*Disclosure: The amazon links included in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
I love the challenge of making a space functional AND beautiful. If a space looks lovely, but is not functional or easy to maintain, it has no place as part of an organizational system. Organizing and creating systems CAN cost a pretty penny, but they certainly do NOT have to. With a little planning and determination, you can organize on a budget.
Planning Steps:
1. Define the scope and goals of your project. Example: update the pantry to discard expired food and duplicates, and develop a better system for snacks. As you proceed with your organizing, refer back to those goals if the temptation for scope creep sets in. Your goals serve as a reminder to stay within the parameters that you defined – saving money and preventing overwhelm.
2. DIY or Enlist Help. Decide whether this will be a DIY project or whether you’ll reach out to a professional organizer for their expertise and support.
3. Identify a placeholder amount for any product that you will purchase. Don’t buy anything until you’ve gotten into the project and know what you really need. Often we get this step backward, purchasing random containers and later force fitting our items into them. Save your money and only get what really meets your need.
4. Prioritize. Identify where you want to spend the majority of your budget. It may be in an area that’s the most visible or an area that’s causing the biggest pain for you currently. Be intentional about spending your budget in this area.
The Role of Product
Organizing products include anything that helps to create order, create a home for things, and enables you to maintain a system long term. This could mean hooks, drawer dividers, racks, bins, baskets, calendars, and so much more.
Product can be very helpful. Without containers, for example, we have loose floating items that have a tendency to multiply and get crowded because there’s no vehicle to contain them.
If aesthetics and design are important to you, product is also a great way to achieve that “look”. However, be creative! Look around for what you already own that could be repurposed. This is the fun part! Use a tension rod under the sink to hang spray bottles of cleaning products. Use a kids’ slap it bracelet to contain wrapping paper rolls. Repurpose clean food containers such as yogurt tubs to corral office supplies. Or, use a shoebox for….almost anything!
Product Sources
Here are my top 10 budget friendly options that will really stretch your dollar with their versatility and friendly price points.
Overall:
Great for an office, playroom, or to contain cleaning supplies. - Lots of colors, multiple sizes, excellent price and quality. Use them ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. The end.
- Love this for canned goods.
- Really pretty. Available in several sizes and colors.
- Helpful for corner cabinets, deep cupboards, under the sink, or craft supplies.
- The most expensive item on the list, but endless uses for these cube units.
- $39.00 for 100! And, great reviews.
- The spice jars I’ve shared again and again. They’re good!
- This is the label maker I have. Super user friendly.
- Solid quality product that I particularly love to use in pantries.
Helpful for corner cabinets, deep cupboards, under the sink, or craft supplies.
The most expensive item on the list, but endless uses for these cube units. 
$39.00 for 100! And, great reviews.
The spice jars I’ve shared again and again. They’re good! 
Solid quality product that I particularly love to use in pantries.