Controlling the lists

It's been a while since I've shared a "works for me" type of idea/tip, but today I thought I'd write about how I've gotten the lists and clutter under control on my kitchen counter!

See how lovely my clear counter looks? In the interest of full disclosure, it fills up with dirty dishes every day... I do not maintain a miraculously clean kitchen all day! But, aside from dishes and food stuff, that lovely stretch of counter likes to collect papers. Lists. Bills. Stuff-I-will-deal-with-later kind of things.

So, I came up with a plan. All lists now get written on post-it notes, usually one or two notes per day. I usually have one post-it with big things that need done that week, and another post-it or two with my daily reminders, jobs, etc.

The post-it notes go on my cupboard doors, leaving the counter clear. I would send you to a free sample box of post-its, but that freebie is gone now... sorry! :(

You can make your post-its last longer by turning them over and writing on the back, too. See? :)

I also have my daily routines/schedule written on a dry erase board which is hung in the kitchen. Hanging things on walls sure frees up lots of extra counter and cupboard space, I've found!

(Click to enlarge)

This is what keeps me on track. I write menus on the left, as I described in this post about menu planning with a white board. The top has my morning and evening routines, and the bottom has some general times for meals and bed. :)

It's really simple, but the post-it lists and the dry-erase schedule have helped me immensely to stay focused while fighting paper clutter! :)

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Controlling the Lists

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2008-04-09 00:00.

Very helpful ideas. Our current system is not working for us. Paper usually gets piled up on our microwave. Then when someone opens the cupboard door, it all gets knocked on the floor.
Ellen
http://ellenfunlearning.blogspot.com/

WOW, I love seeing all that spaaaace! It's beautiful!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2008-04-09 00:34.

I am in admiration for your beautiful spacious counter! I love it! My friend Holly does the same thing only she sticks the post-it notes on the INSIDE of the door. Interesting twist, huh? ;) Makes it one more step to actually SEE what your to-do says ... guess it depends how super-duper-neat-and-perfect you want to be and how annoying it is to have to open the door each time you want to see or write!

Col
Gigablonde.com

I love a clear kitchen as

Submitted by mama on Wed, 2008-04-09 02:25.

I love a clear kitchen as well. The post its and white board are a good idea!
mama

clear counter

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2008-04-09 05:44.

the most pretty thing in a house or picture to me is clear counter space. for years i've struggled with this issue. ( Im a complete failure at it) I always clear it all off and cant belive how stuff just collects. but it takes no time and its that way again. I guss that one is truly a never ending chore. for me anyway.

Size of Dry Erase

Submitted by Erika on Wed, 2008-04-09 07:17.

I was wondering what size is you dry erase board is it one of the smaller ones? Or a big one? I have both and would love to try your idea. This control/household journal thing has never worked for me in the 8 years I have tried several different kinds and streamlining would be wonderful your idea combines it all.

Erika

Dry erase board size

Submitted by Tammy on Wed, 2008-04-09 07:22.

Erika, the one in the picture is about 16 inches high and maybe 20 inches wide... (this is an estimate since I don't have a ruler nearby!) so, not too big. :)

We have a different

Submitted by tesslouise on Wed, 2008-04-09 11:38.

We have a different problem--our paper clutter is confined to our desks (which are admittedly disastrous), but we don't have enough cabinet space, so we wind up with boxes and jars of food on the counter--flour, rice, etc. We bought some extra shelves for the dining room (which is otherwise free from furniture, as our table is in the living room), but we haven't done a good job moving the boxes and jars.

extra room

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2008-04-09 16:16.

Tesslouise, do you have extra space above your cabinets (not a header up there)? If so you can get baskets, hang a cute label off them and stick them up there. I would say that would be for more overflow stuff though unless you are really tall. 8)

Tammy, I never would have thought of folding and turning over a post-it, that is awesome!

I'm afraid we don't, the

Submitted by tesslouise on Mon, 2008-04-21 20:02.

I'm afraid we don't, the cabinets are built in. It's an apartment kitchen, so of course not the best-designed. Actually, I can only reach the bottom two shelves in the cabinets--the top shelf is definitely stepladder time. :) So we use the top shelves for duplicates of things, usually.