The Complete Book of Home Organization
4/5
()
About this ebook
Have you ever wished you had the time and tools to organize your house in a clutter-free, design-conscious, Pinterest-worthy way? From storage solutions and cleaning tips to secret space-saving methods and expert strategies, The Complete Book of Home Organization is packed with the tips and shortcuts you need to effectively organize your home.
From small spaces and apartment solutions to how to tackle a big, messy home with a 15-week total home organization challenge, this book covers it all. It spells out everything you need to de-clutter your house, store your belongings, and keep your home—and life—in tip-top shape.
Organize the 30 main spaces of your home, including the living and dining spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms, guest areas, baby and kids’ rooms, utility spaces and garages, entryways and offices, patios and decks, closets and pet areas. Keep track of your pantry, holiday and craft supplies, weekly menu planning, keepsakes, and schedules. From the basement to the attic, this book covers every nook and cranny.
With step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, and handy checklists, it’s time to say goodbye to a messy home and wasted storage space!
Toni Hammersley
Toni Hammersley is the bestselling author of The Complete Book of Home Organization. She is the creator and writer of www.abowlfulloflemons.net, an organizing website that inspires thousands of people around the world to get their lives in order. She hosts a popular 14-week organizing challenge each year, aimed at helping others conquer clutter. She is also a registered nurse and photographer. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and three children.
Related to The Complete Book of Home Organization
Related ebooks
The Complete Book of Clean: Tips & Techniques for Your Home Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Classic Household Hints: Over 500 Old and New Tips for a Happier Home Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Who Knew? 10,001 Household Solutions: Money-Saving Tips, DIY Cleaners, Kitchen Secrets, and Other Easy Answers to Everyday Problems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings65 Household Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Life WAY Easier Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIFTY: Clean & Organized: Money-Saving Hacks and Easy DIYs for a Clean and Clutter-Free Home! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove Your Home Again: Organize Your Space and Uncover the Home of Your Dreams Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Just Clean Enough: Home Organization in an Imperfect World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Home Repair That Pays Off: 150 Simple Ways to Add Value Without Breaking Your Budget Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Speedcleaning: Room by room cleaning in the fast lane Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5DIY Household Cleaning, Organizing and Staging 3-in-1 Book Set Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Home Organizing Workbook: Clearing Your Clutter, Step by Step Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/521 Days to an Immaculate and Organized Home How to Clean and Organize Your Home and Keep it That Way Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1001 Ideas for Kitchen Organization, New Edition: The Ultimate Sourcebook for Storage Ideas and Materials Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHouse Cleaning and Organizing Hacks: Designed to Make Your Life Way Easier Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Busy Girl’s Guide to Speed Cleaning and Organizing - Clean and Declutter Your Home in 30 Minutes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply Organized: The all-in-one guide to organizing your home, office, children, and more! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHousehold Hacks: 150+ Do It Yourself Home Improvement & DIY Household Tips That Save Time & Money Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Simple Cleaning Wisdom: 450 Easy Shortcuts for a Fresh & Tidy Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kitchen Makeover: A Guide to Remodeling Your Kitchen Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simple Organizing Wisdom: 500+ Quick & Easy Clutter Cures Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Organized Kitchen: Keep Your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food—and Save Time, Money, (and Your Sanity) Every Day! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrganization Hacks: Over 350 Simple Solutions to Organize Your Home in No Time! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Home Decor Cheat Sheets: Need-to-Know Stuff for Stylish Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simple Organizing: 50 Ways to Clear the Clutter Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Home Improvement For You
How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/552 Prepper Projects: A Project a Week to Help You Prepare for the Unpredictable Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Magnolia Story (with Bonus Content) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Order from Chaos: The Everyday Grind of Staying Organized with Adult ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Self-Sufficient Backyard Homestead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Organization Hacks: Over 350 Simple Solutions to Organize Your Home in No Time! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nobody Wants Your Sh*t: The Art of Decluttering Before You Die Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5World's Best Life Hacks: 200 Ingenious Ways to Use Everyday Objects Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Small Apartment Hacks: 101 Ingenious DIY Solutions for Living, Organizing and Entertaining Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unclutter Your Life in One Week Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual Newly Updated Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Homegrown & Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Off-Grid Projects: Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Own Off-Grid System Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Quick & Easy Home DIY Manual: 321 Tips Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ultimate Guide: Wiring, 8th Updated Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's All Too Much Workbook: The Tools You Need to Conquer Clutter and Create the Life You Want Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Fix Absolutely Anything: A Homeowner's Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for The Complete Book of Home Organization
22 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Complete Book of Home Organization - Toni Hammersley
by Toni Hammersely
Contents
PART ONE
Kitchen+Dining
001 Reinvent Your Kitchen
002 Divide Into Zones
003 End Your Day with a Clean Kitchen
004 Make a DIY Sink Cleaner
Quick Tip: Use Baking Soda and Lemon
005 Clean Out Your Spices
006 Create a Best Of
Station
007 Think Outside the Shelf
008 Group Your Utensils
009 Utilize Your Drawers
010 Separate Lids from Bases
011 Store Pots and Pans Creatively
012 Keep Dishes Near the Sink
Quick Tip: Tote It!
013 Declutter Counters
014 Maintain Order
015 Design a Baking Station
016 Stock Your Baking Cabinet with the Basics
017 Designate a Drink Station
018 Create a Homemade Cocktail Bar
019 Focus On Your Fridge
020 Make Labels Your Friends
021 Make Sense of Your Freezer
022 Prevent Freezer Burn
023 Go Deep
024 Assess Those Appliances
025 Sort By Function
026 Keep Favorite Utensils Handy
027 Stow Pots and Pans
028 Green Under Your Kichen Sink
029 Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda
030 Organize Under the Sink
031 Make That Sink Sparkle
032 Tame The Junk Drawer
033 Maximize Storage in a Tiny Kitchen
034 Add Surfaces
035 Waste Not
036 Go Vertical
WEEK 1: THE KITCHEN CHALLENGE
037 Create a Recipe Binder
038 Bin Your Cans
039 Store Medicine and Vitamins Properly
040 Use the One-Door
041 Organize Your Pantry
042 Control Your Canned Goods
043 Use Your Doors
044 Start with an Inventory
045 Think About Storage
Before & After: Pantry
046 Pack Your Snacks
047 Create a School Lunch Station
048 Plan Meals in Advance
049 Shop Effectively
Quick Tip: Thaw Out!
050 Liven Up Your Menu with a Theme Night
051 Utilize Your Freezer
WEEK 2: THE PANTRY CHALLENGE
052 Design Your Dining Room
053 Showcase Your Collectibles
Quick Tip: Stay Focused
054 Employ a Dining Hutch
055 Table the Discussion
056 Define the Space
057 Throw a Dinner Party in a Small Space
Before & After: Dining Room
058 Throw a Casual Party
Quick Tip: Eat Outside!
059 Be Ready to Party
060 Store Outdoor Utensils
WEEK 3: THE DINING ROOM CHALLENGE
PART TWO
Living + Storage
061 Set the Tone for Your Home
062 Designate a Place for Common Items
063 Make Over the Foyer
064 Create a Faux Foyer
065 Create a Mudroom
066 Check Off the Essentials
067 Use the Stairs
WEEK 4: THE LAUNCH PAD CHALLENGE
068 Love Your Living Room
069 Develop a Clean Routine
070 Get in the Zone
071 Reorganize Your Bookshelf
072 Catalog DVDs
073 Conquer the Clutter
074 Make Furniture Do Double Duty
075 Build In Storage
076 Live Large in a Small Space
077 Furnish a Cozy Room
Before & After: Bookshelves
WEEK 5: THE LIVING ROOM CHALLENGE
078 Refresh Your Bedroom
079 Take Advantage
080 Rest Easy
081 Make a DIY Linen Spray
082 Find Storage Everywhere
083 Divide Your Dresser
084 Store Baubles
085 Keep an Open Mind
WEEK 6: THE MASTER BEDROOM CHALLENGE
086 Prepare the Guest Bedroom
087 Stock Your Bathroom for Guests
088 Make Your Guests Feel Welcome
089 Create a Guest Haven
090 Improvise a Nightstand
091 Plan a Perfect Nursery
092 Use An Antique Armoire for Baby
093 Design a Functional Kid’s Room
094 Make a Play Corner
095 Master Your Closets
096 Put Shoes on Display
097 Utilize Every Space
Quick Tip: Donate It
098 Store Clothes Seasonally
099 Color-Code Clothing
Quick Tip: Repel Bugs
Before & After: Master Closet
WEEK 7: The MASTER CLOSET CHALLENGE
100 Tidy Up Kids’ Closets
101 Keep Tiny Shoes Organized
102 Contain Accessories
103 Perform a Seasonal Sweep
WEEK 8: THE KIDS’ CLOSET CHALLENGE
104 Keep Linen Closets Neat
105 Fold a Fitted Sheet
WEEK 9: THE LINEN CLOSET CHALLENGE
106 Clean Bathrooms Daily
107 Think About Proximity
108 Keep it Fresh with Essential Oils
109 Make the Most of a Tiny Bathroom
110 Store It Right
111 Lighten Up
112 Pay Attention to Detail
113 Turn Your Bathroom into an Oasis
114 Heat Things Up
115 Whip Up a Whirlpool
116 Keep Bathroom Closets Neat
117 Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Solutions
Before & After: Powder Room
WEEK 10: THE BATHROOM CHALLENGE
PART THREE
Working + Outdoor
118 Divide Your Office into Zones
119 Control Paper Clutter
120 Create a Keepsake Box
121 Organize Your Files
122 Follow the System
123 Prep for Tax Season
Quick Tip: Track Your Taxes
WEEK 11: THE OFFICE CHALLENGE
124 Create a Homework Center
Quick Tip: Binder It
125 Create a Home Office Coffee Station
126 Lock In a Library
127 Corral Craft Supplies
128 Build a Gift-Wrapping Station
Before & After: Craft Space
129 Create a Tiny Home Office
Quick Tip: Let it Roll
130 Organize Kids’ Play Spaces
131 Enforce a Nightly Cleanup
Quick Tip: Board the Games
132 Tidy Up the Playroom
133 Piece the Puzzles
134 Stack a Play Table
135 Net a Zoo
136 Pitch a Tent
Quick Tip: Learn Your ABCs
WEEK 12: THE PLAYROOM CHALLENGE
137 Love the Laundry
138 Think Outside the Shoe Box
139 Set Up Forget-Me-Nots
Quick Tip: Mark a Memento
140 Wash with Care
141 Prevent Dryer Disasters
142 Go Homemade
WEEK 13: THE LAUNDRY ROOM CHALLENGE
143 Set Up a Home Gym
Quick Tip: Deal with Gym Odors
144 Stock Your Gym Bag
145 Keep it Simple
146 Attack Your Attic
147 Pare Down Posterity
148 Benefit from the Basement
149 Use Forgotten Spaces
Quick Tip: Mount a Fuse Box Flashlight
150 Build a Mini Greenhouse
151 Keep Basements Clean and Dry
152 Practice Caution with Archived Items
153 Salvage a Shed
154 Get the Holiday Hookup
155 Store Splash Supplies
156 Perfect Your Patio
157 Go Vertical
Quick Tip: Use the Perimeter
158 Invest in Outdoor Fabrics
159 Overhaul the Garage
160 Follow Safety Rules
Quick Tip: Store Tools
161 Store Seasonal Supplies
162 Keep Clean
163 Create a Goodbye Station
Before & After: Garage
WEEK 14: THE GARAGE CHALLENGE
164 Keep the Car Tidy
165 Stock the Car for Emergencies
166 Rock Your Road Trips
WEEK 15: THE CAR CHALLENGE
Collage of organized spacesPhotograph of author, Toni Hammersely Within the walls of our home, we try to live a balanced life. Most days, the dog is chasing the cat and dinner is bubbling over on the stovetop. Piles of dirty laundry, a sink full of dishes, and unmade beds are screaming for attention. And in between the chaotic days, when life slows down a bit, you may see carpet lines, a polished refrigerator door with no signs of fingerprints, and a glimpse of order peeking out from the pantry. Balance, not perfection, is the key to a happy home. In this book, I am going to teach you how to maintain balance in your home and regain the love you felt when you first claimed it as your own.
We will go through each space, combing through the unknown, purging, donating, and categorizing. I will offer weekly challenges, including checklists, to make the tasks more enjoyable and easier to tackle. Each challenge gives much-needed attention to an area of the home, beginning with the kitchen. I’ll offer solutions to common organizing problems and share pictures that will inspire you to stay focused. By the end of the book, the clutter will be gone, and order will have finally found your home once again.
It’s time to tackle the messes and take back your space. Take as long as you need to complete each challenge, and refer back to this book when you need inspiration. And remember, the journey is the destination.
Hugs,
Toni
Kitchen + Dining
My favorite room in our house is the kitchen. This space allows me to express my creativity through decorating, organizing, cooking, and baking. Over the years, it has evolved from complete chaos to a fine-tuned and systematically organized space. Through trial and error, I’ve been able to implement new systems to make it work for my family—and throughout this chapter I’ll be sharing ways that your kitchen can work for you. However small or abundant your space may be, there’s no doubt you can make the most of it. Next, we’ll hit the dining room—a space not to be forgotten. By weaving these two spaces together and incorporating as many organizing solutions as you can, you’ll be able to simplify the clutter and perfect your storage so that you can enjoy these rooms to the fullest.
001 REINVENT YOUR KITCHEN
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a well-planned space will streamline food prep, cooking, baking, and cleaning—all while maximizing time and efficiency. Before you start pulling everything out of the cabinets and drawers, begin by writing out a plan. Consider how many cabinets and drawers you have. What needs organizing? Which areas are used for which tasks? How many gadgets, small appliances, and dishes can you purge, and how much space will result? Write out your ideas and get a detailed plan on paper. Once you’ve got your guideline, it’s time to get started.
002 DIVIDE INTO ZONES
The kitchen functions at its best when it’s set up in zones. There are five main zones: cooking, preparation, cleaning, storage, and food. Everything in your kitchen should fit into one of these five categories. If you have an item that doesn’t fit, it may not belong in the kitchen.
A. COOKING Your cooking space should include spices, oils and vinegars, cooking utensils, pots and pans, pot holders, trivets, and other tools.
B. CLEANING All things related to cleaning your kitchen should be in this zone, which is typically centered around the dishwasher and kitchen sink. Categories include kitchen cleaners, under the sink items (sponges, paper towels, microfiber cloths, trash bags, dishwasher detergent), recycling bins, and trash cans.
C. PREPARATION Everything needed to prep meals goes in the preparation zone. Items might include mixing bowls, knives, cutting boards, kitchen gadgets, blender, and other appliances. Specific areas will form within this zone, like the baking and school lunch stations (see item 015).
D. STORAGE Items in the storage zone include food containers, silverware, dishes, glasses, and small appliances.
E. FOOD The pantry is considered the food zone. If you don’t have a pantry, designate a few cupboards or a standing cabinet in which to store food items.
Kitchen islands are excellent multipurpose areas that might serve as storage, preparation, or cooking spaces.
003 END YOUR DAY WITH A CLEAN KITCHEN
Few things feel better than waking up to a clean space. At the end of each day, when dinner is done and the kids are in bed, take 15 minutes to give everything a quick cleanup and wipe-down. You’ll notice that this easy task will really affect your mood for the rest of the evening—and make heading into the next day’s meal preparations a breeze.
LOAD Load the dishwasher (and empty it the next morning—now you’ll always know whether it’s clean or dirty).
CLEAN Clean the sink: Rinse out any remaining food, scrub with baking soda, and use a daily cleaning solution (see item 004). You should do a separate deep clean on the sink once per week.
SPRAY Spray and wipe down the countertops, stovetop, table, and any other surfaces.
REPLACE Put a clean washcloth and dish towel out and toss the dirty ones in the laundry.
EMPTY Take the garbage out to avoid old food smells and leaks, and put a new liner in the can.
004 MAKE A DIY SINK CLEANER
Some studies state a higher concentration of bacteria can be found in the kitchen sink than in the toilet bowl. Here’s my recipe for an easy kitchen sink cleanser that you can DIY at home and use on a daily basis to keep the germs away.
YOU’LL NEED
1 clean spray bottle
1 part white vinegar
1 part water
DIRECTIONS
Mix the vinegar and water, cap your bottle, and shake vigorously. Use a permanent marker to label it Daily Sink Cleaner
—this will prevent confusion with other sprays and remind you of its usefulness! Simply spray your sink and faucet, let sit for a few minutes, then wipe down. You’ll have a fresher sink in no time.
Quick Tip
USE BAKING SODA AND LEMON
Baking soda may be the unsung hero of keeping your home fresh and clean. To make an easy pantry-sourced compound, use half of a lemon with some baking soda to create an abrasive scrubber.
This combo also works on rust stains on porcelain tubs—and many other seemingly tough cleaning jobs. The lemon also helps whiten or bleach