At the beginning of the year, I felt so overwhelmed by all my boys’ stuff. I lost any motivation to pick it up because I didn’t even know where to put it. Even worse, I had just purged over Christmas break! The amount of stuff paralyzed me, and if I’m honest, it made me a bit anxious (I kept getting that tight feeling in the chest). I would walk in their rooms at night and turn a blind eye to all the stuff everywhere (before pictures at the end of the post). That’s when Cathryn Linn of the The Organizing Organization came to my rescue. Dramatic? Maybe, but you’ll understand when you look at the pictures -ha! But for now, let’s look at what a GENIUS Cathryn is…
There was so much stuff in each of their rooms, and it was clear they each needed a big storage solution. Since we don’t have large closets, we knew the storage needed to be big and the items needed to be easily accessible. We talked about a bookshelf, and she found this great option at the Container Store. She measured, designed and installed this bookshelf herself, and it’s perfect! I didn’t even have to think about it! I keep thinking, “how did she make so much stuff/junk look so pretty?” Here’s how she organized the bookshelves:
Plastic Storage Bins with Handles
And every mom everywhere said, “Amen for Lego storage!”
Labeling things makes all the difference for my boys! It’s been two weeks and all their stuff is actually going back in it’s designated box! (Btw, they can read now. I did this when they were babies, and it was useless. Mom error.)
Our Accessory Boxes with Our Sweater Box
A sweater box for the drone! Genius! Why is it that drones are so hard to store? Oh, and I think my youngest may take after me with his penchant for accessories… Ha! Like mother, like son.
My oldest is sentimental. He saves every note my husband, his friends, or I write to him. He saves tickets to games we attended, he saves wrapping paper, he saves it all. It’s so sweet, and that’s why this “memories” box is my absolute favorite!
Displaying Legos is a big deal in this family, and look how pretty she made them look with the three tier white shelf! I love how the white contrasts with the bold colors of the Legos.
These acrylic risers are perfect for displaying flying Legos! How clever!
They’re perfect to display handmade pottery, too. I mean, genius, right?
These wooden easels are adorable for their baseball cards! What a great way to display the collectable cards! She also used them to display their little pieces of artwork!
Grey and White Bins, Bin Clip Labels, Shopping Tote
Then in the playroom, I had ugly plastic bins in this corner and some canvas totes that had no structure. These grey and white structured bins look so clean and organized (is it the color she chose, the clean lines of the bins, or both?), and the labels make all the difference because the stuff is actually going back in the right place!
Small Plastic Storage Bin with Handles
This night stand was a cluttered mess before (see below). Now, most everything has a spot in the bookshelf, and what doesn’t has a perfect spot in his catch-all! An organizer who allows for a catch-all! I’m in! Ha!
There is nothing I love more than an amazing before and after! So here we go!
Here’s the before: (Eeeeeeek!)
Do these pictures give you a tight feeling in the chest like they do me?!?! Now, the real question is, how did Cathryn make all this crap look so beautiful and organized?! (Ok, I said it…”crap”. I was trying to be respectful of my boys’ things by calling it “stuff”, but seeing these pictures reminds me of the old feeling that, “it’s all CRAP! HELP!”) Well, that would be The Organizing Organization magic of Cathryn Linn!
GUESS WHAT?!?!? We are doing a GIVEAWAY! Cathryn is giving away a Pantry Makeover! Ummmmmmm, y’all have to enter! Head to my Instagram or the The Organizing Organization for the details!
After picture by Traci Ling
Awesome ideas!! Love the orange table and white chair. Where are those from?
Hi! I think I purchased both from Land of Nod many years ago.
Silly question but can I ask how you hung the pennants? I’m looking to hang some but would prefer more than tacks. Thank you!!
Hi Friend! Good old fashion tape!
Who would have guessed!?! Thanks! Charlie will be so happy to have his pennants up in time for the next game.