New Project: Conquer Kitchen Counter Mess!

Like I'm sure many of you can sympathize with, our kitchen counter top is a catchall for all kinds of stuff: mail, kids binders, newspapers, keys, dishes, food, etc. It seems like no matter what we do we cannot keep stuff off that counter!

While thinking creatively about my kitchen and pantry re-organization I decided to tackle this as well. We have this blank wall next to the back door where I used to have a little chalkboard hung up. We never used it and the little shelf it had was just a dust collector. So down it went. I was at Marshall's one day and found a wall hanging for office organization that immediately gave me inspiration for this space. So I bought it, brought it home and hung it on the wall.

It fit perfect and it fits over the phone outlet nicely so that once filled, you will not see that ugly thing anymore.

On the same shopping trip with Tonya and Heather, Tonya found these super cute frames at Kohl's that have a magnetic space on them. I decided I would get one to go with each of the baskets and add pictures of us. A little bit decorative but still useful - I love it!

My handy hubby was nice enough to install them for me so that they would be securely fastened to the wall.

Look! He even has the construction worker shirt!

It was looking so good. I debated about what kind of system I wanted for the baskets and decided that file folders would be the most functional for us and they fit right into the baskets. So I ran to Staple's since I knew they carried pretty file folders. I had a hard time finding semi-boyish folders for Logan but I managed to find one with blue polka dots and one with little sunbursts.

Next, I had to put my graphic design skills to work to finish up the project and make everything look pretty. I created labels to put on the file folders. I decided that the kids would have 2 folders, 1 labeled "School", and the other "To-Do". In the school folder I added 2" fasteners and attached their syllabi's, their lunch number information, and any other notes from the school. Any homework papers, project descriptions or other papers that will be vacating the folder in the next couple weeks are loose in the folder. The categories I used for Brandon and I are: New Mail, Ready to File, Bills, and Miscellaneous.

I also purchased a planner to keep in our basket with the family calendar. We always have a hard time remembering what's going on, especially with my sometimes crazy schedule. Also, I was tired of the calendar inside the cabinet door. The planner calendar allows us to look at the month at a glance and then if there is something that requires more explanation we can write it in the daily pages that follow the monthly calendar

For the final touches I had to create the labels for the front of the baskets. I kept it with the same theme as the labels I made for the folder labels.

WaLa! I'm proud of myself for finishing a project and I LOVE the way it looks. So far we've been good about using the system and our counter top (with the exception of the work we've been doing on the science project) has been clear!

My next additions to this piece of the wall are chore sheets for the kids magnetic boards and an important number list to have near the phone. Soon!