My pretty blue, spray painted basket. I throw all my husband’s knick knacks, aka junk, into it every night and keep it next to his he-man recliner.

I am making a commitment to get and STAY organized in our new place. “It will be different this time,” I’ve decreed as my battle cry. I will put things back where I found them. I will do that thing that all professional organizing books say to do each night, you know, spend 15 minutes clearing off clutter and loading the dishwasher. Oh wait, not loading the dishwasher, that is one of those things the organizers say to do right away. Well, whatever.

There are some places where stuff gets used almost everyday and naturally collects. That spot is our living room and it’s my mainly my husband’s stuff. I am trying to avoid a rousing round of the popular game that is sweeping messy partnerships everywhere. You know the one, “Who’s pile of shit  is bigger.” It is a simple game really.  You both start in the same room. Collect all your stuff and put it in a pile, your competitor does the same. Whoever has the bigger pile wins.  Or loses. We’ve all played it, right?

Warning: Do not buy these retail. I found this basket for $2 at a thrift store. Once I spray paint it, this drab weave will turn into something lovely to store my husband’s junk in.

So to avoid this, I look to baskets. Baskets for retail are really expensive.  Save your money. Baskets are easily found at thrift or second-hand stores or even garage sales. And maybe if you are lucky, in your mother-in-law’s basement, along with a gynecological table, but that is another story for anther day.

Pick the basket for your needs. This one was $2.00. Grab some spray paint. My mother-in-law had some pretty navy blue left over from a project. It will go nicely with my yellow table.

Then just spray, spray, spray until the basket is covered. I suggest spraying outside. I like to lay a cloth on the grass. I prefer cloth to newspaper because it doesn’t stick to your project as the paint dries. You might need to do a few coats depending on how much you want it covered.

Let dry and then use!

It is super easy and looks like you could have spent a lot of money at HomeGoods or Bed Bath and Beyond. But you didn’t! Yay for you and your wallet. Now go treat yourself to a cocktail.

My pretty blue, spray painted basket. I throw all my husband’s knick knacks, aka junk, into it every night and keep it next to his he-man recliner.