I have a confession. I’m obsessed with organizing. Not just organizing but looking at pretty, organized houses on Pinterest. I have this real desire to have this amazingly gorgeous home with everything completely organized. But I’m a real mom on a real budget. There’s no way that can happen! I don’t have hours and hours to devote to getting everything put away nor do I have tons of money to spend on baskets and bins and a vinyl printer/cutter. Sound familiar? Are you a real mom too? Just because you are a real mom, running around like crazy, and have to save up money just to buy a new pair of jeans doesn’t mean you can’t have an organized house. Here are my tips for organizing for real moms.
Save your boxes
Diaper boxes are great for organizing and storing. I use them to store toys in the top of my daughter’s closet for when we do a toy rotation. Nothing fancy but they hold up quite well. Smaller boxes are also great as they can be used inside bigger boxes to separate things. Banana boxes are also great as the are sturdy like diaper boxes. Just cut some cardboard from a different box to cover the holes on the bottom and top.
Use cube organizers
I’ve become a huge fan of cube organizers. They are fairly inexpensive, look nice, and can hold quite a bit. Plus, they come in so many different sizes. They can accommodate just about everything you need them to. You can leave some cubes open for books or puzzles or bigger toys and some can hold fabric baskets to hold smaller things or things you don’t want seen. Cube organizers are like a busy mom’s dream come true.
Purge, purge, purge
The less you have, the less you have to organize. Keeping clothes you kids have outgrown? Only keep the things you loved or were classics/staples. 20 coffee mugs? Get rid of 10. Tons of toys? Help your children give away the items they don’t really use (or just do it for them when they aren’t home if that’s the only way it will actually happen…not that I’ve ever done that…). Yes, this step takes some time, but it will be very worth it in the end. Again, the less you have, the less you have to organize, and keep organized. No, you don’t have to go full minimalist but downsize for sure.
Organizing for real moms...because ain't nobody got time for that! Click To TweetLabel everything
No, you don’t need a label maker for this. Labels can just be made with a piece of paper, a marker, and some tape. I also often make labels with my computer, printer, and printable label sheets. Labels will save you. No more guessing what’s in what box or where something was supposed to go. I store outgrown clothes in plastic totes. Each tote has a piece of printer paper taped to one end with what size and gender the clothes are . With baby #2, it has made it so much easier to know what bin to grab when she needs to go up a size. I also label containers in my pantry. I can’t imagine trying to figure out if I’m grabbing baking soda or cornstarch every time I need one of those things.
Buy a piece at a time
If you do want to have your things be pretty, start by deciding what you want to purchase for each organizing project. Then start buying one or two pieces at a time. It is a great way to make your organizing prettier while still staying in budget. Another option would be to break out your inner craft goddess and cover your cardboard boxes with pretty paper or fabric.
Take your time
The last tip is for you busy moms. The initial organizing can take a lot of time so therefore, you’ve probably put it off? Am I right or am I right? Instead of looking at your whole house or even a whole room, look at one closet, one cabinet, one wall. Start with that. Start with purging and then seeing what you need to keep that spot organized. Go get a box or two from your stash and take care of what needs taken care of. Then, if you want to some day make it prettier, write down what you need (include dimensions) so you will know for when you can purchase the basket or bin. When that’s done, be done for the day. Don’t take on another task unless you truly have the time.
Organizing for real moms doesn’t need to be some big, scary, expensive thing. It can simple and easy and can make life easier. Make sure you follow these tips to make the most of your time and money.
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