16 Organizing Tips

1. Cord Organizers

Those unwieldy cords behind your computer and television need to be reined in. The best way to do this and to keep your cords well-organized is by using a cord organizer. There is a terrific free pattern over at Craftsy where you can make your own by clicking the photo and typing in Cord Wraps in the search box or you can follow this link to purchase them. Cable organizers

 

2. Mail Tray

One of the most disorganized areas of the house is the mail. The best way to keep your mail in order is to discard junk mail immediately and keep the rest in a mail tray. This can be either a fabric tray you make yourself following the instructions in my tutorial for how to make a fabric tray or you can purchase a single or multi-level tray to sort all of your incoming mail for later attention.  Click the mail tray link to see different styles that you can purchase.

3. Under Bed Storage

Under bed storage is a great way to store out of season clothes, excess linens, toys and games and anything else you don’t use on a daily basis.  You can purchase them following the under bed storage link if you can’t find them closer to home.

4. Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers are a great way to keep drawers organized. You can use drawer dividers in your clothes dresser or your kitchen drawers. Wherever you use them they will make organizing small things easy.  I use them all over my house from my Kitchen to my home office.  If you can’t find them locally check out this drawer dividers link

5. Lazy Susans

Lazy Susans are a great way to store kitchen oils and spices, bathroom items, and tools. You can use small lazy Susans in the kitchen and bath but you can build a large scale tiered Susan for the garage for tools. Check out the lazy susan link for a wide selection of Susans.

Garage Lazy Susan

6.  Spice Racks

Spice racks are an absolute necessity in the kitchen.  I have discovered that I have a lot of spices in little containers all through one of my cabinets.  Not only was it cluttered I found that I bought two of some of the spices because I didn’t realize that I had them so I went out a bought a spice rack that would hold all of my spices.  You can buy them all filled with spices or you can buy one that will allow you to put in the spices you already have.  I just didn’t realize how having a spice rack cleared up the clutter in my kitchen cabinets.

7.  Nesting Pots and Pans

Take the time to nest your pots and pans.  It may seem obvious but I definitely got into the habit of just tossing my pans in the cabinet willy nilly and spent more time than necessary trying to find the pot or pan that I need.  So take a little extra time here it will make a difference.

8. False Front Drawer

Most kitchen sink cabinets have a false front drawer.  A few years ago I discovered the Rev-A-Shelf. It is a small two-sided drawer that you can insert into the false front that folds down to house your sponges and Brillo pads.  I installed it following the manufacturers directions and I absolutely love having those items stored away.

9.  Shower Caddy

Shower caddies are another obvious choice but if you don’t have a built-in nook for your shampoos and body wash having one is a godsend.

10.  Glass Jars

 

11.  Medicine Cabinet

Another obvious choice but if you don’t have an upper cabinet or a medicine cabinet in your bathroom you are just asking for a cluttered space.  We did not have one in my son’s bathroom and all of his stuff was all over the bathroom counter.  As soon as we put up an upper cabinet he was able to put all of his personal items in the cabinet and keep it out of view which was important because it serves as a guest bath as well.

12.  Open Shelving

Open shelving in a kitchen and bathroom can really keep items off the counter tops.  I love this example of open shelving at the end of the bath.  It is perfect for towels and other bath items.

13.  Hanging Bags

I love these hanging bags.  Put them in a mud room, foyer or laundry room to keep clutter off the floors.  They are very attractive looking and solve a myriad of storage problems.

14. Hanging Ironing Board

Hanging ironing boards are a great way to get your ironing board off the floor.  I have mine hanging from the laundry room door.  Because they fold up, you can use them on any door to stop additional clutter.

15.  Peg Boards

Peg Boards are the perfect solution to garage and work room clutter.  Once again it is a great way to get items off the floor onto that unused wall space.

16.  Pantry

I have found that pantry space is a great way to store most anything.  I put a melamine cabinet in my garage to store my big mixer and extra canned goods and pasta and such.  If you have any space in your home or apartment try to find a place for even a small pantry cabinet you won’t regret it.