Happy New Year! Wow! I can’t believe I am actually typing that! I hope that you all had an amazing few weeks of holiday bliss. This was the first time in a long time that I was over-the-moon excited to watch the year turn over. I know that life prior to the new year doesn’t reset or erase, but I do like to use it as an excuse to make some personal changes. I am also thinking of taking a new approach to goal setting and resolution making this year, so I am feeling pretty invigorated about 2016.
As far as our home goes, which is why most of you stop by here, the only changes we have made in the past few weeks is putting up a tree and garland, taking down the tree and garland, and spreading our floor with balloons and confetti (which I am still finding in random places today). It was really good for us to take some time off from home projects during the end of the year, and I always encourage others to do the same. But now it is time to bring on 2016 and let a plethora of new projects begin!
So let’s chat about organizing, another reason why I suspect a few of you are here. What is it about the new year that inspires us to clean out closets and declutter? A fresh new year, a fresh new home? I am in! After I took down our Christmas decor, I also found myself de-cluttering our coat closet and cleaning out our fridge. It was contagious and I was feeling motivated to clean out quick little areas on a whim. I hope that energy stays with me all year!
Today I am sharing my organizing projects from last year, which allows me to celebrate our work, and share a few ideas if you are looking to start out your new year with organization in mind as well.
Stain Removal Kit |
DIY Wall Pockets |
Budget Bill Box |
Last year I revamped our bill filing system and the new box worked hard for us month after month.
Organized Batteries |
It is a little alarming how frequently we reach for batteries, and this organized battery keeper is another kit that we continue to celebrate!
Free Intentional Shopping/Project List Printables |
It is the perfect time of the year to think about your home goals for 2016, and to stay on track with intentional projects and purchases.
Kiddie Oral Care Kit |
DIY Window Box Organizer |
Cabinet Door Food Wrap Storage |
This is one project didn’t stick around in the end, but not because it didn’t work, just because we ended up designating a drawer for our food packaging boxes. It was still good and fun while it lasted!
Coat Closet Makeover |
We may have re-done this closet numerous times, but I am happy to report that after a quick de-cluttering of the floor (which can be a stuff/drop zone at times), today it looks just like it does above. We LOVE how this small closet now functions for our family of five.
Gift Wrap Drawer Liner |
I receive a lot of questions about the materials I use to line drawers, so I spilled my tips for creating lovely liner that will also last over time.
Organized Travel Tips |
I took a few fun trips last year and shared my favorite packing tips and tricks. I find myself pulling up the post every time I have travel plans in my future.
Pick-Up Bins |
I am a believer that the entire family needs to pitch in around the house, but sometimes I need to do my own quick clean sweeps for sanity purposes. These kid-friendly pick-up bins are my way of holding the boys accountable for their belongings at the end of each day.
A Happy & Organized Home Office with HomeGoods |
Working from home is definitely a blessing, but it can also pose challenges at the same time. HomeGoods asked me to use only their products to put together a home office to heart, and I shared all of my tips for making it one that will make you feel organized and productive day after day.
Organized Pantry |
Another huge hurrah for us has been this organized pantry cabinet! It functions so much better than our previous pantry closet, and it receives a lot of use on a daily basis. Pull out drawers, labels, bins and tiered storage, oh my!
Multi-Purpose Band Board |
Painted Shoe Cabinet |
Looking to paint IKEA furniture? It really can take everyday stock-store storage to a whole new level, so I shared my tips for ensuring a durable, long lasting paint finish.
Acrylic Remote Caddy |
Now that we have a caddy for remotes, we always know right where to find them (and where to put them back!).
Organized Everything Drawer |
Our “everything” drawer is used more than any other drawer in our kitchen. It is always necessary to do quick clean-outs, but the organizers really help keep it from getting too unruly. What do you keep in your catch-all drawer?
DIY Sweater Boxes |
Some of my favorite storage is the storage we have made ourselves. For example, everyday cardboard boxes make fabulous snag-free sweater storage in my closet.
DIY Fireplace Built-Ins |
And one of our biggest storage builds to date – our DIY Fireplace Built-ins! We still can’t believe that we actually built those ourselves.
Shoe Care Kit |
Another kit to love! Although I reach for this one less frequently than some of the others, it still appreciate it when I do.
DIY Magnetic Memo Board |
The third time was a charm with this little magnetic memo board that could!
Free Time Management Printables |
Running a house for five and an in-home business can create a pretty crazy schedule, and sometimes we need a little assistance in the time management department. To get us back on track when we fall off of the wagon, I created some printables to help us sort things out.
Organized Car Kits |
Kits in the house, kits in the car! I shared a few ways we stay prepared on the road.
Automotive Cleaning/Organization Tips |
Organized Bathroom Tips |
Master Closet Organization |
Another space that received a lot of de-cluttering, as well as clean-outs of multiple drawers and cabinets, is our master bedroom closet. In this space, I organized drawers with foam core dividers, cleaned out my vanity area and jewelry display and purged over 100 items from my wardrobe. This is another project that I am still benefiting from every day.
Makeup Organization Tips |
DIY Spice Jar Labels |
Under the Kitchen Sink Organization |
Wardrobe Organization Using Stylebook |
DIY Acrylic Office Supplies |
Simple Sock Sorting |
DIY Pretty PVC Containers |
Organized Office Drawer |
Organized School Supply Drawer |
Dorm Room Organization |
DIY Rolling Cart |
Organized Kitchen Corner Cabinet |
Organized Coffee Cabinet |
20 Ways to Organize with Pouches |
DIY Decorative Wood Storage Ladder |
Wow! And those are just our organizing projects! We also gutted our kitchen and living room, installed cabinets, planked our ceiling, installed floors, updated all of our trim and some doors, installed new lighting… and built a few pieces of furniture. No wonder we were so ready for our end of the year break!
A few months ago, exhaustion started to kick in and so did a creativity freeze. I know it may be hard to understand as a reader, but I really and sincerely appreciate all who have continued to hang in there with me as I try to regain my energy, excitement and thrill for creating and sharing new content and projects. I love what I do, always have and always will. But sometimes when you combine private personal and family scenarios with living a public life and trying to create fresh ideas on a daily or weekly basis, it can pull at you from multiple directions. I am a big idea type of girl, but I am teaching myself that slowing down is only going to help me achieve bigger and better things down the road. From the bottom of my heart, your support this year (and always) has meant more to me than words can express.
Thanks again everyone and I hope that your new year is off to one heck of a start! Let’s all raise our glasses to 2016 and vow to make it our best year yet! I would love to hear in the comments below what some of your favorite organizing projects were in 2015. Did you tackle anything that still brings a cheek-to-cheek grin to your face each day?