Let's get organized, organized, I want to get organized!

Let's get it organized, ladies! Here's how!

1. Vertical Storage: When you think vertically you utilize more space. ie: Bathroom vanities that have a cabinet w/o drawers underneath the sink. If you can see the wall, that is space that can be used if you store things vertically (like with a Jumbo helper shelf)
2. Grouping - activity centers- Group things together that are used together ie: scizzors, tape and a pen go with your wrapping supplies (store things together)
3. Get it on the wall!!! Get things up off the floor and out of your way ie: brooms, garage items, swiffers
4. Double Duty Doors- Don't let them just hang there...
+Door way doors
+Locker doors
+Cabinet doors ie: spice rack
+Refrigerator doors
5. Be motion minded-Big time saver
+Point of first use
+Trash cans in each room
+Dishes near the table
+Hot pads near the oven
+Tape by VCR/Stereo
Minimize Steps
+Cleaning supplies in each bathroom
+Activity Centers-like a traveling bill pay center with checkbook, stamps, envelopes, and pens with storage for bills
One-Motion Storage
+most often used items-store in front or on top
+least often used items-store in back or on bottom
6. Four ways to store--shelf, floor, drawer, hang-CLOSETS!!! You may use a hanging shoe rack for many, many things. When purchasing one, make sure it secures to the hanging bar. Also, if you have clothes that you don't wear try turning your hangers around and if they remain that way for 3 mo, 6 mo or a year, you know it is time to get rid of them. Also, purses, scarves, belts, necklaces, bras, and scrunchies (for moms stuck in the 90's) can all hang on a tie rack.
7. Throw things out... or garage sale it or give it away . If you keep it, you must organize it.
8. Want vs. Need... save time and money
**Ask yourselves, do I want it? Do I need it? Do I want to dust it? Do I want to store it?
9. "To Do" Baskets, use while waiting at home, in the car, at the doctor's office to reduce paper clutter
+To Do
+To File
+To Read
+To mend
+To pay
11. Label, Label, Label...save time and aggrivation
Use labels, not permanent marker (because relabeling gets confusing). This way, everyone knows what is in the box, where to return things to, and where to find them.
12. Art projects from our kids- a few suggestions:
+A Xerox paper box for storage
+School supply kits boxes for storage
+Videotape the picture with your child explaining or reacting to the project
+Photobook of scanned or photographed images with your child's comments for captions
+Holiday artwork gets packed up with the holiday decorations, other artwork gets displayed on the bulletin board then thrown away
13. Where to Shop?
www.containerstore.com
Target, K-mart, Walmart, Lowe's Menards, Home Depot, Office Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond, but I start at the dollar store :)
14. Sorting -- toys, take a picture of the toy and place it on the outside of the container.
-As submitted by Carrie Soares, thank you!!!