The Spare Change Secret and 6 Other Ways to Make Life Easier
Ever needed to find something pronto – batteries, spare change, first aid – but had no idea where it was? Help's at hand
Knowing the location and home of these seven essential items will make life easier when you need to access them in a hurry. As a professional organiser, I see the frustration my clients feel when they need something quickly in their homes but can’t, for the life of them, find it.
Ever needed to quickly deal with a first-aid emergency but can’t find a bandage? Light bulb blown in the bedroom and two weeks later you’re still getting dressed in the dark? What about when a child is sick during the night and you can’t find the spare towels?
Perhaps you need a couple of dollars for a lunch order or parking and can’t find any coins… but suspect there is a hundred dollars in change scattered around the house.
Need a professional organiser and storage designer to whip your home into shape? Find one on Houzz near you to enjoy an organised lifestyle and home
Need a professional organiser and storage designer to whip your home into shape? Find one on Houzz near you to enjoy an organised lifestyle and home
There are seven items in your home that you’ll benefit from knowing the location of. Almost every home has these items, but they’re not organised intentionally, so they’re difficult to find when you need them. Fret not, we’ll help you sort it.
1. Batteries
Your home has batteries in it, I guarantee. Some of them are in electronics, but others are in drawers in kitchens, studies, laundries or hidden in other random places. But why does it seem that when you need them you can never find the right-sized battery… then when you do – you can’t figure out if they’re used or new?
Your home has batteries in it, I guarantee. Some of them are in electronics, but others are in drawers in kitchens, studies, laundries or hidden in other random places. But why does it seem that when you need them you can never find the right-sized battery… then when you do – you can’t figure out if they’re used or new?
My favourite solution to organising batteries is to have a clear container where all batteries live in your home. I keep them in the laundry, others keep them in the kitchen or home office. Remember to store them out of reach of children and pets as all batteries – button batteries in particular – are very dangerous if ingested.
2. Light bulbs
How long does it take you to change a light bulb after it blows in your home? Do you never have the time to find the correct bulb because you feel it will take ages?
How long does it take you to change a light bulb after it blows in your home? Do you never have the time to find the correct bulb because you feel it will take ages?
Keep all spare bulbs together in a container, like your batteries. Keep them in their boxes so you can quickly find the type and strength you need when a bulb blows.
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10 Steps to Making Storage Boxes Work for You
3. Umbrellas
Do you feel like you own five umbrellas but don’t know where a single one is?
Do you feel like you own five umbrellas but don’t know where a single one is?
Rather than storing umbrellas in cupboards, wardrobes or drawers, keeping your umbrella near the front door will mean it’s easy to grab when you’re walking out. If you have two, keeping one in the car could also be a great solution.
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Home and Dry: How to Stow Your Brolly and Save Your Floors
4. Spare change
One of the things that strikes me regularly is how much loose change is hidden around our homes. Just last week I found over $200 in coins in my client’s home over the course of a week.
One of the things that strikes me regularly is how much loose change is hidden around our homes. Just last week I found over $200 in coins in my client’s home over the course of a week.
If you’re the type of family who empties coins from your wallet, my suggestion is to have one designated place where you keep coins so when you need them for parking, donations, lunch orders or a sports game you know exactly where to grab them.
I find that most families have a screwdriver somewhere inside the house, they just can’t find it. Consider keeping some basic tools in the laundry or kitchen, and give them a home so you always know where they are and where to return them once you’re done.
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Clever Storage: The Magic of Magnetic Racks
6. First aid
You never know exactly when you’re going to need a band-aid, bandage or some pain relief. Rather than frantically searching through the bathroom cupboards when a child is crying, having a first-aid kit already set up will give you peace of mind.
You never know exactly when you’re going to need a band-aid, bandage or some pain relief. Rather than frantically searching through the bathroom cupboards when a child is crying, having a first-aid kit already set up will give you peace of mind.
Keep a container (out of reach of children) where you store all first-aid supplies so everything is organised in one spot when you need it.
Must-Have Items for a Smooth-Running Household
Must-Have Items for a Smooth-Running Household
7. Old towels
How many spare towels do you have, how many do you need and where should you keep them? I see the benefit of keeping a couple of old towels for moments when someone is sick or there is a flood or large spill.
But if you can’t find them quickly they’re of little use, as you’ll end up grabbing something else to mop things up instead. I suggest keeping your spare/old towels separate to your everyday towels so it’s clear what is what.
How many spare towels do you have, how many do you need and where should you keep them? I see the benefit of keeping a couple of old towels for moments when someone is sick or there is a flood or large spill.
But if you can’t find them quickly they’re of little use, as you’ll end up grabbing something else to mop things up instead. I suggest keeping your spare/old towels separate to your everyday towels so it’s clear what is what.
Designating intentional places for these items means your house will run smoothly – it’s no use having them at home if you can’t find them when you need them. A home for everything, and everything in its home.
Your turn
Do you have any other helpful tips to add to this list? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice to organise your home? Check out 6 Questions to Answer: Could I Become a Minimalist?
Your turn
Do you have any other helpful tips to add to this list? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more practical advice to organise your home? Check out 6 Questions to Answer: Could I Become a Minimalist?