How to Organize and Store Your Kids' Artwork

Summer is almost over, and if your household is anything like ours, you've been buried under a mountain of arts and crafts projects all season long. And guess what? The school year is just around the corner! Which means even more masterpieces are about to flood in the door. If your little artists have been flexing their creative muscles, it's time to think about how to showcase their incredible work! While the fridge door with its trusty magnets is a classic, let's explore 5 other fun and creative ways to display your kids' artwork around the house. Celebrate creativity and bring a splash of color into your home by showing off your kids’ imaginations through their art!

Art Gallery Wall

Is there a small room, closet, or even a blank wall in your home that you just can’t figure out how to make interesting? This is the perfect opportunity to create a gallery wall featuring your child’s artwork. This might sound simple, but it can be an adorable and rewarding project for both you and your little one!

Picture it like this: Each frame on the wall holds a unique piece of your child's creativity, from adorable finger paintings to vibrant crayon masterpieces. Every so often, you and your budding artist can host a mini "gallery opening" where you swap out old pieces for new ones. This ritual keeps the space looking fresh and exciting, and it instills a sense of pride and accomplishment in your child.

This method will make your child feel like a true artist, seeing their work displayed prominently and celebrated in your home. This might be one of my favorite methods of displaying your child’s artwork because it's not just about decorating a wall; it's about creating a space that honors their creativity and growth.

So, take that blank wall and turn it into a dynamic, ever-evolving gallery that showcases your child's imagination and talent. It's a beautiful way to make use of an otherwise overlooked space, bringing color, joy, and a personal touch to your home.

If you are considering making an art gallery wall in your home, check out this blog post by Jessica Brigham for an in-depth tutorial!

Storage Frame

But the magic doesn’t stop there. One of my favorite products for displaying kids’ artwork is these frames. These ingenious frames open from the front, making it a breeze to add and remove artwork. Imagine when your child comes home from school with a brand-new painting, bursting with excitement to show you. Within minutes, it's proudly displayed on the ‘art gallery’ wall, front and center. Even better, these frames are designed to hold multiple pieces of art, so the older ones don’t get lost—they're just waiting at the back for their turn on display again. 

One week, your living room might be filled with springtime flowers and sunshine, and the next, it’s a collection of spooky Halloween scenes. This constant rotation keeps your home vibrant and your child engaged, always excited to see their latest creation displayed for everyone to admire. Rotating art frames not only simplify the process of showcasing your child’s masterpieces but also celebrate their ongoing creativity. It's a dynamic way to honor their artistic journey, providing a beautiful and ever-changing gallery that reflects their growth and imagination. If you can’t tell by now, these are a Help You Dwell favorite and can be found on our Amazon Storefront!

Wire and Clips

Think back to your college days when hanging photos with clothespins and fairy lights was all the rage. Now, you're channeling that same carefree, creative vibe but with your kid’s artwork. Use a sturdy wire stretched across the wall, and adorn it with colorful clothespins holding the latest drawings, collages, and paintings. This setup transforms any playroom or bedroom into a whimsical gallery of imagination and color!

The playful and dynamic nature of this display adds a touch of magic to your home. It's not just about showcasing the art; it's about creating an interactive and evolving gallery. The best part? Your kids can easily switch out the art themselves. This setup also encourages your children to engage with their artwork in a new way. They get to be both the artist and the curator, deciding which masterpiece deserves the spotlight!

This method of displaying art is not only fun and interactive but also practical. It keeps the artwork organized and off the floor, while still being easily accessible. Plus, it adds a charming, personal touch to your home decor, making the space feel lively and unique. So, grab some wire, colorful clothespins, and start creating your own whimsical art display. It's a simple, affordable way to celebrate your child’s creativity and bring a joyful, ever-changing gallery into your home.

If you’re not the type to DIY, here is an awesome product that comes with clips to easily hang art. This picture rail is perfect for displaying family photos, polaroids, and, most importantly, your children's art. This kit includes 6 metal wire ropes, 2 wide rails, and 48 magnetic clips, creating a sleek and modern look. It's sturdy and versatile, making it great for home, office, or even a classroom. With easy mounting instructions and all necessary hardware included, your new display unit will be ready in minutes!

Custom Photo Book

If you don’t want to display the artwork, you can create a beautiful keepsake of your child’s artwork. Every year, you and your kids can sit down together to create a custom book filled with their best artwork. This annual tradition becomes a delightful trip down memory lane as you flip through pages of colorful creations and reminisce about the stories behind each piece. Each book is a vibrant testament to their artistic journey, capturing the evolution of their creativity year by year.

These custom photo books not only make wonderful keepsakes but also help manage the physical clutter of saved artwork. Instead of struggling to find space for every drawing and painting, you can preserve the most memorable pieces in a beautifully organized and compact format. Imagine a bookshelf lined with these precious books, each one a snapshot of a different stage in your child's artistic development.

Creating these books can even turn into a cherished family tradition. As you gather around the table, your kids can select their favorite pieces, recalling the moments and inspiration behind each one. This shared activity will create lasting memories, making the process as meaningful as the finished product!

A photo book like this becomes more than just collections of art; they become time capsules of your child's growth and imagination. So, make this tradition a part of your family’s routine. Gather your kids, sort through their artwork, and create a custom photo book each year. It’s a simple, heartfelt way to celebrate their creativity and preserve the precious memories of their artistic journey.

Personalized Art Boxes

Creating a separate art box for each of your children is both a practical and sentimental way to store all of their creations. These clear plastic bins offer an excellent solution for organizing and preserving their masterpieces. Each child having their own box makes it easy to keep track of individual artworks, and the transparent nature of the bins allows for quick and easy access. They can be neatly stacked or stored away when not in use, helping to manage the clutter efficiently.

In my opinion, this system is the best and easiest way to not only manage the clutter but also gives each child a special place for their art. For an added fun twist, have each child decorate their box with colorful letters spelling their name on the outside. This adds a personal touch and makes the boxes even more special!

These bins are also perfect for storing larger or more delicate pieces that might not fit in a photo book, ensuring that every cherished artwork has its place. With personalized art boxes, every drawing, painting, and sculpture is preserved.

Organizing Kids’ Spaces with Help You Dwell

If you’re looking for more innovative ways to manage and celebrate your child's creativity, be sure to check out our Kids’ Spaces Guide. This comprehensive guide is packed with tips and ideas for organizing kids' spaces throughout your home. From creating art galleries and custom photo books to designing functional and fun play areas, we cover it all. Our guide will help you transform cluttered areas into organized, inspiring environments that foster creativity and joy. Click here to purchase your copy and start turning your home into a beautifully organized haven for your little ones today!

Please note that when you use our Amazon storefront affiliate links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!

Organizing Tips for an Older Home

One of the best parts of the work we do at Help You Dwell is getting to visit so many different types of homes across Knoxville and surrounding areas. Oftentimes, our clients will reach out because they live in an older home with little storage and lots of organizing challenges. And we love a good challenge!

Edenvale, my childhood home

Growing up in a home built in 1857, where my parents still reside, has given me a front row seat watching my mother’s ingenuity in utilizing various types of furniture to create order in our home.

Now, at Help You Dwell, we have had the great pleasure of working in dozens of homes facing similar challenges. Here are some of our favorite solutions for homes designed before IKEA, Amazon, and Home Goods made it way too easy to fill our homes to the brim!

Have a wall? Add a hook or two!

One common necessity missing in many older homes is an entryway closet. Without that convenient spot to hang coats, purses, backpacks, or leave your rain boots, the entryway can become a cluttered mess, scattering these all over the house.

Instead, we’ve installed a few systems to best utilize the entry space and make the most of that area. And let’s not forget the tried-and-true hall tree, which can whip an entryway into shape in a jiffy.

Bookshelves are our friends.

I’ve lived in a 4 different homes built before before 1930 and have come to realize the great versatility, function, and beauty of a good bookshelf. A bookshelf can do much more than hold books because of the many options of decorative baskets and bins available these days to match any design style. They also come in so many different sizes and styles that you can find what you need to fit just about any space.

We’ve used bookcases in kids’ rooms for toy bins, easy-access clothing, collectibles, and books. They’ve been incorporated into kitchens for storing excess items when cabinet space is limited. One area that can greatly benefit, but isn’t often considered, is the landing at top of the stairs. This can be a great way to store linens in cloth baskets if you’re lacking a linen closet, or it can be a catch-all for electronic accessories, toiletry refills, or other items that need a home.

Another helpful aspect of using bookcases is their versatility - they aren’t permanent fixtures. As your season of life changes, so do the items in your home. Bookcases allow you to easily adjust and adapt to honor those changes.

Cupboards, Armoires, and Dressers… oh my!

Another go-to for creating order in an older home is to use a beautiful heirloom, an antique piece, or a practical furniture item to store a variety of items.

As my children have grown older, I’ve repurposed one special red dresser in various ways. Initially, it held their clothes; later, it found use near our kitchen for their plates, cups, and more. For a brief period, it served as a bedside table, and its final role in our home was storing art supplies. Another versatile piece we have is an antique meal bin. Ours currently houses our pup’s food.

We’ve helped to convert armoires to office supply storage, used antique cupboards for overflow kitchen storage, and filled dressers with family games, puzzles, bed linens and table linens.

Help You Dwell loves to honor the history and character of an old home. Being resourceful with the pieces you already own, or thoughtfully considering the next piece to bring into your home, can be game changers for creating organization within your space.

We’d love to hear about some of the creative ways you’ve stored your belongings as well! Please share your ideas in our comments below or share a challenge in your home that we can help you with.

We can’t wait to help you dwell!

Embracing Autumn’s Arrival: Transform Your Entryway For Fall

The arrival of autumn heralds a change in the air, the crisp scent of falling leaves, and a burst of warm colors that ignites our senses. It's the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin flavored everything, and, of course, the perfect time to spruce up your home's entryway to reflect the beauty of fall! In this guide, we'll take you through some tips on how you can create a warm and inviting entryway that celebrates the magic of autumn.

1. Start with a Clean Slate 

Before you dive into any seasonal decorating, it's essential to start with a clean and clutter-free space. This is the ideal time to bid farewell to the items that accumulate by your entry way over the long summer months—expired sunscreen, old sunglasses, and summer toys—and either store them away or discard them. Give the area a thorough cleaning to prepare it for the upcoming season of indoor living.

2. Embrace Cozy Storage Solutions

As the days grow cooler, you'll want easy access to your fall essentials. Consider incorporating furniture with drawers or hooks to keep small accessories like gloves, scarves, and hats neatly organized. Creating a designated spot for these items not only adds functionality but also offers you the opportunity to rediscover those seasonal autumn accessories you haven't seen in a year! This simple addition will infuse a touch of autumn/winter fashion and cozy charm into your entryway.

Entryway Wall Shelf with Hooks

Entryway Storage Bench

Antique Cast Iron Wall Hanger

3. Create a Warm & Welcome Exterior

To set the stage for a warm welcome, add a touch of fall foliage to your porch or door. A fall wreath, a couple of potted mums, or some strategically placed pumpkins can instantly infuse your entryway with the spirit of the season. You don't need an overwhelming amount of decor to create an inviting autumn ambiance. A simple seasonal welcome mat is an extra touch of charm that your guests will surely appreciate.

Berries + Leaves Iron Wreath

Wooden Harvest Floral Wreath

Buffalo Plaid Check Rug

4. Decorate with Autumnal Flair

Petite Pumpkins: Display small pumpkins and gourds on shelves, tables, or even your entryway bench. Their warm hues and unique shapes add a touch of rustic elegance.

Candles and Lanterns: Place candles or lanterns with warm, flickering lights to create a cozy atmosphere. Scented candles with autumn fragrances like cinnamon and sandalwood or vanilla and apple spice can enhance your entryway experience.

Beaded Pumpkin Lantern Set

Amber + Vanilla Candle

Teak Pumpkins

Remember, the key to creating an autumnal entryway is to keep it simple and reflective of your personal style. Whether you prefer an eclectic rustic look or a more modern and minimalist approach, there are countless ways to infuse the warm feelings of fall into your home's entrance. With a clean slate, a dash of creativity, and a love for the season, your entryway can become a delightful reflection of autumn's splendor.

There’s no better time than now to get started on prepping your home to help create an environment that brings you peace before a busy season of holidays and hosting. Remember, bringing calm and order to your home is a process and we are happy to help you along the way!

CALL US AT 865.245.9080 OR BOOK OUR SERVICES HERE!

Please note that when you use our Amazon storefront affiliate links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!

Organizing with HYD

Help You Dwell was established nine years ago because we love helping others. Every week our team members have the pleasure of meeting new faces and hearing new stories, which brings us lots of joy.  But often, when we walk into a new client's home, the first thing we hear is "sorry."  We want you to know that you never need to apologize for your home!  Your home is part of your story, and we all have a story, too. We never judge you and want you to know that we are always compassionate, professional, and respectful

So, what does an organizing session with us look like? Well, it begins with understanding that together, we are a team. As we walk through our plans to help you find order and peace in your home, we want to hear the story that brought you to where you are.  Our organizing sessions are really a four-part process: listen, plan, declutter, and organize.

At Help You Dwell we begin every organizing session by listening to your needs. After we have learned more about you and your home, we will begin walking through a plan for your space. There is no “one size fits all” approach for us. Our company understands that being organized means different things to different people, and we hope you never feel pressured by trends on social media and television, friends, or family to become a version of "organized" that doesn’t work for you.

When we are ready to spring into action, the first thing we do is help you declutter. You must declutter before you can organize. Decluttering means sorting and purging items. If we don’t declutter first, we are simply moving items around and spinning our wheels. When we declutter, we make space. When we make space, we can easily organize.

So how do we declutter? We like to put items into 4 categories: keep, donate, trash, and relocate. Remember, we are a team! We are there to help you make tough decisions about things you may be holding onto for varied reasons. Often when you have a teammate beside you, decisions are easier to make, and you feel “lighter” when you can be free from some of the clutter in your life. There are several organizations here in town that we love to send donations to. We can also take your donations if you don’t have time, or the task seems overwhelming.

Once we have decluttered, we can begin organizing! We will create systems that keep you organized, as well as discuss routines that work for you specifically. Doing this will free you up to spend more time being with the people you love doing the things you love.

We want you to be yourself, just with less stuff and more you.  You are worth the effort. 

Cuteness Overload: Organizing Baby Clothes

Let me start by saying, I’m no expert. I’m actually new at this. But I’ve learned a few things that have helped me maintain order in our home, my shopping cart, and my brain while welcoming our first little one into our home.

The months leading up to our first little one’s arrival were filled with anticipation, excitement, and lots of nesting. I love to be prepared. So, all the gender neutral baby clothes were washed and folded multiple times. I rearranged the dresser drawers. We waited for Millie’s arrival to find out gender. One fun thing about that surprise is that it prevents well meaning friends and family from buying too many gender specific clothing items. I sorted onesies and outfits by size and season and any other way possible. Because it was fun for me! I realize this isn’t everyone’s jam- but I think I found a sense of calm and peace in preparing our space. If this isn’t how you’re wired, you might consider calling HYD because we have a number of experienced mamas on our team who LOVE doing this sort of thing.

Now that Millie is here - I admit going a little overboard when it comes to all the little girl things (I also blame my mom and friends for this- just kidding, thanks for all the sweet newborn items that we ooh’d and aah’d over for the first few weeks). Floral bubbles, dainty little onesies, hats and accessories - there really is no end to the cuteness.

Photo from Ella the Midwife blog.

• But is it all necessary?

• And how do I begin now to create good habits and boundaries regarding consumerism and spending money?

• Can I sustainably create a collection of intentionally chosen and well cared for items?

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A few things I’ve learned:

Remember, I’m only 3 months in so I am SURE I have a lot more to learn!

BORROW

I have loved getting to dress our little girl in clothing that friends of ours have used before. It feels special and meaningful to watch an outfit carry so many stories and adventures that we all share. There are lots of Facebook groups dedicated to being communally minded and sharing no longer needed items (ask us about these if you’re interested). Start a text with work friends, neighbors, or family members who have kiddos around the same age as your own. You can be a resource to each other instead of spending zillions of dollars at Target. I’ve found that I’ve been more mindful of caring well for borrowed items, in hopes of returning them as good as I received them.

Millie, my mom & I going through a box of hand-me-down little girl clothes from my cousins wife!

BUY USED

It may take a little more time, but the hunt can be fun. There are some great thrift stores, online marketplaces (Poshmark and Kidizen), and consignment shops (The Adorable Child and Once Upon a Child- West Knoxville location and Fountain City Location) overflowing with barely used baby & kid items. Make sure to check the condition of items as best you can before purchasing used. If your little one has sensitive skin or allergies, be sure to ask about what detergent has been used on clothing and whether or not the items are coming from a smoke-free and pet-free home. When shopping at a thrift store, be sure to check the diaper area & neck for stains and make sure buttons, zippers, or snaps work properly. I’m not suggesting to ONLY buy used baby clothing and accessories, but buying EVERYTHING new can be costly. So make a decision about a few special pieces that are important to buy new, and challenge yourself to find the rest previously loved. I’ve found that you can find used baby clothes in GREAT condition due to the nature of how quickly babies grow out of their clothes. Think ahead to what season/time of year your little one will likely be in the next size and search for those items ahead of time.

BE SELECTIVE

Have standards for what you decide to keep (as a keepsake or for future children) and what you purchase. If you find that a particular brand fits your little one best- stick with it. Pay attention to the fit and specific type of buttons, closures, or zippers you like. This makes the middle of the night diaper change just a little more bearable. Buy from stores and brands you can afford, and if there’s something pricy you are on the hunt for- search Poshmark or Kidizen instead of paying full price. You may find yourself attaching certain sentimental value to an outfit- consider printing a photo of your little one in that outfit if keeping it isn’t 100% necessary. Make a conscious decision about how much you will keep by using a designated amount of space or number of boxes/bins. Maybe 1 under the bed bin is the perfect storage piece for you. Maybe 2-3 diaper boxes is what you feel good about. Whatever your limit is - decide and stick to it. Your future self will thank you. Create parameters by using drawer organizers and hangers (we like these & these). If you run out of hangers, you may need to cycle a few clothing items out. If the drawers won’t shut, it’s time to evaluate what you have stuffed inside. We highly recommend file folding baby clothes (excluding nicer items that are hung up) to save space and make all pieces of clothing visible.

Very early days of collecting baby clothes for baby Martin. I highly recommend these drawer organizers!

IN AND OUT

Keep your empty diaper boxes. Use one empty one to fill as your little one grows out of things (that are either taken to a friend with little ones younger than yours, thrift store, or consignment shop). And fill another with items you’ve found, bought, or been loaned to use in the next size up. Be sure to label these to avoid confusion. I recommend keeping them in the bottom of baby’s closet (or maybe in your laundry room or garage if you don’t have space in your baby’s room) for ease of finding what you need and making quick action on what you are letting go of or packing away to store. If you prefer clear storage bins- we recommend these. Whichever box or bin you are decide to use, be sure to clearly label them. Utilizing these hanging clothes size tags can make it simple to see what clothes are too small and what section of clothing will your little one be wearing next.

A FEW PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND

Velvet Hangers

Hanging Clothes Dividers

Plastic Hangers

Sterilite Totes

*The product links in this post are affiliate links, simply meaning we may receive a small commission from your purchase. Thanks for trusting us!

What are your best baby organizing tips?
We’d love to hear any success stories or tips we can share with our followers.

If you have a friend or family member who does not LOVE organizing or who simply doesn’t have the time to nest the way they would like to- reach out to us! Our team of hardworking and compassionate women is ready to help. We can help create a plan, sort through clothing, and implement new systems for sustaining organization.

Call 865.245.9080 or Email info@helpyoudwell.com

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MORE BLOGS TO ENJOY

ultimate summer organizing playlist

There is something magical about the way music can ease a difficulty, bring enjoyment to a challenge and just make you feel good! We've compiled a little "summer organizing jams" playlist to share with you. It's a hodge-podge mix of some good tunes. Take a listen! 

What are some of your favorite genres, artists or playlists to listen to while working on a home project?

Happy listening! 

ease the pain of organizing

No matter how overwhelming or dreadful the organizing project ahead of you might be, there are ways to make it less painful. We've put our ideas and actual experiences together and this is what we came up with. 

Background Music

There is something magical about your favorite playlist pumping that will empower you to do even more than you thought you could. Instrumental music is great for the jobs that take extra brain power, like reading and sorting through files. Jobs that require a little more heavy lifting and rearranging lend themselves well to your favorite sing in the shower songs. As your muscles are firing up and working hard, a power ballad or sing along helps ease the pain - you can just belt it out, as long as your neighbors like your voice. Music really can be the extra fuel to get your organizing project handled. We've experienced it first hand & it's really fun (even if you don't know all the words). Try some of our favorites: Productive Morning playlist, Amos Lee radio, Bishop Briggs playlist. 

Fresh Air

Image from fresh farmhouse blog. 

Whenever possible, open the windows (weather and allergy permitting). There is something soothing about fresh outside air flowing through your space. If you can't open the windows, pulling up blinds and opening curtains does wonders as well. This spring, try it out - while organizing or doing household chores, bust open a window and soak in that vitamin D and breezy air.  Especially in a room that feels dark, dated or overwhelming... a little air can be so life-giving. Hearing the birds chip, leaves rustling or bikers passing by remind you that you are not alone stuck in the space you are working on. 

Enlist a Teammate 

Invite a friend over. Twice the muscle and (wo)man power to get the job done! You and a friend probably both have an organizing project in your home you just don't want to tackle alone, so partner with each other! You need the kind of friend who understands what is important to you but who also isn't afraid to lay down the hammer and help you PURGE. The kind of friend who will notice if you are starting to hold onto excess and useless things, and gently remind you that you are only going to feel lighter if you let go. A friend can also laugh with you at the hilarious and embarrassing memories or items discovered. It does wonders to a friendship, to vulnerably share your mess and work through it together! 

Intermission

Set a timer for 1 hour on your phone when you begin your project. This will be a good pause time to get up, leave the room/project and grab a snack or water. Don't get too stuck in all of the stuff! 5-10 minute break times can be very helpful. Just make sure you commit returning to the project until it's done. 

Treat Yourself! 

Cheers! Image from @Anthropologie. 

Incentivizing a task is a great way to keep you empowered throughout the drag of the job. Instead of rewarding yourself with more "stuff" or material possessions - think of a treat you'd enjoy that is an experience. Here's a few ideas to celebrate a job well done: pedicure,, wine night with friends, fancy date night out, renting that movie you've wanted to see, or planning a family vacation. Invite kids to participate in this too - if they commit and tackle an organizing job in their room, reward them with a sleepover or trip to the trampoline park! 

We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas on how to keep organizing fun. Happy organizing, friends! 

join us: customized ideas for your space

-- You are invited to our first Help You Dwell workshop of 2017 --

Intro to the Art of Organizing:
Customized Ideas for your Space

Saturday, February 11
10am to 12pm @ The Hive

We've designed a hands-on workshop with you in mind. This event is a great way to get practical and realistic advice and direction for the hard-to love area in your home. We will be discussing organizational ideas and design direction all geared towards you and your spaces. 

Attendee's leave with a refreshed vision for their space, tools to make it happen and a beautiful HYD Canvas Tote. 

Light refreshments will be provided! 

We can't wait to meet you and share our thoughts and ideas for your home. Space is limited.

tools and tips.

Do you have ideas and big ambitions about how to stay on top of your to-do list, calendar and schedule? If you're like us, we find our brain space full of swirling tasks and goals. We wanted to share some helpful downloads, printables, tips and tools we're loving recently. 

Get those things out of your mind... onto paper... into action! 

1. The Inspired Room - Resources

We love these sheets for so many reasons. You can use them as you're thinking through your design taste, creating new habits and writing out goals. And the font and colors are pretty too! 

     
2. My Love for Words - Printable Labels

Looking for a set of labels that are ready to print today? These are perfect for a pantry, closet, garage or shelves. Tape them on today & feel accomplished. 

     

3. House Full of Sunshine - Vision Board Printables

Does your office, home office or kitchen calendar need some inspiration? These are beautiful, encouraging and inspiring. Print them today and your workspace will be instantly brighter. 

4. Kennary - Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

We are quickly approaching Fall... How functional is this pre-made maintenance list for the coming season?! Print it off and make a plan with your roommates or family before summer slips away. 

We hope these tools and tips are fun for you to look into today. Feel free to share with a friend who might love these resources! 

How to Organize Your Car

Let's be real...most of us do not have a car that looks immaculate all the time. While I wish mine did, on a very practical level.. I just really will never be vacuuming my car weekly or have a file folder with color coordinated tabs for each car service I ever receive. I've read blogs with crazy long check lists and others with some really helpful tips but here we want to give you the basics.

I'm learning with you so in the spirit of transparency, here are some pictures of my car in it's typical state.

I recently moved from a two door to a four door car and I'm LOVING it! However, I've found that it's easy to just keep piling things in because I have more room now.

I've come up with a plan to keep my car more organized and I'm excited to share a few tips with you.

1. The center console is your friend! Having never had a center console before, I'm super pumped about making good use of it. The lower compartment is ideal for chargers, wet ones, and umbrellas. The upper compartment is the perfect place to keep a few pens, spare change and business cards. Living in a downtown neighborhood, I park on meters frequently and the change slots are super handy so I don't have to fish through my purse to find quarters. Am I the only person that actually uses this feature? Maybe, but I love it!

2. Door pockets and seat pockets: I try to keep these empty other than an umbrella. I never think to check seat pockets so anything that goes in will probably never come out.

3. The trunk is tricky-- it's out of sight which is good, but can also turn into a dark pit. My goal is to only keep car trouble necessities (ex. jumper cables, tire pump) a yoga mat, and a picnic blanket in it. A crate or basket works well to contain those items so they aren't rolling around when you drive. One other idea I had was to keep another box in the trunk to collect items I don't need that are thrift store bound. If I can get the items into my car, I'm way more likely to drop them off in passing instead of letting them sit in the corner of my kitchen for months.

4. Rule of Thumb: I've been trying to create the habit of taking everything in to the house at the end of the day rather than telling myself I'll do it later. So far it's been working fairly well. My trending exception is when it's raining. I don't have a garage so it's not practical to lug things through the rain rather than taking them inside the next day.

Practical things to keep in the car:

• Umbrella

• Bobby pins and hair ties

• hand sanitizer

• chap stick

• wet ones

• miniture accordian file for coupons

• reusable shopping bags

Check out The Container Store if you are looking for containers specifically for cars and travel. Their foldable boxes look pretty handy!