Where Are My Dumb Keys!!

Here they are. Nicely organized and labeled. You can get this box or something similar to it and mount it on a wall. If you have a ton of keys. If not, just get a hook and hang it on a wall close to where you come in the house. Don't want to nail something in your wall? Put a bowl close by the entrance door and designate that as your key drop off spot. Whatever your system, be consistent and try to ALWAYS put your keys away in their correct spot.

His, Her, and Their Coat Closet, (Final)Tip 5

All of this was in my closet that doesn't fit any of my children. What a waste of space!

Tip 5: Go through it! A classic organizing mistake is to "fix it and forget it" (who else is seeing that infomercial now?!). Once you organize something, you have to revisit every so often to maintain. I go through mine when the seasons change. That way I won't clutter up the bins with items that aren't being used. Purge the items you haven't worn in two years. 

What are some of your coat closet organizing ideas?  Post a comment so people can have more tips!

His, Her, and Their Coat Closet, Tip 4

Tip 4: Closet Doublers. It is a simple thing that I bought a while ago that has enhanced my closet space and given me my sanity back. I used mine in my children's room so they could reach their dresses. But, you can use this in the coat closet to create more space...either for adult items or kid items. And since some people use their coat closet floor for other items, closet doublers are a great alternative to using baskets on the floor.

His, Her, and Their Coat Closet, Tip 3

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is a Martha Stewart closet. Literally - right off her website. And I think it's beautiful. And for those of you who have the time and money to do something like this, more power to you. But, I just don't. However, I can glean a tip.

Tip 3: Hooks on the door. This is very doable. I like the idea of putting hooks on the inside of the door for extra hanging space. Just be sure that there is enough space to close the door after you hang your items on it. Having doors that close is a very small way of adding peace to your life. If the doors are always ajar, it makes the room seem more cluttered than it really is.

His, Her, and Their Coat Closet, Tip 2

Tip 2: Bins for the floor. I used to hang my children's coats up on the rack. Every time they needed a coat, it was up to me to get it. That got old pretty fast. So, on the floor they went. Each child gets their own bin and now has control over getting their own coats. Do you have older kids who can reach the coats up top just fine? Use the bin on the floor idea to hold sports equipment, backpacks, shoes, or other items that are unsightly at the door.

His, Her, and Their Coat Closet, Tip 1

Most homes and apartments have a coat closet. And if there's more than one person living in the house, it can get a little those-pair-of-gloves-are-not-worth-looking-in crazy in there.

The next couple of posts will show you some ideas for organizing your coat closet so that there is space for the whole family.

Tip 1: Hanging shoe racks. They are one of my favorite organizational tools. I've put my scarves, gloves, and hats in it. My poor husband has one spot for his winter gear. My kids each have their own spot...down near the floor so they can reach it themselves, sparing me loads of time. And I get the rest. A girl needs her accessories. These shoe racks are also great because they create a natural division for his and her sections of coats.

Stay tuned for more ideas on how to tame the coats!

How to Organize Gift Wrapping Supplies

Do your gift wrapping supplies look a little like this? Are your rolls of wrapping paper getting torn or dirty because the storage is less than ideal?

Well, the holiday season is approaching fast...be ready for all that gift wrapping by organizing your supplies. You will get less stressed and spend less money since you'll be able to find that spool of ribbon that matches the wrapping paper you have. So, without further ado:

1. Pull it all out. Throw away any odds and ends that are torn, ripped, or otherwise in bad shape. Sort the rest into piles of like items (all the wrapping paper together, the ribbon together, the bags, etc).

2. Consider your storage space. Where does it make the most sense to have your supplies? Where do you have the space for them? Think under the bed, in a closet, under stairs, laundry room, or in a chest. Once you know where you want these items to live, now think about what storage container would fit best. If it's under the bed, look for under the bed storage unit. If it's in a closet, a laundry basket might work well. If it's behind a door, you'll need to get an over the door shoe rack with see through pockets for your items. Take any measurements that you need to.

3. Shop! My favorite. Look online for options. Then go to the store. If you reverse these, you may end up frustrated or with storage that doesn't actually work for you. Some of my favorite container stores are Target, Hobby Lobby, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Ikea, and The Container Store. Some things to consider while shopping:

• The time of year you shop. After Christmas is a great time because there are more container options available than the rest of the year, and the sales are great. 
• Think about clear. Yes, baskets are pretty but they are not practical. You need to be able to see what's in the container at a glance. 
• Remember that you'll need something tall for the wrapping paper. There are plastic containers that you can buy for that purpose. Or even trash cans can work well for this. Or you can make something. Next time you're at Costco (or Sams or BJ's) ask if they have any tall boxes. If so, grab one and you can store the rolls of wrapping paper in them, cutting the boxes down if you need to.
• Glass jars can look great for ribbon, bows, etc. if you have the space for it.
• Free standing paper towel holders also look cute holding the spools of ribbon.
• If you have a desk or bookcase that you are planning on using for the items, screw a dowel rod into it and put ribbon or even the wrapping paper on it. Just be sure that you rig it so you can slide the dowel rod out so you can change what you put on it.
• There are also hanging organizers for closets that you can buy. And this one is really cool.

4. Put it all together. Put your like items together in the drawer or system that you chose. If you have a label maker, label the items for quick reference or for husbands (sorry guys). Then step back and marvel at how much more simple your life will now be.

Keep in mind that you can go as fancy as you want to. Want it to look like Martha Stewart did it herself? You can...but it will cost you time and money. This blog is dedicated to organizing with realistic solutions - which to me means keeping the spending down and using what you already have. That's what I did with my gift wrapping organizing.I used the storage I had already. Plastic stacking drawers. Do I love them? No. They aren't beautiful. They aren't clear. But they work and I don't need to buy anything else. And in this economy...that's saying a lot. I keep my gift bags and wrapping paper rolls in a laundry basket under my stairs. It's easy to get to and the basket keeps them all in one place. Here's what my ribbons looks like: