe I waited this long! Well, I kind of hated my kitchen until recently - I painted the cabinets and we installed a new countertop and tile backsplash and now I love it, but I do still plan on getting all new cabinets in a couple fo years when we can afford it which is why I didn't want to put any money into these cabinets. That being said, it was well worth spending the money on these! For starters, they were so simple to install, and now that they are in they really make my life easier in the kitchen! If you've been at all considering these - I say go for it!

Labels Can Be Key to Organizing!

2010-03-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

I truly believe that anyone who wants an organized home mustn't be without a trusty label maker! This Brother P-touch Electronic Labeling System is the answer to your labeling needs. It has 71 symbols built-in, as well as several frame and format options - you can even date- and time-stamp labels with the touch of one button!

Use labels to label food containers, in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. Label storage boxes in your closets and garage. Label office and desk gadgets. Label plug cords to easily know which plug belongs to what when you have a maze of cords. You name it, you can label it (well, just about!)

Click on the image to read more and purchase this gem!

Airtight Storage Containers

2010-03-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

These Oxo POP containers are my favorite storage containers. Due to the airtight aspect of these products, for the first time ever I can leave my sugar, tea, coffee, etc. out on my kitchen counter without having to worry about bugs. They even have a pleasing contemporary look to them.

These containers are even stackable, which is great space-efficient especially if you are short on space. The containers have a unique push button mechanism that also doubles as a handle to lift off the lid.

You don't have to restrict their use to the kitchen either - they would work great in any room of your house. There are several sizes available and you can buy sets as well. They are top-rack dishwasher safe and very easy to clean.

Sterilite Storage Baskets - Great for Organizing!

2010-03-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

These baskets by Sterilite are a great size and price. Every closet, cupboard, and cabinet in my home has them - I even have one in my car! I keep everything in them, from cleaning supplies to baby socks and clothes, wash cloths, medicine, toiletries, snacks and dinner ingredients. Each one is labeled so noone can say that they don’t know where it goes. I love them!

Organize Your Tupperware Cabinet!

2010-03-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

If you have a cabinet and a drawer available, here's a great way to organize that mountain of plastic containers that many of us have in some part of our kitchen! I like to separate all of the shapes and nest together small containers inside of larger ones - I stack all of the round containers together, as well as the square and rectangular ones. By doing this, you will not only be organized, but you will probably be very surprised at the amount of space you gain.

In a drawer, preferably right above the plastic container cabinet (or below, if your containers are in a wall cabinet), I do the same with the lids. Round, square and rectabgular, all stacked inside of each other, big to little, nice and neat and organized!

If you don't have that separate drawer for just the lids, then you can still organize them together by shape and size and find a spot in your container cabinet to store them neatly, like on one side, or even in a rack on the inside surface of the door (likethe one pictured at left.)

Shoe Storage - Shoe Organization

2010-01-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

Shoes aren't easy to organize. Having at one point had over 150 shoes, take it from me, it's not easy. Of course if you have a giand closet with plenty of free shelf space for your shoes, then it's easy. The rest of us need to organize our shoes as best as we can given our space. I've tried many different shoe storage options and many have worked for me, some have not. I wrote an article recently discussing my shoe storage experiences with links to many great options for organizing your shoes. Click here to check it out. Now go get your closet organized!

Kitchen Organizing

2009-09-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

When planning your kitchen storage & organization, begin by organizing what you have. See what you need first, and then buy organizers. Many people make the mistake of buying the organizers first and then struggle to figure out how to make them work.

Well planned storage makes room for display – be it functional or decorative – and leaves surfaces clear for working. Even in a tiny kitchen, getting organized can give you all the space you need to cook up a grand meal.

Find tips and great product suggestions on my Kitchen Storage and Organizing page.

Closet Organizing

2009-09-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

I moved into a new house a year ago and went from a walk-in closet the size of a small bedroom to a small walk-in closet that only one person can walk into at a time. As anal as I am about my "stuff" and the desire to have everything its place, this was pretty horrific for me. I had no idea how I was going to manage it. But to my surprise, I was able to purge a lot of things I was unnecessarily hanging onto and with some savvy shopping for closet organizers, I actually managed to get everything in - it was a miracle!

Here are some tips to getting your space under control:

take everything out
purge what you can
divide into daily use, occasional use and seasonal use
sort again into hanging items, things that will stack well, things that will fold or roll well, things that can be stored in smaller containers, and odd sized items
plan a flexible system that can accomodate the way you dress
consider the ratio of hanging space to shelf space and the overall amount of space in your closet
make sure your ultimate closet organization plan is sustainable

When you're organized, your life runs more smoothly. All will fall into place if you design your closet to mirror your priorities.

Pen Loop

2009-09-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

I carry a calendar/planner with me always - something that has definetely been a struggle with me just to find the right one that works for me.....that's a whole other blog post. What drives me crazy is when I want to jot down a quick note or I'm at the doctor's office and want to write down my next appointment in my planner right away before I forget and I have to dig for my pen that I know is somewhere in my purse. Yes, I'm sure the doctor's office has planty of pens, but truthfully - call me a phobe - I try and avoid using public pens if I can because it just seems to me that they must contain a high level of germs, so many people touching them and all.

In comes the Pen Loop! I just came across this and it seems genius - I told myself immediately that I have to have this. Then I thought, I could probably just make something similar to this to glue to my planner.......yeah, but when will I ever get around to doing that?! I'm going to order it right now...

Garage Storage Organization

2009-08-31T19:16:00.000-07:00

Dying to get your car into your garage, but can't because you have too much clutter? Gladiator Garage Works is an easy, affordable system to get you started on your road to the dream garage. Install a track system to get your yard and garden tools in order, or cover a wall with panels and simply slide on hooks and baskets galore to store anything and everything. You can start small and add on slowly or go big and build your dream garage. See all available Gladiator Garage Works tracks, wall panels, accessories and workbenches here.

Definition of Organized:

2009-08-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, if we're going to get organized together then we may as well know what the actual definition of organized is, right?

Here it is: formed into a structured or coherent whole; methodical and efficient in arrangement or function.

I like how that sounds, especially the 'efficient in arrangement or function' part - that's me!

With this blog I will try and bring to you the best products that I have found to help organize your life, from closet organization to organizing you life.