Monday, February 22, 2016

By Barbara Pronin Clutter in the bathroom, or anywhere in the house, can drive you nuts if you let it – whether it’s a counter spilling over with cosmetics and barrettes or a ‘junk drawer’ where even the kitchen scissors get lost.

But getting things organized may be easier than you realize, say consumer editors at House Beautiful Magazine. A trip to the dollar store can provide inexpensive solutions for sprucing up household clutter:

• Hang a shower caddy in the entry – Spray it bronze or gold, or whatever color works for you, and hang it in the entry way to corral the mail – and perhaps the keys - where everyone in the family can find them. Turn the caddy into a chic accessory by adding a few well-placed potted plants.
• Dispense ribbon from a paper towel holder – Stand it on end in your gift-wrap area and pile on the rolls of ribbon. When you’re done, pop the whole thing into the nearest cabinet until you need it again.
• Hang a shoe bag on the back of the bathroom door – All those little compartments offer a handy resting place for lipsticks, nail polishes, hair ornaments and more – and each family member can have her own designated storage space.
• Store crayons in a travel soap container  – Keep them in the car to occupy the kids while you drive. When you get to your destination, pop the crayons in the container and store it in the glove compartment.
• Use plastic ice trays for earring storage – Stack the trays in a drawer and find just the earrings you want at a glance.
• Hang belts and scarves from shower hooks – Hang the hooks on the bar in your closet to keep your belts and scarves neatly organized.
• Add silverware trays to more kitchen drawers – The compartments will make it so much easier to find the zester, the corer, the measuring spoons, or whatever kitchen gadget you need.

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