Organizing 101

I happened to find this blog while I was searching for organization inspiration (say that 3 times fast, LOL) and found this workshop called Organizing 101. They were offering the first part of the session for free, so I checked it out! I decided it was a great opportunity for me to focus on my need to get organized, so I signed up for the entire session. I am glad I did! We just began week 2 and were given a small task to organize something small--I decided to tackle my hall closet that had been begging for a clean out for a looooonnng time! So, here are some before, during, and after photos!!

First, the before. I used the center shelves to store towels so they were easy for everyone to get to. The top shelf I had drawer units where I just "threw" stuff into, and it had no organization whatsoever. The bottom shelves held extra shampoo, body wash, feminine products, rags, cotton balls, and whatever else didn't have a home! It was time to purge & clean!


I also store a step stool inside the door so I can grab it when I need something out of any of the closets. That is going to stay, but I might try to devise a hook system to keep it out of the way...


The obstacles of this closet were: 
*the size: it was narrow & tall. There is a lot of space at the top but it is hard to get to because of the doorway. The shelves were installed by the builder, so they are fixed. I am trying to make the most of the space without having to do any structural changes. 
*I had too much stuff to store in there! I had to make some decisions as to where stuff needed to go. 
*Since I had too much stuff in there, just thrown in, I was constantly searching for stuff! I hate that! I want to know where stuff is & where it goes when I bring something home from the store!

Step 2: I cleaned out the bottom shelves, threw out, recycled bottles, found other homes for stuff and installed some spice racks I bought from Home Depot. I wanted to use the space on the door, but it was pretty narrow to use a standard over the door hanging device. These are actually installed into the door. The over the door unit was pretty spendy, so I opted for these instead (each unit was $14 each). I thought they would be perfect for those bottles that were taking up space on my shelf, and they are! 2 of the shelves are wider than the others, and they hold shampoo & body wash perfectly, while the narrow ones hold nail polish & smaller items. I Love It!!!!!


I utilized a basket that wasn't being used (2nd shelf from bottom, Left) to corral the feminine products so they weren't on full display. I tossed the cotton balls on top. The basket next to it houses some other items that didn't fit in the spice racks and needed a place to go. The bottom of the closet I used a wicker basket to hold my cleaning rags & swiffer dusters. The plastic bins on the left are going to be cleaned out later. 

I took the drawer units out, emptied them, labeled them, and organized them!! I am much happier now!! 

Top shelf of closet. I found a plastic shelf and placed it to give me some more vertical space. I emptied the bottom drawer into the bin next to it, because there were so many little samples & travel sized items the drawer was beyond capacity. I also wanted something I could grab and take into the bathroom when I pack. I moved the basket with the rags up here too, since it fit so well under the shelf. I am very happy with this so far, and totally pumped that I have an empty drawer!!!! 

This is my closet today. I am pretty satisfied with how things are looking!!

Here is the bottom shelves now. I moved the other drawer unit lower since it has things we use most often. The little bin on top is my daughter's nail stuff, and I will have her clean that out when she is home. I plan on getting a cleaning supply organizer to put on  the bottom in the empty space so I can access it quickly. Since I don't have small kiddos anymore, I think it will work out well!! 
Now to go make some labels for my baskets!!

Happy New Year!

2012 is here. Time for reflection on the past year. Time to look forward to the new year. Time to get all those items checked off my to-do list, and probably add more....

I decided to make "goals" this year, not resolutions. I like goals so much better, because I know how to make them attainable. I am also vowing to get more organized (I know, it's a life long process) by keeping better home records, conquering my clutter areas, battling with my paper burden, and just keeping my calendar up to date so I feel more in control.

Here is my 2012 mantra:

I plan on posting this where I see it frequently, and it is also the background on my laptop. I have this beautiful space I call home & I am so not happy with how it looks. I need to find the peace & happiness that organization will bring me.

So, what are your goals for the year? I have many more, but those are on a list in my mind...yes I need to write them down. "Don't just think it, INK it!"