Our Favorite Summer Organizing Tips
Photo by Toni Cuenca
July is here in all it's sunny glory. This month is full of swimming, family vacations, and turning the a/c to full blast. Here in Miami, mango season is in full swing and the beaches are packed. Over the years we have developed some great organizing strategies to keep your summer easy and clutter-free. Here are our favorites:
Kits Rule!
Fun-in-the-Sun Caddy: We are obsessed with using handheld caddies to organize sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, tissues, basic first aid items, and sunglasses. Keep yours near the garage or front door so you can quickly apply sunscreen before leaving the house for the day.
Pool/Beach Kit: I keep a pool/beach bag at the ready throughout the summer months with towels, sunscreen, hats, small pool toys, goggles, and extra sunglasses in it. A few years ago I nominated myself to the Genius of the Month Club when it occurred to me to add plastic bags for wet bathing suits to the kit.
Image courtesy of The Joyful Sort
Color Your World
Get inspired by bright summer colors to help you find the things you need more quickly:
Paint the tops of your keys in different colored nail polish to easily distinguish your front door key from your office one.
Organize your financial paperwork in green containers.
Use a brightly colored case to help you find your phone in the dark recesses of your purse. (My kids mock my hot pink case, but it is so easy to find!)
Summer-ize Your Kitchen
Encourage healthier eating by moving baby carrots and other healthy snacks to eye level in your fridge.
Keep grilling tools in an area of your kitchen that is as close to the grill as possible.
Make room for plates and cups that are deck and pool friendly by moving specialty holiday dishes to the uppermost cabinets, or even the garage.
#1, Best Ever, Favorite Organizing Product
Yes, Reader, of course I am talking about a GARBAGE BAG! Embrace the Bag this summer. Three things to toss today include:
1. Takeout menus from restaurants you don't really like.
2. Chargers from gadgets you no longer own.
3. Anything that bugs you every time you see it.
Cheers to summer fun!