Although my house has never been a complete mess, there were always a few things that never got round to getting sorted. For example the Kitchen cupboards. A total meca to disorganised life. Pots and pans chucked in, glasses and cups in one bit, plates in another (no order here except for size) and food and spices chucked in where one could find space.
It always felt as if there wasn't enough cupboard space for anything. Without realising it this was slowly getting worse and suddenly it got on my last nerve just after xmas. You know the days in between xmas and new year - the 'dead days'. Where you don't really know what to do with yourself as you're stuffed from xmas and partied out but you don't want to spend too much money before New Year. Yes, I'm sure you recognise this state of suspension especially if you have got to my age (kids or no kids).
So what do I do. Start taking out everything from the cupboards of course. One big bin bag later, a trip to the pound shop for some cheap baskets (no one will see or care that these are storing my kitchen bits!)
and I finally have a kitchen that didn't feel small. Instead it became functional. Put stuff in the basket and slide pull the basket out when you need something. I also used food plastic containers from the take aways we have had. You do need to thoroughly wash these first though but because it's clear plastic you can see in a instant what spices you have and pull out the box you need. The restricted space of an open container also forces you to store things neatly.
Sounds so simple Took me ten years but hey everyone has to work at their own pace right?
Now for a brighter kitchen.... cue the spray paint.
Read about how this
without the pain of picking up a paintbrush myself. 
) went home on the bus, in the drizzly rain thankful for 'SOFT PLAY'.