Organizing Challenge

It's no secret that I LOVE TO ORGANIZE.  I really enjoy everything about it - finding the containers, sorting the items and finding new homes for things.  In another life I'd love to come and help you organize your homes!

I have some organizational projects that I have been putting off for months.  We unpacked boxes this time last year and just kind of shoved things in closets.  That's where they belong, but it was becoming frustration to try to find anything in those closets.

So I bit the bullet and have been tackling those projects this month.  I reorganized all of our kitchen cabinets, our master closet, the kid's clothes and our craft closet.

I had been trying my best to ignore the dreaded craft closet for months.  I'd lost things in the closet and really didn't have a great idea of what supplies we had.  It was frustrating to dig through and I hated even opening the door.  I made myself tackle the project this Summer.  It feels so good to have it done!

My best tips:
1. Completely empty out the space you are trying to reorganize
2. Gather all of your bins and organizers from around the house to use
3. Use what you have to organize with
4. Throw away broken items, things you no longer want and relocate items to the right location
5. Give yourself enough time to do the project

BEFORE: It kind of pains me to show you this closet, but here you go.  A total disaster.

DURING: So many possibilities!!

CHAOS: These to pictures give me a bit of anxiety.  haha My kitchen/dining room were a complete wreck as I tried to sort through the mess.  My kids were being super helpful... luckily, Fletcher went down for a nap shortly after this victory lap.  I planned my day so that I could do most of the serious work during his nap time.  I didn't finish the project completely, but got a huge portion done while he slept.  Ideally, I do a big organizing project when I was home alone.  That RARELY happens so I just made it work. #momlife

 Seriously... my worst nightmare...

I definitely underestimated the time it would take to do this project.  I was guessing an hour or two, but it took twice that long.  A lunch break was involved and a phone call telling Kevin not to rush home to the mess.  He reminded me that he couldn't care less about that kind of stuff.

I told Olive to have some fun with letters while I worked and she did just that!  I looked over to see her COVERED in letters.  She had fun and I got busy.  Good plan.

AFTER!!!
Can you hear the chorus of angels singing Hallelujah!?!?
Order has returned with room to spare.  haha

Each bin has a purpose and organized contents.
The most used items are on the lowest shelves and the least used items went up top.
I threw out about a garbage bag full of stuff.
And this scene makes me SO HAPPY!

My husband eats a ton of things that come in these containers - peanuts, mixed nuts, peanut butter pretzels, etc.  He saves them and I used them in our closets around the house.  Medicine cabinet, toys, screws, craft supplies and more are all stored in these free containers.  I also save big jars like the first one in the post from olives.  It's perfect for our colored pencils.

What organizing projects have you been ignoring??  My next project is the closets in Fletcher's room or the bonus room.  Both need to be tackled soon.

I challenge you to tackle on of them each week until you get them done!!