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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!
Thanks to pinterest I now hang the spray bottles that go under my kitchen sink on a tension rod.
Hello…this probably isn't the most scientific system, but I find that whenever I notice something is dirty, if I stop right then and wipe it down or pick it up or at least neaten the pile then things stay a lot neater. Otherwise I never remember to clean!
Working on tidying up our pantry now – I love your chalkboard idea and I think I'll try that out! My tip is to take at least three things that don't belong in any one room with you when you leave it. Little by little the room is back in order!
I am a recent college grad so space is always a huge issue for me! Space bags have been helping my stay organized in small spaces for years now. They are so easy to use and since they are see through I don't have to worry about forgetting what I packed inside. I highly recommend them!
I always go back to the adage of everything having a place. In my small apartment I try and think about where I am going to put big and small purchases.
I actually have a post on my #1 organizing tip: Start with protecting your Prime Real Estate. http://www.fieldstonehilldesign.com/2012/02/1-for-organizing.html
Great post Jenny! Thanks for a great giveaway.
– {darlene} @fieldstonehilldesign
I have found keeping all my cleaning supplies in a single caddy is the easiest way to clean and keep organized. I can carry it from room-to-room and always have everything on hand that way!
I have invested in using lots of pretty baskets for storage, laundry, papers, etc. Because I love the way they look, that makes me want to use them and keep the house tidier. I have invested in good quality baskets that I can love and use for years to come. What a fabulous giveaway!
Wall hooks are my saving grace. I've picked up random ones from flea markets and anthropolgie sales and use all of them. They're the best for necklace and right by the front door for purses and jackets. This might be the most useful giveaway ever! Thank you!
Hi Jenny, we have three children so each one has a labeled basket. At the end of each day we fill their baskets with things that have landed all over the house (toys, clothes, socks!) It makes clean up easy and fun :) Thanks!!
Man, I wish I had a tip to share. My organization system is pretty much nonexistant. We're in the middle of a remodel and I really hope to implement a new one when the remodel is done. Fingers crossed I can hold out til then!
Clear plastic bins are definitely my go to! I couldn't live without those suckers. Plus, it helps that they are super affordable (read cheap)! At a buck a piece, I can stock up without blowing my budget. WINNING!
I use bins, peg board, labels..would love to buy more..thanks for giveaway…jlk :)
Space saver bags for baby and kid clothes are great. They are small enough to use 1 bag for each size of clothing and they are clear so I just throw a label on the inside of the bag with the size range…no need to stick anything on the outside so if you want to re-use them later you don't have to try to rip off a stuck on label or cross out and write over your old writing!
Hi!
I put baskets in common areas for things like toys, shoes, books…
thank you
I used to lose my keys all the time. All.the.time. So I put a little silver bowl on a bookshelf near the door and have gotten a lot better about making sure they go in the bowl so I spend a lot less time looking for them!
Karly
I love all the ideas you show and even implementing a few at my new home. I find with 3 kids clothes organization is key. I keep a plastic bin in closer for too small / outgrown clothes for each kiddo.
It's all about having everything in its place (especially in a NYC apartment). Putting things in boxes, labeling them and then stacking them in the closet makes me very happy. Also, purge purge purge. It's good for you (I keep telling myself).
once a quarter I back up all of my images to a labelled disk and my time capsule and then I delete them off my hard drive. I keep the disks in an Ikea storage box outside of our home, just in case something ever happens that I don't loose all of our memories.
Another trick is to store things away, if I haven't looked for them in six months they go to charity. If you haven't looked for it, you don't really need it :)
Keep things purged! I try to consciously get rid of stuff so it doesn't pile up. And also always leave a room better than you left it. Even when just walking through the house.
Tidy, Condense, and label. I spend 15 minutes a night tidying, if it hasn't been used in 6 months then it is pitched, and everything has a home. Binders have been extremely useful in storing kid schedules, random papers, and product manuals in plastic sleeves.
The laundry closet is actually our next project. Right everything sits on one long shelf…you can imagine the clutter!! We want to build more shelves so that we have one for every department (car cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. Then, I would like to get little chalkboard labels to label each shelf so the hubby has no excuse like "oh, i didn't know where it went so i just put it there." I already have chalboard labels in our linen closet and it's worked wonders. Seeing your laundry closet gave me a ton of ideas! Thanks so much for the post. (:
throw away junk mail upon entry!
erikaweier at boardermail.com
Here's an honest tip: when you have company coming over, throw everything into closets. :) Works for me! (Clearly I need the gift certificates more than these ladies with all their great organization!)
My best organizing tip is to put things back after you're done using them! Everything has a place in my house.
My small apartment has very little closet space, so I use my storage space ottoman to hold my sheets/linens. Even though it is in the living room, no one has to know what is inside it! It has saved me plenty of shelf space in my closet.
what a fabulous use of pegboard! and of course you made it look stylish. gives me some great ideas for that tricky storage space in my apartment!
Katharina
plastic bins are a must! I use them to not only organize my craft supplies, gift wrap, home decorations (while in transition) … but i also use them to move!
I'm a big fan of baskets to contain all of those random things that always seem to be out and for things I want close at hand but not out in plain sight
To organize my son's closet, we installed an inexpensive closet system that included two hanging bars (upper and lower) with shelving and drawers running down the middle. Each drawer is dedicated for a specific use (swimming, boy scouts, baseball, etc..) We also took the doors of the closet, so he/we are forced to keep it tidy and organized.
My best organization tip is have a place for everything and put everything in its place! My husband and I also cut down on clutter by only having things we actually use or things that are sentimental. Thank you for the giveaway!
I'm obsessed with taking cereal, snacks, etc out of their package and putting them in airtight containers in my cabinets. I can see how much is left at a glance and they all fit neatly on the shelves!
I purge. I use a lot of containers, and I love my label maker, but the first step of organizing any space in my home is making a donate pile. Thanks for hosting this terrific giveaway!
My tip is to put things up after you use them then you do not have to pick up later, this leaves the house clean for longer.
We have one junk drawer we keep anything that doesn't have a place in the house. Every month we empty out the contents and either find a place for it or throw it away. The drawer has to be empty when we put it back.
Oh. My. Goodness. My two favorite stores!!! The best organizing advice I've gotten is to keep things where they're used. I now have my knives & cutting boards together, a "first aid" basket in the linen closet, a "cold/flu" basket, etc. Life is easier!
I love me some plastic tubs for storage!
I live in a house with three other girls, so the only space that is really mine is my bedroom. I do spot cleaning every day, and a deep clean on Saturday. It helps to hang my clothes up if I decide not to wear them. Once I leave one or two items on the floor it’s a free-for-all.
We just moved in to our home in December and the key has been for everything to have a place or it finds a new home :) 5 minute cleanup at the end with the kids of the day allows me to clean during the day and not spend so much time putting things away.
I have little storage in my guest room/office. The room has a trundle bed that requires pillows and down comforters. Instead of storing those somewhere, I made 2 large box cushions and used the pillows and comforters to stuff them. They have turned my twin bed into a sofa!
our place is very very small, so we like to organize in baskets and plastic bins in the pantry and closets. as long as you label them carefully, it makes it easy to find everything you've stowed away. by the way, i love those martha labels!
My fiance and I live in a 1.5 bedroom apartment which, although larger than a lot of spaces in DC, still never seems to be enough room! I like things to be neat ("everything must have a home") and am a major supporter of attractive containers to do the job. We use white bankers boxes, woven baskets, lacquer boxes… you name it! That way, everything has a place out of sight and all you see are attractive sculptural containers doing the work.
-Carol S.
My tip is that you must tackle the chore immediately before it becomes too big. Do dishes as you make them, have regular clean up and tidying as you go through the day and try to tackle one bigger area ( a junk drawer, pantry or refrigerator) cleaning once a week.
I'm trying to get more organized as we speak. I've found the best it to get as much furniture with storage. Example- consol tables with drawers or ottomans that have storage inside.
jstrano14@gmail.com
I live in a small apartment with very limited storage, so I always make sure to buy pieces that are pretty AND functional. My shelves are filled with pretty baskets that double as "medicine cabinets" "gift bag storage" etc. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
We create space by keeping everything organized. We live in a small place, but everything we keep has a space. We don't let clutter build up.
I live in Switzerland, and we don't have closets in our apartment! (Much less pantries.) But what I do is use bookshelves as little display nooks for special things, glassware, and books. We also have wardrobes for clothing storage, and our IKEA Mandal bed is awesome with its extra storage.
I try to maximize vertical space and also get rid of duplicate items…
I try to maximize vertical space and also get rid of duplicate items…
baskets & trays are key to corralling miscellaneous stuff around the house. also, every night before i go to bed, i spend 5-10 minutes picking up shoes, mail, etc., and putting them all in their proper places. those few minutes each night make a huge difference!