If you’re both a mad organizer and a Real Simple subscriber like myself, you’ll recognize this cover shot as something that made you smile from ear to ear: Everything is in order and it looks clean and pretty, all at the same time. It brings out the part of me that chants, Must. Maintain. Organized. House.
If you’re not a mad organizer, I’m probably not speaking your language. But a few good organizing tips could help simplify your life, and give you a sense of being in control of your stuff, and not the other way around, so don’t get all ready to bounce on me.
I have decided to review some of Real Simple’s organizing tips because at the Defining Someday Center For Kids Who Can’t Organize Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, we teach you that there’s more to life than just being really, really, really ridiculously good looking. Right kids? And because organization is the key to simplicity.
The June 2008 issue features 99 easy and affordable organizing ideas. Which is great, if you have all the time in the world to look for cheap ways to organize and re-organize your entire house. Since you probably don’t (do I feel a Busy Contest coming on!?), here is the Best Ofs version:
Home Office - Use cable turtles to manage cord mess, and a keyboard organizer to hide random desk items. Like chocolate bars.
Kitchen - Really, does anyone not have one of these? Best kitchen invention ever. And for small spaces (or people with loads of dinnerware), these plate racks are good too.
Closets – Use one of these hanging cubbies to set out outfits for the kids for the week, and double your closet space with an extra hanging rod.
Play Rooms – Give your kids their own lazy Susan for their art and craft supply table. If it doesn’t fit on the lazy Susan, they probably don’t need it! And alas, more bins! Label bins (or use pictures if they can’t read good yet) and encourage your children to keep toys and games where they belong.
Bedrooms – Love this one: if closet space is tight, use a ladder leaned against a wall for hanging clothes, blankets, magazines or newspapers to keep them off the floor. Or the bed.
Bathrooms - Use a desktop organizing tray in bathroom drawers for things like brushes, makeup, and other bathroom supplies and use baskets for larger items like hair care products, towels, and bathtub toys.
Those Other Rooms (That Drive Us Crazy) – Mud rooms, laundry rooms, and garages can get crazy with everyone’s stuff! Give each family member their own basket, bin, or other storage place in high-traffic areas. No excuses – they have entire store sections for this type of thing!
If this all seems like too much work, may I suggest my Organization Holy Trinity: Stop shopping, start tossing, and speed clean.
