My Organizational "Project"

So I saw something on (where else?) Pinterest a while back and thought, "I really wish I had the space for that."  It was basically just hooks on a wall for each kids' backpack with a memo board/calendar hanging above it.  Fast forward many months and the first week of school was suddenly upon us, bringing backpacks, lunchboxes, calendars, and paperwork galore into our already disorganized home.  I truly thought I was gong to lose my mind!  So I decided to get organized (which made a huge mess before everything got better, but that's how it goes I guess).  First, we got rid of our dining room table.  It was a drop leaf and we kept it dropped and pushed against the wall for about 360 days a year.  All it did was collect our junk and we only used it as an actual table for birthday parties and Christmas.  Next, we rearranged some furniture.  I know the bookshelf and china cabinet are crammed into the same space, but for now it will have to do.  Then, I cleaned everything out of the buffet (table cloths, crystal cake plates, etc) and put all of our art/school/sewing supplies in there.  It's great because now the kids can get their own supplies (with permission, of course), and we keep a child lock on it to keep Lucy from getting into the paint when I'm not paying attention!  I hung hooks for backpacks, memo boards, and a cork board in there and the room is no longer a dining room, but everything has a home and I feel so much more organized.

The magnetic memo boards are cookie sheets from Walmart (less than a buck apiece) covered in scrapbook paper.  They are great for reminders or notes.

The cork board houses school calendars (for two different schools), classroom calendars, church newsletter, and any other pertinent info that I need to see at a glance.  I didn't take a picture of the desk in our kitchen, but that has been organized as well.  Each family member has a folder and important paperwork now goes into the folder immediately, instead of cluttering up the desk.  I also have a bucket for all school papers/art projects/etc. that come home during the week.  We will keep it for a week, then sort through and trash/recycle most of it at the end of the week.  Last year I was afraid to throw away any school work, but not this year baby!

Here's the bookshelf that was already in the room, but now the glass doors have been removed.  The coat rack used to be primary colors so I just spray painted it and kept it in the room so that we can have more space to hang things.

So far this little "project" has made a HUGE different in my sanity levels so I'm thankful for that!  And if you want to come over for dinner, bring your own card table!