top 10 :: organizing tips

Lately I've been on a bit of an organizing mission. I get this way occasionally. Where every single thing laying around the house drives me absolutely crazy. I go into what I like to call, full-on P.O.M. (psychotic organizing mode). It's a real disease people. If you have ever stayed up past 2:00am alphabetizing something, you probably have it too.

So, today I thought I would share my personal top 10 list for organizing tips. If you too have been diagnosed with P.O.M. these tips might help...

1) Color coordinate. Because let's just be honest, everything looks better in Roy G. Biv order. This is especially true in your closet. Try it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

2) Baskets, baskets, baskets. It doesn't matter if they are wicker, wire or plastic... just as long as they have 4 sides and a bottom. Heck, they can even just have 3 sides... just make sure they have a bottom... that is a pretty key factor.

3) Use a planner. I'm preaching this one to myself... (use your flippin' planner Julia). Statistics prove that if you write something down you are like 80% more likely to remember it and do it... something like that.

3) Label everything. If I had beautiful labels like these, I would label everything. But even a simple label machine can do the trick. I once bought a billion little shipping tags and have used those for labeling my craft baskets (and they make perfect gift tags).

4) Have a purse within a purse. I'm a big fan of compartments. In my purse I have like 3 different little bags inside... a wallet, a small coin purse for my lip gloss and mascara, and another little clutch for my coupons and misc cards. I'm thinking about buying that teal cotton pouchee pictured above... it's a brilliant idea for those of us that like to switch out purses frequently.

5) Make a home for everything. If you know where everything is supposed to go, it is much easier to actually put it there. It's those times that we don't know where something goes that we throw it on the counter, floor, or the dreaded junk drawer.

6) Create a filing system. Simple is key here. The more complex your filing system is, the more likely you are to not use it. This is another one that I'm preaching to myself. Make sure your filing system is easy to access and simple to keep up with.

7) Repurpose items to fit your needs. Look at your furniture and decor in a different light. Maybe that kitchen island would actually be perfect for your craft room... or maybe you can turn that salvaged shutter into a beautiful message board like Martha? Think outside the box.

8) Keep like-items together. If your kids always color at the kitchen table, keep a drawer in the kitchen with crayons and coloring books. Keep your cleaning supplies in one bucket that you can tote around the house with you as you clean. Keep your bills, envelopes and stamps in a spot by your desk for easy access. You get the idea...

9) 3-ring binders are your friend. A 3-ring binder is the simplest way to keep things together, yet hidden all at the same time. I always like to search for standard binders that I know I will be able to purchase more of in the years to come. I try to avoid the really cute decorative binders (which is really hard) because I like the consistency of using the same color/brand, etc. I'm a huge fan of the Kolo products and American Craft albums.

10) Make a list. Write.it.down. I'm a big advocate of legal pads and sticky notes. You are so much more likely to finish that project if you have a list to help you out. Promise.

I will be linking this over to Oh Amanda and It's a Crafty Life.