Storage Containers, Donate or Sell, Hangers
Welcome friends and readers....
Happy Spring. No matter that temps are still in the 40's in Chicago, the longer days, daffodils and flowering trees have me feeling more creative and hopeful. While it is always a good idea to take stock of your home and closets as the seasons change, spring cleaning is real! Here are a few things I have been thinking about lately....
Storage Containers
Whether bought or recycled, every kitchen has them. Many are plastic, some are glass, most have lids and some do not. Oftentimes they are spilling out of drawers and cabinets. Because they are of various sizes and shapes they are tough to organize and take up much needed kitchen space. While I strive to repurpose containers and jars in my kitchen, I traded in my hodgepodge of "tupperware" and bought deli food storage containers in three sizes. I love them!!! First, they are super inexpensive and a great way to share leftovers with friends with no expectation of returned containers. Secondly, they have a small footprint. All three sizes use the same lids and stack neatly in one another. Not only are your drawers more organized, but your refrigerator as well. Lastly, they are dishwasher safe, BPA free and can be used in the microwave. I also have some of the meal prep storage containers that I use for larger items.
Donate or Sell
Inevitably, when organizing a space, there will be items my clients no longer need. The question as to what to do with "the stuff" always arises. If you have the time, selling or consigning items of value can be a real way to recoup some costs. There are online sites such as Thredup, The Real Real and Poshmark where you can list your current, on-trend clothing. For furniture or homegoods, Facebook Marketplace or your local consignment store are helpful. However, as a rule of thumb, it will take you more time and you will make less money than you might imagine. Keep in mind that certain brands are more desirable than others and most people are looking for a bargain! For those of you who do not have the time, donating is a great option. Feel good about releasing your items to others that will love them. By repurposing your goods, they are kept out of landfills and shared with others in need in your community.
Hangers
I have been knee deep in closets for the past few weeks and when people ask where to start, my first suggestion is usually matching hangers. This allows for a uniform backdrop and the visual continuity will be an instant boost. Which hanger you choose is dictated by your space, clothing and budget. I have been using these space saving hangers in apartments and tighter closets. They are inexpensive, do not take up a lot of room and clothes stay on and come off easily. While I am not a huge fan of velvet hangers as cotton clothing seems to "stick" to them, they can be helpful when you have a slippery shirt or dress. Wood hangers look great but definitely take up a lot of real estate and can be expensive. I do think they work well for jackets and coats though. I also really like metal pant hangers. If you have a double hung closet, they keep your pants slightly higher and out of the way. You can donate your old plastic hangers to Goodwill and recycle your metal hangers from the dry cleaning.
