I’m a visual learner-and I know many of you out there are too. So to illustrate the organization concept of “divide and conquer“, here are some more photos from around my house:
Here you can see (top left to righ) my coffee flavorings (I’ve had those for a couple of years, but they don’t go bad), my powdered drink mixes and extra herbal teas, my bowls (ok-those aren’t containerized) and all my basic cooking stuff-ie nonstick spray, soy sauce, worchestershire, teriaki, sesame oil. . . that type of stuff. This cabinet is above the range vent-to reach the top shelf I need to use a stool. So the added benefit of the containers is I can lift the whole thing out, put it on the counter to use, and then lift the entire thing back. If I had just stacked the bottles in there I would have to dig around to see what was in the back each time.
The baskets were initially purchased at a dollar store in Kentucy to outfit Princess’s baby room prior to her birth. She will be 7 this April, so these things have been repurposed many times! If they were not in the budget, cardboard boxes cut to size would work well. I know that Save a Lot usually has all their cardboard packaging boxes up front free for anyone to take. Since these are used for shipping they have heavier cardboard than your typical cereal box or what-not.
This is the kiddo’s bathroom closet (or rather a weird little alcove Yankee Bill put shelves in and then I sewed a curtain to go in front of). The two larger baskets are of the same vintage as those above and hold the washcloths and hand towels. All the little baskets are from the dollar store-and were initially bought for another purpose. I have all my travel sized stuff segregated in one, hand lotions in another etc. One has all of the stuff used for the kiddo’s baths-soap dish, shampoo and conditioner.
If all of this was just stacked on the shelf, I would never see the stuff in the back, and it would quickly become a dumping ground. Again-boxes could be used, or coffee cans, or whatever works for you. The plastic works well for the bath stuff as it does get wet. (yes, it’s on the floor next to the tub, which NEVER seems to stay dry no matter how much I scold.)
This is under the sink in the master bath. This plastic basket is a bit newer-I think I bought it in Virginia about 3 or 4 years ago. Here it has been repurposed to hold all of the bathroom cleaning supplies as well as the duster and furniture polish for our bedroom-in the rare event I might choose to clean 🙂 This is handy because I can grab the entire basket out, move it around as I clean, and then throw it all back in. I do have cleaning stuff in each of the 3 bathrooms. Since the house is 3 stories, it saves some energy to have the cleaning supplies where they will be used. Although there is more initial outlay that way, in the long run it all equals out (after all, each product takes 3X as long to be used up this way)
This is my baggie and wrap drawer. This may not look as orginization-after all you are looking at the boxes that stuff comes in (note the Aldi’s brands??). The organization part is that after I wash my zippered baggies, I fold them and place them back in the boxes! This works really well and has finally tamed that mass of baggies that used to occupy the drawer in my old house. Also note the plastic lids-I have about 4 in there and I use them as spoon rests for our morning coffee spoon, or when I need a spare for over at the stove.
Here is a small drawer in my desk. These little baskets were purchased specifically for this desk at the dollar store. This desk drawer could easily end up like the typical “Junk Drawer”, full of stuff that all tangles together. Using the bins the envelopes are on the right, then the stamps (and return address labels when any charity sends us some), then the family business cards (purchased via Vista Print), and finally all the glues, tapes etc.
Here you can see a box that I keep in the shelf above the microwave shelf. Just to give some perspective I have to stand on my tiptoes to grab this box.
Inside I have all my smallest “tupperware” that I use for Princess’s lunches. You can see how some things are simply stacked, some are in a basket, and some lids are contained in zippered baggies. Since I started doing this I have been able to keep it all together without causing an avalanche! Plus, being able to bring the entire box down onto the counter makes life MUCH easier.
So there you have it, some of the “divide and conquer” that I’ve done around the house.
PS-Blogger’s spellcheck seems to be offline this morning. I am one of the worlds worst spellers, so if there are any mis-spellings I heartily apologize.
You shop at Aldi.
I think that Aldi is the best store for frugality!
Kudos!
There isn’t an Aldi’s anywhere near where we live so I’m waiting in anticipation to see what they are. Great for you. I’m going to look for some shoe boxes to help us out with DD sock drawer and my tea stash. Thanks for the inspiration!
Chocolate Chic-Yup! I just love Aldi’s!! Totally my favorite store every for food. I did a price book when I first moved here, and Aldi’s won hands down.
ChosenBliss-Someone said recently that if you went to the Aldi’s website there was a new “tour the store” type video. . . I haven’t been to it, but you might want to check it out.
Love, love, LOVE the container lid for coffee spoons. I have a particular “christmas” plate that I put out starting Thanksgiving for that use (we don’t drink morning hot beverages, so this is largely for when people are visiting), but need something for the non-holidays. I think I’ll cut a circle of foam drawer liner to fit in a lid. Yeah!
I will admit to purchasing a little set of plastic drawers for my tea stash at Family Dollar. It was on sale, though, and because I do entertain a lot it enables me to keep my assorted tea bags out in the kitchen and very organized.
As for the rest of the house… not so much.
I do like Aldi… for SOME things. If I know I’ll use the veg right away, I’ll get it there–otherwise I notice it goes bad quickly. I do always buy butter, cream cheese, flour, sugar, etc., there. Definitely the lowest price for those things.
Uhhh, I always seem to type up a book when I comment here. Mebbe you DO need a chat board!
😛
Love the organization! I just went through this in my bathroom and part of the kitchen, and I feel so much better now! Thanks for sharing!
I love all of these pictures – thank you!
Just after the new year my boyfriend asked me to “do something” about under the bathroom sink. The contents were divided between two big boxes, which were handy to pull out when the faucet started leaking in November, but were a nightmare to find anything in. I think they are 14″x10″x8″, pretty big.
So, I used some smaller cardboard boxes, with the flaps folded inside, and segregated the big box contents into hygiene, tummy drugs, and cold meds. All of the unopened oh-my-God-that’s-a-stockpile things went on the very top shelf in the linen closet, which was empty, and it out of the way until we need ’em.
I like your dollar store baskets – I should upgrade my cardboard boxes, especially if we have a leak again. And I need to tackle the OTHER big box under the sink too!
I use hanging shoe organizers to organize my spices and other stuff in the kitchen. I have one on either side of the pantry door so this really frees up shelf space.
I have also done it in the bathroom, but I love your use of the baskets and I think I will use that for the space under the bathroom sink and kitchen sink.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Aldi’s!!!
Great organization ideas!! Seeing your pictures makes me want to start organizing cabinets. I love your “divide and conquer” theory! I’m going to have to give it a try!!
Have a wonderful day!
Christy
Mrs W-Sometimes you do have to purchase something specifically to organize. 🙂 So kudos to you since you actually use it. I haven’t had an issue with Aldi’s and freshness-as a matter of fact their stuff seems to stay fresh just as long, and the milk usually has a much LONGER timeframe. I think it is because of the amount of turnover at the specific store.
Lorelei-glad you enjoy it. So far I’ve shown stuff that was already done, but soon this is going to force me to do some organizing in areas that really need it; which is one of the reasons I’m tackling the topic!
Amy-another thing that works quite well is those plastic dishpans. Obviously they don’t have drainage like a basket would (if that matters) but they tend to be stronger than some of the cheap baskets. Plus you can repurpose it for more things-for example it could be used in place of a bucket or bowl while cleaning etc.
lulugal-I used a shoe organizer for all those “gravy” packets and such at my last house, but due to different configurations that won’t work as well here. . . but it is a great tip. I love how things can be used in totally different ways than they were designed. . .
Christy-glad this was helpful. Good luck on your own organizing.
Just wanted to write in again that I’ve adapted another of your ideas. As I peeked in the recycle bin I saw 2 velveeta boxes (gross, I know… but the superbowl food… *gag*) and I thought, “those box bottoms are really sturdy… I bet I could…”
Aha!
So I organized my spice cabinet.
You would be so proud. I am!
Mrs. W-I am so PROUD of you!!! 😉