When we moved into our new house almost six year ago (I know, can you believe it?!) we unpacked boxes and put things away not yet knowing for sure how we would actually use some of our spaces. For the most part it was about practicality and common sense, and to this day most things are just as we placed them in 2007. Over the years I have arranged and rearranged more heavily used spaces to accommodate changes (like reorganizing the pantry to more easily access the things we use often and store more remotely those things that are used less often), but many areas remain unchanged.
One area was due for a change. The kids' bathroom was originally organized based on a three-year-old Katherine in the midst of her mischief-making season so many things were stored way overhead. Over the years that storage space has become disorganized, messy, and chaotic. I finally decided to tackle it. In doing so I found that we had multiples of many things because I couldn't find one (of whatever) when I needed it so I bought more.
It didn't take long, but the results are nice. Everybody can find what they need, both kids have some space for their own stuff, and I have consolidated stuff so that "like is stored with like". Now it's much easier to find what we need when we need it. Swept up in the euphoria of having a clean and organized space, I did the same thing in the master bathroom. (photo - kids' bathroom storage)
That was the easy part. What really got me going in my latest organizing kick is the desire to make my laundry room more inviting. I don't mean "inviting" as in "come in and sit a spell", although I will never turn down help with folding laundry. I just wanted this functional space that spend quite some time in each week to LOOK a little functional and a little more visually appealing.
Here's what I started with.
After a little measuring and planning I came up with a design that could BE functional but LOOK attractive...ahhh form AND function.
Here's what I came up with.
Above the washer and dryer, the canvas baskets each hold cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, and other random household items. It's all the same stuff that was there before, but now it's easier to look at AND I have some empty baskets now where I didn't have any empty shelf space before.
On the other wall I had stored all the master bedroom bedding, beach towels, and some random supplies. I was able to move the beach towels to the other side (since I had so much new-found space) and now each basket holds a complete set of bedding (fitted sheet, pillow cases, and "bettwäsche").
Each basket is labeled so that it's clear what is inside even without being able to see the contents. I ran ribbon across the front of the wire racks to camouflage the racks and provide a splash of (changeable) color in this all-white room. I visited Pinterest and found some creative ideas for storing liquid laundry supplies. Now they are easily accessible and look a little nicer in the space. We'll see how the spouts on these drink dispensing jugs hold up to the thick laundry soap and softener, and the corrosive nature of bleach.
Doing laundry is still one of those chores that doesn't rise to the top of my "favorite chores" list, but at least now it's more fun to look in and see my organized space.
