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Week 4 & 5: Foresee and avoid problems



Week 4 & 5: Foresee and avoid problems

Back to the series!  I'm combining last week {week 4} with this week because classes are getting crazy and time has been limited lately...

Habit 9 in the 10 Habits of Highly Organized People is to foresee and avoid problems.  The idea is to deal with a problem before disaster strikes. They say if you have a packed cabinet, "take a few minutes to short-circuit an avalanche before it happens".  In my home, there are several avalanches that are about to happen.  Most recently there was a spot under my farmhouse bar table that was about to strike and another in a kitchen cabinet.  I'm going to share what I did with the one under my table. The cabinet did get cleaned out though and it feels really good to not have things falling out every time I open it.

When we moved in, under this table we actually stored wine in the little cubbies {nope, haven't dusted under here in a long time}

 

After time, candles, jars, etc. piled up under there and I should have foreseen it being a problem...but I didn't. Mainly jars and candles take up the space...love them both and I always have a good use for my jars {love scrabble too, and yes you see a dictionary too because we like to confirm legit words around here}.  Anyway, when I need to grab something in the center, everything else falls...and it's a disaster. Ugh.  I have to remind myself this is why I'm doing this series though...to solve issues like this.  Do you have areas in your home like this?

I took everything out and found new homes for the bulk of the problem: jars & candles


I used two storage containers that I already had around the house.  Then, instead of putting the boxes back under the table to take up more space, I used the ikea storage unit that I painted and created a little skirted table.  We needed a tiny console table at our front door, so this worked out perfectly {it needs some serious styling right now...} 

So, so easy.  I used the no-sew idea from The Newlywed Diaries  


mine is not a continuous piece of fabric though...I wanted to be able to lift the skirt regularly, so I made 5 panels. One for each side, two for the front and one in the back.  This was also very cheap because I used drop cloths.


I added a tiny panel of floral fabric too...

Now the candles and jars have a new hiding spot and I'm not making messes trying to get to everything.  Again, the panels are so easy to lift because they are separate.  See the last two rows?

 I now have one less disaster zone in my home...

Tips on foreseeing and avoiding problems:

*make a date/time to do it and stick to tackling the problem
*take everything out before you begin 
*organize your items, make piles, see if you can toss or donate something 
*try to put less back in & find homes for the other items
*try your best to not add more after a week 
*aim for regular decluttering sessions

I have to say this habit really does help you get organized!  If you've stuck it out through this entire post, I hope you found something that you find inspirational! Only a few weeks left of the series...

Enjoy your weekend!  



*Storage Containers: white: ikea, charcoal: crate & barrel, stripes: ikea painted, polka dots: marshalls
*Drop cloths: finish factor
*Labels: Paper Source

19 comments:

  1. this is fabulous! you did a great job.

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  2. i love how you arrange things!

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  3. Just found you guys, and I share your love of organizing! Thanks for the tips. Have a good weekend :)

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  4. You girls are the best! Keep up the good work :) xoxox from the Range

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  5. Love the skirt and the peak of fabric!! Great job, I'm inspired to use drop cloths on some chairs...hum, I wonder.
    Janell

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  6. Great idea! There's your little owl peeping out aswell, love him!

    I'm going to look up this no sew method, as sewing is no-go area for me!

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  7. Can you come to my house and do this too- I LOVE this little area of your house now- it is just perfect!!!!!

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  8. I'm with Linds on this one! I love what you did with the cloth on your table...it looks so clean and organized!

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  9. why does your apartment look so bright and shiny compared to mine? I need to see this whole thing put together, in real life. Tell me when, I'll bring wine. Skip G-chatting for a day and use the saved up time to have us over for an hour.

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  10. Excellent! I love how you adapted this rather abstract "habit" into something concrete. Great post!

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  11. i love this! the labels are fantastic.

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  12. Amazing! Every little thing you do it killer! Next serries: home tour!?

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  13. you have really good advices! please come to my home too and organize! that table do and boxes look really fabuous.

    have a nice weekend girls!
    / Tiina

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  14. I have been searching everywhere for a way to cover my dining room buffet. I love the look. Now I just need to find some fabric!k

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  15. OMG - i love this blog!!! Must admit i have lots of areas like the one you've shown today.
    The idea from Newlywed ideas is just awesome - I have a space right next to the front door too and have been waiting (forever) to find the right console but haven't (is there an equivalent to West Elm/Craigs List in Greece???), so will try the DIY cloth idea - am armed with my sewing machine - just need some yummy fabric. Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!

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  16. I found your blog via SabbeSpot . . . I absolutely love your console! It looks amazing and the styling is to die for. And the labeled organization underneath! Making things pretty is such good incentive to stay organized.

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  17. where did you find those adorable storage boxes?

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