Let’s get one thing clear.
I am not an organization guru.
Heck, I’m not really a guru of any sorts. I just fly my freak flag and do what works.
I have my own weird methods for organizing and storing stuff.
For example, the kid has three different boxes in her room for small toys.
One holds things that could potentially be living: plastic dinosaurs, My Little Ponies, Smurf figurines, Little People, California Raisin figurines, etc.
I don’t know where I come up with this stuff either.
Or why I consider Smurfs and California Raisins to be potentially living things.
Another box holds non-potential living things: wooden blocks and plastic easter eggs.
I know, it makes no sense.
And the last box holds paper items: stickers and things to write on.
Shocking. One box actually makes sense.
See what I mean when I say that I do what works for me?
I knew you would get me – you’re my people.
This is my latest “what works for me” organizing method:
Color Coded Organization
And shockingly, this may actually make sense to more people than myself.
Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Velvet Finishes. All opinions and ridiculous organization methods are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Here’s the deal.
I hate clutter.
(Thus why I shared the 15 days to a Clutter Free Home Checklist last week.)
That doesn’t mean clutter never happens around here.
It happens all the time.
And then life happens.
And I don’t have time to pick up all the clutter everyday because I was chasing the kid trying to make her keep her clothes on while its 30 degrees outside.
In an effort to combat the clutter and at least corral it, I picked up cheap plastic bins and then assigned a color combination to myself, the kid, and Grunt Labor. The bins stay in the living room and each of our bins contain our own items. At the end of the week, we each go through our bins and put whatever has accumulated there over the week back into its proper place.
Make sense?
Good. Here’s how I made them.
Color Coded Organization Bins
Materials & Supplies Needed:
- Plastic Bins (Mine were $3 each at Target in the Dollar Spot.
- Paint Colors of your choice. (I opted to give these a bit of a cohesive feel by painting everyone’s bottom stripe, Modern by Velvet Finishes, a bold blue. The kid chose Bold, a bright yellow, for her other color, Grunt chose Vivid, which is a fabulous red hue, and I went girly and opted for Glamorous, a pink color.
- FrogTape
- Paint Brush
Steps
Step 1:
Tape off where you want your stripes to be.
You could actually get much more creative and decorative than I did with this and opt for a different pattern or design. However, I am in a “simple” mode right now (probably also referred to as a lazy mode), so easy stripes were just the ticket.
Step 2:
Paint your color on.
As I said above, I used all Velvet Finishes colors on these bins. To be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure if this paint would work on plastic – but it did. No priming it at all! That’s totally why my heart has been captured by this paint – its the lazy girl’s paint.
I did three light coats of each color and was impressed by the fact that I still got super saturated, pretty colors.
Step 3:
As soon as you’ve painted on your final coat, remove the FrogTape. If you let the paint dry before removing the tape, you risk the tape pulling some of the paint off.
Put the bins where everyone can easily access them and lay down the law.
If you have crap in this room, it goes in your bin.
Yea, I’m still working on getting the two year old to understand that.
I have to say, I was a little worried about these sticking out like a sore thumb with the decor, but I am digging their colorfulness.
Have you done any color coded organization before?
Or maybe you just have an organizing tip you want to share that doesn’t involve classifying Smurfs as potential living things??
More Organization and Storage Ideas:
5 Simple but Life-Changing Storage and Organization Ideas – super affordable too!
10+ Kitchen Ideas for Decorating, Organizing and Storage – and they’re pretty!
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April Hoff says
Love this organization system! The bright colors make it fun!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, April! I am digging all the colorful goodness too!
linda(burlap+blue) says
OH I just love this!! Color coded organization is such a great idea, and the bins look fabulous!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Linda!!
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Great idea! Cute too.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Erin!
Jamie says
Love the stripes girl! And painting on bins I would never have thought of. They look amazing!
Hugs, Jamie
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Jamie!
Lindsay Eidahl says
Looks great and easy to follow through with! Smurfs are totally “living creatures”!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Lindsay! I know right! Totally living!! haha!
Kellie Smith says
Wow – even Grunt Labor got a bin! These look great Jenna! Plastic can be tricky to paint – so glad VF does the job!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
He did, Kellie! I think he was even a little giddy about it. haha!
chris aka monkey says
i don’t get it……. nah this is so easy even i can do it and it looks way cool too xx
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
haha!! Totally easy, Chris!
carrie says
Smurfs aren’t living?!?! WHAT???? LOL! These bins are great! I need to find me some of that paint.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
hahaha!! I know, right, Carrie – total bummer on the Smurf thing.
Krista @ the happy housie says
These look amazing Jenna- so fun and fresh. I can’t believe how well that paint adhered to the plastic, wow:)
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Krista! I know – its pretty great!
Chelsea says
genius! I love any way to keep the toys wrangled!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Chelsea! It is so hard to keep the toy mess under control!
Stephanie @ Sandpaper and Glue says
I love your categories, they make PERFECT sense. California Raisons are totally living, otherwise they wouldn’t put out such stunning musical hits. 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Yes!! Someone else who totally thinks like me!
Rachel Paxton says
Love it! I’m always looking for ways to make my children (and my husband!) pick up their own stuff. 😉 Great idea!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Rachel! I know right – you would think husbands would be at least a little better than the kids????
katie says
Love this idea of color coding. I’m an organization kick right now!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Katie!
Selene Galindo says
Great idea!! I love how colorful they are, too!
You had me laughing on your organization strategies! Do what works, right?
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Ya do what ya gotta do!! Thanks, Selene!
Rachel @ {i love} my disorganized life says
I love color, and this is a great way to add it to a room AND it’s functional! Love it!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Rachel!
Amy Anderson says
These are so cute! I love the stripes and the bright color.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Amy!
Susan says
I Love this idea, also love love love the dollar spot at Target 😉
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Susan! Me too – best spot ever!
Marie says
I know this comment is 4 years later but I just came across your post on Pintest and was laughing at your “Living Things” Smurfs, California Raisens, Little People, My little ponies – ALL LIVING THINGS! Hello! So adorable! I love it! This totally made my day!! Great ideas for organizing too! Love this!
Jenna says
Thanks, Marie! I’m a little cuckoo! haha!