A bedside pouch, easily made from a towel or yard of fabric, that fits between mattress and box spring helps keep clutter off night stands.
By Linda
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm looking at a queen bed foot end storage chest. What is the ideal size? Has anyone built one and have ideas? Thanks.
42" long x 29" high x 18" deep
These measurements can always be adjusted to suit your purpose or availability. Just giving you a place to start.
That will depend on the size of your room. For myself, I would do it just a bit shorter than the bed is lengthwise and about an inch from the mattress.
I really need advice on how to clean my room. I spend almost every weekend cleaning it but I am just not organized enough to keep it clean. If any one has any tips please help.
I have found the best thing to do is start small. If you have an excess of items that you haven't used in more than 1 week, it's time for it to go.
OH-MY! What a kick! My adult kids live in or near Kent, WA! ...Below is the book that helped me like you wouldn't believe! It's an easy read that's also funny too! There's simple tips about how & where & when to clean, plus info about exactly WHAT kind of "Messy" you are. For example, I love to craft & sew so much I'll go from one project to the next without cleaning up in between, & if you do this for a month straight you don't even know WHERE to BEGIN cleaning
I used to just stare at the mess, not knowing where to start! The author suggests you start by the door then follow around the walls in one direction. She says you always need 3 - 4 empty boxes whenever you clean. One for things that go elsewhere in the house. One for give away & One for throw away. This means you won't be running all around the house each time you need to take something to the kitchen or wherever. This book has changed my life!
THE NEW MESSIES MANUAL: $5
www.amazon.com/
THE MESSIES MANUAL: about $3 (the original written in the 1980's)
www.amazon.com/
PS. Instead of cinder block under my bed (which are REALLY heavy) I used a stack of tiles that I taped together w/masking tape. As long as it's sturdy enough to hold your bed up, it'll work to raise your bed for more storage underneath!
Another thing that really has helped me with my little things (like sewing & craft supplies) is, I went to the Fred Meyer in Kent & bought some of their shelving strips that hook to your wall (they also have some free standing wood shelves for super cheep that can be painted)
Then I went to the Dollar Tree in Kent (on the corner where Kent-Kangley meets 240th Street) & bought a bunch of Square Plastic Dish Pans. These I arranged on the shelves to store things in. At "Dollar Tree" I also bought about 8 clear "shoe" boxes for storing smaller items. (they don't sell them at "Everything is $1, the other dollar store)
At the "Big Lots" in downtown Kent (across from K-mart) they sell a single bed for only $99 that comes with 3 drawers under in. Big Lots also have nice (free-standing) shelves for only $39. Big Lots is the best place to buy under bed storage boxes. That's where I bought my ("veggie") stacking Bins (where I keep my tools) I eye-bolted & wired them to the studs in my wall so they wouldn't fall over & they are now stacked to the ceiling full of tools.
---> But Danielle, You really have to make a decision. Do you want to spend 15 minutes a DAY cleaning your room, or a WHOLE DAY on the weekends cleaning it? Me, I usually go for the latter & WISH I'd done the former. <*grin*> GOOD LUCK to you!
First I think its great you want to organize and clean thats wonderful! Try getting some storage containers to start with to get your stuff organized. If you have space under the bed get some of the containers that roll under the bed to store stuff. As for cleaning once stuff is organized what I do is try to schedule my cleaning times. When I'm really busy I do a little between appointments or whatever so your not so tired. And frustrated.
Pick up after yourself. If you pick it up, put it away. Handle things only one time; don't put it down and think you'll get to it later. You won't; that's why the room is messy.
In the morning, EVERY MORNING, make your bed and take a two-minute swipe at your bathroom with sanitizing wipes while you're getting dressed. On your way to the kitchen for breakfast, take any dishes or laundry with you.
These four simple steps will go a long way to keeping things neat and inspiring you to further order.
Decide a few things: When is the last time you used or wore an item, can or will you use it again, and (be honest) does it fit? If you have many coats, keep two. One for everyday, and one for dressy occasions. same for shoes. Be selective and ruthless. Just think, if you donate to charity, it can be tax deductable, you give to someone not as fortunate as you, and you feel good. Win-win situation!
Books: Have you read it in the past year? Will you read it in the next six months? If no, donate it.
Bedding: I keep three seperate sheet/bedding sets, one heavy (winter) one lighter (summer) and one just cos I like it. Get those spacebags that you can vacuum out the air...just make sure if you do that route that you know that if you open and close those bags too much, I find that they do not stay airtight, and start to split...for my children (4 and 7), I keep two complete sets of bedding. One on the bed, one in the closet for when I change bedding.
oh, this should have gone with books, but: Magazines. If you buy it every month, subscribe, you'll save money. Then, after you have read the magazine cover to cover, if there is an article you really like, scan it into your computer, then donate it to local doctor or dentist offices or hospital waiting rooms.
As for storage: Don't forget that you can build UP as well as across. Stackable cubes, bins, etc. but one of the best things for keeping things neat: get in the habit of putting it away right when done using it...don't fall into the 'I'll do it later' routine. Also, before you go to bed, give your room a once over. Any dirty laundry that needs to be put in the hamper or clean that needs to be put away? Desk clear? Everything picked up from the floor?
Trust me, it may seem like it may take forever, but it won't, work steady, thoroughly and methodically. Slow and steady wins the race. If you are not sure, most likely you can get rid of it with very little exception.
Watch HGTV for those organising shows, as they often give inexpensive, creative and very cute ideas. Then watch 'How Clean Is Your House?' (check local listings) or Clean Sweep (again, check local listings) and see how bad it can really get, if you do not get ahold of it now.
Good Luck
Just go to www.flylady.net and she will help you. It is a free service.
I have been involved with this site for over 5 yrs and love the tips, ideas and support that is offered.
The most important tip in my opinion is to keep your running shoes on in the house.
Karyn
I think the best advice is to take baby steps.
I just helped a friend and one thing that really seems to have worked to make the room STAY clear is to put everything on the walls. Make your room like a store where everything is in plain sight so when you want to put stuff away you just throw this over here, that over there, no opening and shutting stuff. I hung tie racks up for necklaces, a shoebag rack on the wall for all the shoes (no more rooting around on the floor way back in the closet). A towel bar holds all the headbands, and a towel below that is on a second rod hanging there, and all the earrings hook into that. We went through the clothes and all the seldom-used ones went into the basement (warm dry basement). A set of bookshelves now has all the pants and tops, open and ready to grab. She didn't have a file cabinet so I bought a portable one, labeled categories, so now her photos and papers are safe and 'findable'. Her dirty laundry basket is at the foot of the bed, under a table, so it's sort of not so obvious yet a slam-dunk away. Good luck!
It is probably because you have too much in your room and that will make anyone stressful. Having less, means less stress or have lots of drawers to put the excess into. Also, dusting the furniture every week and cleaning the floors. Windows seasonally. Washing curtians, seasonally.
Donate the excess that you do not want or have a garage sale or auction. If you can keep up with the extra it is okay, but if not, get rid of it.
I cant keep my room clean. It is just too hard. I'm only 12.
Start with your closet get some organizers and some storage bins together. Put them on the ground in your closet then get some shelves that are easy to install and replace. Put your small things in the organizer, medium sized things in the bins and large items in the shelves. Make sure to put them in neat or your will have a hard time finding them. Put your clothes on a rack in the closet if you have room or space. Use these tips and you can have a tidier closet and a neater room.
Please please please help. I live in my room which is a constant mess. I clean it every day and it gets no better. I am a uni student. I study fashion design and I work where i sleep basically. I have papers ever where, and a fabric bin and loads of shelving but nothing seems to be working. I throw things away like there is no tomorrow and get really stressed at the sight of my room. I throw away black bags of stuff and my room never seems to be clean. HELP any suggestions for storage or how to sort my room out?
jahmayze AT hotmail.com
My room is messy and does not look cool! I need a way to organize and decorate my room, without spending money! I'm only 11!
by mj
I try to keep my room clean but it just gets messy a few days later. I hate doing it. It's so boring. What can I do to keep my room clean or make cleaning my room fun?
I share a bedroom with my son and my fiance, and it's constantly a mess. I want to organize it, but every time I try it becomes cluttered. I am out of ideas. Can anyone HELP? I am also low income, and can't afford much. We are running out of floor space.
I can study in my room. I love to make my room better. I am only 12 years from Australian.
We all know its not fun or easy,but to live a healthy lifestyle,your room should be at least some clean. Did you know kids on average with a cleaner room do better in school and get good grades? Anys ways back on how to clean your room. If you get laundery always put it right away! And if you play a game clean up right after you're done. This way you won't have to clean a HUGE mess in your room later when you are tired and want to sleep. Hope this helps
Love
Sophie
Thank u kayrn, the tip about the running shoes in the house was really helpful to me becausse it seemed to increase my eneergy level alot. Now can u help me get my clothes put away. I have only one little dresser for my little girl , two shelves no closet ? ps I am on what I like to call the cash free biudget. HELP PLEASE
tks again jessica
I really need help to organize my room. I keep cleaning it, but it just gets messy again, no matter what. I try to store things but they just make it back out on the floor again.
There is a neat website (www.flylady.net) with tons of advice of how to get organized and stay organized. For example, she says just do a little a one time. When you start to organize, get two big garbage bags and each day put 27 items in one bag to throw away and 27 items in the other bag to donate to charity. When this is done (it may take you several days to do this) then you can "spring clean" your room one good time. Here's the kicker! Once you have spring cleaned, time yourself each day and just work on your room for 5 minutes! YES!! FIVE MINUTES PER DAY! Make sure you time this and really work for 5 minutes then stop. Believe it or not, over a period of time I have organized my ENTIRE house this way! P.S.- I think it's really neat that your 14 and want to get organized! I hope this helps!
A good way to start is to get rid of all that you do not need or like anymore, then donate these things to your local thrift store. Sometimes it is hard to organize when you have too much stuff.
Thanks for the tips it helped alot
Help! I really want to organize and Re-decorate. I love to make stuff so any ideas to organize or decorate that i can make are like perfact.
thanks,
Misty Rose, 12
The best way to clean your room is to make things very simple for yourself to put away. When you are tired, you tend to just throw things wherever you can to get them out of the way. Try buying some larger shelves that you can use for your clothes in your closet instead of just hanging them up or using drawers. Good luck!
I think the worst thing we all do is to just put things down when we're tired, or when we're ready to do something else. Over the course of a long and (sometimes) disorganized life I've learned that I shouldn't start anything until I've put away what I've been doing.
I use a lot of nice tote bags and baskets as "catchers" so that my rooms don't look messy.
My husband worked, years ago, for a tailor in the Bronx, who taught him to "work clean." He does, and it makes a big difference.
At a minimum, use some decent sized cartons, paint them a nice neutral color, and use them to corral things.
In the bedroom, you really need a clothes hamper!
I'm 14 to and just like anyone I always go up to my room and throw w/e anywhere there's a spot, I've tried to organize but I have to much stuff that I don't want to throw away! so yeah, if you can help me please say something! :)
make you a memory board. first get a plan on what color you want it to be. you can match your room already exsisting colors. pick a theme like western. flower power, poka dots etc. only a few craft items are needed like fabric choice, ribbons, foam board the size you want it to be, thumb tacks or push pins. i found a web site that has many ideas to get you started. it should tell everything you need like glue gun etc. walmart sells lots of fabric for $1.00 a yard. you could get about 3 yards of some print you like or that matches your wall colors or the bedspread you already have and add these 3 items to match and give a new inexspensive look. and all you need to sew them up is either a sewing machine, or hand stitch them or even use fabric glue.
1. photo wall memorie board (use some of your fabric to make this) go by the website ideas below)
2. use some of the fabric to make you two throw pillows for your bed. Cut out 2 cirles or 2 squares. You can either fill them with new polyfill which you get from walmart for$3 per bag. Or if you already have pillows on your bed just make new covers for them and slip over like pillowcases with ends left open.
3. use some of the fabric to make you a matching valance for your window. just measure the width of your window and cut fabrics lenght that measure plus high that measurement to give it a fuller look. a basic rectangle shape will work hen around the whole thing once or use fabric glue on hems edge. you can attach it to the rod by using colorful clips like for hair or use a gromit gun and use shower curtain hooks to hang them. even use clothes pins to hang them and paint your clothes pin and hotglue tiny cute objects to them like rings, silk flowers, etc.
a quick way to add a new but cheap priced look. and change it out with fabrics for the season like spring flowers, clouds, rainbow colors, fall leaves, etc.
beaded necklaces are great for adding decore too.
lindasivilich.tripod.com/
i have learned that even if you try these things you don't always have enough time so don't do it all in one night, pick a night/ day to do it and then have someone come and help you do it. Who knows it might be fun!
I need help! Whenever I take something to my room, it mysteriously ends up on the floor. I need a space to put my random things too. I wanna redecorate! Help please! :D
Thank you, Alicia. These tips inspired me to clean my room!
Everyone, help me. I am having a huge birthday party TODAY and my room is a disaster. I need to keep it clean also. Any help?
My 13 year old daughter has a medium sized bedroom and a queen bed. My mom bought her a bedroom set which includes the dresser/mirror and 1 nightable and a new mattress (queen) and I don't know how to organize it. My daughter is thinking of putting all her clothes into the drawers and putting shelves and a small chair in her closet. Can someone please help? Her comforter is black and white. Also she wants it cute and girly.
Thanks.
By Keila
I have no clue how to do my room. My mom says I have to clean my room and organize it tomorrow while she's at work. I share a room with my sister and have a small room with lots of furniture with more coming.
I have 2 closets one for me and one for her and 2 dressers one for me one for her. I have a twin sized bunk bed, a desk that is long, a chest, a laundry basket, mirror, and a sewing desk with a sewing machine and a lot of fabric. I also have a bunny and lots of crafts that need somewhere to go.
Please help.
By Kaylin
I try doing everything I can to make my room organized and still look cool. I have a double sized bed, a stool, art supplies in desk drawer and a little desk. How can I organize this room?
By sweetie123
My room is an absolute disaster and its only a 12' by 12' room. Things I have: a queen bed, a six drawer dresser, a large corner desk, a small 3' by 3' closet and, a floor lamp. I currently have everything under my bed and in my closet. I need to organize and we can't go out and buy anything.
By erin
This page contains the following solutions.
If you live in a small home and need more space to store your crafts, yarn, and scrapbook supplies, think of buying an Under Bedskirt Shoe Organizer.
Teens are notorious for having messy bedrooms. Read on for some idea on how to organize your teen bedroom.
There are a number of thrifty ways to make your bedroom your own and a showcase of your favorite colors and things. This is a page about cute and fun ways to organize your room.
Sometimes, kids and adults need to share a room which might mean the room needs to be laid out differently than if it was just for one or the other. Organizing a bedroom shared by adults and children takes a little extra planning.
If you have a messy husband, it can be very difficult to keep the bedroom clean. Here are some ideas about organizing a bedroom with a messy husband.
This is a page about organizing a small bedroom. Organizing a small bedroom can be a challenge, due to the lack of sufficient storage space and other concerns.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I have a very small bedroom and am in desperate need of ideas. Does anyone have any for me?
I rent a small bedroom and I go nuts trying to find anything like hair stuff, a measuring tape, trinkets, etc. It seems like my stuff is everywhere since I put things away on impulse then forget where I put them. I need help grouping miscellaneous stuff and how or where to store it.
