The Power of Labels: Get Organized and Stay Organized
To label or not to label?
That's a question I often hear as a professional organizer. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It's all about crafting a system that suits your lifestyle. However, there are several tools you'll want to keep in your organizing arsenal. One of my favorites? You guessed it—Labels. While they may seem like a small detail, labels are an organizing power tool and can be your secret weapon to not only get organized, but stay organized. Here's how:
1. Labels provide clarity… for everyone:
Labels help identify and categorize items, offering a visual guide for where things belong. In shared spaces, labels provide direction, promoting cooperation and ensuring everyone follows the organizing system.
2. Labels save us time:
Picture this: no more rummaging through drawers or containers to find something. Labels are your shortcut to what you need, when you need it. A quick peek at a labeled container tells you exactly what's inside, streamlining your daily routines and reducing frustration.
3. Labels encourage sustainable organizing habits:
Labels act as reminders of where things belong. When items have designated places and are clearly labeled, it becomes easier to maintain order. And the more consistently we maintain the system, the more ingrained these habits become.
4. Labels reduce stress:
A cluttered and disorganized space can cause stress and anxiety. Labels relieve stress by eliminating the guesswork. When everything has a designated spot and is labeled accordingly, the mental load of trying to remember where things are is lifted. A labeled environment is a stress-free environment.
5. Labels enhance productivity:
In a workspace, labeled files and storage containers enable a seamless workflow. When everything is clearly marked, you spend less time searching and more time focused on tasks that matter. The result? Enhanced productivity and a more efficient work environment.
6. Labels save us money:
Labels enhance visibility. By clearly marking categories or contents, we can easily take stock of what we need and what we don't, thereby preventing unnecessary purchases.
Feeling inspired to organize with labels? Here are a few labeling options (there are many more!) and the label makers I swear by.
Label Options / Styles
1. Handwritten labels:
Handwriting your own labels can save you time and are often the least expensive. Blank labels are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. If the contents of what you’re labeling may change ever so often, opt for erasable, removable stickers such as dry erase or chalkboard labels. Examples:
If you’re going to handwrite your labels, my personal favorite are chalkboard labels. These versatile labels bring a touch of charm to any storage space. The ability to erase and rewrite makes them perfect for ever-evolving contents. Just make sure you keep an extra chalk marker on hand as they tend to dry out quickly.
2. Thermal or Desktop Printed Adhesive Labels:
Adhesive labels can be created using a thermal transfer printer (aka label maker) such as the Brother P-Touch CUBE Plus or printable sticker sheets like the Avery Printable Blank Square Labels.
Using a label maker: these nifty gadgets use special label tape or pre-cut stickers (depending on which label maker you use) to thermally transfer text onto the label. Label tape is available in a variety of colors and widths; however, not all label makers can accommodate the same size tape so you’ll need to consider that when choosing a label maker. For a minimalist aesthetic, clear adhesive labels are my go-to. They seamlessly blend with containers, allowing the contents to take center stage.
Using a desktop printer: printable labels are ideal for adding designs and graphics. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors such as clear, white, kraft, and more. They can be printed with full bleed in any color using a color printer. A few examples:
3. Pre-printed Labels:
If you don’t want to splurge on a label maker, are crunched for time or prefer ave a particular style in mind and don't need much customization, you can choose pre-made labels. They usually come in clear, black, or white with white or black writing. There are many different font styles and designs available to match any home decor. Pre-printed labels are typically made from water-resistant vinyl that can easily be removed or replaced if needed and come in sheet packs with commonly used items. You can usually find a pantry set, preprinted on premium waterproof vinyl stickers that won't tear or peel off but can easily be removed. Example:
4. Custom Vinyl Labels:
Precision-cut directly into the vinyl, these labels showcase the word or image without any background, resulting in a sleek and sophisticated look. With an extensive selection of fonts and vinyl colors, labels can be customized to match any aesthetic.
Label makers I can't live without:
This is my go-to label maker for most organizing projects. I love the compact size and the wireless connectivity is a game changer. You can create custom labels up to 24mm wide from your smartphone using the Brother Design&Print 2 app. My favorite feature is the ability to save. If you create a lot of the same labels (say for organizing a closet or pantry) this is a huge time saver.
(For creating custom vinyl labels)
The Cricut Joy is the smallest of the Cricut line which is one of the reasons why I love it. While you can use a standard vinyl roll with a mat, the Joy is compatible with Smart VinylTM—vinyl that can be cut without a mat. Since there's no mat, you can cut up to 4' at one time which is great when you want to cut many labels at once. Huge time savings! And the Joy is super easy to use for beginners. No design experience necessary.
So, there you have it—the lowdown on labels. Happy organizing with labeling!