| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
And The Top 3 Label Machines to Do It With
You’ve done the hard work of decluttering and creating smart systems. Now, for the final, crucial step: labeling! Think of it as the secret ingredient, the “icing on the cake,” that transforms a good organizing scheme into one that truly lasts.
Labels aren’t just for aesthetics; they’re powerful tools that simplify your life. They instantly tell everyone – including your future self – exactly where to find items and, more importantly, where everything goes back. This small act saves you immense mental energy, eliminating the frustrating hunt for misplaced items and the guesswork of putting them away.
Ready to discover how much time and effort your label maker can actually save you? As a professional home organizer, I use labels every single day in my own home and with clients. Here are some of my go-to uses that you can easily adopt!
Labels in the Fridge
Say goodbye to fridge chaos! Labeling your refrigerator zones is a game-changer. Imagine: everyone in your household instantly knows where to find items and exactly where they belong. No more rummaging, no more mystery leftovers! Beyond the calm, organized interior, labeling also saves you money. You’ll stop buying duplicates of items you already have (but can’t find!) and prevent forgotten food from expiring and going to waste.
So grab your label maker and tackle those shelves, door bins, drawers, and any freestanding containers. Your future self (and your wallet!) will thank you.
Labels For Storage Bins
Labeling storage bins lowers visual noise and helps you focus your attention where it’s needed when you’re getting something out or putting something away.
You’ll be less tempted to shove things wherever they seem to fit if you use labels, which will eventually destroy the order you worked so hard to establish.
From the oversized ones in the garage to the shoebox-sized ones beneath your bathroom sink and in the craft cupboard, label every type of storage bin, and you will make your organization efforts both far more successful and much longer-lasting.
Labels for Laundry Hampers
Want to streamline laundry day? Labeling your laundry sorter is a game-changer for maintaining order and saving precious time. This isn’t just about storage; it’s a brilliant strategy to keep things efficient.
If you don’t have a laundry sorter, consider getting one – then label its compartments! Create sections for “hand wash,” “darks,” “whites,” and “lights.” By doing this, you’ll skip the tedious re-sorting of dirty laundry and get everyone in the household involved in the process, making laundry a breeze for all.
Labels for Drawers
When drawers are labeled, they can better serve their storage purposes.
You generally don’t want the labels to show on the outside, unless they’re in a closet or cabinet (or the fridge). When the drawer is open, place the labels on the upper lip so you can see what belongs where. My one exception to this ‘rule’? Kids’ drawers. Visible labels on the outside of the drawer can be very helpful for them, and if you choose cute ones, the labels will add to the overall decor ‘vibe’.
Any drawer, including those in a desk, dresser, pantry, or refrigerator, can be labeled and are likely to stay better organized if you do so.
Drawer organizers can be labeled as well. For example, you can label sections of kitchen drawer organizers for baking tools or spatulas, and garment divider inserts in drawers for winter socks or bikinis. Labels are especially beneficial when storing a group of small things in one compartment or area so that related items are kept together and not mixed up with other little items.
Labels for Linen Closets
It’s certainly a pleasure to look at well-organized linen closets with fluffy towels folded to the same size. However, as family members look for hand towels or bedding, everything that’s set up so nicely quickly becomes a ruffled-through, toppled-over jumble of terrycloth and cotton.
Label the shelves so that everyone knows where the hand towels, bath towels, and pillowcases are kept. You might also want to name shelves according to the rooms where the linens belong, the season, or the people who use them (guests vs. family).
Labels for the Pantry
In the pantry, there are numerous types of labels that are useful. Here are some of the most useful:
Containers should be labeled so you know what kind of flour/grain etc. is in each one.
Label shelves so you know what to put where and where to look for goods (for example, canned vegetables and beans on one shelf, canned milk and baking ingredients on another, condensed milk, pumpkin puree, and canned cherries for pie filling on a third shelf).
Any baskets or boxes you have in the pantry should be labeled so you know which to get without having to sift through them all or mixing up categories of items.
Best Labellers for Organization
If you are going to do so much labeling, investing in a formal labeler will pay for itself quickly, and make the task quicker and easier to boot. But which one should you choose? Here’s a look at some of my personal favorites:
DYMO Label Maker with Adapter
Rejoice, control freaks! This label machine from the industry’s forefathers provides lots of customizing choices for even the most discerning labelers. It can print in seven different text sizes, ten different formatting styles (e.g., bold, italics, underlined), eight different fonts, and over 200 symbols and clip-art images—and that’s just the onboard features. If you use the provided USB cable to link the 420P to your PC or Mac, it can print almost any typeface, design, or barcode you can think of, as long as it fits on the tape. (It also works with 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch tape widths.)
It has enough memory to store up to 15 designs and can print 10 high-quality copies of a single design in one go. The Dymo 420P is also portable and simple to use, despite its extensive capabilities. Finally, unlike other handheld label makers, it’s rechargeable, so you won’t have to worry about running out of batteries—at least when it comes to this device.
Brother P Touch Labeler
Want to spend less but still get a very versatile labeler? Then this one might be for you. Brother’s label maker is straightforward to use and an exceptional bargain for its many features at a fraction of the price of my top recommendation.
To create a bespoke label, you can choose from more than 14 typefaces, 97 frames, and 600 symbols, or use one of the 27 preprogrammed templates. Thanks to a large memory card, you may store up to 30 designs and print patterns like flowers and polka dots. The output is consistently sharp and clean; you won’t get the grainy, mealy prints that some of this device’s price competitors produce.
Although it has a full QWERTY keyboard, it is nonetheless lightweight and portable. Just keep in mind that it requires six AAA batteries (not included) or a household current and AC adaptor, all of which are sold separately.
DYMO Embossing Label Maker
Want to keep things simple, and battery-free? Hark back a half-century with this analog label maker, a contemporary revamp of Dymo’s classic tape embosser. The main difference is in the name: Rather than create labels through thermal transfer, the Dymo wheel embosses tape to create a textured and very vintage effect.
Beyond choosing among the three provided colors of tape, don’t expect to be able to customize your labels—Dymo offers just one font (set in all capitals) and one sizing option. Great for basic labels, but not as aesthetically pleasing as the labels my other choices can produce.
Need help with decluttering, or home, life or office organization in general? Just Organized by Taya can help. Book a free 15-minute consultation today, so we can discuss your personal needs and just how we can help.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
- The Ultimate Guide to Organizing and Storing Pet Food (Without Sacrificing Your Home Style) - September 30, 2025
- 25+ Things You MUST Declutter When Selling Your Houston Home - September 25, 2025
- 7 Simple Steps to an Organized Underwear Drawer - September 23, 2025
