Keeping everything in its place at home is one of life's great challenges. Just imagine all the hours we spend each week, looking for this shirt, that pair of shoes, a missing utility bill, a photograph, or even a spice in the cluttered cabinet. Whatever it is always seems to be popping up when you don't want it, but as soon as you reach for it, it seems to disappear. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you should turn to a system of labeling to simplify and organize your life.
Your first thoughts about label makers may be of the old, manual style machines, where turning the wheel for each letter and squeezing would eventually turn out one label: raised white letters on thick, colored tape. Those are still around, but there are dozens of other labelers on the market that can print several labels at once, in different fonts, colors, shapes, and sizes. Here are a few ways you can use labeling to cut the chaos from everyday living.
Start with your bedroom for a refreshing start to each day. Rid your dresser or vanity table of old makeup and other toiletries you don't use. Then pack away seldom used items in small, labeled boxes. Put away seasonal items like electric blankets, holiday linens, and winter clothes in labeled plastic bins. A clearly labeled laundry station can make your weekly chores a snap, too. Your whites, brights, and delicates will already be separated and ready to go in their own labeled bins or bags.
Next, do the kitchen. This will be your chance to really go nuts with your labeler. Label and color-code your spices, mark your cookbooks and the shelf where you store them, and take the mystery out of leftovers by dating and labeling them. You can even label the shelves in your cabinet if you do a lot of baking. That way, you can always find those items that seem to creep toward the back of the pantry. Labeling is also good for the kitchen if you have roommates or children with food allergies.
If you have an office in your house, chances are it's a cluttered mess. Make sitting down to work more pleasant by creating a clearly-labeled wire management system. Use folders and bins to separate your bills, invoices, and documents. Mark these items by kind and by date to find what you're looking for fast.
Give your bathroom a makeover by using labeled, refillable bottles and buying soap and shampoo in bulk. This will save you money, and it's more environmentally friendly. Your bathroom will have a more unified look, too. You might even want to try your hand at making your own shampoos and body scrubs. Children love projects like this, and you might stumble on a combination so delightful, you will want to share your prettily labeled homemade bath products with your friends and family.
You will be amazed at how quickly wandering from room to room with a handful of labels and a loose plan will yield a cleaner, more orderly home.
Lawrence Reaves writes about custom labels and property identification labels for Maverick Label.