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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!
I just try to declutter things as often as possible. I purge clothes, toys etc about one a month and donate them to goodwill. We also use giant plastic bins to store things we don't use as often in the attic.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Like other readers, I do a little clean up each day – that and making sure everything has its own home/storage spot around my house (if not, then it has to go!) help keep things from getting out of hand…
Bins, bins and more bins! Oh, but my best organizational tip is to also use binders. I have a binder for almost everything – one for all my small and large appliance manuals, one for our important household info (insurance info, copy of birth certificate, copy of passports, contact info for doctors, maps to vet and regular hospitals, etc.) one for each type of recipe (breakfast/brunch, drinks/desserts, soups/salads/sides, and main entree), one for our garden. It sounds a little over the top, but it is such a time saver!
Organizing is my theme. Everything has a place, and STAYS in it. I've found especially for little guy's toys, it helps to have a specific bin (and they are all different shapes and sizes and colors for fun) for each kind of toy. In the master bedroom closet and the laundry room, we have elfa in both. LOVE LOVE.
So I JUST reorganized my laundry closet, with the help of a friend. That's my tip: get a friend or third party to help you out. It was great working with Ashlee, we got sitters for the kids, got things done and got to chat!
I keep all of my make-up and face cleansing stuff in a plastic tote that I store under my masterbath sink. I bring it up in the evening and use it…use it all again in the morning and then it is stowed away underneath again to leave the sink clutter free during the day.
I'm a wanna-be organized person so unfortunately no tips from me but plenty here to give me some help. And I love the chalkboard labels, super cute!
we're about to move into a new apartment, and i'm excited to use some of my lovely old tea cups, small bowls & salad plates (mis-matched but beautiful ones from antique stores) for corraling jewelry in my bedroom, keys and coins by the front door, and push pins & paper clips in my office–functional and asthetically pleasing!
My best organization tip is to have a known place for everything. Like you, I too have a peg bord. Mine expands across my garage wall and has shelves on it. I wouldn't trade it for anything else!
I picked up some really cute kid-size vintage suitcases and store craft supplies and kids games in them. I don't mind seeing them stacked nicely on the bookshelf since they have character.
I've learned not to fight "the mess" quite so much. Instead, if I always dump a magazine on the table, I put a tray there to organize them, or if I always dump my keys on the counter, I put up some hooks in the same place. That way the mess can stay where it is without actually seeming messy.
Every day, making sure every item gets to the floor of the house it needs to be. (In my case, each floor is just one room, so it's especially helpful!)
Your pantry is amazing! My only organizational tip is to come up with a plan of attack for anything that winds up piling up. I have a bin for paper recycling outside so I never bring junk mail in, and every time I buy a new magazine, the last issue has to go!
I try to do a little bit each day. It helps me to not get overwhelmed.
jessicacarolschmidt (at) gmail.com
I love labels and bins and baskets for organizing everything.
I love labeled bins and baskets for organization
Well I will be the first to admit that I am not a great organizer… but my favorite tip is to have one basket/container that collects everything to go up or down the stairs.
I try to work with natural habits instead of changing them. For example ny boys will not walk upstairs to the closet to hang up their jackets and backpacks but they will leave them right when they walk in. So I put hooks right when you walk in the door so it still looks tidy and I am not forever harping on them to clean up their stuff!
Much like your system I label EVERYTHING!! Lots of Ikea boxes!
Lauren
undeclaredpanache.blogspot.com
I use plastic bins to keep items organized and tidy. This really helps to find things and keep clutter to a minimum!
I think my best tip is to pick rooms in your house where you're okay with more clutter and designate other places "clutter free zones." Knowing that my living room is going to stay clear of junk and that I'm okay keeping odds and ends in our office space which rarely gets used keeps me sane.
Containers, baskets, and bins – these help me keep things together!
Wow, what a great giveaway!
I think my best tip is to only own things you truly love. And that goes for clothes, books, furniture, knick knacks, etc. The hope/plan is that there's less junk that needs organizing 'just in case' or while we're waiting to save up money for the good stuff. And strangely, we seem to take better care of the things we really love – vs the placeholder item.
Photo storage boxes, plastic bins, wicker & metal baskets …. I love to organize!! I am a school librarian so I love to have everything in order and organized. Now I want to put pegboard somewhere …..
I love using bins for toy storage. There quick and the kids can cleanup themselves.
amandajochapman(AT)gmail
toys and clutter everywhere drive me crazy! we use different baskets for different toys: puzzles, stuffed animals and books all have their place. and i also edit toy selection pretty often. i only put out her favorites and not all five hundred :) thanks for the giveaway! i could always be more organized…
toys and clutter everywhere drive me crazy! we use different baskets for different toys: puzzles, stuffed animals and books all have their place. and i also edit toy selection pretty often. i only put out her favorites and not all five hundred :) thanks for the giveaway! i could always be more organized…
I think your organization puts me to shame. Although I believe, at least for me,that the more room I have the more lax I am with organization.
My only really good organizing tip is for diaper bags. Use gallon ziplock bags to store extra clothes, toys, wipes, etc. write what each bag should have in it (I.e. 2 onesies, 1 pair of socks) and its easy to see at a glance what you need to restock.
Since we have live in a small apartment, everythign must do double duty. My side tables are beautiful wooden trunks that hold our files, our dining table bench has storage and our hall closet is organized so it holds all of our linens, cleaning supplies and my wedding china.
My tip is to use baskets! I keep a small basket in each room that corresponds with the room the items belong in. For example, in my bedroom, my sons books and toys inevitably make it into our room. I thro all his stuff into the basket and then I can take everything and put it back where it belongs at the end of the day.
I've tried to start using a tip I read about where you do a different room each day and make that a routine so that by the end of the week your entire house is clean but you've done it in small amounts of time.
I am all about labels…the more labels the better, and it's much easier to keep things organized when you know EXACTLY what is inside.
laviejaime (at) gmail.com
Awesome giveaway!
Plenty of bins with labels is what works in my house. Thanks!
Organize according to frequency of use! Put the stuff you use daily up front, in easily accessible places, and then work towards the back of the pantry with items you use sparingly.
I love your pantry! Ah! Come organize my life!!
I have three little kids underfoot and things get crazy quickly, so my best tip is to use unexpected free moments to stay on top of things. If the kids are happily playing or sleep in a little bit, I sort through my diaper bag or go through a drawer. It's amazing what can be organized in 3 minutes.
I like using bins to corral like-things together-spray paints, brushes etc. I wish my spaces looked as pretty as yours! I could use the organizational supplies!
Thanks!
Every couple of weeks/months, whether it is my closet, pantry, garage, I purge items that I no longer wear or may not use anymore!
Hi Jenny, my tip is to include organization in your daily/weekly cleaning routine. Just as I vacuum several times a week, if not daily, I am constantly rearranging closets to keep them efficient to growing children. Thanks for sharing such a generous giveaway.
I live in a tiny guest house with very little storage spaces so I have to create my own. I collected boxes and baskets over the years that I label for things that correspond with the room. Even my china is in a basket above my kitchen cabinets! It's a nice way to store things and create a streamlined look rather than having clutter displayed for all to see.
Labeled clear plastic bins for sure! I like to have in writing the contents of the bin, but be able to see it as well. I've also recently fallen in love with the little wire shelves you can get. It makes storing small items vertically so much easier!
put things away everyday
My best organizing tips are to really think about where you use things and store them there or as close as possible and then to put like items with like items.
Hi Jenny, my tip is to include organization in your daily/weekly cleaning routine. Just as I vacuum several times a week, if not daily, I am constantly rearranging closets to keep them efficient to growing children. Thanks for sharing such a generous giveaway.
Daily tidying and bins/baskets, help me stay organized … most of the time.
My tip is to make a place for everything, and then always put it away the first time. I've found my home to be most organized when I designate a place for everything, and then put it away when I think of it. This is hard sometimes because I am not always in the mood, but doing so removes piles of "to be put away" and keeps for a tidy, organized home.
Baskets! for storing healthy snacks on the go, nuts in packages, etc. Love your chalkboard labeling idea and reminder board. I really need to organize my frig — it's driving me insane with all its randomness! thank you, Jenny.
As a mom of three boys and a dad and a parrot, things can get a little crazy for me the girl. I tidy the house every single day by using lots of storage bins for toys and books and even blankets. So at the end of the day everything has a place to sleep in for the night so that it's not all over the living room floors.
Thank you
Racquel
In our teeny tiny apartment we have to get creative with our storage, as we have very small closets and no extra rooms. Having a plan for each and every room has really helped us along the way. We're in the middle of building a "captains" bed for our master, so we will have lots of usefull storage underneath. I'm also planning on skirting the bed, since the style in errrrm, not really my fave look. We also follow the " one in, one out" rule. Whenever we bring in something new, something older has to disappear! We're also planning on adding some closet systems at some point in hopefully the near future so we can make the most out of the little space we have!
In our teeny tiny apartment we have to get creative with our storage, as we have very small closets and no extra rooms. Having a plan for each and every room has really helped us along the way. We're in the middle of building a "captains" bed for our master, so we will have lots of usefull storage underneath. I'm also planning on skirting the bed, since the style in errrrm, not really my fave look. We also follow the " one in, one out" rule. Whenever we bring in something new, something older has to disappear! We're also planning on adding some closet systems at some point in hopefully the near future so we can make the most out of the little space we have!
The way we keep things somewhat tidy around the house is to devote 15 minutes a day to cleaning. Both my husband and I've committed to this, and so far it's working well to keep things clean with a minimal time investment!