While poking through my DVD collection, my friend Wicki inquired, “Did you know that you’ve got two copies of Bridesmaids?” I had hunted high and low for the first one for weeks prior to breaking down and purchasing the next one. Turns out it had fallen behind the baskets at which I save them, because I have to push DVDs atop overfilled baskets that still have old videotapes stuffed inside them.

Perusing the baskets, I found that Annie Hall was alongside Hot Tub Time Machine and decided that enough was enough. It was time to organize my movies, personal videos and songs — and it’s probably time you did exactly the same.

InHouse Design Studio

Organize Your Media

Approximate period: 1 to 6 hours (depends on how many DVDs and CDs you own and how fast you’re able to alphabetize)

Materials required: Cleaning supplies, box for recyclables, box for VHS tapes you’ll have transferred to newer technology, storage baskets/boxes, CD/DVD storage binders

Tip: Take some shots along the way to keep in mind each the crazy Betamax or ridiculous house video topics that utilized to hog precious storage space.

The Corner Woodshop

Dive in. Empty all those drawers and shelves. Do you even own a VCR that can play those tapes? Will you watch them again if you do?

Clean. Wipe down all of the shelves and the insides of the drawers.

Sort. Divvy up everything into four piles as summarized below.
Pile 1: Media such as DVDs and CDs that you now utilize Pile 2: Music and films you’ve downloaded to computers, iPods, etc., eliminating the need for hard copies Pile 3: Outmoded media with content you wish to see — your own wedding video, that hilarious 8th grade dance-off, baby’s first stepsPile 4: Truth About Life reruns, the trip you chose to Yellowstone with all the ex you can not stand, old Jazzercise VHS tapes

Archive, Recycle, Reuse

Click around to Vanessa Brunner’s Use It Or Lose It : CDs, DVDs, Cassettes and VHS tapes ideabook to learn how to archive and recycle piles two, three and four.

A concession: You may maintain one sentimental videotape. I am hanging on to Darrin’s Dance Grooves so long as I live, because it makes me laugh, also because my best friend and I both wrote down the amount from the infomercial to order it for every other without ever talking Darrin or his dance grooves.

MUJI USA

MUJI Desk Accessories – $13.25

Reduce Cases and Organize

Now that you are rid of piles two through four, it’s time to attack the heap of keepers. Ditch the cases and put CDs and the DVDs to binders. This is sometimes a rough step, but I promise it will gain you a great deal of storage space. (I could not let go of my commemorative bowling ball-shaped case that houses the 10th anniversary edition of The Big Lebowski.)

Take time to do the alphabetical order thing. It could be tedious now, but it will save much time in searching later. If you would like to acquire all High Fidelity about it, organize the binders by celebrity. In reality, spread out on the ground in the front of the TV and soda High Fidelity to the DVD player while you do this boring job. Just be careful not to let John Cusack talk you to coordinating them biographically.

Nicole Lanteri Design

In the event the whole thing item is not for you, find a way to organize and save your DVDs in their cases. Consoles with drawers and baskets are a good way to get this done.

Dwellings

Plan for the long-term

If you still feel unsatisfied after this clean-out, you may want to look for a brand new games console or some media armoire, or program for some built-in shelves and cabinets.

Plan 1: Built-ins. All these built-ins were created around the TV. Be aware that cupboards for elements such as cable boxes and DVD players get hot and should have venting. You’ll also need to program for plugs.

In regards to websites storage, contain drawers and shelves that will fit how you save items. If you are a binder person, make shelves round their height dimensions. If you cannot let go of those DVD cases, plan for shelves or drawers that will accomodate DVD boxes or baskets.

More thoughts for built-ins round the fireplace

decordemon

Plan 2: A brand new TV cabinet, armoire or credenza with integrated storage. New media cabinets can be expensive; keep your eyes open at flea markets and garage sales for appropriate pieces. You can breathe new life into classic stereo cabinets and contemporary buffets with glossy paint and new hardware. Such cabinets make good TV stands and also have a lot of potential for keeping all your media.

Bliss Home Theaters & Automation, Inc

Reward: Select a favourite movie you’ve unearthed, throw some popcorn from the microwave and pick up some Milk Duds — you are using a movie night. Personally, I’m going to have a Darrin’s Dance Groove party.

See related