Garage Nirvana

Garages are such multi-purpose locations in our homes are are used frequently, but often neglected. At our home, we use the garage for:

1. Lawncare storage
2. Recycling and garbage bins
3. Bikes, helmets, and scooters
4. Home projects

 With all the activities that we've had going on, the garage has been the official dumping ground for all these efforts as well as for our recycling bins (three in total). Unfortunately, these have to sit flat on the floor and take up oodles of space. I thought moving them to the workbench might be better, but then that takes up valuable space that we would much prefer to be able to, well, use. While Pinteresting (of course!), I found the most clever idea from Family Handyman magazine.

The home projects are numerous and frequent, but the most space consuming is the planning a major garage sale as a result of our household endeavors and boy are we pack rats! I really didn't think that we could have that much stuff that we didn't need, wasn't useful, and didn't make us happy. However, that will be a blog for another day.

Absolutely. Freaking. Brilliant! For the cost of a 2x4, a 1x4 and some screws that we had on hand, we were able to take some unused wall space and turn it into recycling nirvana.

Next, in a fit of cleaning and purging, we went through the garage looking at what we needed to keep, what was garbage or recycling, and what needed to be relocated. Most items were things that needed to be moved out to the storage shed where they belonged. The rest needed a home and quick!

A lot of items went into our (already) full recycling bins and other items went into the cabinets or above in the hangers from Home Depot. Another great idea!

Finally, it has come down to five bikes, five helmets, and three scooters. The garage is out as it would mean that we would be hanging the bikes, which would make them inaccessible to the kids without help. This is a nice option, but somewhat spendy for our budget.

The next option is probably more realistic and suited to our storage needs.

Source: ilikesheds.com

The drawback? The plans are from a company in the UK with the exchange rate to match. (Sigh). Regardless, I am still looking for great ideas on bike storage. What creative ways do you store kids bikes?

I am part of the Inspiring Thursday link party!

 

Creative Ideas Abound!

Today is a bit of inspired randomness, largely brought on by great coffee and delicious ideas as part of the Spring into Organization link party.

Oh my...the ideas that I am seeing are SO creative, cost effective, and simply gorgeous! I am definitely in major love with the link party concept. What a great way to share ideas and get the creative juices flowing. My creative juices are flooding me with ideas and I have been busy over the weekend perusing the sites and Pinteresting my favorites on my various boards, including Lovely Organization. If you haven't been Pinteresting yet, watch out! It is so incredibly helpful for organizing your inspirations for different projects visually and making notes about what elements of the post, picture, or article that you liked. You do have to request an invite or be invited, so feel free to ask me to invite you. I love helping others get their creative mojo on, all while making it more efficient!

Speaking of helping others, I LOVED the post by DaNita of Delightful Order. Thanks so much DaNita for the wonderful article on How to Link to a Link Party for the Spring into Organization Link Party.

Source: Delightful Order

As a new blogger, I am up to my eyeballs in figuring out how to customize my blog so that it is pretty, functional, and (of course) organized as nothing makes me want to check out a blog more than seeing great layouts, harmonious colors, and cool tools. Jennifer Jones from iHeartOrganizing updated her blog in February with mouseover images so you can see where she got the products from. I really LOVE the idea of giving my product sources right off the bat!

Source: iHeartOrganizing

So now, I am splitting my time between continuing my organizational fun (and boy, the fun I am having!) and working on my blog. At home, I've had lots of projects going involving my Silhouette and labels (so fun!). The blog is my newest addiction and I really like having this creative outlet. These are, of course, in addition to all the other wonderful things I have going on with my family and with work. Definitely busy, but wonderfully fulfilling times!

So, what were your favorite items from the Spring into Organization link party? What are you doing to spruce up your Blog as a result of the other sites you saw?