A guest writer from Nostalgic in Maine shares a series of tips on how to get organized on a budget this spring. Today’s post focuses on organizing the bathroom – check back this week for additional posts on organizing your kitchen and kids’ playroom.
For more tips on staying organized, check out the ClutterDiet blog by Lorie Marrero. Lorie is our spokewoman for the Goodwill Donate movement!
Organizing on a Budget: The Bathroom
Spring has teased us southern Mainers for a couple of weeks now and with that comes spring cleaning. Now, it’s too soon to pack away all the winter gear just yet, and my wood stove is still burning every day. However, with the extra light and thoughts of a warmer season ahead, I always get inspired to tackle all the mess and clutter that somehow build up during the dark winter months.
Every magazine seems to feature articles on organizing with plenty of advice on how to store everything from socks to spices to garden supplies. However, if you look closer at those bins, baskets and so-called storage solutions in those fancy magazines, only a pretty fat wallet could muster $20 a piece for special shoe boxes or $60 for bamboo desk organizers. Even with organizer solutions from places like Target, it quickly adds up if you need to organize more than one room. Besides, is it just me, or does it feel a bit wrong to pay a lot for stuff that simply stores other stuff?
I suggest heading to Goodwill this spring for fun, unique, unusual and inexpensive storage solutions. I have included a few of my thrift store finds that make my home more organized. Some are just practical, some are charming, but they all help to keep my home less cluttered while adding a bit of unique style.
The Bathroom
This is a room that easily gets cluttered, especially if you share it with the whole family. Here are a few of my thrift store additions that keep us organized in the morning.
These square baskets fit neatly next to each other hold makeup, cologne and my hair accessories. I see these at Goodwill all the time in the basket section and usually cost $0.99. The vintage tin in the front is one of my daughter’s favorite and holds her increasing stash of hair ribbons. Next to the tin are two baby food jars that hold rubber bands. Practical and inexpensive and we all know where to find our things in the morning.
Our Q-tips and cotton pads are stored in glass candy jars that also are a steady staple at Goodwill. They are usually between $0.99 and $1.99 a piece. I bet you could find similar ones in fancier home goods stores too, but probably not for the price of candy!
This dish is a favorite. It holds my husband’s glasses and contact lenses and fits perfectly on the narrow shelf over the sink. It has probably been all over the world too since it is a vintage Pyrex dish that once held airplane food – marked PanAm underneath. How cool is that? $1.99.
I love baskets and use them for storage all over my house. Here is a selection in my linen closet that hold detergents, clothes pins and wash clothes. Practical and pretty. Again, Goodwill has a whole section of just baskets and you can find all kinds of varieties for less than $3 a piece.
Stay tuned for some more tips on organizing your kitchen!
