January is national Get Organized (GO) Month, and members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (including me) have been celebrating all month long across the country by providing tips, tricks, advice, and information on all things ORGANIZATION!
Since I know that many of you will be hard at work this month attempting to bring order to the chaos that lurks in your closets, pantries, cupboards, file cabinets, and drawers, I thought it would be a good time to talk about products that you may find helpful as you tackle these areas.
Today, I’m sharing a list of “Top 10” picks from my arsenal of most frequently used organizing tools and products.
1. Adjustable Shelving
Adjustable shelving systems aren’t just for closets! Use them in the laundry room, your home office, kid’s rooms and craft rooms. These systems enable you to maximize vertical space and create a fully customizable storage solution that can change over time as your needs change. In this illustration, we made full use of this office nook by installing adjustable shelving to house office supplies.
2. Hooks
I use hooks anywhere and everywhere throughout the home. Use them in the mudroom to hang coats and keys, or in bedrooms to hang belts and scarves, or jewelry. I especially love to use Command Hooks on the inside of doors (including cabinet doors) to add storage space when needed.
3. Glide-Out Shelving
If I could install these in every bathroom and kitchen cabinet across America, I would. Glide out shelving makes every inch of your lower cabinets and deep pantry shelves accessible. Check out my client’s pantry here; can you imagine what is what like for her to access items in the back of the pantry before we installed these? They are a terrific investment and I recommend these regularly when organizing kitchens and bathrooms.
4. Over the Door Shoe Organizers
Use these for everything EXCEPT shoe storage! They are great for storing lots of small items. Use for craft supplies, toiletries, hair accessories, etc. I recommend the clear organizers so that your small items are easily visible.
5. Drawer Dividers
Drawer dividers are a must for organizing small things within a larger space. I routinely use them in dresser, kitchen, and desk drawers.
6. Desk Top File Box
The desk top file box is one of the secrets to banishing those paper piles in your home. I instruct my clients to place it in a central location in their home and use it to corral their “active” papers.
7. Stackable Bins
Bins are the quintessential organizing product! I use these in all shapes and sizes and for countless purposes. Stackable bins are even more awesome because they enable you to maximize vertical space (do you sense a theme here?)
8. Door Rack Systems
Adjustable door rack systems magically increase your storage space by utilizing that oft-forgotten area on the back of your doors. Not only have I installed these in client’s homes on the backs of doors, I’ve also used them on wall space in the basement stairway and in garages. My favorite is the Container Store’s Elfa Door and Rack System.
9. Slim Profile Hangers
Short on closet space? These non-slip felt hangers keep clothes in place with an ultra-slim profile that uses less space than conventional hangers. I love the ones that come with hooks that enable you to cascade hangers for even greater clothing storage capacity.
10. Magazine Files
Another great tool for banishing those pesky paper files! Use these to store magazines, catalogs, periodicals, manuals, etc. Face the spine outward in order to eliminate visual clutter.
BONUS PICK!
No list of essential organizing products would be complete without the Organizer’s Best Friend…the Label Maker! Labels make returning items to their homes (an essential step in maintaining an organized space) a no brainer.
So there you have it! Can you think of a way to incorporate these organizing power houses into your next home organizing project? Leave a comment and tell us all about it!
Interested in learning more about Natalie Gallagher or Refined Rooms LLC? Visit www.RefinedRoomsLLC.com