It's the Little Things

This month in Real Simple Magazine, one of my faves, they have hidden in the back a gem of an article about organizing all the small stuff that gets packed into drawers, hidden in places you forget about- now you can create these mini zones which can house all the important things that you need in a pinch, stop digging! It only causes you much stress and loss of time. I will give you the highlights- the one I think everyone needs to do is the electronic bin, so many wires and gadgets these days might as well give them all one home. Junk drawers and crafts bins may always be a bit chaotic, but put a little order in and get a lot of frustration out!
1. Junk Drawer- we all have one, but it can be improved! First, throw out anything random or broken. Then create smart mini-groups that are alike so you can find items easily! Use drawer inserts- lots of small ones will help keep items visible and not lost under other things, stackable bamboo drawer organizers from containerstore.com- use them in a desk or bathroom too!!! 
2. Food Storage Drawer- this area can be so frustrating, full of mismatched tops and bottoms, so purge ruthlessly! Keep containers you only use all the time and toss anything missing a top or bottom. Now divide the drawer into zones, one side for glass the other for plastic (drawer organizer, containerstore.com) Put square or rectangular pieces in first then round, try to leave the tops on glass. Now, nest plastics together, sideways if they are too high for drawer and store tops separately. For small lids, get a little bin so they will not rattle or disappear.
3. Electronics Bin- Gather up all the cords, chargers, gadgets and batteries. Get a clear, rectangular box- one that will fit under a bed or couch and has a lid to block dust.  Get fabric or even jewelry drawer organizers, (skubb boxes, ikea.com) then create large and small sections, ei, extension cords vs. cameras. Definitely, give earbuds and charger cords a special spot, (grid it-elastic organizer, containerstore.com) Plastic baggies work well for small memory cards and video games and try to label cords and wires, (Kable Flags, organize.com.) 
4. Paper/Office Zone- last but not least, give each piece a place by committing a bookshelf or desktop in a central location. Hopefully you have room near your computer area.  Have a holder for the basics, pens, pencils, scissors, stapler and a bill sorter, use a pull-out paper sorter for all different types, (computer, loose leaf, construction). Have a folder for each family member then mount a bulletin board for invites and notices. Position an "in box" for school papers and mail to sort- keep it low so the kids can drop papers in. Check out seejanework.com or Bamboo accessories at containerstore.com
I know that is a whole lot of info and work for the "little things", but choose the mini zone in your house which really needs attention, set your time limit and browse online at the storage options. "If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves." Emily Dickinson