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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Organizing Your Bathroom

If your like me, your bathroom is small and the amount of space you have for storage is limited. De-cluttering your bathroom is essential to getting more space. There are many different storage containers that can be used to create more space.


Needed Items to Organize Your Bathroom
Ziploc bags or cosmetic bags are great for small things to be stored in, if you have clear bags it makes it easier to see what is in them and then you aren't looking though many bags to find the one thing you want. Also, having garbage bags on hand is good, too. Throw away anything that you know you will no longer be needing. Having some cleaning supplies and gloves are good if things get messy. Also have a tap measure. This will be used to measure your drawers so you know what size containers you will need to purchase.


Throw Away The Trash
Go though each drawer and throw away the things that you no longer need or don't use anymore. Once you have decided to throw something away put it in the trash and once your bags are full move them out of your workspace.


Organize
First, group all of your items into categories like hair products, personal hygiene and toiletries, and nail products. You can put these on your counter tops or on the floor.


Clean
Clean your drawers and cabinets once the products have been removed and placed into the proper categories.


Storage containers
Once your space is clean you should measure the dimensions of your drawers. Write these dimensions down and then take them with you when you go shopping for containers. You don't need to buy new containers if you know that you already own a container that will work. Containers come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. A drawer organizer is great for make-up and will keep your drawers neat. Having organizers is a great way to keep everything in it's place.


Labeling
This can be fun and helpful when wanting to keep order in your bathroom. You can use a label maker or sticky labels that can be cut to the correct size. Labels are great to keep order and to help you know what is in each container and where things need to be placed once you are done using them.


Hair and Cosmetics
Hair and make-up products have over-taken my bathroom, maybe yours' too. Drawer organizers are a good thing to have to keep all of your make-up in. If you have a lot of brushes and hair curlers, keeping them in a small cosmetic bag will reduce some of the clutter and keep everything in one place. Having another bag for hair ties, barrettes, clips, and bobby-pins, is a good thing to have as well.


Medicine Cabinets
Medicine cabinets are a perfect spot for clutter. Most cabinets have three shelves; the bottom being the biggest. On the bottom shelf put your larger items like bandages, deodorant, or mouthwash, things you use often. On the second and third shelves put facial cremes, cleansers, lotions, or eye care products. Organize your medicine cabinet to your own liking, these are just some ideas. The main thing to remember is to have a system and follow it.


Cabinet Storage
Cabinets can become very cluttered with other things. Have storage bins and caddies for your hair supplies like hairsprays and gels. The back of your cabinet can hold your duplicate items and things that you may need but don't use on a daily basis. In the front of the cabinet put things like toothpastes and other dental hygiene that you will use at some point in time. In the cabinet having some empty space is good for when you buy new product. You can use this space of those things.


Cleaning Supplies
Have your cleaning supplies in a separate caddy. Have items that are used just for your bathroom. When they are in your bathroom, you are more likely to clean your bathroom on a regular basis. Having a separate caddy for your toilet paper and paper towels is great, too.


Once everything is organized and in it's place, finding things will be easy! It is normal for your bathroom to get messy, but now that you are organized, everything has a place and can be easily put away. Just remember, you are only organized if you keep yourself organized. This is something that you will always have to do and making it a habit of it will make the cleaning process feel less like a chore.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

How to Organize Your Living Room

A living room can be the center of your family life. If most of your time is spent here, it will tend to become cluttered and dirty. These simple tips for organizing your space will put the family back in your family room.


A WASTE BASKET
It may not be the most attractive thing you want in your living space but it's practical. If your living room is cluttered it may help. Waste baskets come in many shapes and styles, so choose one that fits into your decor.


FLAT SURFACES
There are many flat surfaces all around your house and flat surfaces accumulate many things. Items such as books, magazines, papers, and brochures, should be put in their place. Bookshelves and filing cabinets are a great place to put these things.


CORDS
Keeping your cords underwraps keeps your living room looking sharp and put together. There are many gadgets that can be used to keep your cords under control. Adhesive strips and a cable tube are some good options to start with.


PLAY ZONE
When you have kids they become the center of your life. Your child may take control of your living room, you may have toys everywhere, very fast. Keeping them under control is easy. Designate a corner of your living room to the toys. Use bins and bookshelves to keep order.


COFFEE TABLE
A coffee table is very stylish but may not always be practical. Having a coffee table without any storage is foolish, but even I don't have a "functinal" coffee table. One easy way to gain storage is to add totes or bins underneath, it's perfect for magazine, book storage, or just miscellaneous stuff.


BEHIND THE COUCH
We all have that area behind the couch that is just bare, PUT SOMETHING THERE! A trunk, bookshelf, table, whatever you want. This will create more space. A trunk can store extra blankets or pillows. A bookshelf gives you another place to put candles, picture frames, or a lamp for that extra bit of light you need.


HOUSE PLANTS
If you have a green thumb - which I don't - you may have too many plants in your living space. Spread them out, place them in other rooms. Place your plants on stands; they come in mnay different styles, varieties, and sizes.


Keeping your main living space organized can be difficult but these few tips are great ways to stay organized.