This week I’m showing your some organizing projects around my house. I finally tackled some of the most used spaces in our home.
First project?
[insert dramatic music here with announcers voice]
The laundry room and downstairs c-l-o-s-e-t.
I had a friend help out.
We started by emptying all of the laundry room drawers, cabinets and cluttered closet. Then laid it all out on the floor. I had no idea how much junk I had crammed into such a small closet. We went through every single thing and made a quick decision to keep or toss. Here is my friend investigating the world’s longest JCrack receipt she found in a bag…
She began to yell at me for how much was purchased on the receipt. I ignored her and took pics instead. Then I snatched it
quickly, but upon inspection, I realized the receipt was NOT mine, but belonged to a different friend who visited and borrowed my bag this summer. I cannot reveal the person – must protect her identity. But I’m sure she’s laughing while reading this.
We took out five trash bags of junk. That felt so good.
After discarding what I didn’t need for day to day use, we then categorized everything and put into piles. To save money, we emptied existing plastic boxes that I had purchased years ago from Target. Then we put the organized piles in the plastic boxes and printed the categories on these adorable little labels I bought from right here.
It’s a double edged sword having a pal help you de-clutter. On the one hand, they are helping you stay focused and motivated, on the other hand, they see all of your bad habits. I was busted me on my “stationary obsession.”
But the labels were looking good. And I was getting more organized.
Instead of placing these boxes back in the laundry room closet, I decided it would make much more sense to put them in the family room next to the main area where the kids do homework and I write notes. That way I’m not always walking to the back of the house through piles of dirty laundry to get our supplies.
And here is how it ended up looking. Our new homework and craft station!
I’d like to point out that today’s project cost only $5 since I worked with existing inventory. I could have easily gone out and spent $$$ on new containers, but it was fun working with what I had and just jazzing it up with sassy labels. Now I know where all of our frequently used items are – and my husband doesn’t get confused when he has to search for something. Plus he knows where to put it back! Score. Still working on the offspring.
And when this chest is all closed up, it looks like a regular piece of furniture.
Next I’ll show you how I made an economical craft station for kids and what we ended up putting in our laundry room closet…
I‘m Seleta, a city girl living the beach life with my husband, fabulous four offspring, happy horses and frisky fur babies. A former TV personality turned Designer, I love to share the sparkly side of life. Read more 
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Please, please share where I can buy a mirror like yours? I would love to have this in my home and have looked forever for the right one! Please?
Hi Heather! My mirror is from here:
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Wall-Decor/Mirrors/All-Mirrors/Bellesol-Mirror/p/11925?path=1%2C2%2C1468%2C1541%2C2513iProductID=11925
xoxo
Seleta
First of all, that dresser is fabulous!! Did you paint it yourself?
Second of all, those labels you found are too cute! Now I just might have to buy some :)
Natalie,
I bought the antique chest at Scotts in Atlanta a few years ago. It stores so much! I love the color too – the layers of paint and imperfections make me happy.
Seleta
Seleta great job!! My daughter was over tonight helping with organization and her friend did touch up painting!! I love the chest and mirror, I have another one I love from Ballard have had for years!!
Karena
Art by Karena
that looks fantastic!! such good ideas and super cute labels. no comment on the receipt ;-)
Oh seleta, beautiful vignette!! I also adore your roman shade, in fact I stared at it so long I didn’t even notice the pile on the floor!! Did you make it, im looking to do roman shade in dining room, but there’s 6 windows, not so cost effective!
Oh that turquoise chest makes me drool! I see you already answered my question about where you got it. Love it! Good luck with the organizing. It looks like you are off to a great start!
Love the post, Seleta. I did this to my study. Took every-single-thing out. Purged, trashed, etc. SO cathartic. Now, you’ve got me wanting to hit more spaces. LOVE the labels AND your chest! YUM…
Seleta & Her Readers: I’d love your tips on what on God’s green earth do you do with ALL the mail????? Ours is out of control…
I love your curtains! I love the turquoise chest! I love the mirror, I love the lamp, I love the canisters on the chest! Wonderful! And, of course, I love the organization! Hooray for knowing that you are free of all the clutter!
Great post! love what you did on top of the chest:) yes, that receipt was ridiculous…you’re so lucky it wasn’t yours!!! hahahahaha.
Nice work! It looks great!
Seleta! It’s fabulous. I love it! Doesn’t it feel good to tackle that big of a project?
I also have been eyeing that mirror for a few months now, and you just convinced me to buy it!
Now, just exactly how long will this lovely organized spot stay sane?
It sure looks nice, I bet you feel really good about it too!!!
Love it!
pve
Talk about an impressive before and after! I’m seriously motivated to get organized now—can’t thank you enough! XO Katie
Thanks, everyone! It was a fun project.
Maria – I have a workroom in Georgia that makes all of my window treatments. To save on funds and cover your six windows, you can actually have faux romans made that dont go up or down. Just pick a great fabric for a nice punch.
Seleta
SO inspiring; thanks for sharing!
I live in Atlanta and would love to know who your “workroom” is in Georgia.
Thanks!!
It looks fantastic! Where oh where did you get those white pail/buckets? I’ve been looking for something like that forever.
Liz,
I blogged about the metal containers over here. They were steals from TJ Maxx!
http://simplyseleta.typepad.com/simply_seleta/2008/06/shopping-disorder.html
Seleta
What fun! I love the finished result. It will be so nice for your family to have all that stuff right there, and putting stuff away will be a breeze too, since everything is labeled so spiffily. Nice work!
Just so you know, I cleaned out our pantry last night. But the garage is looming…
jbhat
Great job! But you did think the receipt was yours!!??
Great job! At least having a friend help makes “work” more fun. That receipt was too funny! Lucky shopper.
I’m backing you up. I’m behind you. So far, I’ve organized the spice/herb cabinet and started on the “all-purpose” room. Cleaned out one drawer in there and started on the files. Photos on blog as soon as I can uncover the camera. I am totally impressed with that JCrack receipt. I’m tempted to copy the photo and hand it to my husband every time he scratches his head at my purchases!!!!! You go girl.
You are so brave…I’m not sure I could handle exposing myself and my junk to anyone (even though your junk look organized in piles :) Thanks so much for this push – very inspiring!!!!
Oh yes, one more thing – I’m a bit envious of whom ever that JCrack receipt belongs to – they obviously scored!
Seleta – FABULOUS!
I recognize those labels … I practically *live* at Paper Source…aren’t they fabulous!? And I’m with you – total stationery addiction. I am set with every colored paper … EVER.
LOVE how you transformed your space! And to do it with a friend! Fabulous. xoxo
Love it! to be honest, i’ve always wondered what stylish people put in those fab dressers/storage furniture of theirs. and holy moly receipt!!!
Gave you a shout out over on my blog today -just had to share your organizing goodness! Happy Tuesday!
I was about to ask about your chest too! I love it! The labels are really cute too, makes me want to organize some stuff!
Everything looks great. You are definitely motivating me to get organized over here. I used to be and now I don’t know what happened. I’m not even a mom yet! :)
I really enjoyed this post — love that you used what you had (except for the nominal cost of the labels). This gives me motivation!
Love that chest! Hope you will give us your suggestions for make up soon. Was loving those posts. Skin care “stuff” is my guilty pleasure and love when I get good suggestions from others :)
Great job! As an organizer you hit every highlight tha I would focus on. My favorites are do it with a bff and don’t go an spend any money. So many of my client’s already have everything they need, but they just don’t know it. Here is a fun closet I did with a great shoe collection.http://melissa-ididit.blogspot.com/2009/11/motivational-monday-display-your-shoes.html
I love inexpensive organizing projects! This one must have felt so good. And I love those labels!
Seriously? A ban on additional purchase of monogrammed stationery? AHHHHH! I’m not sure I could comply with that!! :-) Your organizing project looks great. I love labels for exactly that reason, although I, too, am still working on the offspring! I’ve got a playroom organization post in the works where I took Polaroids to put on each bin (with the word written underneath). That has improved compliance, but we’ve still got a loooooong way to go!
Yeah..Total bliss and happiness…Love love everything..Your Ginger Jars are tres Fabulous. Great job Gals…Happy Project!
Thanks, Jenny! And great tip on your blog, Melissa!
Seleta
Traci,
Right there with ya, sista. Great idea on polaroid pics for kids!!!
Seleta
so inspiring! might get me off my fanny this evening.
you know i covet that cabinet. oh yes i VANT it!! ;) ;) (have since i first saw it!!)
go girl- so lucky to have your bff help you!!
xoxo,
L
What a neat organized cupboard that is. Now you can come over and work on mine – kay???
Oh,my…I feel some inspiration coming on! I just might dump out all of the kids’ art supplies and get busy.
Or not.
Goodness…this whipping it into shape thing is hard!
LOVE the mirror and the multitudes of Seleta is makes ;)
ox
Lara
Great motivation for some spring cleaning around my house. Now, to satisfy nothing but overwhelming curiosity….what was the total on your friend’s receipt???? That was impressive.
Really great post Seleta, just what I needed to get going on my Clean House project! Also, love the ivory drapes… can you share where you got them? Do they get dirty at the bottom… we have a dog too and was just curious how they are holding up with kiddos and puppies running around. Thanks!
Hi Montye,
The cream panels are a silk/linen blend by Duralee and I had them made two years ago. They have not gotten dirty, although Pippi took a liking to one corner one time when she was little. I would advise banding the bottom of panels with a 10 – 12 inch band in chocolate or other darker neutral contrasting fabric if you are concerned about staining.
Seleta
Hi Seleta,
Love organization when it’s hidden as well as stylish! Did you use the template for the labels from Paper Source? If so, how did you set up for only one line?
I am so so jealous of your shorts! I can’t wait for it to get a little warmer.
Those labels are divine!
those labels are divine!
I love that you used existing containers. I always want to go buy new/cute ones but I am going to follow suit and organize utilizing what I have too:)
You are so beautiful.
I love the green chect. Where is it from??
Oh my goodness I love the whole finished look.
Great Job Seleta and you are inspiring me to do a job I have had slated in the back of my mind for a few weeks. I am re-doing the kiddos play room and I need to purge the toys and reorganize the playroom closet. I think I will attempt to start that today. I need someone to hold my hand or maybe push me in the direction of the play room. I would love your opinion about the bedding I have chosen I have it posted on my blog. I will use the girl bedding when we have a visiting girl and boy bedding when I have the boys visiting, You can see it here
http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/enter-my-brain-if-you-dare.html
and here
http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-color-of-paint.html
will you come to my house next??
Can you and your bff come to my house? Every time I get it looking nice and organize, someone sets off a newspaper or laundry or playing-outside-in-the-dirt bomb. Not to mention the piles that return as soon as they disappear! LOL. Those labels are truly adorable.
Wow Seleta…so proud of you girlfriend :D I just love that cupboard…I have a red antique one that is over 30 years old and I have re-purposed it over and over again…everytime we move that is…lol Have a great weekend, fondly, Roberta
JEALOUS of the organization!!!
I love the way your organize the things, inspiring !! makes me want to organize my things soon.
Do you and Jen take road trips? ‘Cause I know some closets in B-ham that NEED you!
ummm dying over the receipt! hilarious. It looks amazing! Love how it’s all tucked away. And do you not LOVE those labels? I keep going back for more. Have them in yellow…
This little nook is beautiful! Where did you get the canisters?