Organized Palooza

Hey-Oh!
You have reached the Gaudett/MacDonalds residence. We are currently away from our extra organized home enjoying a few days of family time at the cottage.
But have no fear, there is material to be read and ideas to be found after the past 10 Days of Organization Palooza! 
So come on in. Kick off your shoes. And take a tour of our revamped and totally functional home. And when you are done, make sure you leave a message after the beep!
Day 1: Refrigerator  Day 2: Main Living Area Day 3: Laundry Room Day 4: Spice Cabinet Day 5: Garage {Part 1} Day 6: Garage {Part 2} Day 7: Recipe Box Day 8: Spare Room Closet Day 9: Supplies Closet Day 10: Master Closet
BEEP! I linked up at A Bowl Full of Lemons Organize it! Party

Organization Palooza Day 10: Master Closet

Finally! We have arrived! Day 10 of Organization Palooza chez moi! 

Did you ever think we would make it to end? I had my doubts along the way but thanks to you holding me accountable I can say with great excitement that our home is officially ORGANIZED! Top to bottom. Inside out. *It would however be incorrect to assume it is perfectly clean. I attribute that hiccup to a dog, baby, and the limited amount of time in a day.

The last stop on the organization train brings us to Common-Law and I's shared master closet. I have been avoiding it for some time now. The bones of the closet {shelving and such} are not overly functional for our needs so addressing all the issues will be a process. But just tackling the build up of mess and reevaluating my approach has made a significant difference. *As well as getting the scheming under way for ideas on how to go about tackling the bigger issues. Robert will be D to the lighted.

Take a look at what I started out with:

The shelf that runs along the top of the hang-bar is way too high for this gal. It is the major issue I have with the closet. And it being the only shelf space, this means everything that I want to stay tidy needs to be hung.

I 'think' eventually a shelving section will be implemented for folded items which would then turn the higher shelf into seasonal storage. But until then a cheap second hand Ikea dresser will have to do the trick in the bedroom area.

In spite of all the structural set backs, I was still able to rearrange the space and make it more functional without spending a dime. Take a looksey:

Few! I know it is not a dramatic full-on transformation but it certainly is a big change from what I started out with. It just feels better walking in there now.

First I rearranged the hanging clothes. Roberts overwhelming number of collard shirts came out from the corner and the seasonal coats and his heavy sweaters replaced them. On the lower hanging bar are both Robert and I's dressier bottom items: pants, shorts, and skirts.

Roberts shirts moved to the longer hang-bar section. *Do note that he has WAY more clothes than me. I mean seriously. Like triple! My tops and dresses follow suit. All are coloured coordinated for easy wardrobe selection. *And because it just looks better in my opinion.

The folded items were cut down in here significantly. Hopefully it will help with the inevitable mess. His and hers sections of both sweaters and jeans are each to their own side of the closet.

Most of the folded items were redirected to that Ikea dresser I mentioned.

The top two drawers hold his and hers tops. *Again note Common-laws huge drawer full and my tiny one.

The two lower drawers hold his and hers casual bottoms. 

Roberts has night pants, swim shorts, casual shorts, and cozy pants. Mine holds shorts and workout/cozy pants. This drawer will switch with the jeans come fall.

*In case you are wondering, my night pants are in our bathroom closet. We have three bins each of intimates and such. So I store mine there. It is such a handy idea having them right in the bathroom area. And now that I think of it I actually showed a picture of it a while back {here}.

Last, but certainly not least, is our collection of bags and my tank-tops. Both items needed better storage solutions - and could still use an improvement.

The bags were originally stuffed in a tote. They have now been upgraded to the two large baskets on the centre shelf {notice the baskets are a leftover after the Spare Closet makeover}. One full of purses and the odd clutch. The other with tote and gym bags.

The tank tops went from the overflowing whit bin pictured in the Before photo to a bigger, but still slightly too small, basket. It is a temporary fix that I hope will do the trick.

While I sorted and refolded each pile a few items got the ol' boot. My general rule when doing this is purge anything that hasn't been worn in a year, torn or stained items, and anything I just don't love anymore. *An exception is made to the stained rule if it is paint gear.

It feels good to purge. Means more room for a new haul.

Except Sarah beat me to the punch on that one. She claimed most of the items to add to her own wardrobe. It is nice to see items that I once loved have a fresh start in someone else's closet though. Even if that closet has currently set up shop in my basement. 

Actually, one outfit in particular really caught our attention. It called for a mini fashion show...

There are no words.

These are the kind of shenanigans that evolve from an organization rampage. It is all in a days work around here!

Now it is your turn. How did the organization go at your house? Do you feel like things have or are coming together? Did you get up to any silly business along the way? Dish!

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 9: Supplies Closet

I can see the finish line! Just a couple spaces in need of organizing left to go.

{Enter Happy Dance Here}

Today's project was on the basic side of the spectrum. Though not terribly disastrous, the small built-in supplies closet in the main floor bath needed some direction. 

This is what I started with:

The contents of this closet are not overly exciting. There are no darling towels or sweet smelling soaps in sight. But alas, every home needs a less than glamorous place to stash the run of the mill household items: cleaning supplies, medications, spare toilet paper, paper towels, and the like. Mine just happens to be in the main floor bathroom.

We learned a trillion plus one lessons when building our house. There are decisions you are bound to question and reevaluate with your first home after living in it a little while. A supplies closet was one of ours. With all the closet space, we never dreamed that there would not be a practical spot to stash the broom and vacuum. But with a little creative thinking we were able to convert a small linen closet into a  multifaceted supplies closet.

It just needed to be taken from creative to easily functional.

Here are the few simple changes that I made to help do just that.

With a few shelf alterations, some bin reconfiguring, and a bit of label making this closet is ready for anything!

The top shelf remained stocked with spare paper products. Just tidied. 

The sole overflowing medication bin was sorted and divided into four separate, more serviceable, clear and labeled bins. 

Based on our medication needs we went with the following groupings:

1. Pain
2. Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat
3. First Aid
4. Kids

Speaking of labelling - my most favouritest organization solution. Each shelf now has a very basic label  as well, identifying its contents. That way Common-Law has no excuse for replacing things in the wrong spot. *I point the finger at Robert, but really it is helpful for everyone.

I went with the following just as a reference:

1. Paper
2. Medications
3. Cleaning Supplies

The cleaning supplies are just below eye level on this shelf. Which makes it easier, I have found anyway, to quickly find what you are looking for. Yet, they are high enough to be out of reach of small children. *Another great feature of this cabinet is that the knob is mid way up the door and, like the cabinets throughout the remainder of the house, the doors are flush with the trim. So little fingers cant even get the doors open.

To help speed the cleaning process along, the white bin holds all of the products I use to do the bathrooms. That way there is no fussing when I have a few spare minutes. I just have to grab and go.

The bottom shelf holds the body of the vacuum. With the shelf readjustment it now lays flat with the hose in the bottom drawer with the other attachments.  

This may seem strange to you, it was for me at first as well, but we just have no other place that makes sense to store it that it isn't in the way. And if I am being completely honest, as I tend to be to a fault these days, I quite like it. The breaking down and building back up only takes a second and it ensures that I check the hose and nozzle for hair and build up. Two birds, one stone.

And that is that. A few simple changes go a long long way. 

Elementary yet Essential. 

Happy Organizing!

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 8: Spare Room Closet

Happy Monday!

Can you believe that we are midway through July already? My goodness time flies when you are having fun! No literally. Time is getting away from me. Up, up, and away.

But about that fun. Is everyone enjoying the results of their organization efforts around the house? I know I certainly am. Best of all, by the end of this week I should honestly be able to say that every single item in my entire home is stored in logical place. In a relatively tidy manner to boot! It is a b.e.a.utiful feeling.

Before I get ahead of myself however, let's focus back to the task at hand. There is a process to success after all.

My next stop on the organization train was the craft/miscellaneous item closet in the spare room. It needed some serious as a heart attack attention and that is no joke. Who jokes about heart attacks? A dumping ground for all things 'extra', this place needed some reason. And fast!

Take a look at it now.

First things first: I often feel the need to justify the disaster areas in my home. This being one of them. It is one of those spaces that anything and everything winds up in. When in doubt, throw {blank} in the spare closet. And because of the nature of the space it requires a system to manage the traffic flow to avoid build up. Clearly it was greatly lacking. 

With a few simple changes however, that should all be in the past.

First up to bat - Newly available dresser.

After revamping Finley's bedroom closet this dresser got the boot. And naturally it made its way to the spare room for safe keeping. But turns out it is a perfect solution for my craft supplies organizational needs. The small basket that was filled to overflowing with paper, ribbon, stickers, tools, and close to weighing as much as a small elephant was not up to par. *I think Im confusing my sports.

A filing system holds sticker and letter decals for scrapbooking and label making. While two extra-large jars {scored my Meema} hold loose ribbon and scrap pieces of paper.

The top drawer holds scrapbooking and art supplies: paints, slicer, tape, stamps, ect.

Second: stencils and punch outs.

Third: cork, small papers, and stationary.

Fourth: medium and large paper

Fifth: event supplies {Easter eggs, Finley's birthday celebration decor} 

Second up to bat - totes.

Since we already had a plethora purchased these needed to be put to work. Originally they were being used to store baby clothes but since reorganizing Finley's closet they have sat empty. Until now. *Four were relocated to the basement - two full of baby girl clothes {sigh} and two of outgrown items.

I have the tendency to organize by looks. If it's pretty and somewhat functional I'm all over it like white on rice. But this closet is my exception. It needed to be highly functional because it can get out of control in a real kind of hurry. So I skipped over 'pretty' completely. Enter grey totes.

Instead of cramming like-items in medium sized baskets to the point of over flowing {see Before photo}, totes are a great solution. Allocating each to a specific craft keeps everything together in one place as well as making it easy to transport when it comes time to use it. *I have a one year old so as much as  the idea of a 'Project Room' appeals to me it is not functional. He is happy where the toys are. Which is where the bin will have to go.

I used my five available totes for:

1. Project Supplies
2. Gift Bags, Boxes & Ribbons
3. Sewing Materials
4. Frames
5. Paints & Canvas 

And that is a home run for the win. Short ball game eh?

Sometimes simple really is better.

Have you been organizing away in any closets? What is your approach to a successful space?

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 6: Garage

Success!

It was touch and go there for a while but with Sarah's help, better known as 'self staining', we were able to pull the garage back together after our late night, overly ambitious, organization undertaking. *If you missed that adventure do read all about it here.

Take a look at the transformation.

It is as if a weight has been lifted. I actually feel lighter just looking at the change.

Isn't it amazing how a little bit of organization goes along way?

I didn't do anything drastic - yet. 

Due to the fact that the garage is technically Common-laws 'man cave' I wanted to include him in any major organization and aesthetic commitments. But lets be honest, anything is better than the disaster zone that it was before. So in the mean time, as I plot my next plan of attack, cleaning and sorting will have to suffice.

Grouping like items was my approach here. That way once Robert and I do make official plans for implementing storage and organization systems everything will be easily accessible.  

Seasonal yard tools are grouped together by the door to the back yard. Camping/fire gear is collected beneath the electrical panel. *Do note the basket filled with blankets, s'more supplies, and roasting sticks that I came up with here. The bike belongs to Sarah and will return home with her come Summers end which will solve the safety hazard of blocking the electrical panel. Golf gear is together. Tires together. Tools and smalls grouped on the work bench.

Id like to have a rack built above the back door for spare tires, but until then they are out of the way beneath the work bench.

Tools are stashed away in the red tool boxes. The smalls {screws, nails, nuts, bolts, and the like} are somewhat organized in mason jars, boxes, and store bought divided bins. Robert will need to go through and do a more thorough job before I set out to label everything.

This drawer system is something that came along with us from Common-Laws apartment pre us and has proven itself highly functional to store everyday items. 

Close to the door that accesses the house, the drawers hold power cords, sand papers, tapes, safety glasses, putty, scrapers, measuring tapes, etc. Essentially things we use on a regular basis. Again, no labels until the ok comes down from the boss.

This wall has an abundance of potential. But currently it is home to a single free standing shelf, heavier duty lawn gear, and leftover wood. Basic, and not so pretty, but functional none the less.

We brought the paint up from the cubby beneath the stairs {mentioned here}. Best decision EVER! 

It is oh.so nice to have it neat and out of the way yet easily accessible. *Already I have had a paint inspiration come to me on a whim and saved myself valuable baby-free time by not having to truck down the stairs to root.

The gardening supplies dons the two bottom shelves. Soils, fertilizers, and plant food are stored in plastic buckets to cut back on mess. Mowing shoes tucked away beneath the shelf.

*Finley's stroller is parked near by. With the ongoing goal of walking Moe twice daily {Goals?} it is efficient always having the stroller readily stocked with poop bags, the leash, and toys. Otherwise it is collapsed and stowed away in the trunk of the car.

The shelving on this wall is a new addition for me. Robert put it up just before he left for work this last time. Therefore, it is my first time putting it to use and I am lov.ing.it!

Once again like items are grouped together. Paint trays and gear top left. Tiling supplies top centre. Plastic bins with work and baseball gloves top right. Small paint cans and spray bottom left. Car cleaning and miscellaneous 'Rob Stuff' bottom centre. And a power tool bottom right.

Clearly we need to find a better solution than the recycling bins to store wood and paper for fire building. But for now it is a fine solution because anything is better than it being piled in the middle of the floor.

Now there is room for play! 

The twins love the 'mow-mower'! And Finley {back there in his bright green bug} has mastered climbing in and out. Next is parallel parking!

How goes the organization on your end? Having a Palooza of a time? 

What have you tackled? Success? Injury? Do tell.

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 5: Garage

Let's jump right in!

Day 5 of Organization Palooza here we come!

How goes the battle?

My most recent organization adventure has been the most trying thus far. But, fingers crossed, it will be the most rewarding in the end.

Last evening, after a lovely relaxing afternoon at the beach, I got it in my head that I had enough energy to tackle the daunting garage. Boy was I wrong!

It was a disaster to begin with. See for yourself.

Front View {Large Door Open}

Back View {Large Door Closed}

Work Bench {Somewhere there}

I know... It was bad. Terrible actually. I hang my head in shame. As someone who thrives in clean and tidy, this place was bringing me down. But one can only do so much. When a family lives in a space together it is difficult to maintain a tidy space. 

But certainly not impossible!

From my experience, the key to keeping things tidy and functional is practical organization. Everything having a home in a logical place. For instance, paint and all its associated supplies. After we moved into the house I stored all of it in the basement in a cubby beneath the stairs thinking we wouldn't be needing it on a regular basis. But then I got going with Projects-R-Us it ended up collecting on and around the work bench in the garage. The opposite of functional. But the solution is simple: move it all up to the garage where it seems to gather naturally.

Which is the plan. 

But first, before the fun part of tidying began, everything needed a thorough cleaning and sorting. 

So everything out! 

At this point, once 96% of the garage contents were out, I felt optimistic. And dirty. 

A thorough sweep turned up three dustpans full of dirt and sawdust - yet another culprit for the floors inside always being filthy {the other being Moe}.

All the windows were cleaned inside and out. They were beyond. But Sarah was a good sport and gave them a good scrubbing. 

Then came the floors. I can't tell you the last time that floor was scrubbed.

But by that time we were beginning to fade. We were both exhausted. So we took the easy road by squirting some dish soap and spraying the whole thing down with the hose - careful not to get any splatter on the walls. I highly recommend it as a fast and effective method.

While the floor was drying we got to work sorting through the piles of 'stuff' in the driveway. *I opted not to say junk because that may hurt Common-Laws feelings, but by that time of night it certainly felt that way.

Winter items were relocated to the basement storage closet with the rest of the festive season decor. Items waiting to receive DIY treatment were allocated to another basement closet with their mates. *Both in a tidy manner I might add. Piles were made for giveaways, recyclables, and garbage. Like items were gathered to help assess organizational needs.

Then we hit a snag in the road.

A shelf was brought back in and I politely asked Sarah to fill it with paint cans as well as the gardening gear. She got straight to work in spite of an onset of sleep haze {thats a real thing}. It wasn't long before she came at me with these hands...

A can of stain had spilled in a paint tray. Oops. And as she tried to create order she {not so} gracefully stuck her hands in it. Bigger Oops. 

Have no fear, after several rounds of gas as soap and water rinse she was able to clean herself up. *From here on out she shall be known only as Grace {just kidding}. However, the poor thing then entered overtired mode {or was high from the gas fumes} and productivity was questionable. But somewhat accomplished none the less.

Which sadly will have to wait for another day because I have run out of time. The babe is awake. Ill pick this up Thursday. *Tomorrow is Get Inspired and let me tell ya, I selfishly need it!

Until then, do keep in mind the lessons we have learned today: 1)Don't begin a major project that requires completion all at once at late evening hours. That is just silly. 2) Cleaning is essential to achieve function and organization. Just be careful not to make a mess along the way. 3) Choose your help wisely. Enough said? {hehe} 4) Press on. No matter how much work the task takes up front, it will be worth it in the long run.

Well...that fourth lesson will be learned next time. At least I hope!

Do keep me updated on your cleaning/organization/adventure progress!

Chat soon.