The Island... aka "the catch all"

We bought this island so that we'd have more counter room in our kitchen... HA. It's NEVER used for extra counter space in the way I see an island being used... for cooking, food handling, grocery setting down.. nope. It's used for mail dumping, paper dumping, coloring dumping, random things we don't know where to put them... NO MORE!



I took everything off the top and put it on the table to sort it out. I did the same with the cabinet. I am keeping the art supplies in the cabinet for now mostly be/c there isn't another place for them currently. But I'm considering getting some kind of shelving for art/puzzles/games since we seem to be breeding those things.

Here are two things that really don't belong in here but haven't had another "home" until TODAY. One is a BAG full of different icings and sprinkles and birthday candles. The second is a safety kit.

Here is a stack of just papers needing to find the trash can.

Here is a stack of junk needing to find the trash can...
play-do scissors (we don't even have any play-do!)

And TA DA! The after:

Papers, Schmapers.

This is one of my major trouble zones. I tend to collect all things crap here: papers, mail, bills, coupons, craft supplies, newspapers, the kids' art, and miscellaneous stuff I don't know what else to do with. So, it piles and piles, and piles until it gets to this point and I HAVE to do something about it....which is where I was earlier today.

I've read recently that when trying to organize, try to stay true to your routine or pattern. That way you will be more likely to stick to it. So, since I pile here, I'm going to attempt to organize here.

My first step was to sort through this mound:

And, so I did:

My next step was to set up an organizing system:

I found these at Walmart in the clearance section. I think each set of two was $7. So, I spent $14. I labeled each drawer: File, To-Do, Receipts, and Misc. My system also includes the basket on the ground, because under the blanket...:

...are all of my file folders:

This way, the folders are readily available to sort when I need to. Also, the basket is easily moved. So, when I have guests and need to clear the area, all I have to do is pick it up and move it to another location.

We will see if this system proves to be any better for me over time!