STYLE Savvy: In It to Win It

Lisa Hess decides to take stock of some organizing systems, noting the wins and the areas that still need more work.

I opened the closet outside my bathroom the other day to get a tube of lipstick. I was able to access it immediately without moving anything, knocking anything down, or battling with any of the remaining contents of my closet. 

It's a small thing, but it's an organizing win.  

I mention this for two reasons. First, the magical organizing tool I used to make this happen is a lazy Susan, something I never considered using in this particular closet until I overbought for a kitchen reorganization, leaving me with an extra one on hand. Second, I did this closet reorganization months ago, and it still makes me smile every time I open the closet door.  

This moment made me wonder: How many of my organizing systems have stood the test of time? And so I did a mini organizing check-up. As expected, the results were mixed.

Here's a sampling of my conclusion on the areas I evaluated. 

Sometimes You Win … 

WIN: The lazy Susan in the hall closet

This is the win that motivated this post. The hall closet is relatively deep and prone to wasted space if not organized intentionally. As a short person with an I need to see it personal style, this means that being able to access everything in this closet and being able to see it is a major victory. 

Organizing principle(s): Replication and overcoming organizing stereotypes

When we find something that works in one space, it makes sense to use it in as many other places as possible, but we often get stuck in the notion that certain organizers belong in certain spaces. Putting a lazy Susan in a hallway closet that hold mostly toiletries, makeup, and the like felt a bit unusual — but it turned out to be the perfect solution. Not only does it offer plenty of space for small containers like nail polish and lipstick that would otherwise create a lot of clutter due their sheer number, but it maximizes the space and keeps things visible. 

Sometimes You Lose … 

LOSE: My mail counter.

If you read Know Thyself, you know this space has been an ongoing battleground. It's way better than it used to be, but it's not cleared off as consistently as I would like. And, because my goal is to keep it (literally) clear, I don't want a basket or organizer to live there. 

Organizing principle(s): Don't put it down, put it away

Creating a habit of sorting through the mail each day helps me to avoid the drop and run trap, but life intervenes. Sometimes I'm in a hurry. Other times, I'm tired and/or unmotivated, and so the mail lands on the counter. And without a consistent system for putting it somewhere else once it's sorted, the counter often masquerades as "away." I have lost count of how many systems/routines/plans I've tried; I know I can give you a long list of things that don't work. Stay tuned to find out what does. 

And Sometimes It’s a Draw 

DRAW: My divided drawers (bathroom, kitchen, dining room)

These are a win, as long as I make sure they have a little wiggle room, so to speak, and I keep up with their contents.

Organizing principle(s): Regular upkeep and room to spare

The upkeep here isn't hard but, since one in/one out doesn't always work, I have to make it a point to keep after the space, once it's once it's full enough that there's no longer room to spare. 

If you've been struggling to find workable long-term organizing solutions, you know that getting organized in the moment is one thing; staying organized for the long haul is another. Keeping in mind basic ideas like replicating systems, choosing containers with room to spare, and creating consistent routines can go a long way toward giving us the head start that gets us to the finish line faster. 

And permanently. 

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Lisa Hess
Images: Canva