Jan 31

50 Things To Declutter Right Now

By Sherry Borsheim Blog, Checklists, Home Organizing, Quick Organizing Tips No Comments

There is no better way to welcome a fresh, new year than to get out with the old to make room for the new!

This article will cover 50 things you can declutter right now (feel free to add to the list!)

Life changes a lot over the span of the year. You are no longer who you were last year, and that goes for your family too!

We all outgrow things, go through consumables, and items get old and need repair or replacement. These are just the natural aspects of life, and this list is for you to keep on top of them!

Here are 50 things to Declutter Right Now:

Ready to roll up your sleeves and get down to work? 😁👍🏼

Before you start on these 50 items, here are just a few words of my advice.

You may find yourself distracted while decluttering and reorganizing. This is totally normal, and while you’re still getting the hang of it this is commonly experienced!

The best ways to avoid the distractions and mistakes that will lead you to the trap of Yo-Yo Organizing are in this freebie download below!

3 Home Organizing Mistakes

While working virtually with those who have a new year’s goal of wanting to get organized and with clients on-site in their homes, I always see the same frustrations. So I want to help you avoid getting discouraged by these common mistakes!

Read through these 3 most common organizing mistakes and learn how to avoid them to ensure your success while you use these 50 ideas to declutter right now!

Did we miss anything? Comment below!

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30 Inspiring Organizing & Decluttering Quotes

Jan 30

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75 Creative Ways to Use A Label Maker

By Sherry Borsheim Blog, Checklists, Quick Organizing Tips No Comments

“Is a label maker worth it?“

I say… label makers are one of the most useful tools ever made!!

Beyond labeling in the kitchen or whichever common area first comes to your mind, these organized little machines are ready to help you in every room of your house (and office too!).

But before you go buy the biggest, fanciest label maker, first ask yourself these questions to determine the right one for your needs.

Which one to buy?

Ask yourself these questions:

How many font options would you like?
What size of labels will you need to print?
How much room do you have to store it?
How simple it is to learn and use?
Does it use batteries, a rechargeable battery, or plug into the wall?
Are the tape cassettes easy to find?

Advice For Buying A Label Maker

In my opinion, the Brother brand label makers are the absolute best. I have gone through many, many different brands and styles of label makers over the years, and Brother brands have never let me down.

They’re simple to use, it’s easy for me to find tapes in person or online, and the overall quality is just top-notch!

However, I use a couple of different label makers depending on my client’s style. I’ll list them below and tell you some of the differences between them, too!

Label Maker Comparisons

The first, Brother P-Touch PT- D610BT, automatically cuts and trims the edges of the label so I don’t get a huge empty white space on either end. It also fits a larger label tape for bigger prints.

The second, Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT, uses larger tapes (24mm) which allows for large, easy to read, and beautiful labels in a pantry, linen closet, or on storage bins. The 24mm black tape with white font has quickly become my new favorite choice of tape because it actually has the look of a custom label!

Both of these label makers use laminated tapes. Using laminated tape is KEY for making professional-looking labels.

I prefer to stay away from the cheap paper tape that lower models use. This type will curl up once cut and leaves a lot of white residue when you peel the label off. Yuck!

So now that you have an idea of WHAT you’re shopping for…

Head out for the fun part! Or stay in and shop with your fingertips (our fave!)

Our Favorite Label Makers

(Remember to only buy what fits YOUR needs!)

Brother P-Touch PT- D610BT

Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT

How to Organize Your Entire House
with a Label Maker:

1- Office Cords and Plugs

Routers
Printers
Monitors
Laptop chargers

2- File Folders and Cabinets

Color code for more organization

3- Binders

Spine
Tabs
Pockets

4- Receipts Area

Bin / Basket / Container
Binder clip

5- Notebooks

Meeting notes
Reference notes
Specific projects

6- Drawers

Drawer dividers / containers
Office supply sections

iDesign Expandable Drawer Organizer for Desk

7- Highlighters

“Important dates”
“Priority to-do’s”
“Goals”
Color code tasks for different people

8- Miscellaneous Cords

Phone charger
Laptop charger
HDMI
Ring light
Names on chargers for each family member

9- Bulk Office Supplies

Items taken out of original packaging

10- In-Tray

Sections for mail, paperwork, different kinds of documents you receive

11- Linen Closet Shelves

Towels
Sheets by size
Guest
Satin pillowcases

IKEA KVISSLE Letter In-Tray

12- Laundry Excess

Items decanted / taken out of original packaging
Detergent
Softener
Bleach
Dryer sheets / balls

13- Laundry Baskets

Lights
Darks
Whites
Delicates

14- Board Games

Storage shelves of games
Age range
Type of game
Kid-friendly

15- Hobby Section

Shelf in closet
Project boxes
Drawer / Cupboard in storage furniture

16- Kitchen Cooking Utensils

Whisks
Tongs
Spatulas

iDesign Kitchen Drawer Organizer

17- Spices

Decanted items
Mixed bottles, give uniform labels
Easier to read

18- Snack Zone

Kids
Sweet and salty
Healthy

19- Baking Supplies

Bin of baking supplies
Sort by holiday

20- Health Section

Protein powders
Smoothie additives
Supplements

21- Meal Prep Jars

Salads
Smoothies
Juices

22- Frozen Items

Smoothie ingredients
Meat
Soups
Expiry dates on homemade items

Betrome 48pc Square Glass Spice Jars

23- Allergy Notes

Mark with yellow or brightly colored label tape

24- Bulk Decanted Items

Flour
Sugar
Oats
Coffee
Dried nuts

25- Fridge Shelves

Condiments
Proteins and cheeses
Fresh produce

26- Utensil Drawer

Serving spoons and forks
Steak knives
Kids cutlery

27- Pantry Shelves

Dried foods
Pasta
Rice
Extra seasonings

28- Tea Collection

Different types of tea
Brands

iDesign Stackable Tea Organizer With Lid

29- Cleaning Products

Under the sink bottles
Items no longer in original packaging

30- Additional Drawers

Organizational products with drawers

31- Playroom Supplies

Figurines
Lego
Small part toys

32- Kids’ Craft Supplies

Construction paper
Crayons
Coloring books

33- Label By Child

Separate toys
Split things evenly

34- Toy Bins

Stuffed animals
Contents by type

Yamazaki Cleaning Caddy

35- Bookshelves

Reading age of books
Fiction / Non-fiction
Per child

36- Garage Storage Bins

Big, easy to read

37- Seasonal Decor

Holiday
Special occasion
Tradition
Indoor / Outdoor

38- Camping Totes

Cooking supplies
Tent and sleeping setup
Games
First aid

39- Emergency Kits

Fire evacuation
Earthquake
Lockdown

6pc 11.4L Plastic Storage Organizing Tote With Durable Lid

40- Medicine and First Aid

Cold and flu
Allergies
Bandages
Kids products

41- Beauty Supply Bins

Nail care
Skincare
Hair products
Hairstyling tools

42- Expiration Dates

Makeup
Hair products
Shower products
Decanted items

43- Drawer Containers

Cotton swabs
Cotton pads
Exfoliation pads
Dental care

iDesign Large Bin With Storage Handles

44- Cleaning Products

Toilet cleaner
Shower cleaner
Countertop disinfectant
Items no longer in original packaging

45- Family Member Bins

Per family member
Guest use
Excess supplies

46- Towel Hooks

Per family member
Guest use
Hand and face towels

47- Skincare Fridge

Sections for different product types
Order of routine

48- Shower Caddy

Per family member
Sections for different types

49- Product Bottles

Shampoo
Conditioner
Liquid soap
Items no longer in original packaging

2pc Amber Glass Spray Bottle With Pumps

50- Traveling Containers

Shampoo
Conditioner
Liquid soap
Skincare
Cleaning products
Jewelry

51- Makeup Brushes

Types of brushes
Per family member

52- Jars of Decanted Items

Soap bars
Epsom salts
Dishwasher tabs

53- Mirror Cabinet Shelves

Sections by skin, hair, dental, etc.

54- Bath Toys

Bin for bath toys
Per family member

4pc Anchor Hocking 1 Gallon Glass Jar With Lid

55- Magazine Holder

Types of magazines
Content
Kids or adult material

56- Dresser Drawers

Shorts
Jeans
Sweatpants
Workout clothes

57- Under-The-Bed Drawers

Socks
Shoes
Extra pillows

58- Bedroom Cords

Chargers
TV
Lamp
Cable box
Clock

59- Closet Shelves

Summer / Winter storage
Sweaters
Pants

6pc Bamboo Spring Adjustable Drawer Dividers

60- Nightstand Drawers

Sleep aids
Lavender / Calming spray
Lip balm
Sleeping mask

61- Vanity Drawers

Powdered makeup
Eyes
Lips
Brushes

62- Storage Furniture

Bins
Baskets
Containers
Cabinets
Desks
Wardrobes

63- Remotes

Cable box
TV
Media streaming box
Videogame console

iDesign Divided Makeup Brush Organizer

64- Plant Markers

Use laminated labels
Names
Caring instructions

65- Learning Language

Label commonly used items around home / office with new language
Teach little ones reading and names of items

66- Reminders

For self, kids, spouse
Do dishes
“Put away shoes”
“Clean up toys”
“I love you”

67- Gift Tags

Personalize gift tags

68- Table Setting Place Cards

Holidays
Dinner parties

69- Charcuterie Boards

Types of cheese, meat, cracker, dried fruits, spreads, etc.

50pc Bamboo Plant Markers

70- Hooks

Keys
Hats
Purses
Scarves
Reusable bags

71- Books

Without name on spine
Journal years

72- Videogame Storage

Console
Type of games
Kid-friendly
Per family member

73- Photo Albums

Printed photo books name / year
Spine
Sections of photos inside

74- Recycling Bins

Paper
Glass
Bottles

75- Kitchen Books

Cookbooks
Recipe books
User manuals

58L simplehuman Dual Compartment Kitchen Can

Disclosure: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This keeps Simply Productive 100% reader supported and free of ads or sponsorships.

Thanks for your support!

Dec 21

Love0

4 Ways To Make Next Christmas Easier

By Sherry Borsheim Blog, Checklists, Quick Organizing Tips, Simple Living No Comments

You might be tired of thinking about stress and Christmas right now.

Especially if there were any mishaps along the way.

Whether you couldn’t find the turkey lacers and thermometer, burnt the turkey, or couldn’t find the indoor and outdoor light timers, we all encounter some stressful mishaps during the holiday season.

But why does this stress seem to happen year after year?

One would think we might learn from our mistakes, but yet here we are rummaging through un-labeled boxes for the tenth time.

And it doesn’t come down to laziness as much as it does disorganization.

Maybe you’ve never learned how many decorations you need for a certain space.

Or how to plan a color theme.

Or how much greenery to buy each year (I document this and take photos so I don’t overspend and can save time decorating).

Or even to keep a running list of gift ideas and clothing sizes throughout the year!

We all have our stress points when it comes to holidays.

Next year, I want you to have the most successful, stress-free Christmas yet!

In order to achieve this, we must start early… like as soon as this Christmas wraps up!

Because throwing decorations into miscellaneous boxes now is only going to hinder this goal for next year.

Let’s begin with the Most Common Holiday Struggles:

Common Struggles Around Christmas

- Making the same mistakes each year due to disorganization
- Not having a clear vision of how to decorate the following year
- Winging it with no decorating timeline, which leads to feeling overwhelmed and stressed trying to figure it out last minute in a rush
- Unlabeled bins, so you have to open every single box to even see what they contain
- Rethinking how to store away and organize all the decor in existing containers (I have a huge time-saver for you here that you can even delegate to family members!)
- Overspending on gifts, no clear budget
- Wasting precious time searching for recipes and meal plans

Simply Productive Christmas Organizer!

Plan your holidays ahead of the rush

Debrief what worked well (or what didn’t)

Did you try a new stuffing recipe? Test a Secret Santa style of gift exchanging?

This is where you’ll keep record of anything new you’ve tried, and how it went. While it’s still fresh in your memory, write down or type up anything you did this Christmas that went really well, and what missed the mark. You can also include anything you want to try for next year, too. This offloads any of the stress of trying to keep your mental notes in order.

Below is a list of some useful prompts:

Did you have to travel too much / too little?
Would a getaway holiday have been nice, or did you really enjoy spending time at home?
Did you enjoy hosting? Would you prefer more, or less guests next year?
Is there anything on your holiday bucket list that you wish you had done?
Has your family aged out of some traditions and they now need to be revamped (or to do something totally different)?
What parts of your holiday were such hits that you’d like to do them again?
What did you imagine going really well but didn’t work out as planned? If you’ll try it again, how can it be improved?

Create a Pinterest board

My favorite of all! Piece together some images that inspire you, bring you joy, and that are just downright beautiful!

Nothing sets us straight into motion like having a plan ready early. Create a board titled “Christmas [year]” and start pinning. Now you’ve got all year to make a vision board for how you want next Christmas to look! Think about what you imagine in each space, outdoors, table settings, everything down to the last detail. This leaves no room for hmm-ing and haw-ing next year.

Here are some of our faves from Pinterest!

Purge, Label bins, + Make a list of the contents

We’ve all got some decorations we’ll never put out again. Don’t feel pressured by family obligation to keep items that are really just clutter to you.

If you really don’t like and won’t use those special decorations from your great-great grandma, pass them on. Another family member might be ideal but if nobody wants them, reach out to some friends or secondhand stores. If you’ve taken a liking to a certain theme the last few years, then only keep those blue and silver decorations. Whatever you do end up purging, just remember to label the rest. Group like things together (tree decorations, dining room settings, outdoors, etc.) so unpacking will be a breeze.

Quick Tip: Store your “Worked/Didn’t Work” list in a labeled Christmas box. Call it “Open First” or something along those lines so you’ll know to open it before anything else.

Scour the January sales

Sales start popping up everywhere right after the holidays, and not just for Boxing Day. Right now shops are looking to offload their excess Christmas supplies, too.

There is no better time of year to stock up on Christmas-y items than right after the holiday itself! After all the fun (and stress) has come and gone, stores are usually stuck with a bunch of extra goodies. So prep a list of what you need or would like to replace (this will keep you from overbuying) and hit the mall!

Take photos of how you decorated this year so you can refer to it next year. This has saved me a lot of time each year, as well save money because I don’t overspend on new decorations that I don’t really need. Plus you can always make little changes as desired!.

If any indoor or outdoor lights have stopped working, I’ll also make note of that so I have that important info for next year’s setup. I’m then able to purchase the replacements early instead of rushing at the last minute trying to find the correct color and style.

Checklists