Organizing with Style? (I am still waiting for someone to weigh in on a title.)

Posted on February 26, 2008

Step 4: Repurpose and purchase organization tools.

Many people try to do this step first. The problem with that is you don’t know what you have, and you don’t have a good idea of how much you have (since you haven’t purged.) I have fallen into this trap, I would get the “organizing bug,” run out and buy all kinds of tools, then come back, only to discover I wasted a lot of money on stuff that I can’t use. As far as tools go:

• Be creative: Cutlery trays can organize forks and spoons, but they can also organize batteries and items in a junk drawer.

• Some of my favorite organizing tools are tool boxes, plastic drawers of all sizes, and plastic baskets of all sizes. I like them because of their flexibility. I reused all the baskets I had for my school store in my cutlery drawers; my tool boxes hold tools, but also paints and painting materials; and the large plastic drawers I bought from Big Lots 8 years ago for $5.00 have held at least 10 different things over the years, right now it houses my scrap booking supplies and gift wrapping materials.

• I recommend that all items you buy coordinate in color, theme, or style. It helps to reduce visual clutter. For example, whenever we need storage boxes, we get them from either Sam’s club or Costco’s. They sell the same style and size of box, the only difference is the color of the lid. We can line them all up on any shelf (we use ones in the basement and attic) and they look great. I also recommend that if you get tools that are not see through, then buy a label maker so you don’t have to pull out every basket or drawer to figure out what is in it. Don’t rely on your memory!

• If you don’t want to buy things, get creative! Our grocery store sells pasta sauces in these awesome see through plastic containers which work great for holding Chloe’s art supplies. Organize small items like jewelry in egg crates. Obviously, shoe boxes are useful, but be careful, they don’t hold up to a lot of abuse. Jars are wonderful if you can get the same shape and size.

• If you are trying to stretch your budget, I recommend window shopping all of the fancy organization websites and stores, and then recreate their ideas using dollar store materials and items from Target/Walmart/Kmart.

• One major organizational dilemma we have is children’s toys. We never know what we are going to get for Christmas or birthdays (or grandma) so it is difficult to plan. I have bins and baskets in her playroom that we bought to fit the shelves, that way they will always look good, no matter what is inside them. We have also collected a lot of hidden storage spaces (an ottoman with storage, a desk with extra drawers). Toys are brightly colored and a variety of shapes and sizes, when left out they add to visual clutter.

• You would be amazed how versatile and cheap photoboxes can be. You can buy them at most craft stores and art supply stores for a dollar, and if you can find them in coordinating colors, they work great in any room. The nice thing about them is they’re sturdier and they look nicer than your average shoe box.

• Look for clearance items at your local home stores (we have a “Home Goods” store here.”) I have found a ton of cheap storage boxes that are on clearance that look REALLY nice when put on a shelf. The trick is to be patient. Know what you are looking for, and keep looking until you find it at a price you can live with. Remember the adage: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Your organization doesn’t have to happen all at once. Allow yourself the time to find what you want at a price you are willing to pay. Being organized doesn’t have to cost a fortune!