All tagged home organization

Inexpensive Storage Solutions

Inexpensive Storage Solutions

Jody Yarborough
My Organizing Journey

People think that organizing storage solutions have to cost a lot of money. And if you walk through a Container Store, indeed, you might have some sticker shock. But real-life, practical solutions don’t have to come out of a glossy catalogue. Even tidying guru Marie Kondo advocates for using simple and inexpensive materials to help organize your home and all of your belongings. She is a self-confessed box enthusiast.

I think the following are some of the most under-utilized and under-appreciated, easily accessible and affordable organizing solutions. I know, because I use many of them myself. Here are some of top recommendations, in no particular order.

Cardboard: Obviously, you think of cardboard and you think of boxes. Cardboard can also make for a really cheap organizing structure, especially if is a thick cardboard. For example, cut off the top panels and tip the box on it’s side. Or, just flip it over and start stacking. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box ;)

Ziplock bags: They come in a lot of sizes and can be useful storage for practically anything.

Rubber bands: Can bind together stuff that needs to stay together. I’ve been loving the extra large rubber bands lately to help keep stacks of papers together.

Velcro: Similar concept to rubber bands only can be a little more sturdy. Velcro is also great for binding together electrical and computer cords.

The Key To Keeping My Garage Clean and Tidy

The Key To Keeping My Garage Clean and Tidy

Jody Yarborough
My Organizing Journey

Who would have thought that by cleaning the outside of my washer and dryer that it would help me keep my garage clean? Certainly not me. Certainly not my husband who wondered if my OCD had kicked into a totally new gear when he watched me clean them. Fact is, if I had known that the  magic formula to keeping my garage tidy starts with two glowing white appliances, I would have picked up my bottle of Simple Green many messy garages ago.

But I didn't. And that was then, and this is now. And as is with my general philosophy in life, learn better, do better.

You might remember a few months back I wrote about how I finally managed to clean my garage after many months of defeat, and the victory felt soooo good. I knew I had won the battle, but I also knew that it would take several weeks, and even months to pass before I would know if I had really won the war. Well I am happy (and proud) to report that my garage is still clean!!! Nothing has managed to get piled up, all the tools are in their proper places, and the whole space fills me with a sense of serenity and not stress-- for as much as a garage can really be serene.

The Importance of Organizational "Zoning" Method

The Importance of Organizational "Zoning" Method

Jody Yarborough
My Organizing Journey

A gold-standard practice of good organizing involves the practice of zoning. Zoning is where you group and store things together based on what they are or how they are used. For example, in your kitchen you can create a "baking zone" where you keep all of your baking supplies. Or, in the context of your entire home, you can have a "reading zone," a "crafting zone," or, if you have kids, a "toy zone."

I think zoning is highly effective because it is fairly simple and straight forward. And better than that, it doesn't cost a thing. But that doesn't make it necessarily easy. What makes zoning the most successful and efficient is a good strong sense of intention. You really need to take the time to think through how you use your "stuff" and where you use it most naturally.

For example, say you like to knit as a hobby. And you find that you do most of your knitting at night while watching the tv. Well, then I think a good idea would be to set up a small knitting "zone" with at least your most frequently needed knitting supplies within easy reach.

An Organizing Process for Magazine Clutter

An Organizing Process for Magazine Clutter

Jody Yarborough
My Organizing Journey

They kind of creep up on you— those stacks of magazines. Issue by issue they trickle in one at a time, maybe two, from all different places. Maybe from the mailbox, the grocery store, and the doctor's office (you know they won't miss it). And before you know it, piles of magazines are overflowing on kitchen counters, the dining room table and bedroom night stands.

For anyone wanting to live a simple and organized life, (and we know that is you, right?) mountains of magazines all around the house is not helping achieve that goal. So what to do? Do you just resign yourself to the fact you'll never have time to read them all so off to recycle they go? But you really want to know the best way to cook fried chicken and the latest craze in slingback sandals!

If your recent past is any indication of your short-term future, copious amounts of free time is not going to magically appear on your calendar, giving you the gift-of-time solution to your backed up– or should I say stacked up– reading dilemma.

So here are a few tips to help you tackle your stacks without sacrificing their contents, OR making you take hours to sift through piles of magazines.