Oh So Pinteresting Wednesdays - organization ideas

So, this is really a post sharing a few tips I've found via Pinterest and tried out at home.  Not a picture-heavy post, but there are so many good organization and sorting and similar helpful tips that I feel it's worth a post to share some I've given a try.

 

First up:  Kitchen box storage.

The idea: use narrow storage boxes to store kitchen wrap boxes (saran wrap, aluminum foil, etc).  Brilliant!  Whoever first thought of this one is a genius!  Our boxes of Ziploc baggies, plastic wraps, etc. are all stored on the kitchen cart near the microwave.  Very convenient, but they can be easily knocked off, I admit.  The original poster used scrapbook paper holders to hold the boxes of kitchen essentials.  I used magazine holders instead.  The magazine holders are about the same size, though maybe not as deep as the scrapbook holders (which are designed to hold the standard 12x12 scrapbook paper).  Still, the magazine boxes are definitely available in tons of colors and a whole range of prices, however fancy you want to be.  And Zach even noticed this one and commented on it!  It's definitely a good idea when someone picks up on it without it being pointed out!

Next:  For my bracelets.

All it takes a paper towel holder!  A brilliant idea from The Adventures of VAMH.  Find a nice pretty towel holder, and slide your bracelets on.  Ta-da -there are your bracelets, nicely stacked and on display.  I really like it - I can see my bracelets, and so will actually wear them, instead of leaving them in my jewelry drawer where I might forget that they are there.  The holder I use is one that has a second, smaller post as well as the main tall one - you know, the little post that keeps the paper towel roll from unwinding?  I use that second one to keep my watches separate from the bracelets.  I've only got 3 watches, and I might not always wear a bracelet, but I ALWAYS wear a watch.  So, that second post is a bonus to keep my most worn pieces out separate from the others.

And then: Extension cord holders.

Just use a toilet paper tube!  The link for this comes from apartmenttherapy.com, which has some other great ideas for organizing and decorating a small space, if you have the time to browse through.  The toilet paper tubes keep the extension cords wonderfully untangled, and let's face it, are free!  You can always decorate them as well, just scrapbook paper you have on hand works beautifully.  And for extra sorting help, label the tubes with the length of the cord contained within.  Mom actually suggested that extra tip, not a Pinterest patron (thanks, Mom!).  She said that this was how Grandad kept his electrical cords sorted (and he certainly had plenty of them!!)



And now: For the car.

I LOVE this idea from BHG.com.  It's just one of those large lidded, plastic handled, pourable cereal boxes.  They are the size of an average shopping bag (who knew?), which is just kept in place by the lid.  The lid keeps your trash bag from spilling all over when you have to brake suddenly, and it keeps the smell and stickiness from the trash well contained too.  Just empty the whole plastic bag into your house trash when you return from your drive.  Too easy!  And Zach love it too, as it  makes it easy for him to move the trash to the back seat, should he be riding in the front passenger seat.  Much easier for him to move the car trash bag out of the way to give him some leg room when it has a lid and handle attached!