How to Organize Gift Wrap

If you missed the planning post, here is a quick overview of what is to be done with the two closets in this space: one that will soon be designated a personal closet for gift wrap storage and another is our Closet for a Cause for all of the Freedom's Promise files and office supplies. Today we are going to focus on solving the Gift Wrap Storage Dilemma.

The planning phase of the organizing process is a crucial step in organizing. During the planning phase I listen to your needs, identify the purpose of the space and give guidance on organizing products that may be helpful in organizing yours space (think bins, boxes, etc). Here is the list of supplies to solve our gift wrap dilemma:

1. Gift Wrap Door Organizer

2. Large Basket(s) for extra Gifts

3. Large Baskets for Bulk Storage in Personal Closet

Step three in the Organizing Process: SORTING

This is often the most difficult part of organizing. I gently guide my clients in making thoughtful objective decisions about there things. For this particular project, we divided the items found in the closets into 6 different piles among the two closets.

● SHRED: papers that need to be shredded (generally only those with personal info)

● GIVE/DONATE: items that you no longer need but are nice enough for others to use (this

includes not only items for Goodwill but also items for grown children, relatives, etc)

● FILE: papers that need to be filed

● KEEP: items that belong in other rooms of your home (for example, the holiday items that are going in the other closet)

● KEEP: items that need to be organized in the closets - further divide into what needs to go into the "personal" closet and what goes into the "freedom's promise" closet

● TRASH (use a trash bag or LARGE trash can!)

Now that the sorting is complete, it is time for me to determine a place for each item, and organize it in a way that is both functional and pleasing to the eye. 

BEFORE: Gift Wrap Pre-Organization

AFTER: Gift Wrap Organized

BEFORE

AFTER

Have lots of rolls of wrapping paper? This organization system is great for that too. The shelving can be altered to fit the height of up to 8 rolls of wrapping paper. If you have a gift wrap dilemma (or any other organizing crisis for that matter), I would love to help you solve it!

Contact me at OrganizingNashville@gmail.com

If you would like more information on Freedom's Promise, 

or if you are interested in donating to support the prevention of human trafficking

CLICK HERE. 

Organizing Gift Wrap in a Small Closet

When a good friend of mine asked me to organize her closet for all of her Freedom's Promise gear, I was so excited. Freedom's Promise is a terrific organization that seeks to prevent human trafficking. I first traveled with Freedom's Healing (a subset of Freedom's Promise) in July 2011 for a medical mission trip to the country of Cambodia. Since then, I have remained connected with the organization and was delighted to use my organizational skills to help the cause. 

Here is the space to be organized:

And here are the boxes of files, office supplies, etc that need to be organized...

There are actually two identical closets in this bedroom which currently house personal items and soon, Freedom's Promise items. We really couldn't just organize the newly designated Freedom's Promise closet, without also organizing the other closet with the displaced personal items. 

Here is the other closet: currently housing gift wrapping supplies, some holiday items, and gifts

After assessing the items in both closets and discussing what my friend wanted from each closet, I came up with a plan for each closet. In the Freedom's Promise closet, we really needed shelving for storage of office supplies, files, folders, and bulk office supply items. 

Freedom's Promise Closet: BEFORE

Freedom's Promise Closet: THE PLAN

PERSONAL CLOSET: BEFORE

The personal closet is also within the guest room, and needs hanging space for guests to use when visiting. It is also a storage spot for extra gifts and gift wrapping supplies, as well as a pack-n-play and small highchair. The plan is to use the vertical space as well as the flat surfaces within the closet to maximize functionality. By using the door for gift wrap organization, similar to this idea, we will free up valuable hanging space. I decided to use large canvas bins for the closet shelves to house sheets and other items guests may need during there stay. For the gifts, I chose decorative baskets that sit on the floor of the closet and are easily accessible. The remaining items tuck nicely in the corner of the closet, out of site but not out of reach.

Up first, enacting my plan to solve the Gift Wrap Dilemma in the Personal Closet. 

If you have a wrapping paper problem (or any other organizing crisis!), I would love to help you solve it!

Contact me at Organizing-Nashville@gmail.com

If you would like more information on Freedom's Promise, 

or if you are interested in donating to support the prevention of human trafficking

CLICK HERE.