Organization & Storage

A label maker is an inexpensive way to easily label containers, drawers, clothes, cabinets, etc., with the same label, so your eyes catch it more easily.  It is also not permanent, so you can adjust if you need to reorganize.  There are also ways to order premade labels that can be personalized to match your decor or personal style. I have premade labels for the kids' school and daycare stuff, so it is easier to sort and find. 

Storage containers can be expensive. They can also be hard to find a second time if you fall in love with a style or color. I try to use the same style and size so that larger containers stack safely on each other for shed or garage storage. Containers I use in the house are different; I always know what I intend to use something for before I buy it, and I make sure to shop my stash of currently unused containers so that I do not buy something I already have. 

Organizing things in your home, garage, shed, etc., can be hard if you do not already have a system in place.  I sometimes need to reset a room and relabel containers as kids grow, hobbies change, etc. It can take some time, but putting everything in one pile and then sorting it into categories so that you know what type and sizes of containers to use is a great starting point. I usually do this any time I pack and unpack due to moving, rearranging furniture, or changing the living arrangements in our home. 

We have moved many times through college, changing jobs, things like that... I label everything as I pack it and make sure it says what room it belongs in and what is in the box. I have a cheat sheet as we move in as well; as I unpack, I make a list of where things will be stored. It has been harder in our current home as it is a mobile home and has NO storage.  I have things stored under beds, the tops of closets, and extra bathroom and kitchen cabinets. My cheat sheet helps me remember where everything is.