As an avid decorator and re-decorator, I was constantly trying to remember what color paint I had used in a certain room...or where I had purchased a particular wallpaper border, etc.  Finally, I came up with a way to help me remember all of those pesky details!

I started with an ordinary three-ring binder.  To this, I added a clear plastic sheet protector for each room in the house. 

Using plain, white copy paper, I wrote the name of each room on the top edge of individual pages...using one page per room..  I then slid each of these pages into the sheet protectors.

I gathered all of the paint strip samples from each painting project I had done...and circled the appropriate color on each one.  I also cut a 12" piece of any wallpaper borders, fabrics, etc that were used in each room.

I placed each of these items in the appropriate sheet protector.  (The white copy paper makes a nice, clean background so all the colors and fabrics show up well.)

Lastly, I took a few photos in each room showing any special details...or just an overall view of the room.  I also placed these into the appropriate sheet protector, along with the decorating information for that room.

Now, when i need to touch up some paint....or am considering a change in a particular room...or a friend asks the name of a wallpaper pattern, all I have to do is flip through my handy organizer binder!

After using this idea for some time, I realized that it would work well for other areas as well.  So now, I have a binder for my landscaping and garden as well.  I keep seed packets and shrubbery tags that have great care information, pruning tips, etc.  I also sketched a basic landscape plan to help me remember where each of my perennials are planted.  This also prevents me from accidentally pulling up anything important when I go into one of my "weeding frenzies!"  Again, I took pictures of all the plants when they were in full bloom...and this is especially nice to look through during those cold winter months when I am waiting for everything to bloom again.

This simple idea is sure to help you as much as it has helped me....so start organizing your life today!