This is a great tool because it’s so versatile and can always be repurposed if you decide to change it up— not to mention it rolls!
Spice It Up
The “right” way to set up a kitchen is to make it functional for YOU and how you use it. When tackling the spices the two key factors are access & visibility so that you can get what you need when you need it. One of the best things we can recommend is investing in uniform containers. This isn’t always required, but will be a huge help if you want to take your spice storage to the next level.
How to Organize Your Bathroom
Tips for Storing Seasonal Clothing
These 5 Things : November 2018
Image by Laurey W. Glenn
There are so many blogs and columns out there that it can be overwhelming and hard to find the good stuff. We’ve gathered a few of our latest favorites to share with you below. What blogs do you read regularly? We’d love to know your go-to’s!
Is your storage unit the best investment?
We get it. Sometimes life comes at you in ways you never imagined and you find yourself needing to make a quick move either to a smaller place or for a short period of time. Storage units can be the best route if you don't have a family member or friend to let you store your extra stuff while your in transition. BUT......
this blog is for all of you that don't fit into that category. : )
Today, storage units can range anywhere from $40/mo up to $400/mo depending on how big and how nice a unit is. At first, this can be easily added into the budget for some folks. Others, it's a bit of a stretch. Oftentimes, it all makes sense to store that piece (you really don't like) from your grandma or the dining room table and 6 chairs that you used at your first house but don't need now or the really nice bed frame you hope to use someday but haven't yet because it never seems to match the style of your current home. But then you do the math. Say you've had the unit 4 years now. And say you're just paying the average price of a unit in Knoxville, TN which is about $90/mo. That is $4320. Yes, Four-Thousand Three-Hundred and Twenty dollars. Woah.
Like we said earlier, you may have very good reason to need that extra space for a transition period. We get it. But, if the "transition period" has lasted so long that you don't really remember what's in the unit, it might be time to reconsider that extra monthly expense.
HYD would love to help. As you've heard us say before, taking someone along when you're ready to find new homes for items you no longer need is definitely the way to go. If you've got a friend ready and willing, grab 'em and go for it! If not, HYD would be honored to be that helping hand as you decide the best way to find the right spot for all those items in your storage unit. Who knows? Some of it might be just what you need in your current space but you'd just forgotten you had it! We can help with that too!
Don't let another month go by spending money that could be much better spent on family, friends, travel, and life that you can enjoy! Make a valuable investment of a bit of your time and a small investment in HYD services and enjoy the freedom from the monthly storage expense as well as the peace of mind that comes with letting go of items you don't need and others do.
Organizing Kids Rooms
Playrooms and kids' rooms are often some of the hardest spaces to organize. Finding a good balance of knowing when the toys are taking over but also keeping a wide range of options to foster creativity and fun is a challenge. Organizing for kids is a hard task. While respecting what an individual child enjoys playing with, there are ways to purge without ending up with lots of tears over toys that are missed.
1. Talk with your kids about what happens to toys that they let go of. Help them see the story that they play a part in when they donate toys to children that may not have toys to play with like they do. If you have a child that gets excited to participate in the process of purging, let them be a part of the process. Ask them which toys they would like to share with a less fortunate child.
2. If your child isn't as willing to let go of things, take a few weeks to intentionally notice what toys they spend the most time playing with and which toys are neglected, or maybe they have grown out of. For children less willing to purge when the toys are taking over, try boxing up all of the toys that you believe they are done with. Keep the box in a hidden location for two weeks and if they haven't noticed or don't seem to mind that the toy is gone, give it away. Concentrate on helping your children value relationships more than things.
3. Specific toys to keep: Try to keep toys that help foster creativity, furthering education, and thinking skills. Art and Craft supplies, dress up clothes, building blocks, games, etc.
4. If your kids share a room, help them make their own space feel special. Sometimes kids need their own space and sometimes they need to learn how to share space well. Whether your kids share a room or have their own, making an effort to hang their favorite poster, frame their best art creation(s), create a reading nook, or frame a photo of your child with their best friend can make them feel proud of their own space and, hopefully, lead to taking more responsibility of keeping it in order.
Photo: James Henry / bauersyndication.com.au
5. Kids clothes.
It's amazing how quickly kids grow out of their clothing. This is an ongoing process. Each season, go through each closet and toss or donate items that are worn out or no longer fit. If you have younger kids that will grow into things in the future, just keep the well maintained items & box up clothing by size and sex and store somewhere other than their closet if you have the storage space available. When it comes to kids closets, make sure items are stored in a way that makes it easy for them to become more independent. Can they reach the things they need to? Is it obvious where things go?
6. Kid storage.
Coming up with a way to organize toys and games that is conducive to kids can be complicated. Bins can be a great help as a solution. This unit has the ability to do both store in bins and on shelves which can be helpful with multiple shapes of toys. Getting items off the floor and onto shelves or in bins is a must.
7. Kids books. The best advice here is have lots to choose from on shelves that your kids can easily reach. Color coordinating can be a fun project for kids and is much more practical in re-shelving than alphabetically.
8. Art supplies. Which supplies do you want them to be able to access without you present? Which supplies do you only want used with adult supervision? This changes with age so reorganizing is necessary over time. Going through and tossing broken, dried up etc. Storing in a way that allows kids to participate in clean up process. I've had great success over the years with a small chest of 4 drawers. It has grown with the kids starting with a drawer for play-doh, one for wooden puzzles, one with all kinds of paper to now holding all sorts of markers, paints, clay & older kids art items.
As always, HYD is here to help if you're needing a little boost to get these projects started. Just drop us a line at info@helpyoudwell.com or call us at 865.245.9080.
Thoughts on Labels
Image from LiaGriffith.com
We've experimented with a number of different labeling techniques when organizing for folks and have found that it really boils down to personal preference and category of items.
Obviously, pretty labels make a space look nice but we've found that different kinds of spaces, for different ages of people work best.
For pantrys, home offices, and general areas that are either out in the open or used mostly by adults, we love finding nice looking labels that help create uniformity and cohesiveness rather than adding distraction and chaos to your belongings.
Image from A Cultivated Nest
For labeling files or purely functional items (think office supply rooms for commercial properties or basic garages) label makers are the way to go. Everything is uniform in type and size and the labels are very readable. We recommend "Brother" brand label makers for this type of thing.
Image from pinterest- original source unknown
We've found that for young kids, it's often helpful to label toy bins, craft storage, or kid closets with pictures along with words. We like having both because it encourages word association, reading, and spelling while it makes it easy for pre-reading age kids to take charge of the clean up & put away process.
Here are a few websites where you can find free printable labels to use in your own home.
What kind of labels do you use in your home?
Home Organization Projects | Before & After
Recent Home Organization Projects by Help You Dwell
January has been full of fun for HYD. We've had the privilege of organizing two home office areas, several closets, a couple of kitchen pantries, creating a playroom, overhauling a sunroom, and we're in the middle of helping organize, pack, and remove items from a mother-in-law's former condominium.
Every job has had it's own challenges and each homeowner had their own ideas and plans for the space we worked in. This is the part of our job that calls us to be good listeners and creative problem-solvers. We want to invite you to join us through our journey with some of January's clients thus far & let you see some of the photos and the reviews & quotes we received along the way. Because maybe you'll see yourself or a loved one who could truly benefit from a helping hand like the one HYD can give.
HOME OFFICE
Our first stop is a home office redo of a working mom of three school age kids. She's got a great space to work with, a tight budget, and an eagerness to get a system. Our goal was to not only create the space, but put in place routines that will help keep it ordered and functional while not breaking the bank on all kinds of new gadgets, storage containers, etc.
Before - Home Office
In the before, you'll see lots of extras lying around that aren't related to the office. With a little clean-up, purging, and rearranging (plus finding a fantastic donated shelving unit) we were able put together a much more functional area for the whole family to utilize.
Home Office - After
The only purchased items to finish off the space were the woven file box on the bottom shelf of the shelf unit and the wire tray on the desk for active bills, school papers, and to do items. All the other baskets, frames/photos, etc the homeowner already had. We look forward to checking back in with her to see how things are going.
“I actually sat in here and worked this week!”
“Money well spent!! So great to have these ladies help organize my space and take control of my domain again!!”
SUNROOM
First of all, what a wonderful space to work in! This client was overjoyed to get to cash in her gift certificate she won in our December giveaway by asking for our help in creating a sunroom for reading, thinking, snuggling, and just enjoying. We were more than happy to help. Having just moved into her new home with her husband and two littles, she was very open to suggestions and ideas of how to make the space work best. She had lots of family furniture pieces to work with along with a wonderful selection of plants given to her by her late grandmother.
Sunroom - Before
Again, such a fabulous room to work with but it can also be a challenge when you have so much room to want to fill it up with furniture, plants, and accessories just because you have the space. If we're going a peaceful getaway type room, cozy and comfortable are part of the goal but order and simplicity must be included as well. The plants also bring great color and life to the room but too many can cause the room to feel messy. We took great care to find the right plants for the right spaces throughout the house so that each one can be enjoyed and properly cared for.
Sunroom - After
Once we walked through the house and basement to see what furniture pieces we had to work with and where some of the extra plants could be enjoyed in the house, we then started the great rearrange! Creating a breakfast nook for quiet mornings, a desk near the windows for thoughtful contemplation, a couch and seating area for great conversation, and added a much needed bookshelf (located on the left wall) to house all the books for snuggling up and reading.
“HYD was SUCH a gift to my house! They created space where there was only plants and stuff mashed together. They created atmosphere by giving important items a perfect place to fit in the sunroom. HYD also gave me “permission” (you know how you cling to things that should be let go of?) to get rid of. Now I can’t help but to walk into the room and just look around in awe, loving my new space, and enjoying sharing it with whoever drops by. Thank you SO very much HYD! I will be recommending you many times over (and asking you to come again for sure!)”
PANTRY
The last leg of our journey today takes us to a home of a family with two little ones and twins on the way! Lots to prepare for here. As mom and dad plan ahead, they know systems will be one of their greatest allies in surviving four little ones. HYD took on the kitchen pantries. With limited cabinet space, these homeowners need to make their two pantries work well. Our job was to make sure everything had a home, it was easy to access, and the littles had kid-friendly items down low so they could get their own snacks, etc. Below are the before shots of each pantry.
Once we got a good look at all the items in each pantry, we realized that we needed to consolidate, purge, and regroup many of the items. We designated the pantry on the right as the snack and non-cooking pantry. It's full of the grab-n-go items like snack bars, juice boxes, dried fruit, crackers, nut spreads, etc. Easy for the babysitter to find what he or she needs to feed hungry preschoolers.
The pantry on the left is now the designated appliance and cooking pantry filled with appliances, canned goods, pasta, root vegetables, cookbooks, and other small appliance-type accessories like batteries and light bulbs now contained in clear storage bins for easy access.
Adding the storage containers to the grab-n-go pantry was key. It's much easier to access the items, see what you have, and if labeling is your thing, the blue area on the front of each container is a dry erase area for easy labeling.
This is just a glimpse of what we've been up to this month. We hope you've gotten inspired to find that space in your home to tackle and bring new life to. Creating order where there was once none can be such a springboard for freedom in other areas of your life as well. Don't wait, make room in your schedule today to purge, reorder, and create the space you've always longed for. If you need help, we'd be glad to give it, whether it's a little or a lot.
These 5 Things : November 2015
Image by Sarah Musgrave
1. Check out this excellent guide to styling your shelves. If you don't follow Emily Henderson's blog, it's a good one!
2. 6 Ways to Speed Clean to a Clean Enough House. A few time- saving storage pieces and ideas for getting the whole family involved in cleaning habits.
3. This list of 15 Holiday Hosting Shortcuts is chock full of good ideas to keep stress low and let the good times roll.
4. Instead of decorating for the seasons, try layering to build warmth in your home.
5. It can be a major challenge to incorporate a TV into your decor. Check out this blog entry for a few ideas.
October Organizing Look Book
We spent some time hunting down a few of our favorite Fall/Winter organizing tools to help you enjoy this season. Whether you're taking on the garage or just need some order at the front door, this list has what you need to get started.
Order at the Door
Fall weather means tracking in more of the outdoors. Drop your shoes or boots onto one of these snazzy trays to cut back on the cleaning.
Cooler weather means more layers. Need a quick place to stash extra jackets this season? Add a seasonal coat rack near your entrance for easy access & quicker tidying up. So many looks out there, we had to give you a few choices for the tall & pint-sized folk as well.
Getting the Garage in Gear
The pleasant temperatures make it a great time to tidy up the garage, garden shed, or attic space. Here a some storage ideas that can make those spaces work for you. We love these overhead storage shelves that give you more floor space plus the option of hanging bicycles is fantastic.
This next storage option is genius. Yard tools can often be a bugger to store well. Unused filing cabinets can be a pain to get rid of. Solve both problems by losing the filing cabinet drawers, lying it on it's side, add a splash of cute paint, & viola! you've got yourself some sturdy storage! Click the link below to find out details on this very doable DIY project.
Organize your flower pots, smaller garden tools, & watering can onto a potting bench. Just a little investment can go a long way to bring order to your gardening space. The link will take you to lots of styles available on Ebay.com.
As always, we LOVE to hear from you! Have any tips or ideas to share? Let us know in the comment box.
Need some help organizing your extra spaces? Call us at 865.245.9080 & we'd love to help!
Organize with Style - Our Recent Finds
This week we're sharing some of our finds in the organizing world
to help clear up a little clutter while looking fabulous too.
Hope they inspire you as much as they did us!
These baskets by West Elm have endless uses while brightening up any space. Use them for towels, a hamper, toys, or as an entryway catchall.
We love this 8-pocket bag that can be used for any small items like cosmetics, cell phone, keys, or any small personal items you need a home for.
Find a home for all the little notes scattered around with this magnet board from Bliss Home.
The cutest metal picnic basket for a delightful outdoor summer meal! Such a delightful way to pack up your picnic.
Drop your spare change, your keys or any other little treasures into the Heritage Catchall.
Using reclaimed barn wood, After The Leaves Fall, creates beautiful storage for your earrings, bracelets, & necklaces with this lovely jewelry organizer.
Our Favorite Containers
Clients often ask where we like to purchase or suggest that they purchase organizing pieces. There are a variety of places we frequent but we wanted to highlight a few of our favorite containers and where you can get them. We also love scouring thrift shops and vintique stores for unique baskets, bins, and boxes. For the sake of giving you immediate options, here are a few things that you can easily purchase in store or online.
In terms of food storage we are loving these wire baskets from The Container Store for a farmers market feel. We love well organized, open faced pantries.
For counter top storage we tend to gravitate more towards baskets and bowls. We noticed this awesome fruit bowl at Target from the Nate Berkus Collection.
If you prefer to keep your counters clear, this hanging basket is a great fruit/veggie storage solution for your kitchen.
For storing fire wood, blankets, DVD's or other home good's we love this collection from West Elm.
For blankets we also love these Jute Baskets from World Market. They come in a few different colors.
We love the idea of using a caddy to contain your cleaning supplies so that you can easily move your supplies from room to room as you clean. This caddy from World Market is our current favorite.
Where do you typically purchase storage pieces?
