Welcome to Day 17 of 31 Days of Getting Organized By Using What You Have.

Baskets are the perfect combination of being a great organization tool and being decorative. I love using baskets to keep things easily accessible and contained and they look great in any room.

I added a number and painted this wire basket to hold flip flops by the back door. It was a huge improvement on them being strewn all over the floor. You can check out the tutorial here.

I could seriously have one of these baskets in every room. Check out all the ways I used this laundry basket to get spaces in my house organized.

Use them in living spaces to hold extra blankets.

In the bathroom to hold wash cloths and hand towels.

Or in the car to keep everything contained.

Here are more great ideas on using baskets to organize spaces in your home:

BHG

It’s Overflowing

MSN

Everything Etsy

Just The Bees Knees

So what do you think? Will you be finding all the baskets in your home, bring them out of hiding and start using them to get organized?

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Use Clothespins

Welcome to Day 16 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

The easiest way to stay organized is to contain the items you need where you need them. The problem comes when things are where you need them but are in a larger space than needed and they become a jumbled mess. Drawers are perfect for containing items and keeping them out of sight but aren’t always the best choice at keeping everything organized. I like using small baskets in drawers to keep small items sorted and organized.

I use them in the bathroom to keep make-up and other personal items separated and in good order.

Another bathroom drawer holds medical supplies and extra travel size toiletries. And a third drawer holds my husband’s toiletries. If you have a problem with the baskets moving around, use velcro on the bottom of the baskets to secure into place.

Use them in the junk drawer to keep everything sorted and in place. It also makes it easier to find what you need and notice if you need to replenish an item.

When we moved here a few weeks ago I realized I didn’t have as much drawer space in this kitchen as I did my old one. The first thing I needed to do was get rid of any excess then I needed to organize the kitchen gadgets that were necessary. The baskets help me divide and contain the gadgets while also making it convenient and easy to find what I need.

You can use baskets in a dresser drawer to organize smaller pieces such as socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc.

Here are a few more ways to use small baskets to help you organize drawer space:

Good Housekeeping

Littlest Learners

In My Own Style

A Scrapbook of Me

And if you want something a little different and unique, you can even make your own cute little baskets.

Coyote Craft

Look around your house and gather small baskets to use to organize your drawers or buy a 3 pack of the plastic baskets I use, and get to work on organizing those drawers.

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: More Organizing with Baskets.

Welcome to Day 15 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

It seems like every time I go anywhere with my family there is a need for a bandaid or pain reliever or ointment. And it seems like all the first aid kits were too big or didn’t have enough supplies to make it convenient to carry everywhere. So I decided to make my own using a Crystal Light Container.

I raided the medicine cabinet and gathered the supplies most needed for my family. I used little ziploc craft baggies to hold the medication and wrote the names and dosage of the medicine on the bags with a sharpie. I also wrapped medical tape around a cut down sucker stick. I would normally use a popsicle stick but I didn’t have one on hand and this worked.

Then I used my Cricut and cut out a label using chalkboard vinyl. Chalk markers work great on chalkboard vinyl and wipe off easily with a damp cloth. I don’t recommend using a chalkboard marker on painted chalkboard though unless you don’t care if it comes off well.

The first aid kit is the perfect size to slip in your purse, diaper bag, beach bag, back pack or glove box. Can you think of more ways to use Crystal Light containers to get organized?

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Organize Your Drawers Using Baskets 

Welcome to Day 14 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

Mail and lots of other paper are coming into the house daily. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everything. The most important thing is to have a central place for everything to come into the house in the first place. Laying it one the kitchen counter is not the best answer. I have a better idea!

I made a Mail Holder/Sorter. Everyone in the family knows the mail goes in the back end of the Mail Holder as soon as they bring it into the house. I’ll sort it when I get home or later that evening  but if I can’t get to it right away, at least we know where everything is.

I started with the free Ikea dish carrier and spray painted it Catalina Mist by Krylon. I love the soft blue-green color. You can paint it, paper it, or leave it as is.

Then I added some file folders to the front area. I’ve been asked many times how to deal with papers coming into the home daily. Here’s an effective and easy way to keep papers under control and easy to find from the minute it comes in. Use 4-6 files with categories such as : File, To Do, To Read, Kids. Use categories that best fit your needs. I used little clothes pins and wrote on them as labels.

I used clothespins because I love them but they’re also perfect for clipping urgent papers to the front of the folder.

Since I stood the folders on their sides I used clear packing tape to seal off the ends so  things wouldn’t fall out.

Here it is in action! I go through school papers everyday because they usually need immediate attention. I go through the mail once or twice a week, then file it into the appropriate folder and recycle the junk mail. I usually go through the files on Sunday or waiting in the pick up line at school, mark events on the calendar, return papers, fill away, etc.

You could make a mail holder out of a cereal box or any other box the appropriate size to handle mail and other papers.

This project was originally posted August 2012.

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Portable First Aid Kit

Welcome to Day 13 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

Please excuse my lack of personal pictures the last couple of days. My computer crashed and I don’t have access to my pictures right now, but I’m trying to keep this series going so yesterday and today I will be using other pictures for inspiration. I hope to have everything restored by tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

I love pretty little bowls, ones with designs or those special one of a kind ones you find in specialty stores or antique shops. But you can use any kind of bowl to help keep you organized around the house. Here are a few ideas:

Use colorful bowls as a charging station for your phones and other electronic devices.

First Aid Kit Drawer by Martha Stewart

Bowls for Jewelry by Bright Bold & Beautiful

Bowl for small items and keys by the door by The Late Afternoon

Make up Drawer by A Beautiful Mess

Laundry Room Supplies by BHG

Sewing Supply Storage by How To Sew

Vacation Mementos by Real Simple

I think I’ve used bowls to help me organize every room of my house. I’ve used them on my side table for jewelry and small items, in my craft room for embellishments and other small items, in the bathroom for nail polish, in my office for supplies, and the list goes on and on. Do you organize with bowls? Where are some places in your house you can start?

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Mail Holder and Sorter

Welcome to Day 12 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

I think most of us open several cans a week and what do we usually do with them? Throw them in the trash (or sometimes recycle them). Here are some great ideas on ways to reuse or upcycle them in your home. Most of these ideas take very few supplies and can be made and used in the same day.

Office Area

Midwest Living.com

craftgawker

Laissezfaire

Martha Stewart.com

Kitchen

Unknown

Unknown

Craft Room

Shabby Chic Inspired

On My Side of the Room

Unknown

Midwest Living.com

Bathroom

The Creative Imperative

Have I convinced you to start saving some of those cans for organizing now?

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Organize With Bowls

Welcome to Day 11 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

I actually had this post scheduled for next week but I’ve been under the weather for a few days and it was mostly written so you’re getting it today. The first thing is to sort through your cords and get rid of the ones you don’t need anymore.

This is probably what most people’s cords look like which makes it hard to find the one you need.

I have an inexpensive and colorful storage solution for you. I saved TP rolls and used the colored duct tape and tote I already had on hand. You don’t have to decorate the rolls but I like to decorate everything, so I did.

The rolls are just about a 1/4 inch to long for 2 strips of the tape so I had to use 3 and cut off the excess. I left a 1/4 inch on each end so I could tuck it inside the tube.

I labeled the cords using a label maker and wrapping the labeled tape around the end of the cord. Then I tucked the cords in the TP rolls.

You could also label the out side of the rolls if you’d like. I keep it in the downstairs closet for easy access.

This project was originally posted November 2012.

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Getting Organized With Cans

My family loves flavorful meals and I love experimenting with spices but I also like quick and easy dishes. Once my kids are home from school I need to spend time talking to them about their day and helping them with homework and once my husband is home I don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Sitting down together as a family is important to me. It’s the perfect time to discuss the events of the day and enjoy each others company. It’s even better when everyone likes what was prepared. This Taco Casseroleis the perfect quick and flavorful meal and everyone can even add their favorite sides or toppings.

McCormick identified the top 10 most searched dinner recipe terms of 2012 and matched them with simple and flavorful McCormick recipes. This recipe took about 20 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a busy  family. These are the only ingredients plus the ground beef.

I love the flavor of the McCormick original taco seasoning. Hubby said it was the best he’s ever tasted. He made me promise to add the Taco Casserole to our usual meal rotation. I have family coming to visit in a few weeks and I’ve been trying to come up with easy but yummy meals for the week. This Taco Casserole was just added to the list.

I think you’re going to want to run to the store and get the ingredients for tonight.

Welcome to Day 10 of 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have.

I love reusing things that have so many uses and since we drink a lot of Crystal Light we have a lot of containers to reuse. This post is to give you some ideas on how you can reuse these containers, but once you start using them I’m sure you can think of a ton more.

They’re perfect for containing small toys in the car or on a trip.

I use one for holding the single serving packets of Crystal Light so I can get them out of the flimsy box.

I use some to hold veggies, nuts, and other snacks for quick snacks on the go.

I use this one to keep all of Emilee’s hair ties and elastics under control.

And I use a lot of them to keep craft supplies organized. They’re clear so you don’t necessarily need to label them (unless you want to.)

If you missed yesterday’s post you can see how I used the containers.

Here are a few more ideas on how to organize with Crystal Light containers:

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Before we go on I have a friendly reminder on the correct way to pin from Pinterest. Go to the original post of the project, not just to the blog. Pin from the post, not from the picture. Pinning from the post will take you directly to that post, pinning from the picture will lead you no where, it will just be a broken link. I can’t find any of the sources above, so if you know whose they are shoot me a message or leave a comment so I can give the appropriate credit.

Save those Crystal Light or similar containers and use them to get all your small items organized.

See you tomorrow for the next post in the series 31 Days of Getting Organized by Using What You Have: Organize Your Cords Using TP Rolls