As a Certified Professional Organizer®️ invited into hundreds of homes over the past several years, we’ve seen it all. We LOVE to transform your stressed and cluttered home into a peaceful and productive space. However, there are a few things most home dwellers can attend to on their own. Yes, even without the help of a pro organizer. You’d be surprised how a few little tweaks can brighten your day and make life Smartly Organized.
January, traditionally GET ORGANIZED month is the perfect time to share our favorite “Frustrations & Fixes.”
Missing Container Lids
When we come into your home, we spend time matching tops and bottoms and invariably end up with random pieces. We find lids for previously discarded pots and pans, lids for various size storage containers, loose tops for water bottles, and so many extra, unmatched lids for plastic storage tubs. These large plastic storage tubs are like gold for a pro organizer, but I’m constantly surprised at the mystery that the lids go missing – even when we scour the house and collect them all – we still end up with topless bins.
We know first-hand how frustrating it is when you go to grab a water bottle and can’t find the right straw/lid/bottle combo. Or, you’re putting away leftovers and have to struggle with overflowing cabinets of mismatched storage containers. Most people are afraid to let go of these loose, mismatched pieces thinking the mate will show up some day. We give you permission to let them go so that you (or we!) can organize them properly with lids and matching bottoms.
What the Smartly Organized Crew Says:
Stick to one brand and shape so tops and bottoms are interchangeable, nest-able (is that a word?) for storage, and stackable when being used. This applies for all sizes of containers (food storage up to large storage tubs used in your attic). If the top of bottom break or go missing you can still use the other piece with the remaining collection.
Buying Smart or Overbuying?
If you’re like many pro organizer clients, you make bulk purchases or set up subscription services “just in case.” This “be prepared” mindset makes sense – it’s economical and wise (consider the run on toilet paper during the early days of the pandemic), but this approach can create new challenges. Bulk purchases can lead to bulk waste if items expire or sit unused. Or they don’t get used fast enough before the next shipment arrives, and you end up storing large quantities.
You may also fall victim to tearing open another box when you can’t find what you need right away. And then you’re left with multiple tubes of partially-used toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc. These opened products then create clutter in your space.
What the Smartly Organized Crew Says:
For subscription services, go into the website and change delivery frequencies to avoid a pile-up. Our solution for all the bulk items is to create a stock area in your home and get into the habit of shopping your house first before buying new. Where to set up your storeroom? Consider repurposing a room or underused space in the house that you can quickly access. This also prevents those pesky partially-used products in your drawers and cabinets.
Two simple fixes to your common daily frustrations that you can do without the help of a pro organizer!