How to Transform Under Your Sink?

I never thought under my sink needed a makeover… I mean who sees it but the two of us, right?  Then hubby installed a water filter system and I had to clean out underneath for him to install it.  UGH!!!!  Of course doing this triggered all kinds of thoughts on how I wanted to revamp the entire kitchen.  Funny how a simple task can get you thinking in the BIG picture, right?

But let’s start with revamping your sub-sink storage in a single afternoon so it’s as fresh as the cleaning supplies you keep there.

Step #1 – Clear the cupboard

I was amazed at the things under the kitchen sink!  So let’s start with a clean slate.

Empty your under-the-sink cupboard and place everything on a nearby counter. Yes, we mean everything! Throw out the empty bottles. Get rid of the supplies you never really use.  You know the one everyone said was so good but it doesn’t touch the dirt in your kitchen.  Now decide the best storage solutions for your space.

Step #2 – Gather supplies together

Separate the rest of the supplies into groups based on how or where you use them. For example, a Your Way Rectangle or two can hold everything you need to wash the dishes. Use a Your Way Rectangle Basket with a liner to contain polishes, detergents and other bottles. Turn a Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote into a mobile cleaning station with rubber gloves, multi-surface cleaners and a duster.  You can personalize them to keep your supplies neatly labeled and simple to find.  You’ve the “I can’t find it so I can’t do it” excuse, right?  No more excuses for anyone to shrug off cleaning duty!  Guess it means me too!  LOL.

Step #3 – Use empty space

If you are anything like me, you have a handful of supplies items which don’t quite fit into any category – or maybe they are used so much they defy categorization. A few tools and a few minutes can give you easy access to these items whenever you need them.

Add a tension rod to hang spray bottles so they’re always a cinch to reach. Fasten hangers inside the doors to store scrubbers, dusters, towels and other frequently-used supplies.

Cleaning up is far less of a chore when your tools are organized and easy to find. A fresh new look under the sink may be all you need to spark your own cleaning expedition!

Check out this makeover video:

Need help?  How about snapping a picture of your problem area, send it to me and I will help you get organized?  Live close enough and I will be happy to come to you with tips and tricks (not only Thirty One solutions) to help you get organized.

Let’s start today to tackle your “get organized” New Year’s Resolution…..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Organize Your Craft Supplies

I don’t know about you but when Belinda was out of school for the summer, my normally neat and tidy craft supplies looked like “who did it and ran”.  She loved to do projects BUT hated to clean up.

So. whether you scrapbook or the kids’ have lots of paper and markers.  Craft supplies tend to clutter up a closet faster than you can complete a project. It seems that the bigger the closet, the more we collect – just can’t resist that sale at AC Moore‘s of Michael‘s and of course Hobby Lobby is deadly, right?

Maybe you have a walk-in closet with lots of room or a closet with just a few shelves – there can be still create order out of craft supply chaos.

Rolling carts: These can be tucked under a shelf or work surface for easy accessibility and are ideal for storing items you don’t use everyday.  I LOVE that the kids can roll this into whatever room they are working and then put things away in the drawers when they are done.

Magnetic spice racks: These small round containers come with clear lids so it’s easy to see what’s inside.

Baskets (or cubes): Small paint bottles, paintbrushes, crayons, markers and colored pencils are easily identifiable and moved about if you have an easel or separate area for drawing and painting.  These cubes also have a clear side so you can see what is in them.

Small compartment boxes: The compartments are great for keeping up with buttons, beads, shells and rubber stamps.

Expanding files: The individual files allow you to easily sort scrapbooking and decoupage supplies into categories, either by person, holiday or event.

If you’re lacking office space, use an armoire or a spare closet (with an electrical outlet nearby) to store your computer, important papers and office necessities.

     

Here’s how:

• Paint the inside of the closet a fun color.
• Add a shelf at chair height for the desktop and one or two shelves up high to store office supplies you don’t use on an everyday basis.
• Create a message board by attaching cork to the inside of the closet door.

• Use wall pockets for incoming mail. Be sure to assign action verbs to each pocket, like To Read, To Do and Trash.
• Place a rolling file cabinet under the desktop to store important papers. Use a color-coded filing system to distinguish between types of papers like bills, bank statements and work-related documents.

Who is ready to organize their craft/office space?  Share with us your best tips.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Calm The Clutter in Your Camper

 I have some great memories of camping with my family…. we went cross country in a station wagon with tents, we spent endless weekends hanging out at local campgrounds, and my grandparents RV was often my mode of transportation back to college.  RV’s have come a long way since I was growing up.  They are now designed with organization in mind. I am always amazed at where there are hidden storage compartments.  Being organized can help you make the most of your space.  You won’t have to worry about finding things or battling clutter because everything will have its place.  In most RVs the kitchen and living area are combined and it is the heart of your RV.   It’s the place to gather for meals, conversation, games, and entertainment.  Having this area organized makes food preparation easier, and creates a warm and welcoming space for everyone.

Most RVs now come with plenty of cabinets, BUT they usually don’t have shelves, just a big open space. Adding an extra shelf or two greatly increases the space and makes it easier to put things away.  A wire shelf gives more room in the kitchen cabinets.  Thirty One’s Your Way rectangles help keep cupboards clutter-free and keep things within easy reach.  The clear front allows you to see what is inside too.

Spices add to the flavor of things grilled on the open fire but those glass bottles can quickly get unruly without a system in place.  LEFT: Spice gripper clip strips from Amazon TOP MIDDLE: Ditch the glass bottles all together and store spices in small-labeled ziplock bags.  BOTTOM MIDDLE: How about designing your own magnetic spice rack? An old pie tin for the magnetic spice jars to stick on.  BOTTOM RIGHT: Spices in small drawers. The spices are labeled for easy identification.

I LOVE this inexpensive idea of using desk organizers (or file folder holders) for the closet to keep things organized and in place on the bottom.

Use velcro to keep your remotes in place.

To make the most use of space in the living room, how about some bins to stow things in cabinets, under furniture, and on shelves. Storage bins can be a great place for extra toys, blankets and craft items for those rainy days.

I was always a barefoot or flip flop kind of girl… BUT I was always looking for one of them…instead of fighting the never-ending battle to keep shoes under control, try Thirty One’s large utility tote.

A bedside caddy serves as a makeshift nightstand.

Here some tips on keeping clutter to a minimum in small spaces like bathrooms.

Another popular bathroom organizational tool is color-coded towels for each member in the family.

Utilize the inside of your doors

Use broom holders to store your flashlights in a convenient place.

 Make a “quick drop zone” for keys and sunglasses.  Directions here.

Add slide out drawers to an RV table.  Great for storing games and art supplies.

Calling all my RV travelers….. what are some of YOUR best tips?  Share them with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

SMART De-Cluttering Goals

If you are in direct sales or work in a corporate environment, you have heard the term S.M.A.R.T. goals.  You know that by using this format, you will get further faster with less struggle.  Did you ever think of using the same goal setting principles to de-cluttering your home or office.

Let’s be honest.  We all have visions of a clutter free home.  A quiet sanctuary that is easy to clean and free of “piles” every where you look.  Maybe you just want a home that is neat and tidy.  Everything put away where it belongs?

So let’s apply the S.M.A.R.T goal theory to cleaning up the clutter:

“S” is for “specific”.  Get as detailed as you can when setting your goal. Instead of saying “I want to clean the family room” say “I want clean the family room by sorting all of the toys into 3 piles of keep, donate and toss.

“M” is for “measurable”.  We need to be able to measure your goal. Three questions you can ask yourself to create measurable goals are – “How will you know when you’ve reached it? How much? How many?”  It we are cleaning, how will you know when you have reached your goal of getting the family room organized?

“A” is for “attainable”.  Your goal must be attainable, doable and practical. You can’t possibly clean the family room in 30 minutes, right?  You need to give yourself an appropriate amount of time or it will never happen.  How about if you pick a room a day or maybe a few hours?

“R” is for “realistic”.  This is the most important piece.  You can ensure your goal is realistic is by honestly asking yourself if you’re ready and willing to do what it takes to achieve the goal. If not, it’s not likely you’ll hit it.  Are you really ready to sort the family room into those 3 piles AND follow through?

“T” is for “timely”.   Time frames create a sense of urgency and help you back into your goal. How long should this goal take? What’s an appropriate time frame?  Setting a goal with no completion date is continuing to push the goal off into the future. A time frame makes it real and gets you into immediate action.

What is your SMART goal for de-cluttering your home? Share it with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!