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

The Laundry List

This laundry nook is so well done, shelves, storage and a curtain to hide it all!

Do you have a room in your house that when you walk by you just put your head down- you know it needs your attention, but you feel like it will never get it done. Every time you are in that space you just want to pull your hair out? That is the laundry "room" for me- or rather closet in the basement which now looks like a construction zone. The light is out, the carpet is gone, I feel like  every time I  put in a load I am in a nightmare!! There is no where to fold clothes or store products and lugging  full bins of dirty clothes down 2 flights is no picnic, but those machines are not going anywhere so I have got to work with what I got! Here are quick, simple ideas that I hope I can put to use and so can anyone else who has laundry to do!
First shelving, of course- when there is no where to go, build up! Ty to utilize as much space as possible above the machines for supplies. If you have a nook on the side stick some mesh stacked drawers there as well- use all available space!
Next once you have a shelf up get some containers to hold all the cleaning stuff- I would advise not to get baskets- spills, sticky detergent and powder will ruin wicker, go with metal or plastic. 
Then if you have a closet or corner-not a room, get a curatin, door or something adorable which can cover up the laundry zone! 
No folding room?  Now that supplies are stored above, the machines can be the station where the final step can be done. Get a good hamper as well, large enough to hold it all- with handles, so you can lug more gracefully.
Who likes doing the laundry? Probably no one, but laundry is kind of like sleeping and eating- essential, so stop turning the other cheek when you walk by and take on this dirty job!

This self made laundry station has great style and storage!

Genius storage ideas!!

The Art of Organizing

After school, when the kids come off the bus and trample thru the door with their loaded down back packs- you know what is coming- papers!!! Eventually, you will have to unload the lunchbox and tackle the home/school  folder. Of course, some of these papers are the informational, health forms, beginning of year stuff, that we all have to fill out, but then the math facts, writing samples and rainbow pictures drawn during a rainy afternoon come falling out. Now I know we all want to save every piece of paper that exhibits the genius in our child, but we have to pick and choose or else we will be overrun! Try to empty out that folder every day and only keep  what will have meaning in 20 years (like specific drawings and writing pieces) then chuck the rest! Once you decide what is in the "keepsake" pile, what do you do with it? Here are a couple ideas from, once again, Martha Stewart about how to preserve, display and cherish all these works of art!
1. Mail Tubes: This is the best for all the large art work that comes home, you can label them by grade, year or project, any way you want.
2. Collage: Pick 6-8 of your faves and frame them. Display in a place where you will enjoy it often, kitchen, mudroom, or office. 
3. Folder: An accordian style folder works great for papers of all sizes- there are so many compartments this folder will last you for years and it folds flat for easy storage. I picked up one in a craft store. 
You may want to keep writing papers and awards separate-  a cute storage box that fits under the bed can be easily labeled or use a scrapbook designed for school year memories. Pick a style that works for you and preserve some of these little masterpieces, someday you will be so glad you did!

The Locker Room

Tall lockers are great for sports of all sorts

So hopefully everyone is getting into their fresh, fall routine: maybe a new school, job or exercise regimen has you feeling energized and ready to tackle the projects you have been putting off all summer! Whether you are trying to get the mud room in order before the cold weather descends on us- (yuck) or trying to create an art/craft area for your "creative" toddler (p.s.- let them paint at school!) Lockers are the newest catchalls at home for your kids' mountain of stuff. Sports equipment, clothes, papers, shoes you name it- these fun and colorful containers, at child size, will inspire self-sufficiency and maybe a faster exit time out of the house. This month in Martha Stewart's Living, she displays 3 types of locker storage; tall ones for sports are great for the garage while the smaller units can be tucked into tight corners near an entryway. School locker rooms do not stir up such pleasant memories for most- a musty order and slamming, metal doors ring in my ears, but these storage lockers will erase any bad flashbacks of gym class.

These smaller units are perfect for gloves, hats and craft stuff.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.......

Peter Walsh's desk items are sleek- keeping all supplies organized!

I know most of us are ready- school has begun!! Another year and a fresh start! Once I get over the fact that summer is winding down and the beaches are looking a little empty, I do get excited thinking about new fall clothes, bright, blue crisp days and homework- what? After enduring many years of torture, now we get to relive the experience with our kids! It is a dirty job, but let these ideas help your family get off on the right foot and maybe make the idea of homework a bit less painful, I hope!
1. Set the scene- Pick the right place for your child- some need a family space so a parent can oversee, others need the quiet of their room or den, but remain close by to consult not provide answers.
2. Set the time- Try to create a family "learning time" in your house- do some quiet activities while the kids work. As best you can, make it around the same time every night- use a timer if you need to keep little ones motivated and focused.
3. Set up the supplies-  a great, organized space will always help them be successful- get the right bins to hold supplies: pens, pencils, paper, folders etc.
Keep items off the work space so they have more room for books and projects. A clock nearby as well may help older students pace themselves. Last but not least pack up- get all homework in the backpack that night and set by the door so it is easy to grab and go in the morning.
So of course, some nights will be a dream while others will be endless episodes of misplaced books, broken pencils and forgotten assignments- but don't worry at least your children will have to go thru it all over again when they have kids!