How many times have you found yourself looking for something and finally gave up and a week later when you were looking for something else you found it? How many times do you say “I was looking for that?” If you answered yes to either question read below for the five reasons labeling will help you get organized and stay organized.
Saves Time
The first and most important reason is time. You will no longer be searching for items instead you will create a system that simply consists of storing like items together and labeling containers.
It’s Inexpensive
There are so many label makers available that are reasonably priced. You can choose a more high-tech version that is Bluetooth enabled or a basic option that is perfect for daily use and easy to use. Trust me once you own one you will wonder how you lived without it.
Creates a System
When you keep items organized and labeled it will not only make life easier for you but will create a system that will help the entire family. Use clear labeled containersto store art supplies, toys, school supplies, and office products on a shelf. It is a simple inexpensive way to keep your family organized.
Keeps you Organized
As an organizer I’m often asked once I get organized how can I stay organized. This is where labeling is essential because it will help you stay organized and prevent your space from becoming cluttered. Labeling makes everyday life a bit easier when you can find what you are looking for in your home.
Saves Money
Labeling is a foolproof way to save money. When you label containers it allows you to quickly see what you own before buying more of the same item which saves you money!
It’s been a while since my last blog post so I’m excited to be back and share some of my favorite gift ideas for Mothers Day. These are all items I own and love and maybe your mom will too!
T3 Hot Rollers – These are a great gift for Mom especially now that Hot Rollers have made a big comeback this year. She will love how easy they are to use and how much curl she will get without the damage that comes from some styling tools. If she needs a tutorial on how to use them check out my YouTube video on how I style my hair with Hot Rollers.
The Container Store Gift Card – If your Mom loves to be organized this is the perfect gift. This one gift card covers every room in the house and she can order online and have items shipped if she doesn’t live near a Container Store.
iDesign/Sarah Tanno Cosmetic Organizer – I recently spoke about these on Instagram and if your Mom loves makeup these are the best makeup organizers. They were created in collaboration with celebrity makeup artist Sarah Tanno so the products are amazing. They are exclusively sold on Amazon so you don’t have to worry about it arriving on time!
Black + Decker Dustbuster – I had a client who owned thishandheld vacuum and she had me try it and I was hooked. I loved it so much I went home and ordered my own! I keep it on the counter so I can grab it for quick cleanups, cleaning out my car, and pet hair from our new puppy. This is a gift she will love!
P-touch Cube Plus Label Maker – Label makers are not just for organizers. Thislabel maker is a favorite because it is so easy to use. There are different tape sizes, colors, and font options and it’s Bluetooth which makes it easy to take from room to room. Once mom owns this she will wonder how she managed without it.
Cordless Wine Opener – This is a great gift if your mom loves wine. This opener is cordless and simple to use with the press of a button. The design is modern and sleek so it looks good sitting on a counter.
Kitsch Hair Drying Scrunchie – I bought these with the thought I would be returning them because my hair is so thick it’s hard to find items to hold it. I was wrong! These not only hold my hair but are made of microfiber material that absorbs water so they are great when your hair is wet. Moms love scrunchies so she will love thisnew updated version!
Theragun Mini – This is another item I have been using a lot since I gave it to my husband for Christmas LOL. He is always asking me “where is my Theragun?” If your mom works on a computer all day, is an athlete or just needs self-care at the end of the day this is the best gift. It is also portable so she can bring it with her when she travels.
Little Words Project Bracelets – My daughter gave me, her grandmother, and her sister thesebracelets, and each one had a different words of inspiration. Mine says Have Hope and during this past year, it has been something I wear often and cherish. You can customize your bracelet or choose from many different inspirational words. Get one or more if you want to stack them. It’s an affordable gift from a female-owned company with an inspirational message for all women.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Serum – This anti-aging antioxidant is a recent find that I love! If your Mom suffers from Maskne or sun damage this new product from SkinCeuticals is a serious game-changer. It has so many good things wrapped up in one bottle. It is pricey but it has replaced multiple products I use to use and simplified my skincare routine.
Tom Ford Sunglasses – These were a great find at Nordstrom Rack. I’m a big fan of Tom Ford and when I saw these sunglasses discounted I had to hit the add to cart button. If your mom needs a new pair of sunglasses these are a great gift.
Studio 54 Book – Did your mom grow up in the seventies? If she did she will love thiscoffee table book. It tells the story of the legendary disco Studio 54 by the original co-owner Ian Schrager. The pictures and stories bring you back to a place that defined an era of dancing, celebrities, and glam.
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Welcome to the Neatly Designed blog, where I share my favorite organization tips, and must-have organizing products.
I’m so excited to share this kitchen and pantry project. My client and her husband have two young children and our goal was to make big changes without spending a lot of money. They are planning on renovating in the future so this was a temporary fix to get her organized and enjoy the space until they are ready for future changes. She told me she avoided the kitchen as much as possible because it made her stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. My first impression of this kitchen and pantry was there was too much stuff and space was not being utilized properly especially in the pantry. These were the steps from beginning to end on how we transformed her kitchen.
Purge
The first thing we did was a heavy purge. We removed everything out of the cabinets, counters, and pantry, and yes I mean EVERYTHING! She was ready to let go of the items that were taking up space and never used so she made my job easy.
Rework the space
The next step in the process was discussing what was working for her and what was not. Sometimes all it takes is a second set of eyes to rework a space and make it flow better. We made a list of items that needed to be replaced and repaired to make the kitchen function better.
Measure the space
I took photos and measurements of all areas so I could start the process of finding the items that were functional, look good, and budget-friendly!
Painted the Pantry
She was very fortunate to have a handy husband so we took advantage of him and put him to work. I suggested we paint the pantry white to brighten it and they were amazed how a simple coat of white paint can make such a big difference. A new coat of paint is a simple way to freshen up ay area in your home without spending a lot of money.
Lighting
The next thing that stuck out to me was the lighting or the lack of it. I always look at lighting whether in a closet or kitchen because good lighting can make any space better especially the kitchen which is the hub of the home. We added puck lights in the lower cabinets and changed the ceiling light to an affordable brighter option.
I used thisover the door system to add needed storage in the pantry. Many people overlook the door as an area that can provide extra storage, especially in small spaces.
Rolling Cart
I added this cart for added pantry storage and it fits the space like it was made for it. We stored disposable paper products, lunch boxes, and this silverware caddy to keep utensils organized.
Pantry Storage
She already had wire shelving in the pantry so I added shelf linersfor stability. I labeled white binsso the kids could grab their after-school snacks and help mom pack lunches. I also added an expandable shelffor canned goods and thisfavorite to store the kid’s breakfast packets. The cereal containers and two lazy susans finished the space and my goal was to make sure she could see what she owns whenever she looks in the pantry. We used the top shelf for larger items that were seldom used but needed to be stored.
Cabinet Storage
Her cabinets had an unusual amount of vertical space so I utilized the height by adding a single lazy susan on the top for taller items and a doublelazy Susan for spices and smaller items. even I also used these to stick on the inside of the cabinet door for spice packs and one on the wall in the pantry to store masks. Wearing masks is a reality so we decided to have a place she could store them and conveniently grab them for the kids when packing lunches.
Garbage Can
Why a new garbage can? Sounds trivial but made a big difference in her crisp freshly pained white pantry. Her other one was black and had seen better days so we added thisnew white one which was narrow and fit the space perfectly.
COFFEE BAR
I wanted to create a coffee bar because she and her husband are coffee drinkers and there was the perfect area in the kitchen for making this possible. The existing space had a dark piece of furniture that was not functional and provided no storage. I added this cart and it not only brightened up the area but was reasonably priced and a perfect fit. By moving the coffee pot it freed up space on her countertop near the stove which is a plus when you are cooking.
Keep it Simple
One thing I did from beginning to end in this project was to keep it simple! The open shelving in the kitchen had various items on it and the client said it was not functional at all. Since her cabinets were blue I decided to stick with one color and use the shelves for her everyday dishes. It not only makes them easily accessible at mealtime but gave her added storage in her cabinets. I chose these white dishes because they were simple, inexpensive, and looked great on the shelves. I decanted some of her everyday items intothese containers and added a touch of greenery. To say she was pleased with the results is an understatement. She now loves being in her kitchen and that was my goal!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use.
How many times have you found yourself looking for something and finally gave up and a week later when you were looking for something else you found it? How many times do you say “I was looking for that?” If you answered yes to either question read below for the five reasons labeling will help you get organized and stay organized.
Photo Courtesy of Wayfair
