Organize these Top 4 Trouble Spots at Home, and Simplify your Life!
Sometimes, life seems to drift from a state of organized chaos, into just plain chaos.
Certain parts of your home are more vulnerable to this problem: the bathroom and laundry room are so small and busy, it’s easy for things to get out of control, the basement can be a catch-all for everything you aren’t using at the moment, and your garage and shed can quickly fill up with misplaced tools and gardening equipment.
If you find yourself avoiding parts of your home or wasting time looking for things, don’t worry! These easy home organization tips will help you get things back in order so you can enjoy your home again.
1. The Cluttered Garage and Shed
It’s tempting just to toss your tools, gardening equipment and odds and ends in your garage and shed and just let them end up wherever. But just let entropy take over and, before you know it, your two-car garage will become a one-car garage, or even a no-car garage.
Don’t leave your “baby” out in the elements because of a messy garage!
If your garage is full of clutter, it’s not too late to take back the reins. This Old House provides this easy step-by-step guide for breaking even the biggest mess down into manageable parts and taking back control, and this garage storage plan is the perfect guide for any stage of the game, whether you’re just starting out with a new garage, or re-organizing a messy one.
Both of these resources will work just as well for your shed. Now you will have plenty of room for your car and all of your tools, and you’ll be able to find everything you need for your next DIY project!
2. The Messy Laundry Room
Laundry rooms are often small rooms that are also very busy, and this can create a big mess in a hurry.
Because space is limited, the right storage can be a tremendous help for organizing your laundry room. The DIY Network offers storage ideas such as vertical storage that utilizes wall space, storage that is built around the washer and drier, and even converting a closet into recessed shelves.
Martha Stewart recommends using durable, moisture-resistant adjustable wire shelving to store bigger items, and installing a tension rod to hang clothes on as you remove them from the drier to avoid excess wrinkling.
And, finally, HGTV offers quick time-saving tips for organizing your laundry room, including storing cleaning supplies such as stain sprays in an open-top storage caddy, and pre-sorting laundry into multiple hampers if space allows.
Bonus: Here’s a handy stain list with the best solutions for common stains, courtesy of Martha Stewart. It’s perfect to laminate and hang in your laundry room!
3. The Overloaded Basement
Your basement can easily become your family’s catch-all for anything from holiday ornaments, to old sports equipment, to unlabelled boxes with unknown contents. Your basement can quickly become a creepy, dark, cluttered place that everyone does their best to avoid.
There’s no need to avoid your basement. With the right strategy, you can make the most of your basement and turn it into a useful space that serves your family, instead of creeping everybody out.
First, address any issues you may have with dampness or pests.
Once you take care of the damp, it’s time to organize. First, clear out a large space in the center of the basement floor. Next, go through every box and classify everything into these 5 piles that professional organizers recommend.
Next, figure out which of the items should stay in the basement, and how much storage you will need for them.
Once you have an idea of how much stuff you need to store, you can start arranging your storage. Adjustable wire shelving is a good option for basements because it is sturdy and does well in damp environments, and often comes with casters so you can easily move it around.
Better Homes and Gardens has several ideas for basement storage, including under-the-stairs storage and attractive basement cabinets, and Martha Stewart offers this list of handy basement hints to keep your basement organized.
4. The Bustling Bathroom
Your bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in your home. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the smallest.
Because of this, keeping your bathroom organized is an absolute must if you want to avoid chaos on those busy mornings when everyone’s getting ready to start their day.
Every family member has their own bathroom belongings, so the right kind of compact storage is the key to an organized bathroom. This article gives you the lowdown on 5 space-saving bathroom storage ideas that will help you keep your bathroom organized and efficient.
And atmosphere matters, too: you feel more relaxed when you don’t feel so closed-in. This article lays out 4 ways to make your small bathroom feel more spacious, and more relaxing.
Photos courtesy of Emily May, Karen Roe, and Chalon Handmade.
