We are all snoopy enough to love a good before and after, right! Well, one of my kitchen cabinets has been an embarrassment for much too long. So what’s a girl to do? Blog about it so everyone can see how bad it has been. Why not? This cabinet is close to our sink and houses our medicines, first aid supplies, coffee, and extra vases. The problem is that it is ALWAYS a mess. I clean it and then one week later it looks horrible again. As with any space in my house that ends up looking like the wreckage from a tornado, I finally realize that there is no system in place. While the kiddos worked on a banner for a BBQ with their friends, I got to work clearing out and organizing our new kitchen cabinet. I LOVE opening the door and seeing things neatly in place. It’s like a breath of fresh air {a long overdue one!}.Here is a sneak peek: 
………………………the before So this is the go-to cabinet in our house. You know the one. It is centrally located and so it is easy to grab what we need. It is also easy to open and toss things in that we don’t want out and about. I figured if I gave everything a home and tried to make it cute, I would be less likely to toss “junk” up there. The worst part of this cabinet is how my husband and I find ourselves searching for the thermometer and band aids in this unorganized mess. Time for a change. 
………………………….clear out I am all about the C.A.L.M. method. I clear out first. I don’t let myself get overwhelmed with all of the stuff. I simply just pull it all out so I can start with an empty cabinet. Once I clear everything out, I grab a trash bag and see what can be thrown away. That always eliminates a good 40% of the stuff. 
…………………………..….assign Then it’s on to assigning things a spot {The A in C.A.L.M.}. I realized I had four major groups of items once the trash was thrown out. I had children’s medicines, adult medicines, first aid supplies, and coffee related items. I had picked up these containers from The Dollar Tree. I knew I wanted caddies that could easily be taken down from the shelves. I think that was the biggest dilemma we had faced. If you can pull down a box, basket or caddy, it makes it so much easier to keep things neat and tidy. And for a total of $4.00 you can’t go wrong. 
…………………………….label Without a doubt, my favorite part of organizing any space is labeling the new bins. I looked through my paper supply and grabbed a chevron paper that would match the caddies. I printed out four labels on the blue paper and then used spray adhesive to attach them to the chevron print. After that, I simply hole punched them and tied the to the holes in each bucket. 
Labels on Bins first aid children’s adult meds coffee 
…………………………the after 
What I really love is my new coffee caddy. While I keep my everyday coffee out on the counter {seen above in the white pail} I keep my on the go and VIA instant coffee packets in here. I also have my cute travel mug thanks to my sweet friend, Michelle. 
…………….important information The other new addition to the cabinet that is life changing is the “Important Information” cork board. I am really not sure why it’s taken me nine years of home ownership to do this. I finally printed out a list of important phone numbers, school numbers, doctor’s, relatives, etc. It also lists allergies so that baby sitters or relatives watching the kiddos have a quick point of reference for any number they might need. The cork board just sticks to the cabinet {I had this leftover from Target}. NOTE: I do keep all of this information in a home binder, but it is so much easier to have these right inside the door for quick reference for myself and sitters. 
The little pennant banner is just extra paper cut into triangles and glue together. I feel so much more organized knowing this info is all in one spot. Nice to have the phone numbers of my kiddos schools so handy as well. 
Feels so good to open this cabinet now! Not sure what took me so long! I will be back tomorrow with a recap of a little BBQ my kiddos had with their friends. In the meantime, here are some related posts that might be of interest.
Coffee Storage My C.A.L.M. Method My Pantry More Organizing Posts HERE
Linking up with Megan from Honey We’re Home!!!! Go check out her link party.
LOVE the $ Store for organization projects! It gives you such a thrill! And they have so much there that you can organize with or turn into a project. Looks great!
this looks just great! organizing cabinets & closets is how i spent quite a bit of my summer. i'm thrilled with the results!
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Love the colors.
It looks great! I need to do something with the cabinet under my sink! Well, all the cabinets under all my sinks now that I think about it.
Every time I read one of your posts, I want to immediately waltz into my kitchen and organize and clean everything. I make it off the couch and into the kitchen and then I freeze. I turn around, head back to the couch and realize, 'not today'. 🙂
You truly are an inspiration and some day I hope to find the ounce of determination I need to organize better. Kudos!
Oh, Jennifer. You are very kind. I have many days where I walk into a space and immediately turn around and walk out. I have to really be in the mood! Start small. Have a great day and thanks for your sweet comment.
Looks great Courtney! We've always had a binder with Important Numbers/Calendars. Speaking of…I need to update that soon. With baby girl leaving for college this week, #s will be changing and so will calendars!
Such lovely organization! Your supplies are much more organized than mine – mine are just in baskets/boxes in the cabinet. Definitely not as lovely as yours! The phone number list is genius – I always have to pull out my home management binder and flip to the phone numbers. I'll have to try your idea! Thanks! 🙂
My cabinets are asking if you'll come for a visit!! They need your organizing help, stat. Janell
My whole house is in need of a visit from you……for about a month……and please bring hubby and children too. …..oh and please remember to bring Barley too!
I have a couple of kitchen cabinets that are pretty shameful looking right now…..maybe when the kiddos go back to school I can get on that! 😉
It looks SO good! Love how creative you got with the bins and labels! And the penant contact list is adorable!
I felt a wave of organizing relief for you! MUCH better 🙂
I love filling my closets and cabinets with organized bins! I like the idea of the caddies!
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Would you please stop at my house after Janell's? It looks great Courtney. What a happy feeling to open the cabinet. You are the queen of organization and I love your touch of your beautiful labels!
Our entire house is going to be one big bucket soon! I love them!! Great little project…I know you're loving that tidy cabinet. I'm trying to keep myself distanced so I don't go crazy dumping out cabinets once I get home! :/
Those dollar store caddies are great tools for organizing! The bathroom turned out great!
The information board is so smart!! As a babysitter, I'd love that:) And the little bins are great for staying organized. Love it all.
very cute! I love the information board, now I know what to put up on my medicine cabinet door. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
So smart! What great projects! I am so glad I finally stopped by so I could catch up, but also so I could see your kitchen backsplash! I've been debating what color grout to use with our white subway tiles, and seeing yours just sealed the deal!
It lookes really nice, I have organized my kitchen cabinets using containers from the Dollar Tree store. I love it.
How cute! and I love the colors you chose!
What a way to spruce up your cabinet and those dollar caddies. So cute and yep it looks much better. I'm tackling my house too with all kinds of organizing right now. I'm starting small though because I feel like don't know what I'm doing. ha! 🙂
This is awesome Courtney- I love how your personalized the board with the little flags and made coordinating labels! Seriously awesome- will be featuring next week:)