Apartment Guide: Taking Time to Organize

I have partnered with Apartment Guide to share how I have taken advantage of unused space in my apartment. As an Apartment Guide Blog Partner, I will be sharing space-saving ideas to make your apartment feel like home.

When I moved into my apartment I was overwhelmed. Baby Nautical was due any day and I didn't have time off from work to do much unpacking. I had quite a bit of unused storage space in my closet and bathroom. I decided to devote an hour last weekend to organizing and then take a break to assess where I was at. I have a lot of unused space which is crazy considering my love of shopping!

I went to work on reorganizing the shelving in my closet and under sink area of the bathroom so this article on organizing the bathroom was especially helpful. Whether you're living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers tips on organizing and how to optimize space in a small place on the Apartment Guide blog.

My favorite organizing blog is I Heart Organizing. I have already put many of her tips to use at work-Jen has three boys so she is my go to blogger for playroom and bedroom tips! Here are photos of the playroom and linen closet in her house:

I started with my closet. My closet is actually pretty big. I am relatively happy with the space overall. Except there was a lot of upper shelving that was empty.

Before

I went to my local Marshalls (always check Homegoods/TJ Maxx too) and found some cute storage baskets (I already had the whale one from years ago). Target has a great selection too. I suggest getting three or four of the same size for a uniform look OR get different patterns and/or sizes like I did.

I labeled each basket: accessories and small bags/clutches

This opened up more space in my bedroom dresser for running clothes, sweaters, and pajamas (things that belong in a dresser!).

I also moved plastic boxes of holiday decorations to the upper shelf. One of the boxes was in the linen closet (see below) and another was in my bedroom.

My linen closet is right next to my main closet. My sister had helped me organize my linen closet during her most recent visit. But there was still quite a bit of unused space.

before

Impossible to get that bottom plastic box out before!

I combined spare blankets and sheets (that were in multiple plastic boxes) and moved them to the awkward area at the bottom. It was impossible to get that plastic box out of the bottom area. It is much easier to get the spare bedding out since the holder is more flexible (I used the thing my comforter came in-can easily be flattened down). By combining spare bedding and blankets I now have an empty plastic storage box that I will probably fill up very soon!

After

I still have empty space to fill!

I love a clean, well organized, colorful linen closet. Pinterest has some great photos for inspiration:



My last project was the under the sink storage area. So much room, most of it wasted!

Before: unorganized

I cleaned everything out: threw away anything expired, put all travel size into my travel cosmetic bag so I can grab and go, and did an inventory to see what I needed to restock. It doesn't look like a big difference but I made rows of like items so I will know when I am running low (like the shelves you see in the grocery store).

After I organized

I didn't do any hardcore reorganizing or redecorating but I think the small things I changed made a big difference! I moved a few things around and realized I still have unused storage space under the sink AND space below my clothes in my closet. I hadn't even noticed those unused spaces before!

If you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community.

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Disclosure Statement:
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.