Organizing your car

21 September 2015

Last week, a client asked me to help him organize the console and glove compartment of his car. I think that’s the first time I’ve been asked to organize a car and it was fun! In no time at all, we had his car organized so that he can find what he needs easily.

Perhaps because I had so much fun with my client, I decided to organize my own car today. In my case, the console is pretty much empty and the glove compartment under control, but the cargo area and back seat (full of organizing supplies) needed some love and attention.

Organizing a car is like organizing any space, just on a smaller scale. Here are the basic steps:

  • Empty the area in question (glove box, console, cargo area)
  • Sort the items into categories, putting like things together
  • Toss the inevitable trash
  • Take inside the stuff that belongs inside (I can guarantee there will be some)
  • Donate the car gadgets that seemed like a great idea but you never use
  • Start putting away the stuff you know you want to keep in the car. Start with the items you use most often and put them in the areas easiest to reach from the driver’s seat.
  • Put the “just in case” stuff in the farthest away storage spaces—you really want to keep close at hands the items that are used regularly.

Here are some storage ideas we used for my client:

  • Ziploc® bag to corral his food items in the glove compartment
  • Stacked accessory boxes in his center console (which is square-ish), with the most used stuff in the top box, without a lid. Tucked underneath in an accessory box with a lid were items he wanted in the car but didn’t need super-easy access to.
  • The pocket in the passenger side door for the owner’s manual, so it didn’t take up valuable space in the glove compartment.

Don’t forget about your wastebasket! Putting wrappers and other trash items in a receptacle is probably the single best thing you can do to keep, your car looking clean. I absolutely love the hand-knit basket I put in my car (I knitted it before I bought the car and it fits perfectly into the spot in front of the console! Here’s a picture:

A felted knit basket makes a great car wastebasket

If you like the idea of a decorative, hand-made wastebasket, there are no shortage of options for car trash cans on Etsy.

Now that my car is clean and organized, I’m off to get it washed and detailed! When I think about how much time I spend in my car, I realize I should do that more often!

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Comments

Love these steps to clean the car. Most of the time forget the car is an extension of our space. So cute your knitted basket. Thank you for posting great ideas.

Nacho Eguiarte September 23, 2015 06:55 PM

Thanks, Nacho! I’m inordinately fond of my knitted wastebasket.

Janine Adams September 24, 2015 09:45 AM

My mother has at least 5 empty water bottles in her car at all times. She could really benefit from a waste basket. I personally recommend keeping car wipes close (like maybe in your side door) to wipe your dashboard down during a long red light!

Chelsea September 30, 2015 08:13 AM

Thanks for tips. A drink holder on the driver door is the perfect spot for a hand sanitizer with pump. As a pet sitter, I use it all the time.

mari May 20, 2016 07:10 AM

Thanks, Mari. Great idea!!

Janine Adams May 21, 2016 07:00 PM

I love that you hand knitted your wastebasket – I never thought of “personalizing” the inside of my car!

Janet Barclay March 29, 2017 09:56 AM

Very cute wastebasket! I have a self stick little calendar on the top of my visor that is actually quite handy.

Olive Wagar April 24, 2017 07:29 AM

I’m a fan of the “pump and dump”: get gas, empty trash. I have a similar knitted basket but never thought of using it in the car as it lives near my desk. Interesting ideas!

Margaret Lukens July 6, 2018 04:50 PM

My handknit basket doesn’t fit in my car, sadly. I truly loved using it! But I have a wonderful new hand-sewn car wastebasket now: https://www.peaceofmindorganizing.com/blog/a-new-wastebasket-for-my-new-car

Janine Adams July 6, 2018 05:20 PM

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About Janine

Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.

I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.

If you’re ready to de­clutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.

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