Organize + Energize: 9 Things to Remember When Purchasing Organizing Supplies
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert
I know you get excited and want to run to the store and look at all the fun containers, but next time you need to purchase organizing supplies, stop and read this article. It will save you time, money, and will help with the feeling of overwhelm.
Here are 9 tips you can follow:
Get organized first. You have to tackle this before you can purchase anything. Empty the area you’re organizing. Itemize and categorize. Once you can see what you have in front of you, you can decide which container will best suit your needs.
Figure out if you even need containers. You may have a stack of organizing containers stored in the basement or floating around the home from previous projects. Check your inventory before you head to the store.
Recycle and re-purpose containers. You don’t have to spend tons of money on containers. You may have old shoe boxes, business card holder boxes, plastic recycled food containers, or you can be creative and make your own.
Purchase the right size. There are so many different types of organizing containers out there today. There is a container for everything. Think about what you have and how you can best utilize it.
Get the most out of your space, maximize! Containers will allow you to maximize your space and give you room to store other items.
Measure the space. As you know, not all containers are created equal. Be sure that your container is going to fit the space. Measure the height, width, and length of the space.
Plan ahead and search online. Do your research. Search for the best deals and prices. See what stores have in stock so you aren't running all over the state searching for the container that you need.
Don’t forget to make a list. Bring your measurements and list of containers that you need to the store. Don’t forget to bring coupons if you have them.
Once you have the containers, label them if you must. Your family will get in the habit of putting things back if they are labeled. Organize your items into the container as if you were putting a puzzle together. Do not just throw the items into the container. Make the most of the space in the container.
Most people will purchase the incorrect product for the space and use it anyway. The system becomes broken because the space isn’t functional and then people don’t want to take the time to re-work the system. Save yourself the stress and take the time to refer to this list before you head out to the store.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. She has also given over 70 presentations throughout the state. Watch Kristin LIVE every Thursday at 3pm here on GoLocal LIVE with Molly O’Brien.
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Flip flop organizer
How many flip flops do you own? Are they thrown all over the closet floor? How long does it take you to find a match to one of them? Bed Bath and Beyond has a $9.99 flip flop organizer that holds 6 pairs of flip flops and hangs nicely in your closet. This is a must-have if you have more than 5 pairs of flip flops. I’ve purchased these for my clients and they work great!
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Scarf organizer
You love your scarves, but it takes you forever to locate one and you have to throw 5 around to find the one you are searching for. Use a scarf organizer and you will be able to see all your scarves and find them at a moment’s notice. Bed Bath and Beyond has a few different types of scarf organizers, including this one for $9.99.
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Belt organizer
How are you storing your belts? Are they in a tangled mess? Purchase a belt organizer for a cheap solution—they can be as inexpensive as $6.99 from the Container Store.
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Tie organizer
Keep your ties organized and hanging on a tie rack, or keep then rolled in a drawer organizer. Whichever way you choose to organize them, treat them with care. To take care of both your belts and your ties in one fell swoop, check out this organizer from the Container Store.
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Drawer organizer
This is a must for your underwear, socks, bras, nylons, etc. Drawer organizers will help to maximize space in your closet. You won’t believe the amount of space you will have once you contain these items in drawer organizers!
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Jewelry organizer
Are you always trying to detangle your necklaces? Think about how you grab your jewelry and then purchase an organizing system according to how you function. Before you purchase your container, take inventory of what you own and purchase accordingly.
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Shoe rack
Did you know people who didn’t own shoe racks were 7 times more likely to show up late for an event? Are your shoes in piles on the floor? Get them off the floor and contain them in a shoe rack. There are many options out there, like this one from Bed Bath and Beyond. Choose the shoe rack that is going to fit what you need to hold and fit in the space you are working with.
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Hangers
Are you hanging your clothes on the wire hangers from the dry cleaner? Those hangers will ruin your clothes. Get rid of them and store your clothes on the hanger of your choice, but be consistent and stick with one type of hanger.
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Handbags
How are you storing your handbags? Are they stored all over your closet? Are they in bins or crumpled up on the floor? It’s time to organize your bags. There are many options depending on the space you are working with. You can stand them up on a shelf, you can hang them, or if they are small, you can store them in a canvas bin. The choice is yours. Think about how you function and develop a system from there.
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Baseball cap organizer
How many baseball caps do you own? How are they organized in your closet now, and how long does it take you to find one? The Container Store (pictured here), Bed Bath and Beyond, and other stores sell this baseball cap organizer. I have a few clients that have purchased them and they love them!
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Function over flash
There are many variations on these products. Choose the product that is right for you. There are some organizing products I would never use, but other people might choose to use them. Choose the one that is going to be the most efficient and productive product for you and your family. Don’t choose a product because it’s pretty, choose it based on functionality. Search online for different products before you rush out and purchase a product. You may find that one store is more expensive than another. Don’t forget if you are going to Bed Bath and Beyond to use their 20% off coupons. If you don’t want to purchase these items, get creative and re-purpose items around the home, or make your own!
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Kristin MacRae
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on Mondays at 8:30am on www.talkstreamradio.com.
I know you get excited and want to run to the store and look at all the fun containers, but next time you need to purchase organizing supplies, stop and read this article. It will save you time, money, and will help with the feeling of overwhelm. 
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. She has also given over 70 presentations throughout the state. Watch Kristin LIVE every Thursday at 3pm here on GoLocal LIVE with Molly O’Brien.
