Need Organization tips for keys, phones, papers etc

[kkmcan]

I've got a small section of our kitchen counter that acts as our drop everything place- keys, cell phones, sunglasses, papers, mail, chapstick, my purse, etc. Its a complete mess, I don't like it located in the kitchen and it's driving me crazy!!!!

I've tried using an expandable file to put all the various pieces of paper, mail coupons, sschool notices etc. It's stuffed, I never look into it and it takes up an enormouse amount of space. We also have a cell phone charger caddy with a tiny drawer thats filled with stuff. The top of the charger box is loaded with our various keys, cell phones, IPODs, sunglasses, reading glasses etc. Then dh brings in important papers from work and piles that on top of the whole mess.

How to you organize and hide all this stuff? I am constantly moving stuff around over there to make room for my purse, find a spot to charge my phone etc.

HELP!!

 

[ski_mom]

We used to have a similar problem. This is not a perfect solution, but it has worked ok for us. I bought a pretty basket, probably about 6" deep or so and a little bigger than a piece of paper and put it on our bar and everything goes in there. It at least keeps it contained and if I'm looking for something, it's usually in there! That doesn't solve your problem with charging phones, etc, but maybe that could help with all the papers and misc stuff.

 

[Magic Mom]

I bought a white wood key box from Micheals a few years ago and I love it. It took a week or so for everyone to get into the habit of hanging their keys there instead of dropping them where ever they happened to stop. But once they did, our keys are always easy to find and they are up off the counter.

It hangs on the wall near the door to the garage.

 

[abmitch01]

I keep keys in a dish by the door. Everything else I make myself bring up to my room. I charge my phones for work and personal there nightly and put them right in my purse when done. I use a Kwiki purse organizer to keep my bag organized and lets me switch purses quickly.

All papers i try really hard to sort as they come in because I am horrible about filing them. I throw out all the junk mail, put bills in a designated basket. The rest gets put in one drawer that is chock full that at least I know where all the important papers are. I purge it when it gets full and file the keepers.

 

[moongirl]

I bought a plastic silverware tray for 99 cents for my kitchen's junk drawer. It holds keys, eyeglasses, pencils, pens, spare wallets, cell phone chargers (which I labeled with masking tape), library cards, chapstick, etc. Things stay fairly organized. For papers, I bought a decorative box that is big enough for an 11 X 8 sheet of paper. All papers get thrown in there until it's bill paying time.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I've got a small section of our kitchen counter that acts as our drop everything place- keys, cell phones, sunglasses, papers, mail, chapstick, my purse, etc. Its a complete mess, I don't like it located in the kitchen and it's driving me crazy!!!!

I've tried using an expandable file to put all the various pieces of paper, mail coupons, sschool notices etc. It's stuffed, I never look into it and it takes up an enormouse amount of space. We also have a cell phone charger caddy with a tiny drawer thats filled with stuff. The top of the charger box is loaded with our various keys, cell phones, IPODs, sunglasses, reading glasses etc. Then dh brings in important papers from work and piles that on top of the whole mess.

How to you organize and hide all this stuff? I am constantly moving stuff around over there to make room for my purse, find a spot to charge my phone etc.

HELP!!

For the papers, I find a tickler file works GREAT. That way the paper always pops up exactly when you need it. Just check the folder for that date each date and you're all set. If you have a file drawer you can use, here's instructions for setting it up: http://www.theproductivitypro.com/FreeStuff/Construct_and_Use_a_Tickler_File_36.pdf or you can buy one of these handy-dandy guys from Staples: http://www.staples.com/Staples-EveryDay-Letter-Size-File-Sorter-1-31-Jan-Dec-Each/product_422683

I love my tickler file. Couldn't function without it!