Organization – Page 2 – Jenna Burger Design LLC – Interior Design & Architectural Consulting

20+ Kitchen Organizing Ideas: Tips that will Change Your Life

Written by Jenna on January 20, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Organization. 8 Comments on 20+ Kitchen Organizing Ideas: Tips that will Change Your Life

This post is more for me than for you… hehe. After reading it from the first word to the last, you will never have to go anywhere else for more kitchen organizational ideas & tips. I HAVE YOU COVERED – I promise!

Interesting enough, this post started off as a round up of organization inspiration for the ENTIRE HOME, but after scouring the web for tips & tricks to organize every nook & cranny for the house, the post was getting way too long because of the incredible amount of smart solutions & ideas out there…

The result of my plethora of finds is going to be a week of inspirational organizational ideas from the kitchen to the bathroom, from the closets to the garage. I have found so many creative ideas that will truly change your life. Most are super inexpensive and can easily be implemented today.

Let’s start with the kitchen…

Here are 20+ ideas for organizing the…

Kitchen / Pantry

Tips & tricks for keeping your kitchen organized… (links to the original source, creation, and/or tutorial are BELOW the picture)

Pantry organization by Design, Dining + Diapers

Wood Tilt-Out Trash Can by Dawn Nicole

Plastic wrap & tin foil holders by Ask Anna

Fridge & Freezer organization by Clean and Scentsible

Ideas for organizing your spices via The Blessed Life

Dollar Store organization by Ashley Ella Design

Pots & Pans organization by Organizing Home Life

Drawer dividers using inexpensive wood scraps by The Organized Mom

DIY Kitchen utensil dividers by Kevin and Amanda

Hanger turned clip by Craftster

Tupperware organization by Eating Rich

Inside the refrigerator organization by Fridge Butler

Under-the-sink cleaning supplies organization by Jen Thousand Words

Olive Oil bottles are the perfect solution to ditch the ugly soap bottles. Idea by The Craft Pitch

Measurement conversion chart on the inside of the kitchen cabinet by Infarrantly Creative

Over-the-door shoe organizer for snacks, coupons, small items by Money Saving Queen

Organization ideas for the inside of the kitchen cabinets by Jenna Burger

Wood Spice Rack by Jenna Burger

A central command center in the hub of the home is one of the most important ways to keep a family on schedule…

Central Command Center in the kitchen by Jenna Burger

Countertop command center by Lovely Crafty Home

Dry erase to-do or menu board by Make and Takes

I so need this… a charging station instead of all those wires and plugs!

DIY Charging station created by Lil’ Luna

I am still on a mission to clean this place up, bag it up – send it out, & get organized in 2015! For me, it’ll never be 100% picture perfect, but this is a home of 5 not a museum. As I’m working on purging + organizing + renewing my home this year, I am also striving to focus on what’s most important to me and living with intention! Admittedly, it’s not easy, but with often reminders (to myself) I am working towards being more mindful and living with purpose.

Here is a recap of the week so far (click on the image to bring you to the original post)

Ridding the stuff that isn’t needed and organizing what we want to keep has really made a difference! Tomorrow’s space of focus… THE BATHROOM.

6 Foolproof Steps to Purge + Organize + Renew your Home

Written by Jenna on January 5, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Organization. 8 Comments on 6 Foolproof Steps to Purge + Organize + Renew your Home

With the 859,934 organizational pins on Pinterest, I’m already feeling a bit behind + overwhelmed and it’s only the 5th of January! Deep breath. Deep breath. Please tell me I’m not alone… BUT I am strongly pushing away those anxious thoughts and instead putting my efforts on living with intention, my focus for the coming year.

Organizing doesn’t come easy to me. I am known to be a ~~hoarder~~ collector & have difficulty parting with things – keep or toss, keep or toss??? But over the past few months things around the little ole’ homestead of mine have gotten a wee bit out of hand (I guess anew baby can do that to ya) and I am ready to rise above & take back this joint!

As we wind down from the Christmas craze, January typically is a quiet + cold + drear month in our neck of the woods. As I start the process of transitioning our home back to the everyday after the holiday mayhem, I always feel the New Year is ideal to clear the mind and begin a fresh start. Now is the time to clean house and create a more organized home!!

This past weekend, actually news years day to be exact (because over the past week I’ve completely lost track of time), I started the clearing out/organizing process. 4 bags have already gone to goodwill… go me! Coming from the person who hates to throw things away, this is big.

Here are the 6 steps that I have found really work [my foolproof tips] to purge + organize + renew your home for a fresh step in the right direction for the New Year…

1. Make a list
I am a list person. I love to write it down, perform the task, and then cross it off. To me, the “cross off” is the best part. I feel so accomplished afterwards! So here is what I do…

Go room to room around the home and make a list of what is working and what isnâ€™t. Look in the closets, peek under the beds, and open the drawers. Create a page for each room and write down a plan of action for what you want to organize and what you need to lose (ie: organize sock drawer, purge papers/magazines, donate unused toys, etc).

A list will keep you focused + stay on track. When a task is complete, cross it off. Once all the tasks on your list are finished, the best part is reflection; looking back at all your hard work + efforts. It will also keep you motivated to do more!

2. Get Moving

Once your plan of action is in place, itâ€™s time to get moving. Don’t analyze (which I’m known to do) Just start.Choose a room to start with and let your list guide you. Most likely, the whole house wonâ€™t be fully organized in a day â€“ itâ€™s simply not possible unless you already live in a spotless pad.

Instead of stressing and overwhelming yourself, set a time limit or a specific goal to work towards. Once itâ€™s reached, be done. Then the next day, do the same. This will help avoid burn-out and will keep you motivated to continue. Organizing and taking control of the stuff in your home can be exhausting, so mentally prepare yourself for the job.

Youâ€™ll be amazed at how much better every room in your home looks once you get rid of the useless items. Like I said 4 bags already packed up & shipped out. Many more to go!

3. Purge. Toss. Donate.

Just keep saying to yourself… purge, toss, donate. purge, toss, donate. purge, toss, donate.

When going room by room, start by sorting through the items you no longer need, use, and/or want. Set up 3 boxes or bags (I typically use large heavy-duty garbage bags) to purge, toss, and/or donate. This will make the process faster + more efficient. Have you ever tried the 3-for-1 rule? For every new item you bring into the home (think about all those Christmas presents – shirts, books, toys, etc.), say goodbye to three things. Keep in mind, if something hasnâ€™t been touched/used in 6-12 months, you probably donâ€™t need it.

If you don’t use it, lose it.

Once you have everything bagged up, ship it on out as soon as you can. That way there can’t be regrets or second guessing!

And toss the miss-matched hangers! Go for all one color… IT’S LIBERATING!

4. Organize

Organizing is different than cleaning. Sometimes the 2 can get confused (according to my Mister). I am a great cleaner (surface cleaning), but when you open a drawer, it often doesn’t look so hot.

Once youâ€™ve removed your unused items, itâ€™s time to organize. I have found baskets, bins, trays, and other storage caddies are a great way to organize items you want to keep. Make a point to have a spot / a place for everything. This is especially key to keep the clutter in check with kids toys, books, games, and art supplies.

My newly revamped bookcase… Baskets + Boxes + Bins are my happy place!

And keep in mind, it doesn’t have to look perfect because the reality is it won’t stay that way for long. As long as everything you keep is needed and placed/arranged in an orderly way, that is ‘perfect’. Take a glimpse at my newly organized closet… To some it may still look a mess, but to me, this is good! Shirts are together. Pants are in one section. Scarves are in a bin. Bags are in place. DONE!

These were snapped with my iphone cam which is why they’re a bit grainy, sorry…

Did I really just share a picture of my closet???

5. Go Vertical

Maximize your storage capabilities by using more wall space. Bookshelves are great for going vertical to get things off the ground, thus creating more floor area. In closets, add shelving as high as possible for extra storage of blankets or non-everyday essentials. Add hooks in the entry for additional coat/bookbag storage. Hang additional shelving in the basement and/or garage for more space to put large bins.

our entry coat rack > click for DIY Tutorial

A side tip for you >>> Choose furniture that can serve double duty to save on space!

6. Commit

The most important, but most difficult part of organizing…

Getting organized is one thing, but staying organized is truly a commitment. Once youâ€™re organized, take the extra 10 minutes each day to tidy up and monthly to go through each room to purge any unused items or papers. Each night once the kids are in bed, I make sure all their toys are back in place, the dishes are done, the counters + tables are cleared off. It’s amazing what 10-15 can do to get the job done rather than piling up day after day!

Expect that there will be minor setbacks throughout the year (not a biggie), but remaining positive+ focused will help keep you motivated to stay organized.

While the snow is piling up outside, put that overabundance of extra energy and efforts into purging and organizing inside. The simpler we live, the saner we are! Rid your lives of the clutter and unused things to achieve a more meaningful, organized home.

What ideas / tips / suggestions can you share that keep your home organized + clutter free?

DIY: Personalized Dry Erase Calendar

Written by Jenna on August 23, 2011. Posted in DIY, Organization. 68 Comments on DIY: Personalized Dry Erase Calendar

Last week I shared some inspirational ideas on creating a Central Command Center, as well as my new CCC spot. One of the features in my newly organized space is the personalized dry-erase calendar that I made. I had previously purchased a dry-erase board from Tar-Jay, but it was just too small to write all the activities and notes to keep my family on track for the month ahead.

We needed something that had space for our daily schedule, as well as a place for notes, like:
bring books to the library by Tuesday or
pick up the dry cleaning after 6 on Friday or
don’t forget to buy MILK!

Hopefully with this new and much larger calendar, tasks and plans won’t fall through the cracks…

Last week right after finishing this CCC wall, we had some friends over for a bbq. While enjoying our cocktails, the husband shouts out while pointing to the calendar, “That’s exactly what we need, where did you buy that?”

My response, “I didn’t buy it, I made it”

His response, “really?” … (he totally wasn’t believing it!)

But I really did make it myself and so can you… for less $15! I started off with a 16″ x 20″” frame from AC Moore. The Portrait frames are always on sale for 40 or 50%, so I scored this for about $13.

At the time of purchase, I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull this calendar together, but I knew I wanted to add some color and pizazz. I found some pretty scrapbook paper (which was also on sale) for $0.40 a sheet. I loved their modern designs and vibrant hues… a perfect compliment to the kitchen and dining space. (I have a lot of paper leftover, which I will definitely be using for another project!)

Then using the Excel program, I was able to make a calendar and print it on 11 x 17 paper. I also made a separate sheet for notes. Using the cells in Excel, it’s really easy to create. Are you an excel user? It’s one of my favorite programs to use ~ weird, I know.

Using my good ole’ imagination, along with my pretty paper and magic scissors, I created my personalized dry erase calendar.

To add a bit of personalization, I included our family name – Burger – to the top, using one of the stylish papers and my printer. No silhouette machine here… ( I would love one though!)

I have to admit, this vibrant red polka-dot paper wasn’t the best choice for writing our name on, but O well, it works. A quieter background would have been better – you learn from your mistakes, right? That’s what is great about this personalized calendar… I can continually change the background and it’ll only cost pennies!

Here it is, complete and ready to be used!

After Post Note: I’ve received ALOT of questions about writing directly on the glass. Just like a dry erase board, a dry erase marker can be used to write on the glass and it’s easy to clean with the felt end tip, a paper towel, or even your finger. DO NOT USE A SHARPIE – that will not erase!

It wasn’t up on the wall for five minutes and was already filled out…

And if you missed my new Central Command Center, here’s a peak and you can read this {post}.

In making this calendar, I was inspired by the personalized calendar that Beth created using one of her favorite go-to resources. Check out her post {here}. Thanks Beth!

How do you stay organized? Do you have a ‘go-to’ spot in your home where everything is layed out for the whole family? Do you have a family calendar? or a Central Command Center? I have to admit, it sure is nice to be organized (at least in one area of my house, ha)!

Skateboard Shelves

Written by Jenna on February 17, 2011. Posted in Decorating, DIY, Organization. 54 Comments on Skateboard Shelves

I’ve been meaning to install shelves in my son’s room for awhile, but wanted to do something unique and different. At four years old, he has SO many interests, but one of his favorites is skateboarding. So when recently putting the finishing touches on his “space”, I thought making shelves out of skateboards would be the perfect addition!

Real skateboard decks can start out around $40+ and there was no way I was purchasing shelves for that amount (I admit, I am frugal)! THANKFULLY, I stumbled upon these mini skateboards at Five Below and just like the name of the store, they were $5. SCORE!

To start out, I bought 4 mini skateboards that are 17″ long (they are shorter than a typical skateboard deck, but they function just the same). They were perfect for the size wall that I wanted to put them on.

To make sure the skateboards were properly hung, I (along with my husband) used “L” brackets to install the skateboards to the wall. We used brackets that can hold up to 65 lbs….though, I really don’t think something that anything weighing 65 lbs will be sitting on these shelves ~ It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now, the shelves are ready to be hung…
Once the “L” brackets are in place on the skateboard, they are ready to be hung on the wall. We positioned the skateboard on the wall (making sure it was level) and made a pencil mark of the holes on the “L” bracket. Then, we put in the anchor ~ If there isn’t a stud (I don’t mean your guy…haha, bad joke, I know) behind the wall, your screw will not hold and your shelf will most likely fall out. MY ADVICE: USE ANCHORS!

Then hang the shelf…

And the shelves are complete…

SKATEBOARD SHELF INSPIRATION.

How neat! Great idea to take off the trucks and wheels, and then hang the board on it’s flat on the wall. Then add the simple shelving.

Great idea to add some style above the windows. It gives the white, neutral room a POP of color!

Try regular wiring shelving as I used in my mom cave, and then put the decks on top…totally RAD! (I had to add some skateboard lingo)

Look at this creative idea…use the skateboard decks as a show rack.

This is the skateboard shelf that is available at Pottery Barn for $70…. I’ll stick with my skateboard shelf for $5!

Do you have shelves in your child’s room? Did you do anything creative

IMAGES COURTESY OF Home Improve Ideas, Family Fun, Jodeska

Having fun ORGANIZING!

Written by Jenna on October 5, 2010. Posted in Organization. 1 Comment on Having fun ORGANIZING!

This is going to sound SO unromantic, but for my wedding anniversary that is coming up soon, I asked for my present to be shelving…(YES, I said shelving), meaning organization for my closets. How horrible, right?!? We moved into our home less than a year ago, and the shelving in most of the closets of our builder-style home, is just one wire shelf set about 5′ above the floor. That certainly doesn’t provide much shelving to store or hang anything!! So away we went to Home Depot to buy shelving. Of course, I would have LOVED to have had a closet company come install beautiful wood shelves, but we’re on a budget and I’m fine with basic! Here are some pictures of our closet transformation:

Organization Tips

Martha Stewart for Home Depot

Purge

Take everything out of your closet/space; figure out what you don’t use and throw it away. If you haven’t touched it in 6 months+, you probably don’t need it!

Go as high as you can go!

There is no reason to stop your shelving at 5′ or 6′ to where you can reach while standing on the floor. Install a shelf even higher. Just get a step stool and put items on the top most shelf that you don’t need to access on a regular basis, like large platters, holiday dishes, linens, etc. This will give you so much more room to store!

Baskets or Bins

While at Home Depot in the shelving section, I saw this great display of colorful bins by Martha Stewart. The bins also come in colors that coordinate with the Martha Stewart Paint Colors (how cool!). I got 4 bins (one for each of us) in a different color/pattern. This is a fun way to incorporate color and your unique flair!

Install the shelving how YOU are going to use it

Before installing the shelving, have a general layout and think about how YOU and your family will use it. If you use a ‘typical’ configuration, it might not fit what YOU need, resulting in waste of space!

Have fun with it

Before installing the shelving, paint or wallpaper the back wall of the closet. Even though, it’s not something you will see all the time, it’s a fun way to do something funky and fun. Choose a color that you maybe wouldn’t do throughout the rest of your house since it’s too bright or bold. Another idea, is to wallpaper the back wall to add some interest every time you open the door. One more suggestion, add a picture or painting on the back wall…another surprise every time you look inside.

Along with Home Depot, The Container Store has some great organizational solutions and closet systems. If you have an opportunity to visit one of their stores, you’ll be amazed how many shelves, bins, baskets, organizers that they have to offer…..it’s incredible and a little overwhelming too. BUT, take it one step at a time and the job will get done! (I used to live down the street from one when living in an apartment, so I was always looking for more storage solutions)

If you’ve got money to spend, definitely invest in having a closet company assist you with designing your space. California Closets has experienced Closet Consultants that will help you put everything in it’s place! They obviously specialize in closets, but they can also help with storage for your office, garage, pantry, etc.

Images courtesy of Martha Stewart for Home Depot, The Container Store, California Closets