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My pantry serves as our laundry room, storage room, cleaning closet, china hutch and tool shed. It can get a little crazy up in here. There’s lots going on.
We have two huge bookshelves (twice the width you see here) for holding everything, as well as the big filing cabinet, which holds all of our bigger tools.
A while back we installed two pegboard panels above the tool cabinet. I usually say that everything should be put away for a clean, uncluttered look. But sometimes, especially in a small space, things can get buried quickly. Making this pegboard has made my life so much more efficient.
Since the pantry door is usually open I wanted the pegboard wall to be as clean and simple-looking as possible. I thought about painting the pegboard a cool color at first, but I didn’t want it to stick out more than it already does, so I left the white. But I did spray paint all the organizational hardware the same rose gold color.
It’s subtle, but I like the little bit of shine.
I also use about a dozen clear tupperware bins. I bought them at Home Depot for a dollar each.
I have them labeled with these cute chalkboard labels from Martha Stewart’s label line for Avery.
Each bin holds something small and specific, like upholstery staples or tape or wall anchors.
Another thing that helps keep this room running smoothly is my little whiteboard. I jot down things on this board that we’re running out. They’re usually things I wouldn’t remember while making a shopping list (like laundry detergent or light bulbs).
Other things that make the room special to me- the persian rug I bought in Belgium for just a few euros (I think it was only three!) and the pair of porcelain animal hooks I got in Delaware at the Amish flea market. We usually hang aprons from these and the girls adore them.
The pantry is sort of like the command center of our home. It’s been surprisingly good to us these past two years (not that I won’t be excited for a little more space when we move!). I think this room was a great learning experience for me and reminded me how well a space can function when it is well-organized.
So, I’d love to hear about your best organizing tip. What do you do to keep your challenge spaces tidy and running smoothly? Share your tip in the comments section for a chance to win a whopping $500 in gift cards! $250 to Target AND $250 to the Container Store!
Contest ends June 24. Rules can be read in full here. Good luck!
My organization tip is lazy susans in my corner cabinets in the kitchen have really helped me out. I have spices and other essentials on them that now do not get lost at the back of the cabinets. Also a dresser in my entryway has been a great way to corral mail coming in, and hats/mittens, etc.
I use my pantry as a pseudo-stock room. My husband and I like to buy paper products in bulk (to be green and reduce packaging :)) — we store them in large, labeled stacking bins for easy access.
A place for everything forces me to put things away. If something doesn't have a place, then it usually gets thrown out (or the old gets replaced!).
I only buy what I need. Everything else that I don't have out is just given away to someone who can use it. This helps me maintain a clear heart and home:)
I swear by using plastic containers to corral and group small things in my medicine cabinet. And I love making labels too!
I use the Container Store clear shoes boxes for everything: containing sandwich fixings together in the fridge, holding all our water bottle components in the cupboard, and collecting ribbons and bows in the crafter closet. They are the best!
I have my kids bins labeled with a picture so my littlest ones can put their toys back where they came from.
My biggest issue is toys. Lately I have been putting a bunch of toys in storage in the basement, and then rotating the toys in and out every week. Seems to be helping!
Great space! Can't wait to see what you do with the new place. I would absolutely die without plastic bins and my label maker (although your labels are way cuter!)if you stop moving long enough in my home you get a label! Thx for the great giveaway, too!
With two young boys, the area around our toilets tends to get funky quickly. Last week I finally bought disinfecting wipes and (whoo-hoo!) my bathrooms don't smell anymore! I held out for a long time because it seems wasteful to throw out a wipe each day instead of reusing a cloth, but now I think the convenience makes it worth it.
We have a huge amount of space under the stairs. Half is used for storage and the other half… a lego center. The older boys can hideaway and play without worrying about toddler hands destroying. We use an IKEA storage system and have the legos sorted by color. There are also two older nightstands in there that can be used to display and hold their creations until the next time. They think they are Harry Potter and I don't step on legos all day. A win/win!!
I have great difficulty keeping organized! In my pantry, I have plastic bins that are organized according to type of food. In my mudroom, I have a shoe cubby for shoes, and a huge basket for boots and shoes that don't fit in the cubby. So I guess bins are my best organizing tip for those that can't keep up with precise organizing – at least have bins to contain the mess! :)
I just reorganized our kitchen drawers after your inspiring post this spring. The best thing I did was de-clutter them! I moved the kitchen utensils we don't use very often (like a muddler) to a spot in the garage where I keep extra kitchen equipment.
Mason Jars in an old cupboard. So many things fit in an old mason jar!
I'm currently working to get my office/craft room/hardware store organized and this post is a great help!!
As for a tip… well, my main focus right now is to purge! After that, I'm still at a little bit of a loss!
I am a firm believer in sorting things into baskets. When my husband and I moved into our first home, I would come home to find things scattered all about the common areas. Shoes, laptops, books,you name it. After about a week I decided that something had to be done, so we went to Target and Ikea and bought baskets to help keep our things sorted. Now the hubs puts things in their proper place, out of site.
Also, I have a duck bust that reminds me very much of your animals busts.
I am not as organized as I would like to be. I love seeing how others do. I do have old decorative trunks around the house that are also used for toy storage. :)
I am addicted to my label maker. No one in my house can say they don't know where things belong!
I can't live without lists and bins. I make lists for everything and keep them in my phone so if I'm running some errands I won't miss anything.
A great tip I learned years ago is what I call my few seconds rule. You always need a box or bag before beginning. For example, when cleaning out a closet, filter through your shirts, and think "do I love this, wear this, want this?" It literally takes 2-3seconds to decide these things. If no, I take it off the hanger, throw it in a black bag and keep going until I'm done. This works for closets, drawers or anything you want to filter through. After I'm done, I immediately take the bag to the garage, or toss it in my car for the next time I'm passing a donation site. The key is NOT to reopen the box or bag, which can lead to second-guessing. I always use black trash bags, it helps :-)
If something's ugly or cluttery, it's stored in a closed cupboard or bin. If it's pretty and/or frequently used, it can stay out in the open.
We live in an old home with very limited closet space, so everything must have a designated spot. Clear storage containers are my best friend!
Brooke
I keep my husbands "dresser" with all his clothes in the laundry room. It started out because he would get dressed there anyway because he was pulling clothes out of the dryer to get ready. I thought why haul all the clothes to our room. His dresser is literally 5 ft across from the dryer now! Works perfectly!!
Separate labeled bins for easy organization. Our medicine cabinet was a mess with bottles and boxes scattered all over. I bought inexpensive bowls from target to hold different medicines: cold and allergy, basic boo-boos, sunscreens and aloe gel, and others. Now it is easy to pull the one bin you need and find exactly what you are looking for!
I cut up old cereal boxes in to different shaped boxes to put in our kitchen junk drawer. That way I can try and organize all the different odds and ends that find their way to the drawer
We use baskets for everything. Dirty laundry, clean laundry, things that need to go upstairs, things that need to come downstairs, and my fave is a large basket by the door where my boys keep their shoes.
In the bathroom I use lots of glass jars/containers to hold things like bobby pins and cotton balls. Pretty and functional.
I just installed pegboard in my office/library/sewing room complete with flex lighting and a fan! It hold the thread, all rulers, iron, spray bottles, scissors, pins, pencils, etc. My drawers are more organized and the things I use most are right there in front of me. Even the men in my life have commented on it. Now that really says something to me! I got creative with my wire baskets, they were meant to contain soap and lotion on the counter, but I hung them and they look darling. Love your little baskets and would like to use them on the yet to be installed tool board above the workbench in the garage. Care to share where you got them?
We have storage containers and labels for everything to keep our home organized!
P/S: Come by and enter my current giveaway for a chance to win a $65 gift cert (to redeem a designer pillow of your choice), if you like!
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
my mom gave me this hilarious book from the 70's called "Sidetracked Home Executives" and they gave me all sorts of organizing tips! I really love those Martha chalkboard stickers for bins too!
I need to adopt several organizational secrets. I feel like my stuff is put in a box never to be found again. I have enjoyed reading the comments and think I might go buy some chalk board labels, they look very cute.
Oh, how I love organization! The best thing I've learned is to be a ruthless editor! If I don't need it or love, I get rid of it. And if I don't need it or love it, I don't buy it. For the stuff I do need to store I've made sure my space works for me with closet organizers, underbed storage, and multi-functional furniture.
Label, label, label and bins, bins, bins.
I even freeze soups and sauces flat in zip-top bags and "file" them in a bin in my freezer.
I find I'm much better organized, and my home is much cleaner when everything has a place. We're less than a year into a new house and I've been *much* slower at organizing this go round. Slowly but surely!
I find I'm much better organized, and my home is much cleaner when everything has a place. We're less than a year into a new house and I've been *much* slower at organizing this go round. Slowly but surely!
It's all about the storage bins, baskets, etc. Having all like items together keeps sanity in the house!
I'm a list person. If I don't write it down I forget and that includes chores. Plus, crossing something off my list gives me that feeling of satisfaction and you just can't beat that!
My biggest organizational challenge is my desk. Everything just gets thrown onto it. I've found if I keep fresh flowers on the desk, I appreciate it more and I keep it tidier!
Thanks for the great giveaway :)
My tip is have a place for everything and make sure to put everything away if its not being used
My tip is have a place for everything and make sure to put everything away if its not being used
A clean and organized house is a happy house!
I have to do a little organizing (15 minutes) every night before bed. If I make sure the little things are taken care of, then I'm not faced with a few hours of organizing on the weekends.
baskets, baskets, baskets! They can keep things organized and hide them. Love the chalkboard labels! Thanks for sharing.
Organization has been a goal I've rarely reached, but I have found well labelled bins to be so helpful.
Great giveaway!
ebmusser at hotmail dot com
Storing most frequently used items in the most accessible places makes my life more simple and it's easy to put stuff away, too.
I painted the kitchen wall next to the pantry door with chalkboard paint so now I have a whole wall of lists, comics, and funny jokes among my family. We also like to feature our "what happens if we run out of _insert here__.." Example: What happens if we run out of -Bread?!….No nutella sandwhiches!!Which would lead to serious injury to others and surliness like a motha**.
In order to keep storage under control in our small home, I purge items on a regular basis. Having less makes things feel cleaner and less cluttered.
In my huge garage I have metal shelving units with plastic tubs each shelf is for a different theme.
Tools/Painting/Tiling/Electrical/Plubming stuff
Kids Art/Old Toys/Pictures
Off season clothing/linens/items
I always know the general area to find what I'm looking for.
I made pretty boxes for each of my girls by using an Ikea white box and simply putting their silhouette on each box. Now I have a place to store their papers from school and it looks great while doing it:) I have them sitting out in my kitchen and I get so many comments on these little organizers:)
I do at least one load of laundry every day. It helps keep the laundry pile moving (even if just a little!) which makes getting other tasks done around the house that much easier!