Thursday, June 2, 2011

20 You Asked: Favorite Organizing Book

Although I get boatloads of questions each day {sorry if you are waiting a response, you will get one, I am just a smidge behind on emails at the moment}, one of the most popular questions is, "What is your favorite organizing book?"

Before I get to the answer, I will say, the internet is an AMAZING thing.  Seriously, I can't imagine life without it as it has offered me the opportunity to meet insanely creative and inspiring individuals in blog land.  And the addition of Pinterest was a serious game changer.  Life will NEVER be the same.  Endless amounts and eye candy and motivation and inspiration and talent.  And the best part is that you can scour the web for hours {or days?} and not pay more than your monthly internet bill {unless you hit up a local WiFi joint with free internet, at which point you are getting 100% free yet priceless inspiration!}

However, no matter how great the internet is, it just doesn't compare to a good book or magazine.  When given the choice, I always pick a paper version for my dose of inspiration any day.  Even if it's one I have looked at so much that the pages are literally falling out.  Something about curling up on the couch, basking in the sun or taking a long car ride with a sack of books and magazines by my side, is actually one of my absolutely most favorite things to do!

Now back to the question.  What is the book I reach to most?  Well, it's stored amongst a pretty good collection of books in the living room....


And out of them all, the winner is: RealSimple: The Organized Home.

{source}

Now I will say, I look at A LOT of organizing books for ideas and solutions, in fact, I have somewhere between 15-20.  But this is the one that gets the most love and attention.  Here are some of the reason's why.

It goes room by room throughout the entire home {including those smaller areas like the pantry, coat and bedroom closets, the medicine cabinet and entryways}:


For each type of space, there are incredible, bright full page photographs.


It also offers just the right amount of advice on storage/organization:


It talks about the basic supplies that make a room top performing and effective:


It also offers room by room "Simple Solutions" to common storage dilemmas:


It even talks about optimal furniture pieces that make the most sense in a space!


I have scoured this book at least a hundred plus times and I still find something new each time.  Something new that pops out at me.  Something new that inspires me.  Something new that pushes me to get another project checked off the ol' list.  It really is my bff book.

Anyone else share the same passion for a good book, organizing or any other subject?  What's your fav read?  Any other organizing book suggestions that give you your recommended dose of motivation?



P.S.  I haven't been paid or perked by Real Simple, just responding to a common question with a completely honest answer.  Looking for another FANTASTIC organizing book, check out this post here.

20 comments:

  1. I have this same thing and love it!

    www.whatyoumakeit-coley.blogspot.com

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  2. I'm pretty sure that everything RS publishes is nothing short of fantastic.

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  3. I have to agree with Jamie up there ^^^!
    I heart Real Simple!

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  4. I will definitely be adding this book to my wish list! I also love Better Homes & Gardens' "Secrets of Getting Organized" special interest magazine. It has tons of great ideas and pretty pictures.

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  5. I have that one too. I love it!
    xo
    Kelly

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  6. I have that book along with their cleaning one. I love the cleaning one. It has so many tips for different household items!!

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  7. So picking the RS book up this week!! I love the magazine but have never seen the book!

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  8. I can't believe this is your favorite book, I just borrowed it from our local library, the first organising book, that I am looking at buying.

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  9. Thanks for sharing. I think I'm adding this to my wish list also. Looks like it has great ideas.

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  10. My favorite is "Organizing Plain and Simple" by Donna Smallin. I don't cope well with "in your face" organizing books that make the small pile of paperwork on my desk morph into "You're so going to be on an episode of Hoarders if you don't get rid of that NOW!". This book is just the right balance of motivation and practicality that makes me _want_to get organized out of respect for myself and my family, and not out of guilt.

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  11. I have the Real Simple Cleanin, Celebrations, and Solutions books but still need to buy this one. Glad to know it will be money well spent!

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  12. Jen- I NEED to check out this book! Thanks for the recommendation! :)

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  13. I just reserved this from the library to see if I want to purchase. Thank you!

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  14. The Nest is the first home book I bought and I still flip through it for inspiration. Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick is my most recent purchase, it flows room by room and is full of eye candy :)

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  15. I'm so glad that I found your blog! Not really sure where or how I found you but sure am glad. I've been trying to figure out different ways to help simplify my Mommyhood. My apartment is so small with the four of us, a dog & a cat. I've been trying to figure out different ways to organize my 3 1/2 closets, the little kitchen space and so forth. I have a very small area for my computer(home office) in the livingroom boy it sure does get tiring trying to figure all of this out with two small children. If I could I give you a kiss! That is how happy I am coming across your blog. I'm starting tomorrow with simplifying my Mommyhood with your ideas. Thank you so much for sharing!

    ~Amy

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  16. I have both of your books. I love Real Simple. I also love Meryl Starr's organizing books which is very beautiful books. I miss Organize magazine which I still have here and I enjoyed read them over again when I get chance. Thanks for suggesting on pinterest I just joined and i love it.

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  17. That would have to be my favourite organization book too - hands down! I love the Real Simple - Solutions one as well. I read both regularly and the spur me on to get rid of all the excess that seems to creep into daily life. I just love the clean uncluttered vibe they demonstrate and love having the same feeling in my own home.

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  18. I love seeing the source of your inspiration.

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  19. That book has been on my wish list for a while. Good thing my birthday is coming up in July! Any recommendations on photography books?

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  20. Mamapedia has a great deal on this mag & book today! I just looked at it & was debating it and saw your post. Now I really want it!

    http://deals.mamapedia.com/deals/real-simple?ref_id=335589&utm_source=share_link&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=real-simple&utm_term=335589&utm_content=other

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