Organizing is an ongoing process—I like to think of it as a journey. You organize a space, and arrive at “destination organization” and things work just great for a while. But then, life changes and it’s time to reorganize or begin the next phase of the organizing journey. Lucky for me, I enjoy this process. I think its fun to recreate a space, and change things up to reflect how our lives are changing. And I especially love to do this during the month of May. The outside world has created a fresh start—everything is so green, fresh and new. And it always makes me want to freshen things up on the inside, too. Plus, life is about to change in a big way. School is winding down which means the kids will be home for three months.
And so…with spring in the air, I have some organizing projects on my mind. Here’s what’s on my organizing to-do list:
Project #1: Reorganize the art supply cabinet. In this photo from long ago, our art cabinet was organized to house art supplies for younger kids—things like crayons, Play Doh, tracing templates and things like that. It pretty much looks the same today, but the kids are growing up and the art projects they like to do are changing. Just last weekend my daughter wanted to get some soft pastels. So it’s time to reorganize the art cabinet, clear out the old supplies they won’t use any more and make space for new supplies and projects. I like the idea of having things well stocked for the summer, so they can exercise their creative muscles a bit over the summer. Perhaps we’ll create space for paint brushes and paints, along with something to protect the table from spills. Hmmm…this will be a good project to work on with Kailea.
Project #2: Reorganize the game cabinet. Again, thinking about the summer, I’d like to clear out the old games so it’s super easy for the kids to play with their favorite board games. Somehow, board games seem like a better way to spend a summer day than video games. So this simple little project will be high up on my to-do list, too. For this one, the plan is to enlist the help of both kids.
Project #3: Declutter the kids’ bookshelves. Our school district is having a book drive and book sale later this month, so it’s a great excuse to clear out some old books, and create space for some new books to read over the summer. I think I’ll pare down some of my old books too…and perhaps create a bit of space for a few new books of my own to indulge in over the summer.
Project #4: Reorganize the pantry and the refrigerator. This one is also motivated by summer being just around the corner. I’d like to carve out some space in the pantry and the refrigerator for bins of healthy snacks and lunch making supplies so the kids can help themselves to something healthy this summer. If the healthy stuff is in plain sight, maybe (just maybe) they’ll opt for that over the less healthy options. We’ll see how that one works out.
Project #5: Re-organize the laundry room. This one is also motivated by summer. A few weeks ago I cleared out the winter gear and got out the sunscreen. But as soon as school ends, I’ll be putting away the backpacks and moving the cleaning supplies to the cubbies that used to contain them. This will make it super simple for the kids to help with cleaning this summer. (Boy…just writing about these projects has me getting more excited about summer. Remember, the first projects included fun activities for the kids, so it won’t be all work and no play for my kiddos.)
The great thing about these projects is that they’re all really quick and simple organizing projects that won’t take much time or money, and yet they’ll really help us ease into summer. And since they’re quick and simple, they’ll be easy enough to fit into our busy-because-school-is-ending schedule. I’m excited to get started—maybe tonight?
What’s on your organizing to-do list? I’d love to hear!
I need to rework my laundry room, too. We are hanging more of our clothing on a clothesline, and I have more stuff stuffed in there than we truly need.
🙂 Laura
P.S. LOVE the egg-stravaganza in your fridge.
I am doing a full overhaul at my house. I would love some ideas for my problem areas…
*kids books: currently on a small 3 level shelf, every time my 2 year old wants a book they all end up on the floor
*outgrown kids clothes (in a pile in the corner of both boys closets) any tips on holding area type storage until full bin can be moved to “cold storage”?
*kitchen table: it becomes a catch all for random items that need a new home…it makes me crazy to have this stuff laying there where I can see it all the time!
***also wanting to make a command central but unsure where/how to do. My laundry room isn’t big enough and kitchen is so overcrowded with highchairs, too big table (husband won’t part with) and MORE toys…
Thank you in advance. BTW would love to take your class, just isn’t in the budget right now.
Thanks for all your inspiring photos!
We had our floors redone. What a mess, dust everywhere. So, I am in the process cleaning eVerYthing and putting back my (4) rooms. I am using it as an opportunity to clean out and only put back what I WANT in those rooms. The problem is I want to take my time and I could literally do it all day and night. But there is this voice calling me “Mom”….. and a hungry husband wanting food. Weird right? Oh laundry, carpooling and baseball season…. Why can’t I just clean and organize all day? The starting and stopping kills me.
I just finished organizing our school room. Since we are done until August, I knew now would be a great time to get everything done that needed to be done!
Hi, Aby. Just spotted that cool old car on your shelf and remembered I have one just like it from my childhood. Mine is a bank! Is yours (or your sons) a bank too? Mine still has some money in it!!! LOL
I have a “junk” closet to clean out. It is right in the hallway and has some empty space in it (or it is supposed to) but everytime hubby is too lazy to take a tool back down to the basement it ends up in this closet. Also I have a couple of big cabinets that house stuff I don’t use regularly and I would like to go through those. I saw on a blog recently where they keep all of their paper supplies together–plates, cups, plastic silverware in a basket/bin–genius. Why didn’t I think of that? Ha.
Wow! I wish my house looked like those pictures! Gave me some great ideas for organizing. My organizing task this summer will take place as we move into a new house & trying to get each space well organized as I unpack.
Do you live with Rocky? Who is eating all of those eggs? 😉
I just put a basket in our closet to hold bubbles, sunscreen and bug spray.
Ummm I have to ask, how much does your family like eggs? You have like 5 cartons in there. lol
Where can I obtain the tags for the organizing bins i.e. “scoccer”??
What cute labels for the laundry closet!
Darling site and blog too.
xo,
cristin
This sounds weird, but I love the way you organize your freg! 🙂
Just wondering where you got the spinner tray for in your fridge? What a great idea.
I’ve been thinking about summer as well and I really like your post because I need to get things organized. My two will be underfoot as I’m trying to work from home so I want to have things to keep them busy and not so hungry (smile.) Another thing I was going to do is get a summer reading list from the library and set aside time when they need to sit and read. This would be great for them to do while I’m on conference calls. Of course there will be time for play as well.
I just wanted to pass along a super cute way to organize your rolls of ribbon. I found a ribbon rack on Etsy, in the Creative Visions store. The large one holds 75 + rolls of ribbon, and it’s absolutely beautiful! If your going to get organize why not LOVE your storage! Check it out, you won’t be disappointed! I’ve included the link…
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39358153/large-ribbon-storage-rack-scrapbookers
@Josee, I got the lazy susan years ago at a store called Organized Living…the store is no longer in business. I just did a quick google search to see if I could find the same one elsewhere but haven’t had any luck. This one is extra large and had a flat size along the back to keep it in place in the refrigerator…but I would bet any large lazy Susan would do the trick.
Aby
@Sherry, I made the tags that say Soccer, etc. I used scrapbook paper, rub on letters and then laminated them using ID size laminating pouches. Hope that helps!
Aby
@Becky, LOL on living with Rocky. This is an OLD photo of my refrigerator…and at the time my husband was dong the Atkins diet. As of this morning, we had just one egg in the refrigerator. 🙂
Aby
@Tracy Johnson,
That old car isn’t a bank…it’s just a decorative item that was my husbands. How fun that you have soemthing similar. I love thing like this that have history. 🙂
Aby
@Erin K, thanks for your questions…I’ll try to put together some ideas for you in future posts.
Thanks!
Aby