MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATES
Lori Madden, MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATESPhone: (941) 780-8443
Email: [email protected]

Hacks for home organization

by Lori Madden 08/13/2023

hacks for home ethernet cables in a line network port up

When it comes to controlling the chaos of daily life, you can never know too many hacks for home organization. Many homeowners might not even realize the amount of time they could save by making some simple changes to existing routines - and how inexpensive it can be!

Curtain rod trash bag organizer

Trash bags are a necessary annoyance, and it’s common to have more than one type available. While having options at home is always useful, the bags themselves can be difficult to get out of their boxes or containers. One clever way to solve this issue is by taking the boxes entirely out of the equation and hanging your plastic bags instead.

Using a simple tension curtain rod, you can add a custom bag hanger anywhere - including the cabinet underneath your kitchen sink. Simply thread the new roll of trash bags onto the rod as you would do with a toilet paper roll, and you suddenly have easy access to the bags you need. 

Shoe organizer for cleaning supplies

Hanging shoe organizers are all the rage for home organization enthusiasts, but not always for their intended purpose. In fact, the pockets in shoe organizers happen to be the perfect size for storing cleaning products and tools.

Hang a shoe organizer on the back of the door in your pantry, bathroom or laundry room and place your cleaning or laundry supplies in the pockets. Use this hack for items like lint rollers, aerosol sprays, dusters and disinfecting wipes.

Washi tape cord labels

Washi tape is a well-loved crafting item with dozens of uses. If you already have a collection of decorative washi tape for arts and crafts, consider putting some of it to use in organizing your various cables, cords and wires around the home.

Wrap a small piece of washi tape around a cord to instantly create a label. You can either use patterns and colors to differentiate cords, or write on the labels to help you stay organized. Now you’ll always know which mysterious cord coming out of the wall goes to what appliance, electronic or lamp - without the need for trial and error!

Toilet paper roll cord organizer

Cord and cable management is always a hot topic when it comes to home organization. The myriad electronic devices in our homes all come with cords - sometimes multiple - and the result can be overwhelming and messy.

While there are plenty of store-bought cable management solutions available on the market, why not make one for free? Simply repurpose toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls to hold your cords and cables together. Thread them through the tube and instantly bring order to cable chaos for no extra cost.

To factor these hacks into your home decor ideas, experiment with different options for decoration. For example, you can spray paint your new cable management tubes to blend in with your walls or floor color. Choose a shoe organizer in a matching shade to your cabinet door or wherever you choose to hang it.

These are just a few amazing home storage hacks to consider. Give them a try at home, and you never know what new and clever shortcuts you might discover.


About the Author
Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!