Laundry, Organized

We're pressing on with our new year's resolution

to be more organized.

The focus is on making the house

feel roomy to potential buyers,

despite its modest 1700 square footage.

One of the things I was most grateful for when I became a homeowner was having my own laundry room.

Having lived in apartments during my young

adulthood, a trip to the laundry room

seemed like such a waste of time.

It's so wonderful to be able to throw a load

into the machine and get something else done.

A laundry room is a great project to do

if you're not sure where to start.

It's small and manageable.

It may even motivate you to work on other parts of the house!

Before

We put this cabinet up when we moved in.  The existing

wire shelving was replaced by Big K.  He can't stand the stuff.

Contained here were cleaning supplies,

paper and plastic bags,

shoe polishing supplies and bleach used for the washer.

After

I simply moved the cleaning supplies to the left,

as they required more space.

The rarely used stuff is on the right.

Sometimes you just need to step back and rethink the practical things.

I also stashed a small sewing kit on the upper left shelf,

next to big K's shoe polish.

I donated most of the bags to the farmer

we buy some of our produce from.

She is always in need of bags for her customers

who forget to bring their own.

A few strong ones were saved, in case I need them for taking purged items to the local charity.

Before

We have a storage rack next to the machines

for extra supplies.

We stock up for hurricane season every year,

so this is a great out-of-the-way place to station them.

It had gotten a little out of hand as of late.

After

The top section houses the backpack I use every day

(I don't do purses)

and drinks...

After

while the bottom holds our grocery bags, so they are right by the garage when Saturday's grocery shopping comes along.

Yard shoes keep dirt outside.

I'm lovin' all the space left over.

Before

The machines we bought came with optional drawers.

I never turn down extra storage!

This just needed some cleaning up

to think about what was really needed to be kept here.

After

It's nice to have some tubs available for soaking things or

other types of heavy-duty cleaning around the house. 

This drawer holds two such tubs and

we keep our small A/C filters here too.

Wish I could use those clothespins,

but our HOA doesn't allow clotheslines. 

UGH!

After

Our washing detergent rests here (see the bags on the left?)

and several rolls of paper towels fit on the other side.

(Looks like I better put those on our list.)

I also keep a lingerie bag here for delicates.

These drawers are somewhat adjustable,

so they can be changed should the need arise.

There is a wall hanger for our mop,

feather duster and dustpan.

I plan on purchasing an over-the-door bracket to

hang our stepstool, which is usually found next to the washer.

Getting things off the floor is one of the most helpful things.

It just makes everything look like it has a place.

It's coming together. 

The feeling I get from having things organized

is one of peace and deep satisfaction. 

It keeps me focused on

being grateful for all I have by taking care

of what I have been blessed with.

It's the intention I plan to pass on...