Wednesday, March 28, 2012

39 Reader Space: A Hard Working Cabinet

Not everyone has the luxury to have an entire office space, and even if you do, you may find that using it isn't always the most convenient since most likely it is placed away from our main living areas.  Today's reader shows us how dedicating one kitchen cabinet can be a complete game changer!


Kristin shared a photo of a completed kitchen cabinet project on Facebook and I was so intrigued to learn more, in inquired. 

I asked her all the nosy questions like, "Do you love it?"  "How has it changed your day to day routine/life?"  "Do you want to do my cabinet next?"  OK, so I didn't ask that last one, but I really wanted to and this is why:


Doesn't a picture like that just make you feel more relaxed?  And although it's simply beautiful, it's actually a working system!

Kristin wrote:

"I don't have any "before" pictures, but it was a mess.  Ziplock bags of markers, post-it notes, batteries, etc...  Stationary, cards and envelopes stacked in piles.  Stamps, checkbooks, loose change and other office supplies just thrown in a drawer or in the cabinet.  We've moved a couple of times in the last five years and the junk drawer just got carried from house to house in Ziplock bags.  

So far it's working out great!  I have all of my greeting cards available quickly and organized by category {Birthday, Sympathy, Thank You, etc...}  

It also means I know when I am running low on cards so I can stock up {I buy generic cards so they are on hand and I don't have to run to the store every time I need send out a Sympathy, Get Well or Congratulations card}.



It makes paying bills and sending out cards less painless because I don't have to dig through piles.  That means everything gets out in a very timely manner!  



Most importantly EVERYTHING has a home so when I open the cabinet things aren't falling out!

Here's more info about the space - 

TOP SHELF
Boxes that contain misc. office supply items {label makers, calculators, extra tape, etc.}

MIDDLE SHELF
The middle shelf has all of our greeting cards. There is a box for 'Misc. Cards' {Birthday, Sympathy, Congratulations, Get Well, etc...} and a box for 'Thank You' Cards and personalized 'Blank' Cards. 

BOTTOM SHELF
On the left of the bottom shelf there are boxes that contain the following - 
  • Small notepads and post-its
  • Extra checks
  • Markers
  • Pens and pencils
  • Loose batteries
On the right of bottom shelf there are organizers that contain - 
  • Loose change
  • Checkbooks
  • Address labels
  • Blank envelopes

CABINET DOORS
The back of the cabinet doors are covered in cork board for things that come in the mail that we can't 'file away' yet {invitations, coupons, appointment reminders, etc}. I got this idea off Pinterest.

COUNTER TOP
The 2 drawer organizer on the counter we use for the following - 
  • Our Keys
  • My husband's wallet
  • Gift cards & coupons
  • Pocket camera, flash drives and other small electronics

Here is a source list for those interested:



A special THANK YOU to Kristin for allowing me to get all cabinet personal with her!  She has such a fabulous and lovely system!

  • She realized her system wasn't working and decided to do something awesome about it!
  • The stacking bins are not only labeled, but clear so you can see the contents quickly and easily. 
  • By stacking the bins, you don't have multiple random items rolling around and falling out when the door opens.
  • The labels are not only adorable, but versatile enough to switch up as her needs change.
  • All of the families necessities are in one happy place.  
  • I love that she pre-purchases cards so that she always has them on hand when the moment strikes.  It really encourages keeping hand written notes alive and squashes the need to send a quick email.
  • Because these items are in a central location, it's easier to upkeep.  If she were to have to run all of her bills to a separate space/office, they may just end up in a pile on the kitchen anyway.  It's always a good idea to keep items where they make the most sense for day to day living.
  • The cabinet has helped her be efficient in getting things done and out in a timely manner.
  • It's so much prettier and more functional than the typical "junk drawer".

Now it's your turn.  What's your favorite part?  Anyone already halfway through emptying out a cabinet to get started?





ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please send your story and photos to iheartorganizing@gmail.com and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!  More info HERE.

39 comments:

  1. I love the 2 drawer organizer on the counter top and the small clear boxes. Can you ask her where she got these items? I have a similar counter/Cabinet space that is hard to make all my office stuff fit. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elizabeth,

      I just added a source list to the post - the two drawer organizer is from Pottery Barn and the boxes are from the Container Store.

      xo!
      Jen

      Delete
    2. Jen posted the links above. The drawers are from Pottery Barn and the clear boxes are from the Container Store : )

      Delete
  2. This is absolutely inspiring! I love how neat and easy it is to find things. Our little office area is in need of some serious love and this just might have given me the inspiration I need, thanks!

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  3. The small boxes looks like they might be from Ikea, although the scale is a bit hard to judge. Does anyone know where I can find those labels or something similar?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rachel!

      Just search Etsy for chalkboard labels, you will find a fabulous inexpensive selection.

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  4. Oh I love it! I've been wondering what to do in our kitchen and am inspired to something similar this weekend! :)

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  5. I love this - definitely need to make this happen at my house soooooon! On another subject, I thought the organized home tours were all this week? Are you not linking to those?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can see mine here and I link to the next one in the tour: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-into-organization-home-tour.html

      From there, she links to the next one and then so on and so on, so you can follow through just as if you were going through a real parade of homes. :)

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  6. This just feeds my chalkboard addiction =) Love the dark black with the dark wood and the warm chocolate cork on the inside of the doors -- very cozy and crisp!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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  7. What a great space! There are people who have whole rooms, that don't do as good of a job as her (cough..me). Thanks for the inspiration to organize my junk drawer and cards too!

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  8. Love this idea! I'm SO not that creative! There's so much organizing to do in my house I don't even know where to start. Ha. Thanks for sharing! :))

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  9. We have a very similar cabinet in our kitchen that is for all my son's art supplies. We just moved and are renting a house right now, so rather than worry about paints/colors/markers/etc in his room (which is carpeted), he now does all his art, coloring, etc. at his own little table in the breakfast area of the tiled kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a similar space in my kitchen and I am always trying to figure out how to organize it. Thanks for the great tips that I can use in my space!

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  11. Great job! My favorite part is that practically the whole system is neatly tucked away in what is usually the busiest part of the house. It's there when you need it and gone when you don't, amazing! I'm almost tempted to rethink our kitchen cabinet space to see if we might be able to do the same thing! Thanks for adding a source list also, I love the stacking bins!

    ~ Ferly
    Gifts We Use {to grow, love and serve}
    www.GiftsWeUse.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ha, ha, ha!! My college fund looks like that, too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Doesn't a picture like that just make you feel more relaxed? " Yes it does . . . it really, really does!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really love ALL of it. I like the overall look (clear containers w/chalkboard labels). I love the idea of pre-bought cards and I love the envelope holder idea. Thank you for the links, I've already added them to my wish lists.

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  15. This is my next project for sure -- pinned and ready to go! Thanks so much. I just love your blog.
    Blessings,
    Krista

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  16. Wow, this looks amazing! I always wonder what a good "system" will include! I sure do think this one looks perfect! Thanks for sharing! I will be pinning it for my (future) home!

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  17. i just saw that exact same 2 drawer organizer at Home Goods the other day and thought about buying it!!! this makes me want to go back and get it... great organization, thank you for sharing!

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  18. My goodness, this is a breath of happy air! I'm always trying to figure out how to organize my things better and this looks just about perfect. Since having recently moved to a more permanent 2-5 year home, I'm trying to figure out how to really settle in and find the best way to do things. You blog is a perfect place to help me out! Thank you so much for sharing!

    -Alexis
    http://simplybeautifulveg.blogspot.com

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  19. Love it!! But UGH! I saw that exact two drawer at TJ Maxx today, but decided against buying it. If only I had seen this post first. :-)

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  20. Looks so organized and user-friendly. Love the college fund jar!

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  21. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to organize my incoming mail and junk drawer. I love the idea of putting it in a cabinet. Now to figure out if I have any cabinets that I could re-arrange to make this work.

    ~Kendra
    bkdarr.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I AM doing this! I am cleaning kitchen cabinets tomorrow and I have the perfect cabinet and counter space to use this idea. I am currently using said cabinet as a kiddie cabinet, the idea I got off of your website, but it's currently a mess and not working for us. I am going to clear and condense this into one shelf and re-purpose. Thanks for this post!

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  23. This is FABULOUS! She has done a fantastic job!

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  24. EEK! I have a cabinet in my kitchen in a similar location, and a serious need to do what she has done. I love the inspiration. Maybe this is something I can tackle this weekend. I think something like this is long overdue in my house.

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  25. What was used to write on the chalkboard labels? It looks crisper than actual chalk,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a Chalk Marker (they use them in restaurants and stores to write on windows and boards). They wipe off with water. You can find them on Amazon -

      http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bistro+chalk+marker&sprefix=Bistro+chal%2Caps%2C185

      Delete
  26. Can you tell me what size chalk labels were used...the small or med size? I found the etsy supplier but I'm trying to figure out size.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just found your blog today and i am in love! i am in the middle of a kitchen reno and in serious need of some organization and i love the cabinet in this post! I was wondering where you found the stickers used for labels. Thanks for all the good ideas and inspiration!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're from Etsy. Just do a search for 'Chalkboard Labels' and you'll get a ton of results.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much, I did find some adorable ones!!!

      Delete
  28. Greetings I found your website by mistake when i was searching Google for this subject, I have to tell you your site is truly very helpful I also enjoy the theme, it is amazing!
    viking stationary supplies

    ReplyDelete
  29. Awesome! Another great idea that many will surely be adding to their design collection. Thanks much for sharing these. Very useful especially to individuals who want to create a more conducive home office.

    ReplyDelete

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