To Label Or Not To Label

June 4, 2013

A little while ago, one of my lovely virtual clients asked what I thought was a particularly apt question: when organizing, what should one label and what items are unnecessary to label? Sensing that such information might benefit the masses, I’ve summarized the guidelines below.

Do label:

– Shared and communal items or areas

If many people access the item or area on a regular basis, then it’s helpful to apply labels so that everyone is on board with the system–especially so if the system isn’t intuitive to everyone (for intuitive think the silverware drawer, which essentially any dummy knows their way around).

– For the benefit of assistants, housekeepers, etc

This is essentially the same note as the one above, but more specifically targeted to clueing any hired help in to your organizational system. If you have a preference as to the placement of things, it’s much fairer to extend the courtesy of offering insight into those preferences, rather than expecting someone other than you to read your mind. Again, it’s all about keeping multiple people in the loop on one system.

– Storage

Anything that gets stored in tubs, boxes, containers, bags, and which you aren’t likely to access for many months should certainly get a label. Going with the assumption that you’ll remember what’s inside that sealed box come Thanksgiving? Well, that’s just silly, cause ya won’t. Come on now.

– Identical storage containers

Anytime you use lots of the same storage container in one area, it’s helpful to label each one. Obviously, it’s difficult otherwise to differentiate from the outside when they’re all identical.

– Containers which are intended for specific uses, the contents of which routinely get depleted

If you have specific containers for things that get used up, such as food items, then it’s helpful to label the container so that even when empty, its’ purpose will be clear. Otherwise, it might accidentally be absconded with by some well meaning person for some entirely different use.

– Any newly implemented organizational system, at least until you’ve got the hang of them

– Files, always

– For the benefit of children (for more on this, check out Alternative Labeling Methods for Children)

Don’t (necessarily need to) label:

– Items or areas of which you are the sole owner and user

If it’s an area or a category of belongings that you just have down pat and no one else has need to access it, then chances are you can skip the labels.

– Individual items

Logic has it that labeling the thing as “the name of the thing” would venture into the realm of redundant. It’s clear by looking at the toaster it’s a toaster, and unless you’re labeling everything in the vicinity in a foreign language a la a real life flash-card system, you can safely forego labeling.

The exception would be when individual items reside in specific locations, and then it might be helpful to label the action surfaces: i.e. the spot for the toaster is on the third shelf in the pantry, and so you label that spot on the shelf.

– Yourself

– Others

– So much that you look totally neurotic

Image credits: Country LivingLivet HemmaHouse Beautiful, Home and Design, The Painted Hive, unknown

6 Comments

  1. Susan on June 4, 2013 at 6:19 am

    So much that you look totally neurotic… Keep fighting the good fight 😉

  2. Jordan McBride on June 4, 2013 at 8:04 am

    This makes me want to dive into my office shelves and rearrange/reorganize (again). That’s what you were trying to do with this post, isn’t it?! 😉

  3. CinZilicious on June 4, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Hi Annie. I stumbled upon your blog via the blog,”Cup of Mai”, and i’m SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy i did!!!!:D I’ve been going through this cleaning frenzy as of late as i’ve been procastinating to clean my entire flat for over a year! lol…there’s never time;) Anyhow, super happy i found your blog cuz it’s just what i did. I clicked into your blog immediately after i read your occupation, too good to be true!:D Keep it up!

    I love this post by the way. Those glass jar with ingredients labels engraved are really stylish for the kitchen!

    p.s. and you look gorgeous:D

    Cinz
    http://cinzee.wordpress.com

  4. CinZilicious on June 4, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    oops, i actually meant super happy i found your blog cuz it’s just what i NEED and not did. lol

  5. Jennifer Opsahl (@thepapersociety) on June 9, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Lol! This gave me a good laugh – because oh so true! I (obviously) am a bit of a labeller, but there is certainly a line. The apothecary jar on my bathroom counter with q-tips in does not get a label. Bins and pantry jars, why of course!

    • livesimplybyannie on June 9, 2013 at 9:52 am

      If anyone would understand and relate to this post, it’s you.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply





Other Posts You May Love

6 Comments

  1. Susan on June 4, 2013 at 6:19 am

    So much that you look totally neurotic… Keep fighting the good fight 😉

  2. Jordan McBride on June 4, 2013 at 8:04 am

    This makes me want to dive into my office shelves and rearrange/reorganize (again). That’s what you were trying to do with this post, isn’t it?! 😉

  3. CinZilicious on June 4, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Hi Annie. I stumbled upon your blog via the blog,”Cup of Mai”, and i’m SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy i did!!!!:D I’ve been going through this cleaning frenzy as of late as i’ve been procastinating to clean my entire flat for over a year! lol…there’s never time;) Anyhow, super happy i found your blog cuz it’s just what i did. I clicked into your blog immediately after i read your occupation, too good to be true!:D Keep it up!

    I love this post by the way. Those glass jar with ingredients labels engraved are really stylish for the kitchen!

    p.s. and you look gorgeous:D

    Cinz
    http://cinzee.wordpress.com

  4. CinZilicious on June 4, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    oops, i actually meant super happy i found your blog cuz it’s just what i NEED and not did. lol

  5. Jennifer Opsahl (@thepapersociety) on June 9, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Lol! This gave me a good laugh – because oh so true! I (obviously) am a bit of a labeller, but there is certainly a line. The apothecary jar on my bathroom counter with q-tips in does not get a label. Bins and pantry jars, why of course!

    • livesimplybyannie on June 9, 2013 at 9:52 am

      If anyone would understand and relate to this post, it’s you.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply





Welcome

Search The Blog

Simplify Your World

Sign up for the email list to get inspiration and simplified tips sent right to your inbox.

On Pinterest

pinterest-1
pinterest-3
pinterest-2
pinterest-4

Other Posts You May Love