Have you checked out Lonny yet, the online-only home and fashion magazine? The current issue has a feature related to my recently rekindled desire to get my house more organized. With a variety of fun ideas and closet inserts, they get you inspired to find storage in just 20 inches of space. Visit Lonny Magazine and flip through the virtual pages of the spring issue to find this feature. (You can print the pages from their website, too.) — Mary T.

As I write this, the ceiling in my micro-bedroom is fixing to fall in on my bed (eek!) due to some sudden water damage and it got me thinking about renter’s insurance. We rented an apartment in a very old building, so for me, buying insurance was as much about planning for the inevitable as it was for the unexpected, but the debate over its value seems to rage on among my peers. Some friends have used it to replace big ticket items after break-ins and thus sing its praises, and others argue that it’s just a scam, and that the odds that one will ever need it are slim. We entertained a similar debate on pet insuranceand the verdict seemed to favor putting money in savings over purchasing a policy. In my case, I paid less for my policy than it will cost to replace my bed if reality does come crashing down, so the gamble may be worth it, but tell me, do you have renter’s insurance? — Sarah C.

Sometimes something hits your inbox at just the right time. Such was the case when Real Simple magazine alerted us that they’re not only are they promoting organization, they’re now making it simpler (of course) with a line of closet and drawer organizers for Bed Bath & Beyond. This was perfect timing for me, who has finally decided that the ridiculous setup of our two closets — too narrow, too dark, poorly situated — must be tackled. I am eyeing the sweater organizer (with a nifty vertical or side-by-side option) and I love the idea of the closet drawers! Click to see all the new organizers from Real Simple. — Mary T.

I’ve never invested in any sort of kitchen timer and, now that I’m doing heavier cooking than box macaroni and cheese, it’s about time I start using one that isn’t attached to the microwave. I’ve been Googling like crazy and have found several very worthy kitchen timer upgrades. For the traditionalist, there’s Crate & Barrel’s retro 60-minute timer, $10.95. For the multi-tasker, Martha Stewart has a fits-in-the-palm-of-your-hand option that can be clipped onto your apron as you dash around the kitchen in a culinary fervor ($13). The Black Cat Timer, $30 from Sur la Table, is equal parts practical and cute. But my personal favorite is Jozeph Forakis’ design, $20 at the MoMA Store. Chefs can pull the ring and set the time for up to an hour. The tape descends as the minutes tick by and you’re left with a chic little silver box when time’s up. — Katie D.

Related: LEGO timer

I started my search for a cool tissue box cover nearly two years ago, and you know what? I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a purchase! Granted, it wasn’t super high on my priority list, but I can honestly say that in all this time, nothing has really jumped out at me…until now. How cool are these paper pots from Molla Space? These little pods are just what I’ve been looking for. Now I just have to pick a color. — Erica P

Want to work on your organization? Wouldn’t a brand-new labeler help — or at least make you feel more like trying? Well, now’s your chance: Brother is generously giving away a Brother P-Touch 1090 labeler to Shelterrific readers. It’s part of the new Simply Stylish product series, which “includes an easy-to-use Deco Mode application that prints extra-stylish labels.”

Enter to win — on Twitter!
Here’s how to enter to win a Brother P-Touch 1090 Labeler: Use your Twitter account to send a message to both @BrotherUSA and @shelterrific, telling us why you should win or how you would use your labeler. (Don’t send two separate messages; add “@shelterrific @BrotherUSA” to one message.) Tweet your message by 2/10/10, 5 pm EST.

Thanks, Brother, for making this giveaway possible!
Click for complete rules and information on the Brother P-Touch 1090. (more…)

This simple design from Chiasso is a great way to create storage in your entry way, even if you don’t have room for a table. The Switch Entry Caddy fits over your existing switch plate, giving you not only two hooks for hanging keys or leashes, but also a place to stash outgoing mail. Order them for $32 each right here. — Erica P.

Via

We inherited the world’s crappiest refrigerator (I may be biased) with our house. Oh, it works fine, but the storage is a little sub-par, meaning that every time we opened the door, half our sauces and dressings would fall off the shelves. I’ve taken to corralling them using beer and soda bottle cartons. It works okay — it would probably look better if I covered the outsides with pretty paper — but the cartons are a little too small for some bottles, and too large for others. I found this interesting post on using hooks to better organize bottles. If you have any other great ideas for me, I’m all ears! — Mary T.

You loved Erica’s pot rack DIY and kept sending emails asking us to post the how-to already! We are happy to oblige, and we went straight to the source: Erica’s live-in handyman. Enjoy!

So far I’ve been asked to hang eight shelves, three storage cubes and one counter, so when Erica asked me to build her a pot rack, I can’t say I was surprised. I acted indifferently cool when the final product turned out so well, but on the inside I was beaming with pride over my creative prowess (which is the exception, not the rule). The kicker is that this pot rack is reproducible in almost any space using a number of variations on the basic components. Just follow these simple steps to create a quick and easy pot rack that will hang your cookware and support your ego. — Erica’s Handyman

What You’ll Need:
*Drill with 1/4″ bit
*2 Lag Eye Bolts 3/8″ X 4″
*2 Spring Snap Links 5/8″ (carabiner style)
*Broomstick
*Saw
*Sandpaper
*Shower Curtain Hooks

1. Drill 1/4″ pilot holes at the same vertical height into each side of your window frame.
2. Screw a lag eye bolt into each hole and hang the spring snap links from the lag eye bolts.
3. Measure and mark your broomstick at a point slightly smaller than the width of your window frame and saw it at the mark.
4. Sand the cut end until smooth, then hang the broomstick from the spring snap links.
5. Use shower curtain hooks to hang your pots and pans from the broomstick.

Give me much more to write than a grocery list, and my hand cramps up — one of the side effects of using the computer for virtually all correspondence, I guess. This new year, I have one resolution set in my mind: writing more letters and cards by hand. The aptly named “New Ambition” pen in yellow would be a good starting point, although the thought of going totally old school is not without its charm. — Sarah L.