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Household Tips

With the start of the new year, what better time to get your life & home a little more organized. Here are some ideas for you ...

CLOSET CLUTTER
- First, go through your clothes and if something doesn't fit -- get rid of it. Don't think twice, do it!
- Storage bags are great for organizing the small items, clothing items such as Halloween costumes and almost anything in your closet.
- A hanging shoe-storage rack is perfect for organizing your shoes, and it will keep them off the floor as well.
- One of the best ideas is to utilize large, plastic storage containers. They can hold a lot, can be labeled and can be stacked at the top or bottom of the closet. You'll have clutter removal in minutes!
- Make sure you're utilizing the right hanger for the right job -- skirt hangers for skirts, pant hangers for pants, etc.
- Be sure to use valuable shelf space to get clutter off the floor.

KIDS' STORAGE CUBES
- Kids usually need a place to store books and toys. You can help by building them storage cubes.
- You can make a storage tower by stacking milk crates on top of one another and securing them with ribbon or plastic tie-backs. Be sure to secure the back as well as the sides.
- For a more decorative look, cover a cardboard box with colorful fabric.
- Consider building storage cubes out of 1/2" plywood. Cut four square pieces of plywood the same size, and screw them together to create the sides of the cube. Measure the length and width, and cut a piece to fit the back. After you screw the back in place, paint the cube to coordinate with the room.
- Try making several cubes and stacking them on top of one another. Place them side by side, and attach cleats to the sides to hold up a plywood "desk".

KITCHEN STORAGE
- One easy way to add storage space to your kitchen is to install a tilt-out storage tray behind the false-front drawer in front of your sink.
- You can also install a dishtowel rack on the cabinet door below the sink. Another towel-bar option is the extension bar, which attaches to the wall under the sink.
- A spice drawer comes in handy for organizing your spices.
- If high shelves are a problem, you can install a three-tier organizer in your cabinets. It'll allow you to see what's in the back of your cabinets.
- Flatware organizers put an end to the jumbled silverware drawer.
- For deep base corner cabinets, consider installing a lazy Susan. Freestanding lazy Susans are also good for organizing spices.
- To make recycling and trash chores easier, install pull-out containers on a track inside a base cabinet.
- To organize cookie sheets and platters, install plywood separators so you can store them on their sides.
- Install an under-cabinet wine rack along with a rack for wine glasses. Tape the rack in place while you install it to prevent it from falling.

Keep an eye out ... More organizing idea may be along in the future.
Is there a specific question you have or area you would like to see covered here? ... Let me know by sending me an email @ mj.watkins@rcn.com

Please note that some of my ideas came from the DIY web sit located @ http://www.diynetwork.com/