Organizing, Redesign & Staging

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A Review of Helpful Organizing Products

Here's a list of some helpful organizing supplies I use both at home and with clients.

  1. File folders: you can probably file more than you think, and more things in your home can be filed in standard folders. File folders, hanging files, and filing cabinets or containers are a MUST.
  2. 3-ring Binders and Sheet Protectors: you can create a household notebook or family organizer for quick reference to important family and household information. Keep calendars, take-out menus, phone lists, kids' sport schedules, and school information here. Use view binders and sheet protectors to organize and store all home appliance manuals and warranty information in a "Warranties" binder. To simplify home decorating projects, build a Decorating Notebook. Page protectors hold paint chips, fabric swatches, and carpet samples, and organize torn-out articles from home decor magazines in one centralized place. In the kitchen, three-ring view binders keep clipped or copied recipes in visible order. A bonus: sheet protectors can be wiped clean.
  3. Label Maker or Permanent Marker (i.e. Sharpie): use to label boxes – write on index cards then affix -- for storage, decluttering or organization projects. Draw a picture or write the word of the items that belong there to help children put away games, toys and clothing. Label all storage bins with simple wording even if containers are clear/opaque. Put labels on edges of drawers or shelves to help everyone keep things where they belong. Write on top of spice jars to identify the contents more easily.
  4. Plastic Bins or Tubs or Baskets: use ventilated plastic baskets in the freezer to hold like items. Label front to make it easy to pull out and see what you have. For small kitchen appliances, such as mixers, food processors and slicers, assign each a dishpan, and store inside kitchen cabinets. Most appliances will fit inside with room to spare for blades and beaters and attachments. In the kitchen, a labeled dishpan or plastic basket can be used for storing pot lids, small plastic food containers, mixes or packets, or cake decorating supplies. Plastic tubs or nice baskets make light, sturdy flip-files for children's books and toys. Sealed, lidded bins are good for toys with small pieces, puzzles or building activities.
  5. Zipper Food Storage Bags and Space Bags: obviously these bags are very handy in the refrigerator and freezer. Freeze bags lying down flat, and then when frozen, stand bags up and put several in a plastic basket. Label basket with category, such as “ground meat” or “chicken”. Your freezer is more organized when you look for a type of food. In the garage, use small bags to store screws or nails, small pieces from appliances or home decorating projects, or opened seed packets. Extra-large bags force air out of bulky linens, out-of-season coats or comforters for more efficient storage. Seal personal care items in smaller storage bags to avoid leaks while traveling. Taking some puzzles or toys out of their boxes and putting into Ziploc bags (write label on opaque area) actually saves space and maximizes storage. Store outgrown stuffed animals in extra-large bags to prevent them from gathering dust.

If you are looking for a special product or solution, try these online stores I frequent! http://www.stacksandstacks.com/, http://www.containerstore.com/, http://www.spacesavers.com/ and http://www.organizeit.com/index.asp