Refrigerator Cleanout

I have always thought that the refrigerator is one of those spaces that people do not think about keeping clean and organized.  Maybe it is because it is in constant change or it might just be that it is one of those spaces that just get overlooked in a house full of bigger spaces.  Whatever the reason, the fridge is actually an important space to keep clean and in order.
Look at our fridge before picture.  There is no rhyme or reason to what is going on in here.  Things are pushed in the back and large things are stacked on smaller items completely covering the smaller items up. 
Here is the door storage.  Over crowded and things just put wherever there is room. 

Now, I do try and clean out my refrigerator from time to time but I have not tried to keep it clean and organized on a regular basis.  After seeing how bad it looked this time around, I have made a goal to try and keep this space looking better.  Here is what I did to clean and organize.
First, I took everything out of the fridge.  I would recommend for cleaning and organizing this space that you do not have any interruptions.  We are dealing with cold stuff here.  The quicker you get it back inside the better. 
Second, I wiped off each shelf with warm water.  I had a few months ago, used soapy warm water to clean the shelves.  I had removed each shelf and just washed them off in the sink, then placed them back inside.  I did not feel the need to go through all that again, so just warm water and done.
Next, I started placing things where I thought each item would work best and have easy access to it for everyone in our family.
I got rid of everything that was out of date and recycled what I could.  That is it!!!  Now that was not hard at all.  It took about 30 minutes and did not cost me a dime in organization. 
How awesome it this space?  Well, really awesome I have to say!!!
The door storage has much less clutter.  I placed condiments, salad dressings, sauces together.  Then, creamers and cream of different kinds, stick butter, jelly and syrup. 
Now when organizing your refrigerator, you will have to work with the items that are in your space.  Everyone’s fridges are of course going to be different as well.  So, work with what you have.  If you want to incorporate bins, then do it!  Maybe some of those cool mats that I have seen around would spruce it up too.  The point is to clean it, organize it and make a goal to keep it that way for the whole family to enjoy. 
Also, it is a good way to teach others in the family that by keeping this space looking great, things will be easier to find and that they can help in keeping the refrigerator looking nice too.  Helping each other is always a good lesson when it comes to having an organized home.

Bookshelf #2 Re-organization

 

 

                                   

Can you spot the changes that I did?  I know, it wasn’t much but to me, it made a difference.  Here is what I did to re-organize this bookshelf.

First, I took everything down and dusted the shelves with a wet paper towel.  I just use water to dust most of the time.

Second, I put everything back on the bottom three shelves just as it had been before.

The next shelf has books laying flat and staked in two groups of three with some art in between the stacks.  There is a small green tulip vase on one stack too.

The next shelf has another stack of three books with a pottery piece on it.  Some pictures sit next to this stack.

The top shelf has books lined up across.  The books at the end lying flat, have more books staked behind them.  I just pushed everything forward to make it would look symmetrical.

And there you have it.  A very simple re-organization without spending a lot of time or money. 

Hello Again and Bookshelf Re-Organization

Hello Again!!  It has been so long since I have been on this wonderful space!  I went back to work in January and made it till last week.  Geesh!  Between both my kids being sick constantly and paying tuition, I didn’t see the point in working.  So, I am very happy to be back home full time.  I will get back out there one day, but for now I am very content on being here for my family and home full time!


   Now for some organizing!!!  This is one of three bookshelves that is in our living room.  I had a post about it awhile back:Bookcase.
Well, you know what sometimes happens with life; it gets busy and we do not always keep up with the things we should.  This can be a common thing especially when it comes to keeping our homes organized. 
This space is very important for our home, so I knew that I needed to redo it so it would work better for our home and family than it has been.
This space needs to be used for mail, card making and scrapbooking supplies, office supplies, receipts, pictures and camera stuff.  That is a lot for one bookshelf.  Let’s see how I did it.

First, I cleaned everything off the shelves.  I then began to try and picture where I wanted everything to go.  Kind of like brainstorming how I wanted the bookshelf to look.

Here is the bottom shelf with notebooks and envelopes, photo albums and boxes of photos, picture cd’s and video tapes(that one day I will convert to digital).
The next two shelves are paper, box of card making and scrapbook supplies, box of stickers and a box of small paper and stamps.
The very narrow shelf has pictures that need to be organized and camera stuff in a clear container.  The next shelf up has a box for receipts, container for keys, pen and pencil holder and one more box for office supplies.  My label maker is resting on top of the last box.  Label makers are awesome and I highly recommend owning one!
The last two shelves house a file tray for ingoing and outgoing mail, a jar for change and the top has a collection of rocks and seashells that we have collected over the years.
Here is a look of the entire shelf redone and looking much better. 
I was really pleased that I got all my card making and scrapbook supplies on this shelf.  I had been keeping them in the garage and in a pie safe.  Now that I can see everything, I know I will be much more keen to working on my hobby.  Having your supplies out, visible and organized will help in doing the things you enjoy. 
In this project, I used things that I already had from home and did not have to purchase anything except label maker tape for $7.00.  Remember, organizing does not have to be expensive.  Working with what you have on hand and a little imagination can work wonders!
Over the next few weeks I will be re-organizing more bookshelves and talking about living a minimalist life.  Have a great day and take some Time to Organize.


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