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May 29, 2008

Hang Ups

Simple, innovative home organizational improvements are a not-so-secret passion of mine. I can’t get enough clever new products that help me organize my busy world. Recently, three new items came into my life that I immediately put in place, and three long-term naggin’ problems were gone. Poof!

My first issue was my 6-year-old son can’t really hang his jacket on a hanger and reach up into the closet to put it away on the rod, so I needed strong hooks for the back of a narrow closet door made of particle board. Command hooks to my rescue! Made by 3M ($6.99–$10.99 depending on size; containerstore.com), these handsome brushed nickel and bronze metal hooks have a super stickin’ backing that don’t seem to fall down. They also come off cleanly (if you change your mind about positioning) and leaves no surface damage. They do get a little tuggin’ punishment from Max, but they're “still standing.” I wound up putting three different-sized ones at varying heights on the back of our closet door for a backpack, coat and playdate-pal’s coat. It helps to keep the doorway from becoming a dumping ground and teaches a 6-year-old to put things away. Might even work on a fiancé.

side view of hook

front view of hook

Another issue I had was I’m always desperately needing to put my hands on a pair of scissors or a note pad or pen in the kitchen, but seem to spend too much time running around finding these things. Command just came out with clever enclosed organizer baskets (Walmart and Target), which, like the hooks, adhere to the inside of a cupboard or closet door with strong adhesive backing. I put the small one inside a high-up cupboard, and in it I keep a pair of scissors, small notepad, pen and pencil.

organizer basket

basket organizer

Finally, my kitchen fridge was a messy hodgepodge of snaps I take of, well, mainly Max. These super cool framework magnetic “frames” by FRAMEWORK from Working Class Studio make a beautiful gallery display of cherished snaps on your fridge door. The outline shape is based on vintage frames, yet the patterns and colors are hip and fresh. Interior Sizes vary to fit snaps from 2” x 3”, 3" x 5” and 4” x 6” ($5 for one 4” x 6”, $5 for two 3" x 5" and $5 for four 2” x 3” frames; shopscadonline.com; 912-525-5180).

magnetic frames by framework

Ease-of-use bonus: When you take another snap you can’t live without seeing every time you reach for the milk, these frames take two seconds to change out.

Genius ideas!

Posted by Monica at 2:17 p.m.

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