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Kid’s Stuff

Posted on January 21, 2009 by in Home Organizing

If you have children in school, you already know how much paperwork, artwork and other mementos, come home with them everyday.  Here are some different ideas on how to control the items as they come in!

  1. Fold ( if necessary ) and punch artwork to fit a three-ring binder.  Create one binder for each child.  At the end of the year, save your favorites.
  2. Set up a file folder for each child’s schoolwork and art.  At the end of the year, save your favorites.
  3. Buy a clear plastic bin for each child and store artwork and paperwork, as it gets full, it’s time to purge the items that are not as important to keep.
  4. When considering where and how you will keep your child’s paperwork, make sure it should be easily accessible, in order for the process to work.

Closet Organization Tips!

Posted on January 13, 2009 by in Home Organizing

One area in the home which often needs an organizing lift is the closet.  Here are some great tips in getting your closet to function the way that works best for you!  

  1. Items you use at least once a week, should be stored at a height between your shoulders and your knees.  Higher or lower than that, and you will find it harder to put things back. You want to develop a system that will make it easy for you to maintain.
  2. Consider all of the space in your closet, look vertically.  Add a shelf if you have empty space between your top shelf and the ceiling.  If you have a door, how can you use the back of the door for space? 
  3. Consider what you are hanging and what you need folded in your closet.  If you have items that could be folded and need more space – consider a 6 shelf canvas sweater organizer.
    4. If you have more shirts to hang and less pants – consider a double up adjustable closet rod.  This is also great in children’s closets, it gives them easier access to the clothing you want them to be able to reach.  
  4. For shoes, try to get them off of the floor.  A closet will look and feel more organized if there is not a bunch of mismatched shoes on the floor.  Consider a 20 pocket shoe holder that can go behind a door.  You can use this item for other things than just shoes, think about scarves, gloves, belts, accessories. etc.  
  5. Store out of season clothing towards the back of your closet or in a different area all together.  This includes shoes that are out of season.  

Organize your Pantry!

Posted on January 12, 2009 by in Home Organizing

Here are some helpful tips on how to get your pantry organized for the New Year!

1.  Keep like items together –  Separate your items into food groups.  Groups could include:  Baking items, canned food, soups, cereals and other breakfast items, kid snacks, etc.  This way every food item has its own place.  A place where it’s easy to find when needed and easy to put back when finished.

2.  Put heavily used items up front –  Make it easy to reach, other items only used for special occasions can be stored in the back.  

3.  Watch for expiration dates and items you have had in the pantry for over a year-  If it’s expired- get rid of it, if it just hasn’t been used- donate to a food shelter, maybe someone else could you use it more than you.

4.  Use organization shelves and containers-  To add room in a pantry, add a wire shelve or use a lazy susan with all of your baking items for example, it makes it easy to find and condenses the space.  You can find these kinds of pantry organization products at any home store, like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, or the Container Store.  

5.  I suggest using clear organizing containers rather than baskets or things you can not see through.  If it is out of sight, it can be harder to find and easier to forget.  

5.  Keep a notebook and pencil nearby-  Add to your grocery list as you run out of things.

6.  Teach your family –  Give a tour of your pantry to your family – this way everyone knows where the peanut butter is and where it gets put back.

Get Organized – Why hire a Professional Organizer?

Posted on January 4, 2009 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing, Office Organizing

Why hire a Professional Organizer?  What a great question, first you need to know what a Professional Organizer does…

What is a Professional Organizer?

A Professional Organizer is someone who can take an objective evaluation of your organizational need and make it into a high functioning area. We devise an action plan for your unique needs providing information and assistance. An organizer guides and educates a client by offering support, focus and direction. We want you to Take Control of your surroundings and your time.

Your next question might be….

Shouldn’t I be able to organize on my own?

Possibly! You may have the ability and resources yourself, however, do you have the time, the know-how and the will to get it done? Do you know where to start? Many times people put off organizing projects because it’s too time consuming, and it becomes too overwhelming they end up doing nothing. Many of us will go into a store to buy storage containers and then some how we end up with more clutter and the wrong containers. Hiring a professional guides you and your project with a plan, which is so important when tackling an organizing project. It will be a faster process and I can bring ideas and recommendations that you may not have considered.

Did you know….. (According to the Napo website)

  • The average American burns 55 minutes a day, roughly 12 weeks a year-looking for things they know they own but can’t find.
  • 80% of what we file, we never look at again!
  • 23% of adults say they pay bills late ( thus incur fees) because they lose them.
  • We wear 20% of clothes we own 80% of the time.  The rest hang there, just in case.
  • Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in an average home.
  • 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.

In the next month, I will be posting several organizing tips and tricks on things you can start doing NOW!  Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help, that is what I am here to do, without judgement, without any embarrassment, Let’s make a difference in 2009.  Take back your Time, your Space, and your Control.  Call for a Free Needs Assessment:  541-514-8573.

Company is on the Way!

Posted on December 16, 2008 by in Holiday Organizing, Home Organizing, Travel

I have some helpful tips on how to get your home organized for their arrival!

1)  Hall Closets –  Empty the closet out, and get rid of anything that is not being used anymore, items not belonging in the closet, look for new homes.  Clear out a space for your guests coats, and provide plenty of empty hangers.  Add a washable mat for the floor to catch umbrella’s and wet shoes.  Get a basket or bin to put scarves and mittens in.

2)  Guest Bathroom –  Do a deep cleaning of the bathroom, clear all clutter off of counters.  Make sure there is plenty of space for guests to put their belongings.  Put out plenty of towels, soap, etc. for guests to use.   Provide any personal items that a guest may forget, for example, toothpaste, dental floss, extra toothbrush, shampoo, etc.  Add an air freshener or bowl of Christmas Potpourri.

3)  Guest Bedroom-  Completely declutter the space, and make sure there is plenty of room for suitcases and such.  Clean out the closet.  Provide clean linens, extra blankets and pillows.  Make it as comfortable as possible.

4)  Enjoy the season and your family and friends!

5)  Start thinking about the New Year!  Organization is a GREAT NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!!!  More on that later!