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In my early days of organizing I kept my extension cords all wrapped up neatly in a box. I got one out when I needed it and put it away when I was through. Does that sound organized or more like a waste of time? Ya, that’s what I thought! After a few years of that nonsense I finally went to Home Depot and bought a bag full of extension cords. Now I always have one exactly where I need it, with my sewing machine, the hair clippers, the vacuum, etc.

Here are 20 more ideas for storing things where you use them:

Keep a garbage can and a box of tissues in every room. If you don’t have runny noses at your house at least do it for me when I visit.

Also keep a small garbage can in you car and empty it whenever you stop for gas. You children won’t use it of course but at least it will be there for you to throw your garbage in.

Keep a supply of plastic shopping bags in the pocket behind your car seat to use for garbage bags or to throw muddy shoes or children in.

Keep a small whisk broom in your car for quick clean ups.

Keep a pair of scissors in your bathroom for cutting tags or trimming bangs.

Keep a pair of scissors in your kitchen for opening packages or cutting pizza.

Keep a phone book by each telephone.

Keep a bottle of lotion next to every sink.

Store shoes AND socks by the back door so they will be ready to go when you are.

If you always get your drinks from your refrigerator keep your glasses in the cupboard closest to your fridge.

Keep your camera in your purse, ready to go, or in your family room where all the action is.

If your office is at the other end of the house, keep a drawer or basket of office supplies in your kitchen.

Keep a small sewing kit in your closet for stitching hems or re-attaching buttons when you’re in a hurry.

Keep a small squeeze bottle of liquid laundry detergent and a scrub brush in your bathroom for scrubbing out stains immediately before they set.

Keep a laundry basket in every bedroom and bathroom and even one by the back door for wet snow clothes in the winter and towels in the summer.

You can also keep a small basket under your kitchen sink for dirty dish towels and washcloths.

Keep a basket of clean swimming towels by the back door to take to the pool, for the kids to use in the back yard or to wipe up after wet feet.

Don’t keep extra sheets in a linen closet. Store them in the rooms where they will be used. Tuck the top and bottom sheet into the matching pillow case and lay it in the closet or between the mattresses at the end of the bed. Unless you are a princess, you will never notice.

Keep extra blankets in a big basket in your family room so you can easily fold them and put them away after a cozy night of reading or movies.

If you have small children, designate a basket or a drawer for toys and books wherever you spend your time. I have one in my bedroom, bathroom, family room and office. It makes it easy to clean up the toys that babies like to drag all over the house. You can also keep a few diapers in your toy baskets for quick bum changes.

Email your own organizing ideas or questions to asklazy@laragallagher.com

Photo courtesy of toki, used under a Creative Commons License.

[tags]tips, helpful, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, storage, efficiency[/tags]