Monthly Article

My Favorite (Organizational) Things

“Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens... These are a few of my favorite things.”  --The Sound of Music

People are always asking me for recommendations of my favorite organizing products. Normally, when working with clients, I use what they have. I can make almost anything work (except those 1-31 mailing slot racks), but I do have some favorite tools in my home and office:

• Horizontal stacking shoe organizer (www.organizeit.com) These shelves, which can be stacked on top of each other, allow placement of shoes of any length or width (think big husband shoes) side-by-side. They work great in the closet or entryway.
• Drawer Doubler Organizer (www.bedbathandbeyond.com) Everyone needs a drawer organizer for paper clips, rubber bands, etc. This expandable tray fits on top of the drawer, allowing the most-used items to be at your fingertips, leaving room underneath for less used items. Love it.
• Helper shelves (www.target.com) Found in discount and home stores and available in different sizes and colors, these shelves can be used in almost every room in the house; some even stack on top of each other. Double the space on a shelf by placing items on the helper shelf as well as underneath. Great for cabinets and closet shelves.
• Ziploc Bags. They aren’t just for kids’ lunches. Use the snack size to hold small items in larger storage boxes. Gallon bags work great to contain extra cords from electronic equipment. I take extras in my luggage when traveling.
• Reusable shopping bags. Keep a small one folded in your car’s glove box to  gather all the odds and ends (like mail) to take into the house in one trip. Once the items have been placed in their proper rooms, take the bag back to the car. Larger bags can be kept in the trunk to use when shopping.
• Microwave Cereal Bowls (http://order.tupperware.com) Perfect for one-portion sized leftovers, these sleek bowls with great seals stack beautifully in the refrigerator or freezer, saving valuable space.
• Post-it Flag+ Writing Tools (www.3m.com) This highlighter or pen comes with Post-it flags under the cap. Good for readers / writers who want to remember the exact location of the information they highlighted. Thanks, Linda Q., for giving me my first one!
• Legal size banker boxes (www.officedepot.com) Found at office stores, these boxes are great for storing heavy and large items in closets and on shelves. Store off-season clothing, unused toys, sentimental items, and seasonal decorations. List the contents directly on the box. Use all the same brand for a more uniform look.
• Snapware boxes  (www.joann.com) These storage boxes feature handles, double decker and / or compartmentalized storage with latches even a two-year-old can use. Perfect for toys, tools, and crafts. My daughter loves her “toolbox.”
• Appliance cord clip (Alas, I couldn’t find it online. I originally bought it at Organized Living.). It’s a small thing, but I hate having loose curling iron cords in the bathroom. The clip is wide enough to hold the folded cord against the curling iron handle. Inexpensive and durable, it has lasted more than ten years. If you have found something similar out there, let me know.

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”

Yes, these are my favorite tools of the trade. What works for you?  Send me names and links of your favorite organizing tools. In the coming months, I will share them.

In the meantime, grab an organizational product and create some order. You’ll be glad you did.

© Renee Ursem, 2009.