We’re on the home stretch, y’all… Are you still with us?
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It’s really kinda hard to believe it’s been ten weeks. Purging is like watching your kids get older. Don’t blink, and yet you’re exhausted… and then you’re all… what is happening?! And then you’re questioning your sanity. Okay. It’s not really anything like it, but kind of and because metaphors.
And exhaustion. Yay.
We’re back with this little series, and today we’re covering laundry rooms and craft spaces!
Our laundry room/mudroom/craft/supplies/utility storage room…. is probably one of the biggest multitasking spaces in our home. {We know this because we’re nerds, and do things like rank spaces and make lists.} To have cabinets like this is kind of a luxury, but it has allowed a lot of storage in our home, and is a great way for our space to multitask.
But let’s keep it real. Because while we believe that all spaces should work for you, we’ll share a little walk down memory lane as to what this space usually looks like:
{PS I totally did the laundry yesterday #highfive}
We’ve loved our laundry room. It’s given us plenty of space to work, along with generous storage. So today we thought we’d share a few of our favorite tips and tricks that are all encompassing of both types of spaces.
Purging laundry and craft spaces… a few things to remember:
1. Start with the basics: keep the countertops and floors clear.
Honestly, I’m not one to tackle my laundry every day. I’m one to hide it in my closet and pretend it doesnt’ exist because aintnobodygottimeforthat and let’s be real… If you do it daily, you are absolutely amazing and I’m just secretly jealous. I’m getting there. Kind of.
Hiding it and living in denial ’til at least once a week, works better. It is what it is. But in the meantime, keeping the laundry room un-cluttered helps my mentality, even if it does mean relocating it to our closet until I can get to it, in the meantime. If you keep it clean and clear, it’s likely to stay that way.
2. Think about a system that will work for your family.
Maybe that means using containers that you find easily accessible. Maybe it means doing your laundry right away {and being a super impressive real life grown up adult}. Maybe it means figuring out exactly what goes where, and really sticking to your guns. Figure out practical solutions – a system that works for you… and stick to it.
From the mudroom to the craft storage and all out laundry, this room serves many purposes, and we made a few simple changes that made a big difference for us. We included hooks, and even removed the door to offer more space on another wall. That arrangement wouldn’t work for everyone. But our washer and dryer are actually pretty quiet, and we love the open feel that it brings to the space. If you can do something to it visually, you’re more likely to keep it neat when it’s possible, and keep those systems in place. It’s what we like to call visual accountability.
Yes most some weeks will look like the above {chaotic} photo, but it’s totally doable anyway. We’ve probably said this every single week of this series, but that’s because it’s probably the most important thing we can say: Find what works for you, and stick with it.
3. Keep it all contained.
When we first moved into this home, I thought I could just stack my supplies in all of these purdy cabinets and have a nice day thankyouverymuch. Whatever you have in your laundry room/craftroom/mudroom whatever space you’re purging… needs a plan, because that didn’t last very long before I came out of my bubble and realized there was a reason I was always running around like a disoriented maniac looking for car keys/scissors/grande white chocolate mocha I just purchased… you name it. I was always confused. And stressed. Life is too short.
I lacked a basic system. There was no method to my madness. Things were all mixed up, and I would dance in circles for an hour just looking for my scissors. The good ones. {Jamin once found my fabric scissors and used them for an Ice Pop cutting free-for-all. It made me stabby and it officially never happened again.}
So contain it all. Containers create space, they corral it all in one place and they make things easy to find. Divide them by categories based on what works for you, and try to stick to it.
Which brings me to…
4. Use whatever you can
Your storage doesn’t have to be fancy. See rando container above. I realize if you see it every day and you don’t have the luxury of putting it behind doors, you may want something a little nicer. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years: It’s from giant pieces of cardboard for portfolios, to random plastic tackle boxes I grabbed at Walmart to hold all the little things… You go with what works in the moment, and what’s affordable. Find what works for you, your budget and your family… and roll with it.
Our “holders” are a hodgepodge: Boxes, random baskets, tackle boxes, Tupperware containers, canvas bins, and mason jars. If funds are an issue, don’t be too picky. Use what you can, and stop waiting so that things are in their place. Then replace it as you can go. At least you can find things, in the meantime.
If you want them to be seen, remember you still don’t have to spend a fortune on boxes. Cover some cardboard with contact paper, spray paint plain jane ones from an office supply store, or be savvy with coupons and sales. It’s doable. And totally worth it.
5. Let function be your guide
If you don’t use scrap wood that often, put it in a higher place. If you use your glue gun every other day, keep it down low in an easy to grab locale. Anything you store in these areas should be easy to reach and easy to find so that you can keep it that way.
It should keep those corralled spaces neater, longer.
6. Use labels where you can.
Because labels keep me from rocking back and forth and humming creepy songs when I can’t find that sculpey clay after searching for four hours so I can complete a project for this blog. I know right where it is. And it makes me feel better because I have issues.
{Get them here, here, here and here.-We hope them find them useful!}
7. Stay on top of it.
Have rules, and try to keep them. As far as massive amounts of craft supplies try to keep it all within reason. We’re big believers that you have the freedom to collect books and craft supplies… There’s no such thing as too many… within reason. It’s a free license to collect to your heart’s content… but be sure to keep it in check and throw out the things that are no longer useful.
This helps keep them from getting out of hand again, so your newly cleaned up and organized spaces can stay that way.
If you’re like us and love lists, we have our free printable up this week {and we’re keeping it simple} with a blank donation sheet so you can keep up with it all! {donation sheet}
This goes really well with our free 2015 planner, so check it out!
Honestly, we were overdue for another round of purge-dom, {Hello, fabric issues!} so it’s good to round it up and keep it in check. Even if we don’t do the laundry every day.
What are some of your favorite tips for keeping your laundry room/ craft storage/ any-space-that-has-to-work-hard-for-you, under control? We would love to hear your tips!
Layla K says
Love this series. Thanks for sticking with it, and for such a realistic approach!
Anna says
Bueller!!! Yes I am still with you! Thanks again for the great tips. You have inspired me to get with the program over here and simplify our life. Not just our home. Thank you thank you thank you!
Alexis says
Your laundry room is perfect. How nice to have such a space that works so hard. You are inspiring me to work on mine!
Bethe @ Texas Lovely says
Really great ideas! My husband installed shelves all the way to our ceiling in our laundry room, and it has created the best storage for items we buy in bulk and need to store. He also installed hooks in the laundry room as well as our entry way by the garage (next to the laundry room) so I could have a designated place to drop our coats, purses, diaper bags, etc. right when we walk in the door and keep them off the floor or our counter tops. It’s amazing how having an organized, clutter-free laundry room makes me happy about actually doing laundry! http://citymomsblog.com/fortworth/2015/02/16/life-hacks-for-busy-moms/
Avon says
What a makeover, totally likes the laundry! Thanks for sharing, best wishes, Storage Holborn Ltd.