Organizing Your Home with Labels

Labeling is so important when it comes to keeping your home organized. My main goal when working with my clients is to set them up for success after our session. I want them to be able to maintain the space with ease. If you take a look at my Instagram page, you will see some beautiful and organized spaces, as well as everything clearly labeled! Yes, trust me on this one guys, they work!

Why are they needed, you ask? Labels are so important in organizing because they create a defined space and a “home” for your belongings. If you have a label on a container or on a shelf where something belongs, you are more likely to put it back in that same spot when you are finished with it. Labeling also makes it faster to find what you are looking for and creates less stress for not only you, but everyone in the home. Not only can labels go on containers, but they can be placed on shelves too.

Here are some examples of labels that you can implement in your home:

• Pantry: breakfast items, snacks, dinner prep, pasta, breads, drinks, cans, baking items.

• Playroom: bins containing different categories of toys, containers for art supplies.

• Dresser drawers and closet shelves: pajamas, undergarments, long sleeve, short sleeve, different types of pants, workout clothes.

• Linen closet: different sizes of sheet sets and towels, blankets, table linens.

• Storage spaces: light bulbs, batteries, fuse boxes, holiday bins, keepsake bins, clothes for kids to grow into.

• Office: file folders, chargers/cords, office supplies, desk drawers.

Can labels be changed? Yes, of course! Our routines, lifestyles and preferences will change and therefore categories and zones in our home will change. Many types of labels are easy enough to remove and change up as often as you need to (chalkboard and dry erase). Just try and keep them all looking consistent and uniform when in the same space - same colors and sizes.

If you are looking to start organizing your home, here are some of my favorite types of labels and pictures of how I have used them in organizing client's homes (some links are affiliate links):

1. Label Makers: Here are my favorite two types of label makers. Brother P-Touch PTH110 and the Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT. Label tape comes in all different sizes and colors. Have fun with it!

2.) Tags: Tags add such a pretty touch to a basket! You can find them at many retail and craft stores.  Also, try your local dollar store! The tags I used in this picture are Dollar Tree Chalk Board Tags

3.) Chalkboard Tape and Chalk Pen: This tape is simple and easy to use. You can cut it to whatever size you need and easily wipe it off when changing up the label. Scotch Chalkboard Tape Grab one of these chalk pens to use with it!

4.) Clip on label holders: These are great for baskets! Aren't they so pretty?

5.) Vinyl Cutting Machine: This is a more expensive labeling tool option if you are looking to create more than just labels. If you are a DIYer, this is for you! I have the Cricut Joy.

I hope these labeling tips have given you some inspiration on ways to use them in your own home! Make sure to share your organization projects with me by tagging @claritythroughorganization on your social! I would love to see them!

Happy labeling :)

Jackie

A checklist at night helps the next morning start out right!

Catchy title right? Trust me when I say...this is TRUE! Have you ever started your morning out and realize you are rushing around wishing you had a clone? Well, I have a tip for you. You can eliminate some of your morning "to do's" by getting them done the night before! Whether it is laying out your clothes or prepping the kid's lunchboxes, there are many benefits of maintaining an evening routine:

1. You will have less to do in the morning. You then have an opportunity to get more sleep, more time for selfcare (ex: exercise, meditation), valuable time with your kids, and also a little bit of extra time to enjoy a hot cup of coffee!

2. It helps you maintain a clean and tidy home. By cleaning up and putting things away before bed each night, your home won't pile up with clutter!

3. It prepares you for a good night's sleep since you will have less tasks to remember to do!

4. It decreases stress, typical when having a rushed morning, and creatives a more positive outlook for the day.

Check out the free printable attached! Print it out each week, attach it to your fridge and check off each task at night. Then go enjoy a more peaceful morning!

CTO Evening Checklist 2021

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Download PDF • 69KB

5 Tips on Decluttering Paper

We all have it, paper piles! Sometimes it seems like they appear out of nowhere.  Paper clutter may include mail, work paperwork, your child’s homework, receipts, to name a few. It is perfectly okay to keep some papers but having a system as well as knowing what to purge is key in managing your “piles.” Here are 5 tips on decluttering paper:

1. Address mail right away. Decide if you need to either act on it (RSVP to that event, right away), keep it filed for future (need to pay that tuition bill next month?), or toss it/shred it (ever get a circular and know you never go to that store – toss it!). A desk file organizer like the one below is helpful in organizing papers that have to be addressed. Try and review this weekly.

Desk File Organizer

2. Implement a filing system for filing away “Keep” papers. A simple filing box or filing cabinet (examples below) is a great tool to have in organizing paperwork that you need to keep but does not need to be acted on. A fireproof safe is also a great choice for important paperwork such as birth/death/marriage certificates, social security cards and passports.

Stackable File Tote Box

Filing Cabinet

3. Go paperless. Here are some simple ways to help (and remember it’s eco-friendly too!)

a Get monthly statements sent to by email.

b. Use your phone calendar!

c. Save important documents on your computer (save to a PDF instead of printing)

d. Invest in a scanner or use your phone to scan important papers to your computer files.

e. You can find most things online these days such as product manuals, coupons and grocery store flyers.

4. Unsubscribe from those unwanted magazines. No longer read that magazine you subscribed to back in 2010? Go to the brand’s website and there should be an option to manage your account and cancel the subscription. Any questions, just contact customer service. If you want to keep it, find out if there is a digital edition available!

5. Create a memory box. This is a great option for saving your child’s special artwork and important papers. See the below picture of one I made for my daughter. Super easy! Also, photo books for each school year is another option to store pictures of that year’s artwork.

5. Helpful apps. There are tons of apps that help you manage your paperwork load! (Ex: CamScanner, Dropbox or just use your phone camera!)

Need some help with paper management? Looking to get some systems in place for your kid’s upcoming “at home” school year? Contact me for a free consultation. Would love to get you on track for a successful year!