Hi there! Hope you guys had a great week. How can I get anything done when my sister texts me pictures of my niece like this one?? Gosh, I know I’m her aunt but seriously….. SO FREAKING CUTE!
Today’s post is about organizing that junk drawer. You know you have one! In my case, it’s a junk cabinet! This cabinet sits right above my desk in the kitchen and over the past couple of years in our home, it’s become a place that holds a bunch of every day items thrown in with miscellaneous things like an old, car dvd player, blood pressure monitor (I don’t know why we have one), etc. I really like having things organized but trust me, there are a lot of disorganized parts around here too. I’m only human!
Okay, I’m going to show you this cabinet of mine but I’m feeling a bit vulnerable all of a sudden. #dontjudge
It’s basically a hodge podge of kids’ school supplies, craft items, tapes, lots of wires, light bulbs, envelopes and other miscellaneous items. As you can see, it’s kind of all thrown in together and it’s been a challenge finding things. Gee, I wonder why? Also, we tend to forget what’s all in there. Last weekend, I had to go out and buy a glass bowl for some fish the kids brought home from a birthday party. #partyfavors I thought we had a little aquarium but Jimmy told me he had thrown it out. Well after cleaning this cabinet out, guess what I found? Yup, that little aquarium. lol When things are a little more organized, you will save money instead of buying the same thing twice which will also prevent you from obtaining more stuff.
First things first, take everything out. See that aquarium up there? #lessonlearned Start by grouping similar items together. This way, each box can hold those items in one place and not get jumbled up with a bunch of other small things.
This is a good time to clean the inside of the cabinets if you need. Also, you can throw out stuff you don’t need or use anymore.
I went and grabbed all the shoe boxes I had been storing for this project. Most likely, you already have these items sitting in your house somewhere. You’ll need scissors, tape, wrapping paper and shoe boxes.
I recycled most of the tops but you could close them to stack boxes on top of each other to maximize space. I took out my wrapping paper and decided on this thick black and white one. I got this one from Homegoods last year. They carry awesome quality wrapping paper for only $2.99.
I used a measuring tape for the first one but then eye balled the rest. You will need to cut two slits on two sides of the box so that the wrapping paper can wrap in the inside. Just tape and that’s it!
Wrap the two other ends like a gift. I feel silly showing you a tutorial for this but I just wanted to show you how easy it was.
The insides aren’t perfect but it’s ok! I used some simple labels I had to label a few of them.
Here, I grouped all the random chargers, wires and other electronic cords.
Another box holds packing and painters tape.
When storing batteries, make sure the ends don’t touch because you can lose the charge as well as start a fire! I put this little basket into a box with other items. After you place all these items in their respective boxes, place them back in your cabinet. Everything will be streamlined and so clean.
Everything is grouped together and labeled so it will be easy for Jimmy to locate any items as well. I’m excited about not having things fall out of the cabinets. No more wasting time looking for that extra scotch tape or specific battery! I maximized so much space that there’s a lot left over. For me, the point will be to keep it minimal and not place more items to fill up the space. Just because you have the cabinet space doesn’t mean you need more stuff. #lesshousemorehome
You could go out and buy fancy containers or baskets but why not use some of the stuff that’s already in your house? Just slap some pretty wrapping paper and call it a day!
Keep pretty boxes like this one to use to organize things like crafts, nail polish, etc
A few years ago, I used pretty scrap book paper and glued them on these shoe boxes with modge podge. I have them in my baking cabinet and they store all kinds of baking essentials and they look pretty! Functional and aesthetically pleasing is a winning combination in my book.
Yay!! This makes me really happy. Seeing that Pochacco tin box makes me chuckle. I got that as a birthday gift in high school and I still use it to hold all my sharpie markers. Hope this post was helpful. Sooner or later, I need to tackle the medicine cabinet right next to this one. #neverending
One of the best parts is this helps to clear off my desk area for the time being but unfortunately that never lasts too long.
Have a great weekend, friends!
<><yuni
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:44
Just what I need to see to help make it happen
Yay! Good luck!! 🙂