This post is sponsored by Ross Dress for Less
After a long season of transitions—moving, remodeling, and lots of adjusting—I’m excited to start the new year with fresh organization goals. Once you’ve lived in a home for a while you begin to notice how the family uses each space, and that reveals specific storage needs. For us, that meant focusing on bedroom and bathroom solutions that work in smaller rooms and in an older 1950s house without large closets or built-in vanities.
The first step in any organizing project is decluttering. If you skip that, you’ll end up trying to fit things you don’t really need into spaces that can’t handle them. With that in mind, I tackled our nightstand, drawers, and a few problem spots that had accumulated clutter during the busy holiday season and while contractors were in the house.
My nightstand had become a catchall. I emptied it completely and put back only the items I truly needed. To prevent it from filling up again, I organized the drawer interiors with small containers I picked up at Ross Dress for Less. Using compartments makes it easier to keep things neat and to find what I need quickly. Ross often carries name-brand items at 20–60% off department store prices, which makes it an ideal place for affordable organization solutions that also look nice.
One drawer is now dedicated to essentials I use morning and night—lip balm, hand cream, a small notebook, and charging cords. Corralled in small containers, these items stay tidy and accessible.
The other drawer became my jewelry drawer. I found a soft, velvety divider and a small tray to separate rings, earrings, and necklaces so nothing gets tangled. Having simple, everyday pieces readily available makes it easier for me to add a finishing touch to my outfit, even when I’m working from home.
I also added a tray to the top of the nightstand. A tray or basket instantly makes items look intentional and contained rather than scattered. Once this small project was done, the room felt calmer and more put together.
When my parents stayed with us over the holidays, I realized the guest room needed a better solution for storing extra pillows. Guests often prefer different pillow types, and in a small room you don’t have space for both decorative and spare pillows without them ending up on the floor.
While leaving Ross with my drawer organizers, I spotted an upholstered storage bench that was perfect. It fits at the foot of the bed, provides seating for guests, and stores extra pillows out of sight. The nailhead trim was an added bonus and the bench instantly made the room feel more functional and finished.
I also picked up an over-the-door hook system to give guests a place to hang robes or towels. Hooks are a simple, inexpensive way to keep floors clear and to store items where they are easy to reach. We use hooks throughout our home to keep belongings off the floor and out of reach of curious pets.
Speaking of pets, I couldn’t resist a dog-bone shaped basket I found at Ross. It’s now in the entryway and holds leashes, sweaters, and other dog items. It keeps everything organized and easy to grab when we head out the door, while also keeping those items away from the pups themselves.
Jack approves.
Finally, I tackled the perennial problem of socks and small laundry items left on the bathroom floor. Even though we have a laundry chute just outside the bathroom, it doesn’t always get used. I found a cute laundry hamper that fits the space and makes it more likely that people will toss their clothes into a designated spot instead of on the floor. Time will tell, but it’s a charming addition that helps encourage better habits.
What organizing solutions have you implemented so far this year?
The drawer organizers, tray, upholstered storage bench, dog-bone basket, hooks, and hamper featured here were all found at a local Ross Dress for Less store.