My car is the place that can devolve into a stressful mess faster than any other place in our home. Still, a clean car really IS a happy car, so applying the method of “a place for everything” to your car is a natural next step. Read on for our favorite tools for car organization.
Car Mess Happens!
I leave drinks in the cup holder, jackets in the trunk, packages that need returning, kids homework assignments, and an ever-growing pile of masks. And don’t even talk to me about the straw wrappers that seem to multiply on the daily. I love a drive-thru Coke, what can I say?
We’re going to break down the car by zones starting with the area you’ll access most frequently. While we use the term center console, really we mean whatever usable space you have in the front of your car.
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Car Organization Zone #1 – Center Console
- Charging cords for any devices you regularly use in the car
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Hair Ties
- Hand Sanitizer
- Extra Masks
- Gum & Mints
- Colgate Wisps for brushing on the go
- Non-perishable, non-melty snacks (We love VERB bars for this!)
- Tide Pen
- Hand lotion
- Hair Brush
- Wet Wipes
- Kleenex
- Travel Nail Kit – this keeps me from absolutely destroying my nails when one breaks!
- Small Trash Can
- Folder with registration and insurance cards readily available
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How to organize items in your center console
Again, this will vary based on how your car is set up. My center console is TINY and I use a zippered pouch that once held a ton of makeup samples, but there are lots of ways to go with this!
You can get a multi-pack of zippered pouches and use them everywhere! In your purse, center console, glove compartment, travel bags, kids school bags, etc!
I also love the idea of using the photo storage boxes linked below for a more streamlined look. They stack neatly in your center console!
Car Organization Zone #2 – The Back Seat
Maybe, for you, the answer is nothing! I have kids, and while I don’t need the pile of books and activities that I once did, we do keep a few things in the back of the car.
- Books – we loved these National Geographic WHY books for backseat books for MANY years
- School supplies for homework on the go
- Kleenex
- Hand Sanitizer
- Small Trash Can
Car Organization Zone #3 – The Trunk
For me, the trunk is for storing those just-in-case items you hope to never need, plus a few essentials. Here’s what we recommend keeping in the trunk of your car.
- Umbrella
- Small First Aid Kid
- A few trash bags – these can serve a variety of purposes
- Reusable grocery bags
- Collapsible Crate – Great for corraling sports equipment, loading a Costco order, or keeping small items from rolling all over the trunk
- Car Emergency Kit
Level Up Your Trunk!
Consider these items if you want to win the “Ready for Anything” award
- a blanket that folds up small
- a towel
- a change of clothes for everyone, or at least a hoodie for everyone
- a spare pair of shoes, just in case. Inexpensive flip flops are a good choice for this, and they don’t take much space to store
Related: Printable Activities for Kids on a Road Trip!
Spend a lot of time in your car?
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Drift Goods Car Air Freshener Review
Want to talk more about getting organized?
Don’t miss our podcast episode all about organization strategies for messy people, like me!
