Today’s post goes along with last week’s teaching with regards to how to find the time to organize. In that post I explained how I get most of my organizing done in little pockets of time throughout my day. The more I paid attention to the small organized spaces I completed in quick 10 to 15 minute time slots, the more I realized how incredibly effective this strategy is. Organizing one little space at a time really adds up. Today I’m going to share another example of a small space I organized this week. I gave my husband’s coffee cabinet a quick makeover and it felt great to create a more functional space. It did wonders for my mood too.
Small Organized Spaces
The space I’m talking about is the cabinet above my stove. It’s the space my husband uses for his coffee supplies although I also keep some oils, oil spray, vinegar, stuff like that there too. For the past few weeks every time I opened the cabinet, a bag of coffee would fall out on me which as you know makes this girl crazy! Basically that’s how I decide what to organize next in my house whenever I can find the time.
Since only my husband drinks coffee in this house, this space is essentially his. Therefore, I had to be respectful and not throw anything of his away. I wouldn’t like if someone did that to me without asking and so I won’t do that to him. Thankfully he doesn’t mind if I organize the space as long as I keep all the things. Just a little challenge for me that I was willing to accept for my peace of mind.
Here’s the before.
As you can see there was all sorts of random coffee bags piled up as well as k-cups and other coffee odds and sods.
And 15 minutes later, the after.
It may not seem like much to get excited about on it’s own but let me tell you, these small organized spaces matter. Over time a lot of small organized spaces make for one very organized home. Yes!
I didn’t toss a single thing of my husbands although I did relocate the Keurig carafe because it gets used so infrequently. There was space for it in another cabinet that isn’t in prime real estate. The only things I did toss were some expired oils. As you can see the oils and vinegar are corralled on a lazy susan type twirly thing which you can find HERE on Amazon (affiliate link).
To create more space I added a wire shelf. These things are seriously the best, I use them quite often. Here’s one on Amazon (affiliate link) but you can often get them at the dollar stores too. This allowed me to add a basket on top to contain all the opened bags of ground coffee. This left the space underneath the wire shelf available for new bags/k-cups.
The basket on the very top shelf holds all the random coffee things that the hubs deems important in his coffee loving world. I don’t get it but I’ll contain it for him. I’m nice like that 🙂
I found the two white baskets from my stash. And yes I do have a stash of “containers in waiting”. Not because I go out and buy them in advance for “just in case” but rather they are ones no longer being used. I’m constantly rotating bins and baskets out. That’s where the whole “junkie” part of my organizing title comes in haha.
Those other two tubs on the top shelf, totally empty. I don’t think containers with lids work so well for my hubby but he wants them to stay. Although I might convince him yet to part with them but I’ve got to work the suggestion in slowly. It’s the subtle organization dance I have to do with someone who couldn’t care less about how magnificent organization really is. Do you get me?
I love how happy even organizing such a small space makes me! I promise, as you start to do more and more of these small space organizing projects, you’ll see how they start to add up over time. Take some before and after pictures for yourself just as a reminder of how far you’ve come. It will also be great motivation to help you continue. 15 minutes a day spent on organizing can be life changing if you keep at it. Just one day at a time, one space at a time.
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Pat says
I have a small mobile home and have to be organized. The problem I have with organizing is the freezer atop my fridge. The boxes are not of standard size. Some are bags (veggies). I eat frozen dinners (some in boxes – some in round bowls). I do have a small basket in there for things like rolls, etc. You know, bags that are odd. But I also have leftover pizza slices. And at any different time, the needs of the freezer are different depending on what gets used. Any suggestions?
Laura Wittmann says
Baskets are your best bet for sure. Maybe you just need a few more? I like the clear taller ones by Interdesign.
Verena says
Don’t ditch the tupperware containers…….ahhhhhhh lol
Kathy says
I like containers with lids. Cuts down on dust!
Laura Wittmann says
Yes everyone has to do what works for them for sure. 🙂