I am always in search of new great ways to organize the house. A while back I created a post about the unavoidable pile and a tray we like to use. While that tray is still in use for little odds and ends, I needed something to reign in the paperwork that seems to be piling up now that two kiddos are in school. I came across a great post by Kate from Chic on a Shoestring Decorating about a new basket of files she has in her kitchen. What struck me the most was when she said it’s easy to lift off and take away should they entertain or need to tuck it away. Brilliant. So it got my wheels spinning. This is the end result 
I began brainstorming on what I really needed for our family. Here is what I came up with: …………………….what we need
- a file for each family member
- a file of to do items {ie: school permission slips to be filled out, book orders, etc.}
- a file for “move it to its permanent home!” {a place to stick things so they don’t get lost before I file away}
- a place for my phone
- a spot for my keys
- make it look cute
I needed my new system to fulfill all of the above requirements. HomeGoods is the closest store to me with cute finds so I hit that up first. And thank you HomeGoods! $15 later I was in business. What is so key about this are all of the compartments. There are two smaller areas {one for our phones and one for our keys} and two larger ones for our file folders. 
I already had these cute files on hand {picked up from the dollar section of Target . . . LOVE that section}. So I sad down to bust out some labels. I went old school on this and chose to write them by hand on strips of cardstock. And yes, it was time to sit down, relax, get organized, and enjoy a glass of wine. 
I picked up the “Courtney Action” terminology from Jen over at I Heart Organizing. So I have a file for each family member that says their name and “action.” When there is something in a file, I move it to the front compartment. So you can see below that I have something to do {preschool registration packet for next year}. When I complete that, I will move the file folder to the back compartment. Then I know there is nothing on my to –do list here. 
Here the file has been moved to the back divider because I completed the task and have nothing to do! Yahoo. {That will last for all of ten minutes!}. But it’s an easy visual to whether or not I have things that need to be done. 
Other than “action” files, I also included “information” files for each person. So perhaps Riley has a notice about back to school night than than I can slip it into her info file for a quick reference. I can easily toss it when the night has passed. Make sense? I also have one file for “Family Information” I plan to keep necessary numbers and info for babysitters in that file. That way I can easily pull it out and set it on the counter when we need it. 
The new file system sits in a convenient spot where we also go through the mail. I think that is key when trying to keep the paper clutter organized. It will be easily accessible for the hubs and I. And should I choose to tuck it away when we entertain, it will be easy to toss on my desk. I will keep you posted on how this all works out. It’s only been a week but so far so good. Thanks again, Kate {Chic on a Shoestring Decorating} for the inspiration. What about you? Any fun organizational projects lately? You know I love hearing about them.
Love it! Very stylish 😉
Love it! Looks great. Andy yes, gotta love Target's dollar section.
Very nice Courtney! I love the folders too. I am searching for a system for our house too. Just haven't figured it out totaly.
What a lovely idea, and it looks great. I'm always looking for more ideas to get my home more organised.
oh I so need something like this! instead of that nasty dreaded pile that I keep moving from one side of the counter to the other!
Thank you for the inspiration. I will be doing many of these organization projects. I noticed the folders the other day. I can't believe that it's already February!
I love your new system – practical & pretty =perfect! I just recently (after 3 kiddos) figured out a permanent solution for all of my kiddos schoolwork/paperwork. I also modified from Jen's (iheart organizing) school paperwork system…I hope to do a blog post on it soon…it's been a long time coming and such a relief to have finished!
This is genius. I have been trying to figure out a way to organize all my paperwork and mail that piles up on my desk! Def copying this idea, thanks for sharing Courtney!
I've been working on a new file system for our house to…or I should say a system because we really didn't ever have an "old" system. Things just end up in piles and then get shoved into a drawer or box. Not really working well! I'm making it my mission to setup something similar to this to help us maintain our paper stacks. Yours looks great!!
Ah…so organized. This is great! Right up my alley.
So genius! I was just telling Ryan we need to get our act together on a filing system for bills instead of letting them pile up on our desk! This is a great idea!
It's amazing how much paper there is in this "online" world isn't it?! I wish my kids school would do online newsletters – I'm so over the weekly packet of papers! Loving your filing system. I have something similar inside the school supplies cabinet in my kitchen.
Love this post Courtney – we too seem to accumulate many papers around our place…love this idea for how to organize those items that seem so hard to "organize" – thanks for sharing this!
Hi Courtney, sometimes it's just the little things that make us happy. Just $15 and your post was loaded with great tips. Thanks for the shout out. Your friends at HomeGoods
Ok. So I read this at 9:00 am and by 11:30 am I was at Target purchasing these items. I found a very similar box in the office supply section. LOVE the idea! Also, thanks for your post on your pantry. Mine is very simliar in build & size and used most of your ideas over the weekend to revamp mine. Keep up the great work!
This is wonderful! I need something like this instead of the stack of papers I have on my desk. Papers seems to accumulate so fast! Love your idea.
You are always so organized! Jen has inspired me, too…and I've started a project or two! And I totally have those same green folders! I love how shiny and sturdy they are! And you stood on a kitchen chair to take that last pic, didn't you?? I love picturing my blog friends capturing the post!!
That's too funny, I think the same thing. I stand on things, lay on the floor, climb, you name it. I always think about my favorite bloggers doing acrobats while taking pictures also, brings a smile to my face.
xoxo,
Jen
Girl- we really are twins! The gold tables, upholstered headboards, and I did something similar over the weekend in our kitchen with our organization. So funny how similar we are from so many states away! 🙂
Your home is so pretty…
I feel like a broken record every time I come here. "I LOVE IT!" lol. I say it every time you post. But really, the filing system is stylish and functional and genius. It looks so great in your kitchen, and will be an easy to maintain way to keep paper piles from forming. You are such a smart gal! <3
xoxo,
Jen
What a great system (and stylish, too)! Jen always has amazing ideas and I love that you took one of her ideas and made it work for you.
I love this post! This is exactly what I need to do!
This is so cute and a great setup! I so wish I could get my family on such pretty and organized things like these but alas, I am just the 16 year old clean-freak daughter stuck in a tornado house 😛
Love this!!