Wednesday, January 09, 2008

WFMW-Kitchen Desk Organizing

Hi there! Hoping to get some great ideas about how to organize this space:




This is my calendar central, coupon corner, pencil parker and all around paper plot. It's a relatively small space, but it was one of the things I loved about our new house-a place in the kitchen for mama's information central! I need some good organizing ideas about how to contain all these essentials without it looking like a paper bomb just went off. I do have a cork board that hangs nearby with other important long-term family items of note, but I really like to have a place for my calendar and central locale for coupons, pencils, etc. Help! Need ideas! Drowning in papers!

Thanks!

Check out more people who could use your advice here!

8 comments:

ames said...

Maybe a stand-up filing box or some of those stacking Inbox drawers? I like having things pinned up on the wall rather than on a surface, but maybe if it's contained in something on the surface it would help.

Angela S said...

Get an index car box to keep on the counter to put coupons into. Have you thought about a calendar that is up on the wall. Staples carries a big desk calendar that we keep on our kitchen wall its big enough to use but isn't taking up surface space. You want to limit the amount of gravitation people have towards that area for dumping. And having a single flat calender on it will end up with it buried most likely. But containerizing, responsibly, and thinking each item through is probably your best bet.

Alberta said...

Use those blank walls! You can find some nice pocket thingy to hold forms, coupons etc. Find wicker for a country kitchen or something sleeker for a modern one. Just get thing off the desk surface so you can actually use it. Don't forget something pretty like a french bulletin board in coordinating fabric & ribbon. Decorate a pencil/pen cup and cover your dayplanner.

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

I have a magazine organizer like this:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=12260435&itemIndex=3&CATID=74548&PRODID=10017281

Then I put folders inside. I have one folder for school papers, one for current church projects, etc. It works pretty well as long as I actually take the time to put the papers in the folders.

BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog with your vacation suggestions. We have been wanting to do the Outer Banks for a long time - it's definately on our list. Where have you been in Michigan? That is an easy trip for us - we live in IL.

Emily Dykstra said...

I'm having the same problem.

I'm thinking of putting up a tarp. ;)

Short Stop said...

Hmmmmm...

Well, I like to use non-conventional type containers that are really nice like vases, or hurricanes, unique bowls, etc. I have found that if I just look around my kitchen, I can find fun containers for pens, mail, Jack's papers, random electronic wires, etc. that help things look more organized on my desk area. I learned a lot of that from Southern Living at Home catalog. :)

Jenni S. said...

Hi, Kris - thanks for stopping by my blog. I thought I'd return the favor! :) As for organization (I'm a little bit of an organization freak), I use one of those "letter caddies" that's usually used to sort mail. It's a great impromptu file for small papers, envelopes, etc. The other thing for the small papers is one of those "photo trees" that has clips for multiple photos - but instead use it for papers/notes to yourself, etc. If you have a Pottery Barn near you, they have lots of great organizing options for small spaces.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Let's see, I try to keep things CLEAR...so can you use the drawer below or cabinet above? My "command center" is by the phone on a counter too. I have a pottery pitcher there by the socket that has the wires and cell charges in it (usually with a phone charging) I keep the calendar, pens, pencils and various things in the drawer there so I can grab them quickly. I put medicines and various stuff in a bin in the cabinet. Then the area stays clear, but the stuff is all around.

OH - I bought some of those paper/file holder things for the wall - they keep my mags, books, recipes and such in them on the wall next to the phone.

Good luck!