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Aug 21
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Small Laundry Room – Big Organization

By Blog, Home Organizing, Simple Living No Comments

Organizing a small laundry room can seem like a pretty big, intimidating task. But with the right strategies and organizing tools in your belt, you can easily transform it into an efficient, functional space!

 

Being realistic, organizing a small space takes a lot of thought. There are many aspects to consider when setting up any type of organizing system in a small area.

 

There’s the challenge of physically fitting all your items, plus making sure they’re all actually accessible, and on top of that, it’s got to look nice too! With a bit of forethought, organizing a small laundry room can be a lot of fun and very rewarding when you put in the right organizing systems.

 

Let’s get right into these valuable tips and tricks for decluttering, utilizing vertical space, and creating a well-organized laundry room.

 

And who knows? You might find yourself enjoying your next laundry day! 😉

 

 

Organizing A Small Laundry Room

 

Step 1: Clear the Clutter

The first step in organizing any area is to declutter the space. Remove anything that you don’t need to store here, including; mismatched socks, ragged towels, miscellaneous items that have accumulated over time, and anything else that doesn’t belong in the laundry room.

 

You’ll want to make sure that you actually get rid of these things. Meaning donating, recycling, or throwing out what you no longer want. It’s important to completely remove these things because if you don’t, there’s a good chance they’ll migrate right back to where you removed them from. By creating a clean slate, you’ll have a better sense of the available space and can start organizing effectively.

 

The next thing you’ll need to do is assess your vertical space. For this, I’m going to let you in on how I have maximized literally every square inch of my own small laundry room!

 

Step 2: Embrace Vertical Space

One of the most effective ways to maximize a small laundry room is by utilizing vertical space. I’m a big fan of storage units with adjustable shelving. I can change them as things change over time, and it allows me to use all this vertical space in the closet that might otherwise be wasted.

 

 

When you’re buying products for your laundry room, make sure you purchase items that will realistically fit. For example, we have a vacuum in here. One thing I had to consider when vacuum shopping was that there’s no outlet available in the area, so I can’t pick one that requires a wall plug-in. Plus it has to be a certain size for the designated space. So when I’m looking at buying new things, I ask myself, “Is that going to fit in my space?”

 

If your washer and dryer are side by side, you could also install a shelf above them to take advantage of otherwise unused space. This shelf can hold laundry essentials or even decorative items to add a touch of style to the room.

 

I like to keep some useful tools for the second level of my home in my small laundry room as well, so I don’t have to make as many trips around the house! In this small tool drawer, I store; batteries, picture-hanging hooks, light bulbs, felt pads for furniture legs, a hammer, a small level, a screwdriver, a flashlight, extension cords, a measuring tape, scissors, a pen, and an exacto knife. Our larger tools are stored in the garage, but these are things that I wanted to have easy access to.

 

In another section are my extra supplies and bulk items. Things like toilet paper, soap, bulk cleaning products, vacuum parts, garbage bags, plastic zip bags (for travel), extra laundry detergent, extra dryer sheets, clothing hangers, and a small sewing kit.

 

 

Step 3: Choose Fitting Products

When purchasing storage containers and products for your small laundry room, always, always, ALWAYS keep the available space in mind! Measure the dimensions of your closet, shelves, and drawers BEFORE you shop for anything to ensure that everything you buy will actually fit into the space. Clear containers work best in these spaces so you can easily identify the contents. And don’t forget to label them for quick access!

 

 

Step 4: Placement of Items

Consider the placement of items to enhance convenience and ease of flow in your small laundry room. Position your laundry detergent at a comfortable height. Make sure you won’t have to move anything out of the way to reach it, and that it’s secure enough that it won’t tip or drip. Use a protective liner underneath to prevent any accidental drips from staining your shelving.

 

Having a small folding step on hand makes a world of a difference, too! Even if you’re on the taller side, there are usually a couple of cabinets or shelves that are hard to open from tippy toes. And when we can’t reach the top shelf, things are simply not going to get put away. The brand I prefer for these is Kickerland, and their step stools come in white, black, or grey. These are very sturdy and very slim to store!

 

Step 5: Establish a Laundry Routine

Creating an efficient laundry routine can help keep your small laundry room organized and prevent clutter from building up. Set aside specific days for laundry and do your best to stick to that schedule. Set a goal to stay consistent for a month. Then two months. Then six months! Once you’ve developed a consistent habit of doing laundry, an organized small laundry room will soon come as a side effect.

 

You really can avoid overwhelming piles and maintain a tidier space by doing laundry more regularly!

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In Conclusion…

By implementing these simple strategies in your small laundry room, you’ll be amazed at how much much bigger it will feel! A well-organized space not only makes your laundry routine more efficient but also enhances the overall functionality and aesthetics of the room.

 

When you can easily access, see, and reach everything you need, life gets a whole lot easier. Since laundry is going to be a part of our weekly schedule for the rest of our lives, this space should be one of the most efficient, am I right?! You got this!

 

Enjoy your clutter-free, maximized laundry area!

 

 

 

 

 

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Aug 14
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Organizing Products I Don’t Buy

By Blog, Home Office Organization, Simple Living No Comments

It’s not always easy to learn how to pick functional products that last!

 

In the quest for a well-organized living space, we’ll often invest in and try out many different organizing products to keep things tidy. However, not all products are made with the same level of functionality. Some may even end up causing more harm than good!

 

As a Professional Organizer with over 20 years of experience, I have seen my fair share of products that don’t function well and can’t stand the test of time. A lot of the time clients will see a pretty bin or a uniquely-shaped turntable and just based on the look of it, they’ll buy it. Only to get home and realize it doesn’t fit in the desired space, may scratch the finishings, or not even work as intended!

 

Below, I’ll share some of the most commonly bought organization products I see and explain why I avoid them.

 

We’ll also go over some alternative options that are both highly functional and have a nice appearance, so you can get organized without wasting your time and money!

 

 

Organizing Products I Don’t Buy

Over-the-Door Blowdryer Organizer

 

These organizers may look and sound convenient at first. But in reality, they can cause damage to both the door and the items they hold. If the top piece is too thick the door will also not close.

 

Hot tools tend to slide around and poke through any gaps, too. And let’s be real – blow dryers, brushes, and curling irons often don’t get neatly wrapped up and put away after each use, a lot of people prefer to quickly put them away and adjust later, if desired.

 

Functional Alternative: For these reasons, I recommend just storing them in a larger space. Use a large container, bin, or basket that can be neatly tucked away in your cabinet. Or simply store them in a drawer if you have the space. There are many ways to keep these items organized without damaging your door or frame!

 

Acrylic Makeup Organizer with Small Sections

 

While these organizers look great initially, they are easy to scratch and not easy to clean. This leads them to get very grimy with makeup and dusty over time. To clean the acrylic, you will need a special acrylic cleaner or soap and water, but the latter runs the risk of it drying with streaks.

 

Functional Alternative: To avoid wasting money on replacements, opt for drawer organizers with fewer and larger sections made from materials that are easier to clean. Even better, look for models with the flexibility to move the dividers around yourself.

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Drawer Dividers for Clothes

 

Drawer dividers with fixed, unadjustable sections are just not functional and can cause daily friction in the long term. They won’t accommodate changing storage needs or different sizes of item groupings inside the drawer.

 

Functional Alternative: Use expanding drawer dividers instead. These will fit in most drawers around your home and can be moved around really easily. Or if you prefer a more contained look, try organizers that offer adjustable sections. The goal here is to ensure your clothes stay both organized and easily accessible.

 

Stacking T-Shirt Organizer

 

Stacking shirt organizers may look easy and appealing, but they are often just the opposite. They will slide all over the place and require a lot of effort to fold and fit back inside the organizer. This makes it challenging to keep the shirts inside neatly.

 

Functional Alternative: Instead, consider folding and stacking your t-shirts vertically on a shelf. If you want to keep them in containers, file fold them in a drawer or large bins inside a drawer or on a shelf. Another great idea to keep them from falling over if you’ve got a large collection is to use sweater dividers. This method allows for clear visibility of your collection and makes it more approachable to put away freshly done laundry. For kids’ t-shirts, I recommend file folding them in a drawer or large container. This is easier for them to see what they have and put them back on their own, even if not perfectly folded. 

 

T-Shirt Folder

 

If you really want to have every shirt perfectly folded and have the time to do this, then by all means, go for it! But let me tell you about most households that I’ve organized over the past two decades… Laundry is often piled up to be done and more is waiting to get folded and put away. Good intentions just don’t cut it in reality! I’m all about simplifying life, making things functional, and having a “good enough” attitude vs. trying to attain a perfect standard.

 

Functional Alternative: If you really want to use a folding device, get a larger one with more flaps for folding. This way you can use it for all clothing items and not just tops. It could also be a fun way to get the kids to help out with laundry! Test it and let me know 6 months later how it’s going 😉

 

Office Drawer Organizer

 

White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get dirty quickly and are challenging to clean. Additionally, organizers with large and non-customizable sections may not suit your specific storage needs. To make a functional purchase, declutter the drawer first, plan where items will go, take measurements, and then invest in drawer organizers of various sizes that can fit well together.

 

I’m all for drawer organizers, but they need to be highly functional and easy to clean! White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get marked up quickly. The sections in a lot of these organizers are often too large to sort items into groups and are not customizable.

 

Functional Alternative: Before you go shopping, save yourself the hassle of returns by decluttering the drawer first. Then lay out where you want the remaining items to go, measure the drawer, and take a photo. Once you’ve done that, you can go shopping! Look for drawer organizers of different sizes so you can make a square or rectangle with them in the drawer. They won’t slide around when they fit comfortably in a grid. Choose organizers with small sections.

 

 

 

Investing in functional organizing products can be a game-changer in maintaining an organized home or office!

 

However, it’s crucial to avoid products that don’t function well or stand up to the test of time. By steering clear of products that won’t perfectly serve their desired purpose, you can save both time and money.

 

Consider swapping for these functional alternatives and you’ll achieve a clutter-free, beautiful, and calm environment. Enhance your overall organization and productivity today. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

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Jun 30
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10 Things I Don’t Buy as a Pro Organizer

By Blog, Home Office Organization, Home Organizing, Simple Living No Comments

What if I told you that if you stop buying these 10 things, you could free up a lot of space in your home? I can also guarantee you’d free up some time in your schedule!

 

And who doesn’t want more time these days?!

 

As a professional organizer, I see a lot of people’s stuff and I can tell you, no one really needs (or uses!) all those fancy, trending little home gadgets. Maybe I’ve just been scared off of them after seeing so many mass collections, but these 10 things I don’t buy anymore honestly just tend to overflow and become clutter in a home. And when something’s spilling over, it’s definitely a sign that area needs to be reorganized!

 

Did you know the average home has over 300,000 items? That’s a lot of stuff to maintain and organize!

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your stuff and looking for ways to simplify your life? Then stick with me because I’m going to share some time-saving strategies to keep your home organized… the simple and easy way 😊

 

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10 Things I Don’t Buy as a Professional Organizer

 

My husband and I live in a smaller home, about 1500 square feet. I know that when a space starts overflowing with stuff, it’s time to corral that corner and declutter the area!

 

So let’s dive into today’s topic.

 

1 / 10

 

Starting off at number one, I don’t buy new kitchen appliances without a pre-determined space. I do see things that I would love to have, but if it doesn’t fit, something’s gotta go to make room for it first.

 

I remember one time, my husband came home with a salad spinner and I literally had nowhere to store it 😂 I had to reorganize the kitchen above our stove and the storage around our hood fan to make room for this salad spinner.

 

I’ve always been very conscious of how much space I have. If I’m going to buy it, then something’s gotta go. I follow the one-in-one-out rule.

 

2 / 10

 

The second of 10 things I don’t buy anymore are tall spice containers and large oil bottles. These are things that I just don’t buy anymore because they can’t easily fit into my cupboard. I have a lower cupboard where, on a turntable, I store my oil bottles. But there’s only so much height in there.

 

You may be someone who likes to buy bulk amounts of spices, oils, vinegar, and sauces. This means you need to make sure that you have space to put it all away. And whatever amount of space you’ve allocated for it, you need to make sure that the bottles are going to fit height-wise, too. And don’t even consider storing them on their sides unless you want to clean up an oily, drippy mess!

 

3 / 10

 

Next up is organizing products that don’t function well. I use a lot of organizing products and I test them all as well. I’ve found that if it doesn’t have multiple purposes and doesn’t function as intended, then I don’t even want it.

 

It’s way too easy nowadays to waste money on trendy products that promise us simplification but don’t deliver. So it’s crucial that you do your research (or check our product recommendations!) before purchasing dodgy items.

 

While the quality of each product is a big factor in its functionality, sometimes buying random items before planning how you will organize the space can create problems too. For example; a basket that cannot physically fit in a space, a turntable that’s too wide for a cupboard, spice jars that are the wrong shape for your rack, drawer organizers that are too tall so the drawer won’t close, weak shirt hangers used for coats can break, and so on. This is why I always make my plan to organize a space and then work on finding the products that are going to function the best for that project 👍🏼

 

4 / 10

 

The next of 10 things I don’t buy as a professional organizer are souvenirs from concerts and vacations. I’m someone who likes to keep these items to an absolute minimum because I don’t like how they clutter up my space.

 

How many times have you gone to an event and come home with pamphlets, books, maps, tacky t-shirts, keychains, magnets, and the like? Don’t worry, I won’t make you actually count 😂

 

If your kids go to camps or play sports where you need to purchase those t-shirts, think of a way you can give the item a second life. Whether that’s reusing them as rags after they’ve outgrown them or turning them into a memory pillow!

 

My preference is to take photos of everything, I find that I look at the photos a lot more. This way, I can also display them or share them with others. You could turn them into photo books too, or you can just remember the vacation and the experience. You don’t necessarily need to bring home “things” to remember the experience 😊

 

5 / 10

 

The big number five is reusable water bottles! It’s so fun to collect all the different types… until you get home and have nowhere to keep them. So how many of these do we really need? Let’s break it down 👇🏼

 

For myself, I use 3 – 4 water bottles every single day. I have hot and cold drinks plus protein shakes that I take to client projects each day.

 

So yes, you do need some to take with your lunch or pack in kids’ lunches. But how many does one household actually need? When I go through coffee mugs, thermos’, and water bottles at clients’ homes, I’m always amazed! In the average home, I’m seeing usually 25 to 40. Sometimes even 50+ containers for hot and cold drinks! No one needs this many, even if you’re a family of five. Depending on your frequency of use, you should keep 1 – 2 per family member.

 

I recommend you narrow down your water bottles to only the favorites and the ones that you use all the time. Donate the rest!

 

6 / 10

 

Here we are with 10 things I don’t buy at number six with office supplies. More like excessive office supplies, like in those pretty impulse sections at Staples!

 

I like to keep pens around the house in useful spaces, like in my office, the laundry room, a couple in my car, and some in the kitchen. I also have one by my nightstand and in the bathroom, along with post-it notes next to them. And what I’ve noticed about myself is that I love how quickly I can jot something down.

 

I do have some extra office supplies in case something runs out, but the reality is, I don’t need a hundred pencils. I certainly don’t need a bunch of different colored impulse-buy pens!

 

Sadly, I see this in home offices quite often. Another clutter-encouraging habit is bringing home pens from events and hotel rooms. They will just keep collecting. Just stick to your favorite, fail-proof office supplies and have a few extras of the things you use most frequently on hand. Make sure you organize them in one place.

 

If you need specialty papers or mailing supplies like envelopes and stamps then create an area for those supplies, and be realistic with yourself. How much do you really need?

 

Don’t forget to think about when the kids are in school too, as they’ll be coming home with their backpacks full of papers each day. Plus, at the end of the year once they’ve emptied out their locker from school, stay one step ahead. Avoid clutter overwhelm by weeding through all of their locker contents as soon as it comes through the door so it doesn’t end up piled on your office supplies.

 

You can donate extra supplies to organizations who are looking for them, and sometimes schools will take things too. But when pens and pencils are small or worn out, it’s time to say goodbye and let those go.

 

7 / 10

 

Number seven is excess cleaning supplies! I included this in the 10 things I don’t buy because my preference is to buy multi-purpose cleaners that do more than one thing so I can save storage space (and money!).

 

I have cleaning supplies on each level of my house, and I do this on my clients’ projects as well. That way there’s always something close by for cleaning upstairs, downstairs, and in the garage. I just find that it’s simple and easy.

 

Another tip is to buy a concentrated solution so you can water it down in your own bottles. You will be amazed at the amount of cleaning supplies you can cut down on by implementing these few tricks! You could probably cut that down by half at least, and you’re going to free up so much space. And bonus – it’ll be easy to find what you need when you need it!

 

8 / 10

 

Number eight is round food storage containers.

 

The reason is, when you have different shapes that need to fit in your fridge drawer, it makes it extra difficult. The square and rectangular containers can sit nicely next to and on top of each other, but throwing circles into the mix just won’t work as smoothly. I’m all about simplifying life, so I have no extra time to wrangle with inanimate objects!

 

So make sure that the containers you’re buying will work for your space and consider purchasing some extra so that if any of the glass ones break, you can easily replace them.

 

Now I do buy small round containers for my lunches, to keep sauces and salad dressings in. And for kids’ lunches, you will also need some small ones. However, as a general rule, when I’m buying food containers for use in a fridge or freezer, I won’t buy round. I just find they’re harder to stack and they take up more space. I want to maximize the little amount of space that I have in my fridge, my freezer, and in my food container drawer, so these are a no from me!

 

9 / 10

 

Nine is label tape that is not laminated. What do I mean by that?

 

There are some big differences between paper and laminated tapes. I can immediately tell if something’s been labeled with paper tape, especially on a binder, shelf, or container. The edges get visibly curled and when you peel it off it leaves a filmy residue behind. This is probably my most-avoided product on the list of 10 things I don’t buy because they are just terrible.

 

Why’s laminated tape so special? It won’t curl. It will also last you many years, and it’s weather resistant. You can put them in a freezer, store them in a garage, and even use them outside.

 

So make sure when you’re purchasing a label maker that you look for one that is compatible with laminated label tapes. In the long run, it will save you money, too. You can thank me later 😉

 

10 / 10

 

And last but not least at number ten, we have uncomfortable shoes. Need I say more?

 

I don’t buy any uncomfortable shoes anymore, and here’s why. I’m so tired of breaking in shoes for months on end that never turn comfortable. My husband and I also do a lot of walking and I can’t stand the never-ending blisters I get while wearing them. Even when we go out on vacation, we do a lot of walking. There’s nothing worse than trying to keep up with my husband and friends in uncomfortable shoes. So I will only buy shoes that, when I try them on in the store, are comfortable.

 

Do yourself a favor and go through all of your shoes. Anything that isn’t comfortable ask yourself, do I really wanna keep these? Is the pain worth it? Will I even wear them again?

 

Now, you may have a few pairs of shoes that you wear once or twice a year to special events. For those dressy shoes, I’m now making sure that even they feel nice because I’m just at that point in my life where I want to be comfortable!

 

So look at all those shoes in your closet that you don’t wear. If they’re not comfortable or something doesn’t feel like it fits you right, let’s donate those, consign them, or pass them on to a friend.

 

 

+1 Bonus Tip!

 

And here’s your bonus tip: just because something is free… doesn’t mean you need to bring it home! When you go to a cosmetics counter and they want to load you up on free samples, simply don’t take them! Though these freebies may not be things I don’t “buy” anymore, they are certainly things I don’t bring into my home. The reality is you’ll likely never use them and they’ll just clutter up your bathroom drawers and counters until you throw them out a couple of years later.

 

When you go to a live show or event with free stuff being handed out, stop and ask yourself, do you really want to bring this thing home? Do you want to clutter up your house with more stuff? Remind yourself it’s okay to say no.

Remember, anything that you bring into your home, you’ll have to create space for it. Then find a home for it, and maintain it for the foreseeable future! Save yourself some time and energy by only bringing home the things you will dearly love, use, and that are purposeful in your day-to-day life.

 

Watch the video!

 

I’m curious to know what items you are going to stop buying or bringing into your home! Comment below 😁👇🏼

 

 

 

 

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Essentials for Your Summer First Aid Kit

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