We’re a little over half-way through January now – how are you coming on your New Year’s Resolutions? Did you even make any? If so, do any of them involve home organization? If you need a little inspiration, you’ve come to the right place!
When Fay from Label-Land contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in publishing her article on creative home organizing tips, all I needed was a quick glance to know that YES, I was definitely interested! Because this is the time of year when everyone is talking about organization. The problem is, you hear the same thing over and over again. And the following, my friends, are not the same ideas you’ve already heard this year!
So, without further ado, may I present…
5 Creative Home Organizing Tips
Skip the plain storage solutions, and instead opt for some creative alternatives when you are tackling your next organizational project. Good organization should look attractive while meeting your personal needs.
#1: Pack Your Bags
Don’t donate those old suitcases, they provide the perfect place to store a multitude of household items. Whether they’re plain, cloth-sided affairs, or cool vintage hard-sided varieties, you can repurpose them into storage or furniture.
- Store your extra bedding or off-season clothing inside the suitcases. They slide easily under the bed, while keeping everything fresh and dust-free.
- Use vintage vanity cases or small suitcases to organize items in the bathroom. They look pretty when stacked in a corner or on the counter.
- Turn a cool hard-sided suitcase into a coffee table. Screw on a couple of furniture legs – securing them with a washer and nut on the inside of the case – for an instant table that also provides storage.
- Don’t like the color of that old hard-sided suitcase? Try repainting it or covering it with decoupage so it matches your décor. Decorative contact paper is another quick fixer-upper.
#2: Best Foot Forward
Shoe boxes have long been saved and regulated to closet storage, but the cardboard variety is ugly and eventually falls apart. Covering the cardboard boxes with decorative contact paper or fabric makes them more attractive, but isn’t a perfect fix. Plastic shoe storage boxes serve the same purpose, but they are more attractive and they come in a consistent size that’s better suited for stacking.
You can use the boxes to store just about anything, but they are especially well-suited for storing cleaning supplies, toiletries and kitchen items because they catch any drips or leaks. You can keep similar items together and label each box, so you can quickly find what you are looking for. Need to clean the bathroom? How handy it is when all your bathroom cleaning supplies are kept neatly together in one box?
#3: Walk the Wire
Some things just store better when they are hanging up, but finding the best hanging storage solution that looks good can be difficult. Why not create your own?
For jewelry, ties, and belts, frame a piece of chicken wire in a pretty frame. You can loop the items through the wire opening or secure them with small decorative clothespins or binder clips. This also works well for keeping track of those lost socks in the laundry room – the partner will eventually show up.
For a more streamlined approach to belts and ties, stain or paint a 1-by-4 inch board in the desired color. Mount a heavy gauge wire tautly across the board. You can hang the board where ever you desire, and simply drape your ties over the wire. Use a galvanized wire so it doesn’t rust and cause stains.
#4: Be Label Conscience
Properly labeling your items is the best way to keep them organized. Labeling doesn’t have to look childish or institutionalized. Skip the boring label gun or the messy stickers. Instead, opt for a more sophisticated look. If you change your labels often, invest in some chalkboard paint in the color of your choice. Paint a decorative label design on all your storage containers. You can then label them with chalk, changing it as needed.
For a permanent labeling solution, go for decorative vinyl stickers that feature attractive embellishments or scrollwork. If your storage containers are glass, you can etch them permanently.
#5: Tackle the Kitchen Dilemma
Large pots can take up a lot of space, creating an organization nightmare. Instead of trying to stack them in a cabinet, hang them up. No need for an expensive pot rack. Reuse an old grill grate or metal headboard to create a personalized pot rack. Even old wooden crib sides work well. You can hang the grate overhead or place it on the wall. Simply use S-hooks to hold the pots and pans.
Creative organization allows you to work it into your home’s décor. Not only is everything easier to find, your home looks and feels more welcoming.
Thanks so much, Fay! (Don’t you just LOVE that wire idea, especially?!) I hope you got some CREATIVE inspiration from this post! Can any of these ideas help you out around your home?
On a different note, especially in light of some current events around America, may I remind everyone that today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Why not take a moment to do something kind today for someone else, in his honor?
Due to the amount of comments from all of my wonderful readers, it is not always possible for me to respond to each one. However, I absolutely do read them all, and if you’d like to address something specific, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Kristen@theroadtodomestication.com. I will respond to your email as soon as possible! Thank you for visiting the blog!
Using old suitcases is a brilliant idea. I never thought to do that, but I think I will be trying it.
One of the things that I want to adopt this year is the practice of labelling things and their proper location. Love the tips especially using your suitcases to house household ware.
Great Tips. I am downsizing and organizing the whole house. I have been trying to figure out how to label the boxes and storage containers. Thanks for the suggestions.
These are great ideas! I especially love the idea for hanging up my pots and pans. I do a lot of cooking, and I have A LOT of pots.
These are some excellent tips for organizing your home! Thanks Kristen for sharing
Need to remember these lol
The old suitcases idea for storage is a GREAT idea! I never would have thought of that, and often I can find really cute vintage ones a the thrift store for less than an under the bed sterlite box. Thanks for these tips!
Some of these are really awesome ideas! I loved the suitcase one the best because lets face it we all have unused baggage laying around haha! I also love the chicken wire and picture frame idea and have already thought of 2 people I could make a pretty cool gift with this idea!
I love all these ideas. My problem is that I have no place to put anything wants it’s organized. No under bed space, no closets, drawers, or cabinets.
You always have great tips on organizing. I do the suitcases storage too, and sometimes forget about what is stored in there till I need the suitcases ;).
Genius idea with the suitcases! We may do this but will need to remember to label the outside of them. My husband is good at doing this.
These are great ideas. I’m sure I have at least two suitcases lying around unused.
I love storing things in old suitcases. You never know when you’ll need an extra suitcase, plus I don’t have to go out and spend money on storage containers.
What some really interesting ideas, I love the idea of using suitcases – why hadn’t I thought of that!
So many great ideas here. Love the suitcases, especially since I have so many just sitting around waiting to be used!
Never thought of tossing items in suitcases, but what a great idea. I’ll have to remember that one.
Thank you so much for sharing your post on Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party #62. I’ve pinned your post to our Pinterest board.
Great tips! I love the kitchen idea. I need go do that asap! I love it!
There really are a lot of uses for old suitcases. I love repurposed items like that. I like to hang up my pocketbooks that I’m not using. I keep scarves hanging from an over the door shoe back for easy reach, just tuck one end into the pocket and they are all easily accessible.
You have lots of good tips here! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday! Be sure to come again next Monday!
Some really great tips! I especially like the wire one, I’ve been looking for a nice way to store scarves and this looks like it might work.
I never thought of suitcases as storage units!!! I am though label crazy
These are all great ideas. Now I just need someone to do it for me!
I love the pack your bags tip! That’s especially useful for those short on space.
I really need to get my house organized better. These are great tips.
Oh I like the wire, never thought about that. how cool! Very good tips!
All great ideas! I will have to share with my clients
These are some awesome tips, I could really use these in my own home right now!
I love the wire storage idea. I’m sure I can make something for my teen daughter.
I never would have thought to use old suitcases for storage. I like the wire idea, too. I’m always trying to come up with new storage solutions. These are all great tips.
I like the plastic boxes for shoes. I have no boxes for my shoes right now, and I could use some.
Old suitcases have not been hanging around in my home at all – never thought to use them for something! You always have some great organizational tips!. Thanks for recognizing MLKJ in your post!!!
Ok I just love the repurposing ideas. The ladder to hang your pots and pans!! Love Also using suitcases to store blankets. I’m so going to use that idea.
As for jewelry storage. I have a post of repurposing a picture frame and my husbands old tie rack for necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Take a look.
These are excellent ideas. I will have to try a few to help my home be more organized.
Those are some awesome tips! We actually use our luggage to store our winter coats during the summer!
I need to pack up like this – so its all clean and organized!
These are some great tips. I love the idea of storing extra blankets inside of a suitcase.
I love the suitcase idea! We’ve got a couple large ones tucked *in* storage that I should pull out *for* storage!
Thanks for sharing at Good Tips Tuesday! We’ll be featuring your post this week!
Ah, thank you, Michelle! I will definitely check it out! Happy Monday to you
These are some lovely ideas! Thanks you for sharing! Thumbs up!
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These are great ideas! I’m always looking for organizing solutions. I’ve been getting plastic bins lately to store all my girls’ clothes – what they’ve grown out of and need to grow into. I like the hanging pots idea, but it doesn’t fit in my current kitchen.
Prior to cleaning, toss items that have pet hair on them right into the dryer and established it on heat-free, roll just, for 10 minutes.
These cardboard boxes just driving me crazy. And yes, they look awful, even if you cover them with paper. I will have to find some plastic boxes.
I specially love the wire storage idea. All are some great tips too.
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Really loved the kitchen idea. Iam impressed. Nice article kristen