We could all use a fairy godmother who would come and clean up and re-organize our homes and lives, but unfortunately, all we’ve got is the internet and our local craft stores. Here are some easy DIY organization tips to get the ball rolling for your spring-cleaning.
1. TENSION RODS
Fairly inexpensive and extremely versatile, tension rods can be used to organize your bathroom or re-vamp your living space. Use a tension rod (like the kind you use for your shower curtain) to hang bottles under the bathroom sink, create sections in your kitchen to put your cutting boards and baking sheets, or put up new curtains or tapestries in your apartment. Sheer curtains can give rooms an airy feel and multiple rod systems can allow you to put up thicker curtains to block the sun when necessary. See these ones available from IKEA to get started.
2. MAGNETS
Such a large variety of things can be successfully organized using the power of magnets. Buy a magnetic strip to organize your kitchen knives and other kitchen cooking utensils. A magnetic strip can also be used in the bathroom to store tweezers, scissors, and bobby pins.
3. HANGERS
Believe it or not, these aren’t just great for the traditional use. Hangers can be used for a variety of storage needs, like tying your scarves and belts on to be able to find them quickly (and avoid wrinkling them) or hanging your eyewear. If you still need more closet space, use a pull-tab from a soda can to cascade your hangers and make even more room for all your wares.
4. DRAWERS
Do you have drawers, but not enough space to fit everything? Or maybe your issue is you can never find that particular black top you want when you need it. Fix your issues by folding your clothing and stacking it so that each shirt design is visible. Or, you could try rolling your shirts and doing the same thing. This will also free up some space in your drawers for other things.
Another tip to try is using old shoeboxes, bank boxes, or other types of boxed dividers to sort the smaller items in your drawers, like underwear and bras.
5. SHEETS
Find yourself looking for the pillowcases to your matching sheet set? Maybe the dog did manage to corral it, but if not, prevent any further mishaps by using old ribbons from presents to package the sheet sets together or put the sheets into a single pillow case of the matching set.
6. REFRIDGERATOR
Need a little more fridge space after all that meal planning? Use a wire rack in the fridge to create extra space or a lazy Susan to help make all those condiment bottles more accessible. Also, always aim to buy containers that are see-through so you know what’s in your fridge. Buy some see-through or woven baskets to have an easy way of storing loose items together – like your vegetable drawers, but for everything in your fridge.
Masking tape and a permanent marker are also great for labeling containers with their contents and the date of creation. This will help make sure you don’t have random containers that have been sitting in your fridge for two weeks.
Get creative and make use of things that are abundant in your household. Like extra coffee canisters, glass or pump bottles, and shoe boxes. Don’t overlook simple items like nails from the hardware store that can become solutions to things like all those necklaces that keep tangling themselves up in your jewelry box.
Post by Barbara Lee.
Barbara is a world traveler who is passionate about sustainable food systems, responsible consumerism, and holistic living. Her professional background and interests include writing, cooking, non-profit work, eco-conservation.
