I’m a big fan of things that serve more than one purpose. In fact, it’s often one of the criteria I use when deciding whether to purchase something or not. You may have also picked up on the fact that I’m a pretty organized person. With that said, I like it when my organizing tools can also serve as pretty décor! Here are a few of my favorite organizing tools that do double duty as pretty home décor!
o Hooks. Anybody seen the Seinfeld episode where the professional organizer tells Jerry that he should get rid of the rod and hangers in his closet and just do hooks everywhere? HILARIOUS! And totally not what I’m suggesting… ;) You can find pretty decorative hooks at places like Hobby Lobby, Target, Lowe’s, etc. They’re great for hanging towels up in your bathroom, hanging your keys, coats, and bags/purses in your entryway or drop zone, and having a place to hang your robe and/or clothes for the next day in your closet.
o Bowls. Bowls are great for corralling small items. For example, your wallet, keys, and pocket change on an entry table. I use bowls in my office for some of the smaller items I use to package Etsy orders (e.g., washi tape, baker’s twine, gift tags). Other great uses for decorative bowls: holding napkins on a dining table, corralling small toys, keeping remotes handy, etc. I’ve purchased ceramic, metal, and wooden bowls at places like Target, West Elm, thrift stores, Home Goods, etc. I’m also a big fan of the woven bowl from Hands Producing Hope that sits on my coffee table (you should definitely check out this company!)
o Baskets. ALL THE BASKETS! There’s a good chance that every room in my home has a basket in it. They’re great for basically anything. Think toys, blankets, craft supplies, cleaning supplies, pet stuff, toilet paper, food, video game accessories, clothes, shoes, notebooks, toiletries, ANYTHING. Baskets in my house have been purchased from Target (noticing a trend?), World Market, thrift stores, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Home Goods, etc.
o Trays. Trays are great for organizing things in drawers, but they are also great for organizing books, office supplies, or other items on tables or desks. {I also use trays as centerpieces on my dining table sometimes.} Trays are great for things that you want to move frequently. For example, on my desk I have a pen cup, post-it notes, and another small notebook stored in a small tray, and I often move it around depending on how much I need to spread out on my desk or if I want to work in a different area. I also use a tray that sits on a shelf on my TV cabinet for all my Bible study materials (pens, Bible, notebook, commentary, etc.).
o Shoeboxes. If you’re crafty, you can cover a regular ‘ole shoebox with contact paper or fabric to make it pretty. I’d personally rather just buy them. ;) Shoeboxes can store things you don’t want to be open for display. I keep my vitamins and medication in a shoebox in our bedroom. I tend to store random things in shoeboxes, like kids art supplies, miscellaneous craft supplies, and special mementos (I have a small box of random little things saved from our wedding). These can be found practically anywhere, but Ikea tends to be the most inexpensive place I’ve found (some of them tend to be less sturdy than others though).
o Buckets. This one is pretty style specific, but I thought I’d mention it anyway. Our home has a bit of an industrial vibe here and there, and buckets play into that well (also great if home has a country/farmhouse style). Buckets can be used for a number of things (TOYS!), but we use them for grilling supplies by the back door, and also things like duct tape, and random tools that we keep in our laundry room. You can find metal buckets at any home improvement or hardware store.
The great thing about most of the items mentioned in this post is that they come in a variety of materials (metal, wood, wicker, canvas, ceramic, etc.) that work for almost any decorating style. What are your favorite organizing tools? Do you use any of the ones I mentioned?
P.S. I’m totally not advocating going out and buying a bunch of “stuff.” I tend to switch things out over time, and find that thrift stores are one of the best places to find these items. As I’m an advocate of simplifying your possessions, I’d definitely recommend significant de-cluttering before organizing anything. Stayed tuned for a post with de-cluttering tips soon!