Snazzy Organization Ideas: 7 Styles
I’m a little geeky when it comes to eye-appealing storage; in fact, I use the term ‘functional aesthetics‘ more often than my family would like to hear. Let’s face it, we all need to store our goods and possessions, so why not make it look attractive in the process
And for me, having stylish organization and storage motivates me to keep it well organized. I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to store stuff. Without further ado, here is my round-up of snazzy organization ideas using some uncommon items.
Organization Ideas for your Stuff
1. Glass Jars and Vessels
Table of Contents
I buy many of my pantry staples (beans, oats, rice, quinoa, etc…) in bulk at our local health food store, at Costco or from Amazon Subscribe and Save. Once home I put them in the jars I use in my pantry.
I’ve collected jars from a variety of sources. Since I can our soups and stocks, I always have Ball, Kerr, Weck or Kilner mason jars in my pantry. I have also picked up jars at Walmart, Target, Michael’s, Marshall’s and everywhere in between. I used the Martha Stewart by Avery labels that used to be available at Staples. I have been able to find these labels at Amazon…of course.
Yep, glass containers are where it’s at for my storage. I’ve also incorporated a wide glass apothecary jar in my bathroom to hold our bars of soap.
And here are some other organization ideas using glass containers in the bathroom:
Restoration Hardware
2. Wooden Boxes
Wine crates and other wooden boxes provide great storage and organization ideas when you really don’t need or want to see what’s inside. I have several wine crates in my pantry to corral small packages of stuff, this one holds my dried fruit.
You can find them on eBay, but also try your local wine stores and restaurants. I was given several just by asking.
Old cigar humidors or men’s jewelry boxes make great storage as well. We use this one to keep our remotes in one place and out of sight.
3. Metal Containers
I’ve collected several copper pots for use in my kitchen. While they are especially appealing when they have been recently shined, I don’t mind the smudges and natural discoloration that comes with everyday use.
The little one is from Williams-Sonoma. I love the size to hold my small whisks, spatulas and other smallish items that would otherwise get lost in my big utensil pot, which I found at a local antique store.
The rectangular one on the left was discovered in a cluttered bric-a-brac store in Riquewihr, in Alsace-Lorraine, France. I was hiking with a girlfriend and carried this container for the rest of my travels in my backpack, as my suitcase was jammed with other finds! I REALLY wanted this thing…I told you I was a little container-geeky.
4. Wire Baskets
Wire baskets make their appearance in several places in our home. I use wire mesh baskets in my pantry to corral similar, smaller items.
In this case, I found these small baskets at Walmart and jazzed them up with adhesive metal bookplates (they were from the Martha Stewart for Avery collection at Staples, but sadly I think they’ve been discontinued! I did find these on Amazon, though they don’t appear to be adhesive…just need to get a little creative).
I could not for the life of me tell you exactly the original source of these ‘baskets’ holding staples in my pantry but I think they are old freezer baskets. They had been receptacles for junk in our garages over the years before I discovered their utility indoors, gave them a good cleaning and a coat of spray paint.
They are a little quirky, but they work and I like quirky.
Terry tries to have a bowl of heart-healthy oatmeal most mornings and likes his oatmeal with many toppings. I found it easier and neater to keep those oatmeal condiments that get used on a regular basis corralled in one basket.
He just needs to get one thing out of the pantry and put one thing back in the pantry, making it more likely that it’ll end up in the same spot each time! 😀
5. Re-purposed Drawers and Such
I think it’s very clever to use something in a way different than it was originally designed for. Case in point, check out what Sarah did with an old Post Office Mail Cubby. Such perfectly charming organization.
Sincerely Sara D
One of my favorite pieces of organization/storage is this sewing machine drawer that we use to store our tea bags in the kitchen.
Funky Junk Interiors used old drawers to store her paint brushes
Funky Junk Interiors
Jen used two re-purposed drawers to store perfumes and lotions in her bathroom.
The Haystack Needle
6. Grass. Wicker and Twig Baskets
My mom has this huge basket with a lid that she always kept in our den for throws. Writing this post has reminded me that I need to find one similar to the one my mom has. Look at this beauty!
Vibekedesign
Turning a basket into a file drawer…CLEVER!
Imperfect Homemaking
I spy a new project!
Les Tissus Colbert
And ever-wonderful Ina Garten uses a large basket to store her oversized cutting boards! Brilliant.
House Beautiful
7. Silver/China Pieces
Once again, along the same theme of re-purposing, use your rarely used silver and china to store everyday items so that you can enjoy them… everyday! I use the silver sugar and creamer set that was a wedding gift many moons ago to hold my crochet hooks, stitch holders and cable needles.
The tools don’t get lost in drawers and they stay in one place and…I’m finally using the sugar and creamer set!
Kim at Tidbits and Twine uses her silver pieces in her bathroom. I love how this looks.
Tidbits and Twine
When I was younger my grandmother lived with us. She was an accomplished seamstress and kept a tin filled with buttons in her room. I have very clear memories of sitting on her bed eating the spearmint leaf candies she kept in her nightstand drawer and rummaging through her button box.
I accumulate all my buttons that come with a recently purchased item of clothing or from any other source in this china bowl that belonged to Terry’s mom. It’s a confluence of families…in a button collection kind of way.
Wow! If you’ve made it to the end of this post, give yourself a huge pat on the back. It was fun collecting all this organization and storage ideas and it has energized me to incorporate some of the web ideas into my home.
That’s it for today my friends and thanks for stopping by to visit. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. And when you leave a comment…ah, it makes my heart sing!
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Until next time,
Lynn… Fantabulous! I get so overwhelmed with organization or lack there of!! About to do a pantry at the lake. Can’t wait to use these ideas! I do believe this is a great direction for you! Cheers dear friend!!!!
snazzy is one of my most favorite words…annoys my hubby. These really are all so snazzy and maybe when my son is older I can use some of the ideas and not fear him breaking them!!!! Stopping by from #SITSBlogging
Thanks Karen…it’s a fun word, isn’t it! As it relates to your son growing up and not breaking stuff…mine is almost 16 and it is still a concern. Don’t hold your breath! :} Thanks for stopping by.
Oh look at all the of those containers! I’m a sucker for a good basket, bucket or bottle. So many things to organize, so little time! 🙂 Great round up.
I am co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty link party this month and would love to have you stop by for a visit. The current party is open through Monday night. http://alaynascreations.co/2015/07/24/home-matters-linky-party-47/
Hi Alayna, Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. I will head to your link party post haste! Thanks for the invite.
So many great ways to organize. Can you come over and help me? 🙂 Thank you for linking up at #HomeMattersParty this week, and hope to see you again next week.
Thanks Shann! I enjoy linking up at HomeMatters and will see you next week! Lynn
AWESOME!! Such fantabulous and clever storage ideas! I fall in love very easily with anything OLD, especially if it had a precious life story. What I mean is something old that was used for one thing and now can be turned into something completely different! Old items, since it’s not only furniture, fascinates me!? Paula
Thanks so much Paula! I’m completely with you about the ‘backstory’. Really much prefer something with history than something right off of the shelves…having these storied items on display as organization. They incent me to stay organized.
BTW…we have a measuring equivalent PDF to send you, but would you be able to print it off?
Yes ma’am, I can go to the library and print it off!? Your lemon would look much better, not to mention fresher, than my old faded one I’ve had for eons! LOL!!! Thank you, I will be looking forward to getting it! 😉 Paula
Oh my goodness, I love them all! I am a huge fan of “functional aesthetics”, I’ve never used that term before, but I will from now on. ha! I have a fabulous small vintage looking dresser in my living room which stores my small photo props and additional napkins and things, it’s yellow and I love it. I also found an awesome old trunk that I put in my bedroom. Thanks for sharing at From the Archives Friday, see you next week!
Good Morning Chellie, don’t you love the term ‘functional aesthetics’…it’s so descriptive. And I’m always on the look out for a new piece of storage…like I said, it’s rather an addiction of mine. Thanks for swinging by today and thanks for giving new life to our old posts.
Hugs, Lynn
Love love LOVE storing things in glass jars and containers! Loved this post 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth…I do too! I know it may seem like a silly thing to many, but I am so much more inclined to stay organized if my organization looks pretty! Just how I am.
Thanks for coming by and for leaving your sweet comment.
Hugs, LYnn
Lynn, you certainly taken fashionably functional storage to a new level. I love all of The Rustic touches that the storage containers bring to decor. I can’t even say which one I like more I love the cleanness of the glass in your pantry and bathroom. But those repurposed antique drawers are really cool. I love galvanized tin of any type. And the wire baskets, especially for your toilet paper container in the bathroom, really hit the spot for me. I’m going to start being more creative with my storage and when I go to a thrift store or antique shop my eyes will be looking at items differently.
Hi Nikki…thanks so much for swinging by and leaving your kind words. I’m with you that the repurposed drawers are my favorite, but do have a penchant for any kind of unique storage solutions. It is fun to find different ways to store items. That wire basket had been sitting in my garage for years before I considered it for Kate’s toilet paper. So go search your garage!
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!
hugs, Lynn
OH MY, LOVE IT ALL…FEELING INSPIRED TO GET MY ACT TOGETHER!!! Lol
Thanks Michelle! Having spiffy containers always motivates me to get my organization on! Really appreciate you swinging by and leaving your kind comments.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
A lovely collection of storage ideas Lynn! I’m all for making storage spaces look pretty and with wire baskets, wooden boxes, glass jars it all just looks so much better! I love your idea to hide the remote controls inside the wooden box and that apothekary jar is beautiful for the bathroom, I have to look for some for mine too! My dream would be a pantry with all jars, that might make me want to cook more often!
Thanks Katrin…you now know my weak spot…In fact, Terry and I are on a little road trip right now and we stopped at a couple antique stores and what did I buy? 2 old milk jars, a big metal box and a wire oyster crate. Just realized that! Too funny. Thanks for visiting my friend.
Hugs Ltnn
Hi Lynn, I am so grateful to have discovered you site recently. I absolutely love all that you create, encourage, guide and share. You have THE best job ever !!!
I am desperately trying to downsize from a 3 storey home to a 1 bedroom condo and it is sooooo overwhelming. My younger sister has gifted her time and ideas to help me work through this journey. Everything had it’s own place and was labelled and categorized. I loved it. My space is limited now, so any tips you may have for this overwhelming task would be soooo appreciated. I love to knit, bake, and cook so as you can imagine that all takes up space. I have some amazing pieces of clothing, purses and shoes which I am loosing weight and they will be my reward. That said, I realize I can’t go back to my size 2 of 7 years ago. Our seasoned bodies just don’t allow it. That said, I’d love to be a 4 – 6. I was at my happiest and healthiest then. I am definitely a work in progress and trying to be creative to get where I want to be in a slow and steady pace.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts Lynn,
Natalie
HI Natalie,
I’m so glad to have you here and that you wrote in.
And you definitely have some challenges coming up, but I can tell you are an upbeat/optimistic person and that’s more than half of the battle! I just helped a friend go through the same downsize and it isn’t easy, but it is doable.
1. Do little bits at a time and give yourself a reward of some type…from sitting and enjoying your favorite show or a small purchase, like your favorite candle. This applies to all challenges, from trying to downsize or lose a little weight.
2. Find a good podcast to listen to as your sort through. Not only will it keep you entertained, but if you are prone to get too ‘in your head’ it will help with that.
3. You need to be really ruthless as to what stays and what goes. My girlfriend made some lovely dolls in the past and had all her doll-making stuff. But her kids don’t want dolls anymore, so she really had to ask herself why she would keep that stuff.
4. Find a ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook group in your area. My experience was that I would put stuff on the FB group, then put it on my front porch and it’d be gone before the end of the day. No more driving around with stuff in your car until you stop at Goodwill.
5. I donated a bunch a yarn to our senior center, who makes baby hats for newborns. It hurts less to donate your good yarn when you know it is being put to good use.
6. As it relates to cooking/baking gear; do you have friends/family with similar interests? Are there things that your sister has that you could borrow if you donated yours?
7. Domestic Violence shelters are always looking for cooking/baking supplies.
8. Bottom line, you just really to pick up everything in your home and ask hard questions about it.
9. Find an accountability partner or someone to help. Sounds like you have that in your sister! That’s wonderful
I have a couple of posts that might be useful:
https://nourishandnestle.com/downsizing-tips/
https://nourishandnestle.com/how-to-declutter-10-questions-to-ask-yourself/
Keep me posted on your progress! And I’ll keep thinking of suggestions.
You’ve got this, girl!