Car Organization Ideas

I can’t BEGIN to tell you how many times this little car organization project has come to my rescue. While browsing Pinterest one day, I ran across a lady who did something like this in her minivan, and I fell in LOVE with the idea.

I have to admit, I’m EXTREMELY jealous of her space that she has in her minivan, and what she had to work with. Although I do drive the longest SUV they make, a minivan tends to just have more car organization capabilities and cooler features.

Anyhoo, I found the root of this idea on The Castro Happynings blog, and decided to give it a whirl. I’m so glad that I did!!! I think my husband even appreciates the fact that I’ve done it… even though he has tendencies to make fun of my over-preparedness.

Tips for Organizing a Car or SUV

Please excuse the fact that it looks a little messy at the moment. I’ve had this set up for about 2 years, and as much as we travel with kids, it’s been beaten up with a stroller, pack n play, and every other thing that typically goes into the back of an SUV trunk!

How to Organize the Back of the SUV

So… I began by purchasing 2 mesh shower organizers. Why these? Because they were short and see-through. If you’re planning on doing something like this, make sure you measure the length and width of your back seat and then shop around for something that fits correctly.

If you’re not having any luck finding such a thing, before buying these, I considered purchasing “over the door, shoe organizers,” and cut them to my desired length and width.

My head rests raise up and down, with skinny rods, that I “hook” my organizers on, by using the shower curtain rings. Viola!

I also tied the bottom of each organizer with white string, just to keep the organizer in place when I fold the seats up and down. It just helps secure it a little more.

What Items Should You Keep in the Car?

Ok… so what in the world do I keep in the car all of the time? Items that you tend to find yourself in the middle of nowhere saying, “Man I wish I had _________.” Check out my inventory list below of the goodies! Of course, add your own items that fit you and your family’s needs.

Let me know if you decided to try this yourself! I’d love to see or hear about it!

Items to Always Have on Hand

•  Band-Aids
• Antiseptic Wash-Foam
• Benadryl Spray
• First Aid Kit
• Sunblock
• Bug Spray
• Kleenex’s
• Baby Wipes
• Scissors (You wouldn’t believe how often I use these!)
• Tape
• Pens and Pencils
• Sharpie
• Notecards/Thank you cards
• Hand Sanitizer
• Small Flashlight
• Box Cutter (Especially for those plastic packages that are incredibly hard to open, like a phone charger, etc.)
• Screw Driver
• Trash Bags
• Grocery Bags
• Silverware and Straws
• Hair Ties
• Extra Sunglasses
• Snacks (Crackers, baby food pouches) for an emergency
• Gum/Mints
• Umbrella
• Spare clothing for kiddos
• Paper Towels
• Blanket
• Jacket(s)
• Ziploc Bags
• Mobile Office Day Bag

These items don’t all fit in my shower organizers of course, but I try to keep those bigger items in trunk organizers, or large bins, in the back also.

Did I miss something?  I’d love to hear something that you can’t live without in your vehicle!