Reader Christie asks for some ideas for organizing products that fit a smaller budget than many of the products I've featured. While it's fun to note the more unusual pieces (which often come with good-sized price tags), many of us do have budget constraints!
General Strategies
First of all, a number of organizing products (anything from plastic bins to bookcases) can often be found at one of these places:
- Freecycle - a good-quality bookcase was offered on my local Freecycle just today.
- Garage/lawn/tag sales
- Thrift stores
- Dollar stores - I've bought plastic storage bins there for clients on a budget.
I imagine you could also get some good things from craigslist or eBay if you got lucky.
Coming up in price a bit, you can often find reasonable products at the local drugstore or hardware store, or at major chains such as Target or IKEA. I've had some great success with baskets from Cost Plus World Market. The picture above is their flax collapsible box, $14.99 for the large one.
A Few Interesting Products (beyond basic plastic)
1. One of my clients just bought some of these toy trolleys from The Container Store, and she's happy with them. They're made from recycled fiberboard. $19.99 each.
2. This toy organizer is currently on sale for $29.99.
3. Hooks are one of my favorite organizing tools - so easy to use. I have this turtle hook by Metalmorphosis (in a different color) by my front door to hold my key ring. They have many different designs, all for $14. Update on Sept. 14, 2010: Metalmorphosis is now Metallum Creations - and still selling hooks.
4. Schoolfolio provides a way to save your child's art for $27.95.
Absolutely fantastic, thank you so much Jeri! And I LOVE that turtle hook, so cute!
ReplyDeleteQuick question, I utilize a ton of wall space because we're in tight quarters, but it's mostly shelves with labeled bins and baskets on them.
I've been reading a lot about clear storage bags hanging on wall hooks and was surprised to hear you like hooks too! For some reason I always thought hanging things on wall hooks (other than sweaters, coats, schoolbags & keys in or near the closet) would look cluttered.
What sort of things beside the above-mentioned would you hang, and where would you hang them? Hooks can definitely be affordable...
Your site is absolutely eye-opening and inspiring. THANK YOU!!!
Christie,
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome!
Regarding hooks: I do indeed use them mainly for clothes, keys, and such. But certainly they can be used for a number of other purposes.
While clear bags give you the transparency to see what's inside, they may create a busier look than you want. You could always use a different type of bag and just label it and/or use some sort of color coding.
But the whole subject of hooks deserves a separate post - expect to see it in the next few days.