Do you feel like papers take over your life—and more importantly, your countertops? It doesn’t seem like I can ever a good handle on the amount of papers my kids bring home from school or the artwork they make when they’re here.
I was browsing through Milk and Honey Home this morning when I saw this:
Milk and Honey Home; photography by Jennifer Kesler
I love the numbered bins. I can just picture five hanging in my hallway. . . or laundry room. I emailed Julie to ask where she found them. She actually bought them for one of her clients at the Mart in Atlanta (these are made by Aiden Gray), but tipped me off that Restoration Hardware Baby & Child carries something similar:
How do you tackle the paper piles in your house?
PS—For all of those who leave comments. . . you should pop over to Cassie’s blog for this great tip on how to make sure your Blogger profile is set up so that you can receive email responses. There are so many of you who I would love to respond to, but can’t because of the way your profile is set up :(
OOH! I'm so excited that she shared her source. Love that look. Really, I love everything they design.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Cassie's blog. I've gotten two "no-reply" comments this morning and I always feel so badly!
I've gotten so much better about this in the past year. I try to deal with most paper immediately as it comes in the house: mail into "keep" or directly into the recycling bin; kids papers directly into recycling or into their action files next to my desk. I just use a magazine holder for each child, and only keep this week's homework and classroom newsletter, any permission slips or current school info, and a few samples of schoolwork or art that I might want to keep. Every couple of weeks I empty those files. Ever since we renovated the kitchen we've been obsessed with keeping piles of papers off the counter! Now if I could only develop a consistent habit for dealing with the newspapers!
ReplyDeletegreat tips! I have a filing bin on my kitchen counter - sure isn't as pretty as the metal option you showed, but will have to work for now until something else is in the budget.
ReplyDeleteWith 3 kiddos I am ALWAYS fighting with paper piles!!! I organize and re-organize, using different systems but it seems our needs are always changing. Oh well, gives me a good excuse to shop for fun office supplies : )
ReplyDeleteSoooooooooo cute! I love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing... I can envision so many uses!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Monday.
such an awesome solution. i need to do this at least in my office!
ReplyDeleteBethany
http://www.powellbrower.com/2012/02/last-chance-for-our-giveaway.html
Thanks for the tip! I feel cool now! :)
ReplyDeleteOne word...Bulletin Boards - actually thats 2 words - but I love to use them to organize all the paper that passes thru our home. I also have similar hanging files - I love folders! I found mine at an office supply store. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteSuper Cute! I am always looking for a way to deal with piles...right now I just move them from one place to another. This looks much more efficient
ReplyDeleteI have so much PAPER! In fact today is the day I planned to tackle it. Better get off the computer :) I feel like I don't have one good drop off spot so it ends up on the kitchen table, the kitchen counter, the dining room table, etc. I am having a desk made for my mudroom and hoping it makes a difference. It will have lots of filing space, lots of shelving, and will hopefully be the one spot for all papers.
ReplyDeleteMy piles are especially bad after a week of meetings and appointments. Things should be better after today.
ps....really like Melissa's suggestion of magazine holders for each child.
How funny. Posted about this today on my blog! New file system on the counter. Fingers crossed it keeps working. And love Cassie's post. Need to link to it as well.
ReplyDeleteThat pic looks so gloriously organized! Your post last week about unused spaces has created a montster! I'm currently ripping through our back hall, and eyeballing a corner of the breakfast room to make it an organizing spot. TJ Maxx/Marshalls is carrying those file organizers right now. I got a stacked three like what you showed, but they look like wire baskets. I'm rambling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link back! It's cracking me up the people that are commenting on today's post, that are still no-reply bloggers! :) We can only lead the horse to water ;)
I am so organized in most aspects of my life but the paper issue has me perplexed. My current remedy for the kids' stuff is that if you need me to read/sign something give it to me and take it back immediately. If it is left for later it might grow feet and walk out of the house.
ReplyDeleteSO funny you posted this....I just asked carpenter I use to make me some like they have at Ballard Designs. I've got 4 kids, and between church and school...there is so much paper crap! : )
ReplyDeletePurge weekly...really it's the only way. Every Wed we get a packet full of notes, newsletters and graded homework etc. Replace the new newsletter on the fridge then make your recycle pile with all the items that need to be pitched, sign everything you're supposed to and note dates on the calendar. I only keep about 2 pieces of paper a week and they get pitched as soon as the new ones come in.
ReplyDeleteI also have files for longer storage like girl scouts etc...
Hanging file with the childs name on it and folders with clubs, medical etc...
I have piles everywhere... I keep meaning to get organized. And thanks for the PS... I need to go check that out!!
ReplyDeleteI just throw everything away! Just kidding (kind of). I went paperless on everything I could, then I have a filing system for things I need to keep long term and a pottery bowl on my counter for short term items.
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much for the link for replying to comments. I always want to reply to people, but I can't unless I go on their blog and post a comment.
Such a well-timed post! I just bought a similar wall-mounted file holder from Ikea (far less cute than the ones you show, but functional and magnetic), and was wondering how I could dress it up just a little (but still keep it husband-friendly). This seems like the perfect solution. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese are such great options. That thing that really caught my eye in the first image, is the color of the wall in the bathroom...any idea what it could be??
ReplyDeleteI've actually been hoping to DIY something similar, and I love that you shared this because I really love these! I especially think it's great that they have small "envelope sized" in and out bins. Genius!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I bought the hang-up home organizer from 31 products and stuck it inside my pantry door. I can't stand clutter and this baby has revolutionized my life! there's a pocket for each kid (I only have 3) and one for bills, plus more for miscellaneous things. i love having things off my countertop.
ReplyDeletehttp://catalog.thirtyonegifts.com/page38_39.html
(p.s. I am not a consultant!)
I have a galvanized metal file folder from Pottery Barn. It was the best purchase I made 12 years ago. With four boys in our house, it makes paperwork so easy. What I have done for each boy is put colored pocket folders in their file. Red - school, Yellow - church, Green - sports. Anything they need or me - they know right where it is
ReplyDelete