Ride in to the Clutter Zone

Who’s picturing young Tom Cruise blowing down the runway on his motorcycle (ala Top Gun)? Sorry, but I guess we’ll have ‘Danger Zone’ stuck in our heads together all day. I don’t know if it’s the new year, but I am practically nesting! (No, no chance of a baby!) I have been on a tangent lately to clear out the clutter and crapola in our house.

The first victim….our Kitchen counter! What once was a pretty little spot, is now a breeding ground for papers, invites, cell phones and all the other evidence of our busy lives. And what’s worse, is this is a very visible spot in our house…the side of the fridge can even be seen from the front door!

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But no more! I am corralling this clutter and finding a more inconspicuous spot for our home’s Mother Board. Here’s some of the inspiration I’m drawing from.

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Aren’t they just organizational bliss? I’m working on a new space for us, using mostly what we have on hand and a few inexpensive items. Do you have a dedicated spot for corralling crapola, or does it take over your house? Share any tips you’ve got!

Leave a Comment

27 Comments

  1. Looks like a great little project. Our mail tends to all collect on the countertop. I hate it and try and put it in a basket off to the side and then my hubby claims he can't find anything… We need a space like what you are making too!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  2. Love these. My husband tends to leave a trail of stuff so I'm slowly easing in to decluttering. These are some great inspiration!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  3. molly YEH! wrote:

    oh those pictures are beautiful!! especially that last one. i love that wallpaper.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  4. My kitchen island is my catch all. Even worse, it's smack in the middle of our house. If I could just get the mailman to stop bringing me junk mail and keep the kids from bringing home papers….sigh!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  5. Our countertop tends to gather junk, especially when my guy gets home from work and dumps out his pockets. I tend to gather up receipts etc and pile them into a huge white bowl and hope that he eventually sorts through them and tosses what's trash and keeps what's important. messy boys!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  6. Awesome! I went through this last week – I had had enough! Feels so much better to get organized – you picked out some great systems to choose from! Good luck!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  7. Bridget wrote:

    It must be the new year because we have been doing the same. It feels better everytime we do it. I love all these ideas and i cant wait until you share what you have done! Btw i cant get over your color combination in the kitchen LOVE IT!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  8. We have the same problem in our kitchen. Can't wait to see what you do as I need some inspiration to tackle mine!! Although, Top Gun does always put me in an inspiring mood. 🙂

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  9. claudia b wrote:

    Oh I love that hast pic from IHeartOrganizing – of course those fab wire baskets are discontinued – waaaa.

    I need to do something similar – thank you for sharing your inspiration!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  10. Those organized spaces = bliss in my world! I put it in a drawer so I don't have to look at it! Ha!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  11. Katie Lee wrote:

    This is so funny because I'm writing about organization today too. I can't function in clutter, at all! I love those ideas. Sometimes it's just as simple as throwing away the excess.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  12. Dani wrote:

    Were getting ready to move (to Plano!) and I'm collecting ideas for my command central–thanks for the great inspiration. Bits and pieces will find their way into my house for sure.
    One method that I've used to organize my projects (design, school, business…) is a clipboard wall. I posted about it here:
    http://made-journal.blogspot.com/2011/11/clipboard-wall-when-i-have-lot-of.html
    Dani

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  13. Katie Lee wrote:

    This is so funny because I'm writing about organization today too. I can't function in clutter, at all! I love those ideas. Sometimes it's just as simple as throwing away the excess.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  14. Katie Lee wrote:

    This is so funny because I'm writing about organization today too. I can't function in clutter, at all! I love those ideas. Sometimes it's just as simple as throwing away the excess.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  15. Jacci wrote:

    Very fun! I really liked the graphic black M-F letters, but – I have to say it – if you go that route, pls use the traditional "R" for Thursday. The letters W, T, and F in a row are kind of distracting, lol. If you don't get what I mean, go back and look at the picture again 🙂

    Can't wait to see what you cook up!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  16. I'm with you! It's taking over. I have a cute tin box that I keep all the bills in until I pay them, but it also has other junk in it. I'm awful about getting catalogs, magazines, and school papers and letting them pile up on our sideboard.

    Love the inspiration pics!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  17. Is the new Martha Stewart line calling your name? I can't wait to see what you do.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  18. Laurie wrote:

    I have a dedicated spot for clutter – the island countertop! ha ha Your post is inspiring me to corral it all.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  19. Tiffany wrote:

    I love these pictures, but I have a feeling my no-clutter zone would still turn into a clutter zone. I can't get my husband (or myself) to stay organized. We try but it never seems to last. I think we have to dedicate a closed drawer, closed being the operative word, to conceal our messiness.

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  20. We totally have an office nook and I desperately need to update it! One day…maybe when the nesting actually kicks in! 😉

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  21. Mandy wrote:

    My hubs likes to throw everything on top of the fridge. You know its bad when you open up the fridge and mail starts falling on your head! We have an office we never use! Maybe I need to get inspired to create a space!

    http://dailydoseoframblings.blogspot.com

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  22. I have a mix of the PB Bins and some bins from Ballard all on one wall (you can see it here about 1/2 way down the page… http://www.facebook.com/KWilsonDesign.Ohio.) However, with that said, I still have a sh*tload of papers on my countertops…

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  23. I am lucky enough to have more cabinets than I need. We have a drawer for our mail that we go though each night so it doesn't get out of control (but it does sometimes!) It is still within reach but I get the clutter free area I love!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  24. Leslie wrote:

    I love those spaces! We're finally starting to get all the paper clutter under control; just in time for tax time. We don't even have kids, and it seems to be a constant battle!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  25. Simply LKJ wrote:

    Can't wait to see what you come up with! Great inspiration pics!

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  26. Darn it if I'm not just a complete sucker for organization projects…not that I'm implementing them in my own home (yet, fingers crossed that I will get on it)…but man, they sure look slick! I'm curious to see what you come up with…y'know, so I can copy it (c;

    Posted 2.28.12 Reply
  27. I wouldn't feel so bad paying bills if I was in one of those spots!
    http://www.winetastegirl.com

    Posted 2.29.12 Reply