Repeat after me:  organizing and creativity go hand in hand. Organizing gives you space for creativity and creativity makes organizing more fun. This is the philosophy of my blog and my approach to organizing. Here’s why. First, its way more fun to add a dose of creativity to your organizing projects. But there’s something else important at play, too. If you love your freshly organized space—if it really makes you happy—you’ll be much more likely to keep it organized going forward. Adding creative elements to your organizing projects makes any space more lovable.

Use the ideas below as a jumping-off point to infuse your organizing projects with a dash of creativity.

  • Re-purpose vintage containers. If you love a good flea market, vintage containers may be your cup of tea. Use flea market and second hand-store finds like tea-cups to organize small items like paper clips, rubber bands or other small office supplies. Or, find an old wooden file box to corral business cards or recipes. Use glass dishes and jars to corral bathroom essentials like cotton balls, cotton swabs and soap.

vintage crates

  • Use creative labels. Sure a label-maker is functional, but using craft supplies to label your organizing projects is functional and fun! Creative labeling can be super simple and give you delightful results. Purchase some pre-made tags, a spool of ribbon in your happiest color and a fine-point black marker. Then, add a creative label to everything from pantry shelves to pails…and everything in between.
  • Tap into the power of texture. It’s important that your organized space feels homey—a place you want to be. If you think an organized space feels sterile and lifeless, you’ll likely resist the process of creating an organized space. A simple way to bring life into a space, without taking away a smidgen of order, is to use containers of various materials and textures. Pair the rough and natural texture of baskets, for example, with shiny glass jars with metal lids. Or, use wooden boxes and ceramic bowls, or canvas bins and brightly colored metal pails. You get the idea—use contrasting textures to infuse your space with life.
  • Decoupage it! While you’re feeling crafty, use a bit of decoupage and patterned paper to turn ordinary storage containers into organizational works of art. With a simple bottle of Mod Podge® and a foam brush, you can add your creative touch to cigar boxes, wooden drawer units, buckets and even plain, paperboard boxes.

decoupage box

  • Create systems that “think” like you do. Adding creativity to your organizing isn’t just about making things look creative. It is also about setting up systems that are customized with you in mind. When setting up organizing systems, tap into your thought processes. How do you think about things? How do you look for things? How do you do things? By approaching your projects using your own unique way of thinking, you’ll put together creative organizing systems that are uniquely suited for you.
  • Play with color. There are a number of ways to use color to add order and energy to your organizing projects. First, you could select containers, such as brightly colored canvas bins, to add a dash of your favorite color to your space. Or, organize the items in your space, such as books on bookshelves and the shirts in your closet, by color. Grouping items by color gives your eyes fewer and more definite places to rest, adding an instant sense of order to your space. Plus, those pops of color will look fantastic, too!
  • Think outside the bin. There’s a new container in town, the galvanized bucket. And when you really let those creative juices flow, you’ll find countless uses for these little cuties. Buckets can be used for corralling all sorts of clutter—from remote controls in the family room to seasoning packets in the kitchen. Just be careful, because once you get on a bucket binge you may find your other containers pail in comparison. (Misspelling intended.) 😉

metal bucket for storage

  • Fall in love with melamine. Melamine bowls and trays make for fun and colorful organizing vessels. Small bowls can be used to hold small office supplies and even provide a landing spot for keys. Or, use melamine plates as an in-tray for your office or to provide a sense of order to perfume bottles in the bathroom. Re-purpose a melamine serving tray as a portable craft station.
  • Use an eclectic mix. If you’re faced with a healthy supply of mismatched containers, use this as an opportunity to create a lively, eclectic space. A mix of container types, colors and sizes will allow you to organize your space but give it a creative look and feel—the best of both worlds. Unify mismatched containers by using a single style of tag and ribbon to label the space.
  • Trust your instincts. Most of all, when it comes to getting organized and adding a dose of personal creativity, trust your gut. If you think it will work and it makes you happy—go for it!