Tuesday, May 19, 2009

tackling a hot spot!

Typically Tuesdays are my days to clean house, organize, do laundry, etc. I usually don't have much planned, so we pretty much spend Tuesdays at home...unless of course we're invited to go do something than forget housework!

So, how perfect is it that 5 Minutes for Mom hosts Tackle it Tuesday every week? I've been participating in Tackle it Tuesday pretty much from the beginning of starting my blog last May. I've said it before, but there is just something motivating about taking before and after shots of all of your hard work. Today isn't any different and I finally was able to tackle a little something I've been meaning to do for awhile.

Ever since we gave up our office when Austin was born, we downsized (in a major way) to one small computer armoire that currently resides in the living room. The intention was to have something we could close up when guests come over, but most often it just sits with the doors open. I was getting a little frustrated looking at the disorganization and stuff just shoved here and there. This is definitely a hot spot in our house where a lot of things start piling up. It was obvious that I needed to tweak a few things to make it look more presentable on a day to day basis. I was putting it off until today...I finally found the motivation! And I'm extremely happy with the changes I made! Nothing too drastic, but enough to make it work for us and still look clean and organized.

~ BEFORE ~
Ugh! what a mess...so many papers and junk!
Unfortunately, this is not at its worst!

~ AFTER ~
I moved things around a bit to make it look less cluttered.
Now I just have to keep away the piles of paper!

~ BEFORE ~
Just a hodge podge of stuff looking tacky.

~ AFTER ~
(aahhh! that's better)

We found these great storage boxes at IKEA.
I wanted something that would match and look nice.
I added labels to each of the boxes for that added touch.

~ BEFORE ~
On one of the shelves were these drawers.

I couldn't stand that people could see inside, so taking an idea I saw on Heather's blog at Party in Pink, I added some fun paper to the front of each of the drawers. However, instead of Mod Podge, I just used tape to attach it on the inside. I thought that maybe I would use these drawers for something else in the future, so I didn't want to do anything permanent.

~ AFTER ~

~ BEFORE ~
the full view
~ AFTER ~

the full view

Now the mission is to keep it looking sparkly and new...
or at least somewhat presentable.

And, in typical fashion, the kids left me another
little something else to tackle today...

I don't have an "after" to share of this,
but it is all cleaned up as I type.

Join in the fun and motivation to get some things tackled at 5 Minutes for Mom.

25 comments:

Russell Family said...

Looks Great Heidi! Nice job!

vicki said...

WOW! You worked hard on this tackle. The kids were probably making the mess while you were cleaning the armoire. :)
Love,
Mom

Kelli said...

This is just the inspiration I need to work on my desk space! I love the silver mesh drawer thingy. I need to do something...I've posted about my space recently. I'm still in the though process. Your space looks great and I love how you covered the drawers with paper.

Unknown said...

Well done. I love the paper in front of the plastic drawers.

Miller Racing Family said...

I do agree with the fact that blogging helps keeps you accountable to others. You did great tackling the office area. I love how you covered up the plastic storage drawers. Great ideas. Thanks for sharing and have a great Tuesday!

He & Me + 3 said...

I love what you did with the clear draws...so cute. Great job organizing. Love it.
Love the crazy picture at the bottom too...oh the messes of motherhood. LOL

Lyndsie Miles said...

I just need you to come help me organize my new house. You have such great ideas!

Also, I LOVE those IKEA boxes! I use the larger size to organize the kids shoes into sizes.

Heather said...

Yea for the decorated drawers! Isn't it amazing what a little paper can do?! Glad it worked for you.

Shawn said...

Looks Fab-U-Lous!

I love the idea of putting cardstock in the front of the drawers, very clever!

B said...

It looks GREAT. I love the idea with the clear drawers and paper.

Sarah said...

First off, glad to see your livingroom looks like that sometimes too! :-) Nice job on the computer area. I really like the idea of paper to cover up the plastic drawers, looks SO much nicer and neat since you can't see what is inside. Inspired again!

Unknown said...

Great Job! Love your computer area -- Love the colors. TFS

Anonymous said...

I love the way you rearranged things!

Kelli W said...

Wow! The after looks so clean and organized! I love the idea of putting paper on the clean drawers...I hate when you can see all the clutter! My living room looks like that ALL the time...my boys love to take off all the pillows and cushions, and it drives me crazy!!

Melissa said...

It is so funny how many people say their cushions are always on the floor too. I thought my kids were just being exceptionally difficult.

You did a great job decluttering.

Creekmore's said...

Those boxes are really nice and I love the paper idea in the clear drawers. I think I'll do that on my scrapbook table.

Sarah Ondracek said...

I so am going to borrow your idea of covering the drawers with paper! TOO CUTE! Your armoire looks very nice now:)

Joyce said...

I like to be organized too but all my boxes are empty by Friday and the stuff is all over the house again. Maybe I need to put a lock on my boxes so the stuff does not jump out:)
Joyce

Emily said...

Wow! Great job. My kids are constantly taking the couch cushions off too...they call it "cushion time"!

Tammy Williams said...

I wish we had an armoir in our bonus room for our OFFICE stuff, but our computer is nicely hidden from the rest of civilization in our closet:) And the cushions on the floor? Maya used to do this when she was VERY young but I put a stop to it pretty quickly. It drove me nuts. You must have a lot more patience than I do though. I'm sure my kids just wish they could be kids instead of having me clean-up after them every 5 minutes....haha.

Jessica said...

Good ideas! Thanks for sharing.

Tracey said...

Your tackle turned out great! I love what you did with adding paper to the drawers. (By the way, I passed along an award to you -http://girlstogrow.blogspot.com/2009/05/you-heard-it-here-first.html)

Xazmin said...

Looks fabulous Heidi! You're my idol of organization!

It Feels Like Chaos said...

Oh my goodness, I love the idea of putting cute paper in the front of those clear drawers!!! I would have never thought of that! I have a few of those clear drawers around the house and now I'm going to doll them up! So funny to show what the kids were working on while you were organizing. That happens at my house all the time; I call it 2 steps forward, 1 step back (or 2 steps back depending on the intensity of their mess), because while I'm doing anything productive, chances are my kids are undoing something else!

Kasey said...

What is it about kids wanting to take the cushions out of the furniture!? my kids do that and it drives me nuts!

 
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