Monday, January 5, 2009

An Organized Life

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Are you ready for the New Year? The calendar says 2009 and that means it’s time once again for a new page and a new start. A fresh calendar on my bulletin board to add notes and schedules to. IMG_3725

And a bulletin board in my office nook that was way too messy with cards, notes, and reminders, is now cleared off for a New Year’s beginning. I have a feeling this will happen again about a year from now. :)

So, let’s get inspired to organize, once again:

Kitchen shelves

(All Photos: BHG online)

Wouldn’t it be nice for the new year to have everything in your home completely organized, everything in it’s place, and no clutter? I’d love that myself, even though it’s not completely true at my house either. I have my own organizational challenges that I talked about last year and constantly struggle to maintain an orderly existence. Most of the time, I do manage to keep the house orderly, but there are those areas that are a magnet for clutter. Namely, my office space, kitchen counters, and my vanity. Those are the areas where the mail and papers are dumped and that’s what I often have the most problem with. Paper clutter is my nemesis! And I’m famous for throwing things in a drawer to deal with later. So, in an effort to declutter my own home, I thought I’d share some beautiful organizational photos and hopefully you might get some great ideas to use in your own home as well. I think we all struggle with keeping things organized. column storage

I love this built-in little shelf. What a great look for display and storage. crafts

Crafter’s delight. Everything at your fingertips.

bookshelf

Do you have an open bookshelf that you don’t want the whole world to see? They used small tension rods with fabric here to hide the clutter. hidden office

Home office clutter hides behind closet doors. Out of sight, out of mind. ss_100513430

A clever and unique twist to an ordinary bookshelf. linen service

This is a great idea for hanging linens. A pull-out drawer fitted with dowel rods.

message center

Behind a small cabinet door, a marker board comes in handy for writing the grocery list or a note.

under sink storage

Under the sink pull out caddies hold all those supplies. I have one of these pullout wire caddies for my kitchen garbage can and love it.

surround storage

Wouldn’t you love to have this much book space? A whole wall of nothing but bookshelves. That would be heavenly.

Now, let’s go get organized. One small step at a time!

Don't forget our Best Projects of 2008 party on Wednesday. Come get linked up!

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47 friends stopped by:

Anonymous said...

We're working on regorganization.
Beginning with the condo.

When we return home, we'll do more with the house. J is proud of his efforts in Christmas storage! I have to say, arthritis has kept me from exploring his new organizing. I'll have to take a look when we return home,this weekend. I'm looking forward to "fixin' things up", at home, just as soon as my right arm works properly again!:-)

Carolina Mama said...

Happy New Year Rhonda! Thanks for the great inspiration this year. Thinking of a reasonable project for Wednesday. :)

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Did you have to do this to us? I just want to gaze at these pics all day long...and dream. :)

Free Art Printables said...

I have a lot of paper clutter too I need to get organized! I am ready for the party! :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rhoda, I feel guilty looking at this because I have so many unfinished projects from last year and SOOOOO much clutter. LOL! I'm going to take a lesson from Katie Scarlet, and "worry about that tomorrow!" ;-) Today, I'm going to smell the roses. I need that after the Christmas craze. :-)

XO,

Sheila... who does have resolutions :-)

Joanna said...

I try to be pretty organized...On the outside I am...Pull open a drawer and HA...You would think I was a horder...I just throw receipts, papers and such in drawers. I go through them once every few months, declutter them and say I won't do that anymore..Maybe now I will try a little harder...I love that bookcase with the coverings...This is ingenious!

Hillcrest Acres said...

I had to stop by and comment after seeing your fabulous bulletin board. Love, love, love it. The fabric is amazing!!!

Happy New Year!!

akawest said...

I try to live by the rule of one thing in, one thing out. The less we own, the easier it is to keep it organized.
I enjoyed the pretty photos that you have posted.

KM Studios said...

oh , Im with you on the organizing thing!- right now I have an art studio being constructed and suplies are all over the place.
My time to get organized might be in 3 months..I hope!

Coffee with Cathy said...

Love your blog! So glad to have found it -- and it's fun to read the thoughts of someone just down the road from me! Looking forward to becoming a regular reader in 2009.

Sandi McBride said...

All that organization makes me tired! You've done such a great job of it, what say you come on over and do mine? I'll cook for you!
hugs
Sandi

The blog of MBW said...

I admit that I'm not a very organized person. Sometimes, when I'm not able to find things, it is easier for me to go out and buy it.(please don't judge me) LOL

I need my own professional organizer.

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love the last photo the most...that bookshelf is so pretty! I would be so happy to have that space somewhere in my house....thanks for the inspiration!
Carrie

Mary said...

I would love to be organized, but I think perhaps I'm constitutionally incapable of it. Today I came home from the thrift store with a pair of vases, a small plate and a spoon -- none of which I needed. Where will I store them? I have NO idea. ;)

Oh, and I do have bookshelves like those you have shown, but there is some funny business going on -- I think my books are breeding like rabbits because there is never enough room!

xoxo,
Mary

Valarie Lea said...

I love that marker board cabinet thing!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, LOVE all of this! That dowel rod drawer would be AWESOME for all of my fabric in the sewing room! That way I could see what I have. Now if I just had drawers in the sewing room. lol anyway I was JUST posting about this same ISSUE awhile ago on my blog! Trying to de-clutter. I've been sick with some kind of sinus crud and it just piles up while I'm down.
I fight this problem all the time with clutter! Sure wish I could get someone to come into my home at least once a week to de-clutter it because you get so tired of the constant battle of it. I sure do like all these ideas though! I have a space on each side of my doorway going into the living room from our dining area that I would love to do one of the closed in shelves with the glass on each side. Mine has the spindles and I have NEVER LIKED IT! :( The man that built our house just did it on his own without asking and I did not like it but have lived with it now for almost 20 years. I thought a couple years ago how neat it would be to put shelves in there and close it in with glass for my tea cup and teapot collections. I just might have to get someone to look at it and give me a price of what it would cost to get that done. :)
Thanx Rhoda for all the neat ideas!!!

Inspired Kara said...

What great little tips! I love so many of these!!!!

I can't wait to hear how the shopping trip with Eddie went ;)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

LOVE the last picture. I would love to do that someday.
Penny

Amber B. said...

We've been de-cluttering over here this weekend. The garage is done, the attic is re-arranged and organized. Now I need to do closets. Thanks for the inspirational photos!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

If this was my blog, the headline would be "A disorganized life," LOL!! This year two boxes of ornaments never even made it on the tree, and I never, ever let that happen before. Between work, and family obligations, and work, and my blog addiction, and did I mention work? -- I've bet a mess. Literally. I need to embrace the organization techniques here (LOVE the towel dowels!) as well as the Salvation Army, to whom I'm about to donate a large number of gently used handbags. :-)

Salmagundi said...

I can be an organizing freak. My kids say they can't imaging who will buy the 100s of plastic storage boxes at my final yard sale. I tell them to be careful - there will be some great stuff in them!!! Sally

Designs on 47th Street said...

Getting organized is a lifelong dream of mine and one I won't let go of. Your pictures are truly inspiring.

Always enjoy your blog and the great things you have to share! :)

Donna

Anonymous said...

Ah, organization. Decluttering. A lofty dream. For me. The pictures are inspiring, but darn! I have more stuff to hide than that! LOL

Unknown said...

We all seem to want to organize in January! I know I need to get started cleaning out around here.

Thanks for the post...love the ideas.

Diane

Ms. Tee said...

Hi Rhoda :)
What lovely photos you have here - that kitchen is beautiful! I can't wait to see all your posts in 2009. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Mission Organization has already started here, took several bags to Goodwill today and stopped at Walmart for some organizational caddies. It feels so good!!

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Melanie said...

Thanks for posting the pictures. One of them gave me a great idea for hiding some necessary :) clutter in my "office" space.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Pinky said...

HI! Came here from Susan's blog and now am putting yours in my favs so I can stay in touch. I love all these organizing ideas too. I have some of them, but I am with you in the 3 areas that are so hard to keep clutter free. I have a vanity table in my bedroom closet (hubby has his own closet, thank God:):) and that is always a mess. I organize it but then it gets messy again....AAAUUUGGGHHH!! So, a new year means a fresh start and a new attempt. We'll see how successful I am:):) Pinky

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Love your organizing pics. I can always use a little help in that department.

Anonymous said...

I am in an organizing frenzy myself right now. We are trying to get our OTW studio as organized and stylish as possible. Love this time of year... a renewal it seems:) Happy 2009!

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Rhoda!
I'm right with you girl - trying to recover from the holidays and wanting to clean, clean,and organize! My closets are my main problem..love these inspiration pictures and love the beautiful wreath that you made too!!!
xo,
Kim

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Hi Rhoda! I am posting about organizing all month...the new year inspires that, doesn't it? Hope you will come by for a visit...I'll be joining your party tomorrow! See you then!

Anonymous said...

You have inspired me to get it more together. I think I can-I think I can.
Blessings-

Anonymous said...

I see you have a copyright notice for your blog. How did you manage to post BHG-online images? Just curious?

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Anon, I see lots of other blogs using images from online magazines with a note of where they came from, so that is what I do too, note the source. I make sure it is noted that they came from Better Homes & Gardens.

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Oh it's definitely time for me to declutter and reorganize. *sigh*

That's no fun though.

Anonymous said...

I am an extremely organized person, but I do have one problem area - my desk in my home office. It has been my goal to keep the clutter away more times than I can count. But, I never give up hope.

Anonymous said...

Actually I'm pretty organized right now as most of my belongsings are still packed up. I'm sure that will change as soon as I'm in a place of my own though. Gorgeous photos and ideas you've shared Rhoda. xoxo

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

First of all, I LOVE your bulletin board! It seriously puts my corkboard to shame. I also like a lot of these ideas for organizing, the tea towel storage in particular because I find I seem to have a collection of them. Unfortunately, as with a lot of ideas, I just don't have the space for proper implementation. You know what this means, of course, I must MOVE! ;-)

Unknown said...

Hi Rhoda,

Great photos and ideas. I have cleaned off my desk and am keeping my fingers crossed that I won't junk it up again. LOL It just seems to get a life of it's own sometimes but it looks so nice when it's cleaned. Happy New Year!

Twice as Nice said...

It's funny how all of get that "bug" right after the Holidays. I was looking for a book for my son and all I found were closets that were crying out to be cleaned!! I told him he was going to deep clean his room this weekend....of course he said what do you mean mom....it is clean!! Ha!

Pretty Organizer said...

The organizing bug has hit this house big time. At present all 6 kiddos have switched rooms and it looks like we just moved in! Might have tackled that project in a little more organized fashion had I an organized enough brain to think:)

So, I'm checking out these pictures and I think.. WOW, wallpaper UNDER the cabinets! I guess if you're super organized and buy all those matching under the sink supplies and storage to boot, you gotta spruce up the wall behind it!

Thanks for another inspiring post!

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

Rhoda, you really are a tall glass of inspiration!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I loved the lamps above.. There is so many nice lamps ant interior things in the US. I almost took whole stores with me to Sweden when i was in Boston and New York last week ;)..

Wonderful blog, really!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh am I RED in the face. I have corrected the spelling. My sincere apologies.
Loved the craft punch holder in this post.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I am so glad I found your blog, you are so creative! Thank-you for sharing it. Cindy in cold and snowy Wi

AliceAnderson said...

All these photos make my organizer-heart flutter. I'm totally into organizing mode. It's taken over my life and my blog. Thanks for the inspiration.