I am a semi clean freak. I am a firm believer that everything has a place and every place has a thing. I am not allowed to have a label maker for fear it would lead to crippling OCD. However even my organizing has its limits but these days those limits seem to be the actual confines of my space.
VonaAnanas is my baby and I cherish her deeply but like an actual baby she's coming with a lot of extra "stuff". I'm bursting at the seams with papers, glues, bits and bobs that I want to bring to all of you but not quite yet. So here I am a neat freak on the brink of hoarding. So as I try to maximize my small space as well as my work station I thought I would share some of my tips, tricks, and inventive ideas on how to stay organized and maximize space.
VonaAnanas is my baby and I cherish her deeply but like an actual baby she's coming with a lot of extra "stuff". I'm bursting at the seams with papers, glues, bits and bobs that I want to bring to all of you but not quite yet. So here I am a neat freak on the brink of hoarding. So as I try to maximize my small space as well as my work station I thought I would share some of my tips, tricks, and inventive ideas on how to stay organized and maximize space.
1. Nothing EVER has to be used for it's intended purpose! The internet is full of funky, creative ways to help you improve your life but you can create your own by never taking something at face value. The picture above is of a magnetic knife strip for your kitchen, brilliantly re-purposed to hold bobby pins and nail clippers in the bathroom. Plus hang it near the sink and you've always got that extra bobby pin handy in the morning! Check out the Pinterest page for this post and see other re-purposed storage ideas.
2. Being organized doesn't mean shelling out tons of money at The Container Store. Though in all honesty that place is like crack and always makes me happy. I am dead serious when I tell you that under my bed I use the plastic zip bags that my new pillows came in. They fit perfectly under my bed and aren't too big so I can keep items in them grouped together. Scarves and hats in one, purses I don't use anymore in another! They're out of my way but easy to access AND I saved that bag from the landfill by giving it another life. Though certain specialty items like clear shoe boxes can make a lot of difference since they're made to stack easily and tailored for your shoes.
3. Aim higher! Use the space above to store things that aren't needed frequently. Garages are the best place to do this but I installed a pulley system bike rack in a friend's place near her front door since she has high ceilings and no garage. Plus its right by the front door and easily accessible on her way to work every morning. Similar systems with pulleys can be created just about anywhere if you've got a knack for being handy. Otherwise try and install some simple Ikea shelves and use bins to store things within reach but off the ground. Or keep a step stool handy and store things on shelves that are just out of reach.
2. Being organized doesn't mean shelling out tons of money at The Container Store. Though in all honesty that place is like crack and always makes me happy. I am dead serious when I tell you that under my bed I use the plastic zip bags that my new pillows came in. They fit perfectly under my bed and aren't too big so I can keep items in them grouped together. Scarves and hats in one, purses I don't use anymore in another! They're out of my way but easy to access AND I saved that bag from the landfill by giving it another life. Though certain specialty items like clear shoe boxes can make a lot of difference since they're made to stack easily and tailored for your shoes.
3. Aim higher! Use the space above to store things that aren't needed frequently. Garages are the best place to do this but I installed a pulley system bike rack in a friend's place near her front door since she has high ceilings and no garage. Plus its right by the front door and easily accessible on her way to work every morning. Similar systems with pulleys can be created just about anywhere if you've got a knack for being handy. Otherwise try and install some simple Ikea shelves and use bins to store things within reach but off the ground. Or keep a step stool handy and store things on shelves that are just out of reach.
4. Color Code. We've all seen the various hues of storage containers each season. Red for Christmas decorations, orange for Halloween, etc. Why not carry that into everyday life? Have kids? Color code their things which not only makes your job easier but helps the kids know what is theirs and what is their siblings when it comes to cleaning up after themselves. I've had friends who use a different color hanger for different items of clothing. My mom always jokes that she got things in blue and her sister got everything in red. The color coding method works great with roommates or spouses too. Haven't gotten the cat to catch on yet though. :)
5. In all things be creative and motivate yourself. See something you think could be re-purposed for storage, DO IT! Sometimes being organized is like tricking yourself into going to the gym by buying new shoes. If new hangers or a fancy shelving system is what's going to give you the jump start you need then I am giving you full permission to do it if the long term outcome will be beneficial. Think about organization as a necessary part of life and use this blog and matching Pinterest board to realize that it really isn't all that hard to do! And, as if I need to remind you, if you are going to be purging things make sure that you think consciously and recycle what you can and donate what you can to local charities. Just because you no longer want that item doesn't mean it can't make a difference to the environment or to another person.
Hope, pineapples, all the best, and merry organizing,
Jordan
5. In all things be creative and motivate yourself. See something you think could be re-purposed for storage, DO IT! Sometimes being organized is like tricking yourself into going to the gym by buying new shoes. If new hangers or a fancy shelving system is what's going to give you the jump start you need then I am giving you full permission to do it if the long term outcome will be beneficial. Think about organization as a necessary part of life and use this blog and matching Pinterest board to realize that it really isn't all that hard to do! And, as if I need to remind you, if you are going to be purging things make sure that you think consciously and recycle what you can and donate what you can to local charities. Just because you no longer want that item doesn't mean it can't make a difference to the environment or to another person.
Hope, pineapples, all the best, and merry organizing,
Jordan