Tag Archives: Home Organizing

Reduce For The Holidays!

Posted on December 1, 2010 by in Getting Started, Holiday Organizing, Home Organizing

The Holiday Season is a busy one, there is always something to do, someone to see, places to go!  This season is also a great time to Reduce! Of course as a Professional Organizing Coach, I think anytime is a great time to reduce, but the Holidays do provide a great opportunity! There are a lot of items coming into the home that need places to live!  One of the best things you can do to make room is to reduce what you already have!

Honestly, when was the last time you went through your closets, kitchen cupboards, etc? Well if it’s been awhile, now is the time!  The best part of this exercise, it doesn’t have to take long… In a just few minutes you can quickly sort through what you no longer need.  I say quickly, because this is not the time where you are setting up new systems or even necessarily organizing the space, (unless of course you want to and have the time!)  This exercise is just about doing a quick sort and getting rid of items, you no longer need or want.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when going reducing:

  • Have you used it in the last year?
  • Do you really have any intentions in using the item soon?
  • Do you like the item?
  • What benefit are you getting from keeping it?
  • Could someone use the item more than you?
  • Could something else that is being used, take the space this item is currently occupying?

These are just a few questions to get you started.  My challenge for you is to start today! Go through a closet or drawer and make those quick decisions and start reducing!

Take Back Your Space!

Happy Organizing!

Simple Organizing!

Posted on November 8, 2010 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing, Staying Organized

Simplicity!

One of the biggest mistakes I see when people try to “get organized” is they make their systems too complicated!

There are many reasons for this, mainly because they think “organization” should look a certain way. Everything should be in nice labeled box, neatly displayed on a shelf or counter. This helps, but it doesn’t always work! You may still find yourself misplacing items and then when you need them, you can not find them!

Organizing can actually be very simple!

For example: My son has very sensitive skin and when we he goes to bed at night, we can almost guarantee he will come out once or twice, complaining of some part of his body being itchy.  We bought anti-itching cream and we placed it downstairs in the living room inside a decorative container which is located on a table.  So anytime he comes down, he knows right where to go and we can help him, or at least talk to you him and make him feel more at ease.

This is a very simple organizing system! The lotion is not located in the “typical” place you may think it would or should be.  But it works for us.  It works for him.  He always knows where to go to find it.  That is true organization.  Knowing where your “stuff” is when you need it!

Keep it simple, keep it organized!

Happy Organizing!

Keep Going!

Posted on September 22, 2010 by in Staying Organized

So you decided awhile ago to make a change… You are going to get organized!  But suddenly you have lost your motivation.  For whatever reason, maybe because you are not seeing the results fast enough, you are running out of time, whatever it may be… Keep Going!

It’s normal to feel tired and maybe even a little disappointed when you are trying to change something as significant as changing your organization style! Habits are hard to form and change is not easy!

You made the choice at the beginning of your journey to make a change, to make a difference in your life! Focus on the success you have made so far!  Make a list of everything you completed and write about how you felt when it was done. Then make a list of everything you still wish to accomplish. By making this a priority and seeing it on paper, may just be what you need to get your mojo back!

Be patient with yourself, if you need to take break, that is OK, take a break, but don’t let it stop you from reaching your goals… Anything is possible, Keep Going!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
 – Anatole France

Happy Organizing!

Move Back In!

Posted on September 15, 2010 by in Getting Started, Home Organizing

Do you still boxes left unopened from a recent move?  Maybe boxes that have been put in the garage or some other storage area, because you just didn’t want to deal with them.  Maybe your move wasn’t so recent and several years later the boxes are still in the garage?

Sound familiar?

Recently my husband and I have been tackling a project… Organizing our Garage! We had decided to clear the space we were organizing and take everything out away from the wall and place it in the center of the garage.

Here we were staring at this large blank wall, and my husband mad the comment, “It feels like we are just moving in”.

I thought to myself, what a great way to look at organizing a space…

Look at your space like you are just moving in for the first time!

When we move into our homes for the first time, we are excited about all of the possibilities. Sometimes we loose sight of those possibilities because of our clutter.  We either don’t have the time or it just becomes the elephant in the room, where you are just so used to looking at the clutter, you forget it’s even there!

Make a change! Take the space you want to organize and take everything out, and look at it like you are looking at it for the first time!

Make the time to get it right, I can tell you from my own experience, it is worth it!

Happy Organizing!

Best Products for Small Spaces!

Posted on August 4, 2010 by in Home Organizing

In the Organizing for Small Spaces Podcast, we talk about utilizing furniture and other organizing products to get the most out of the space.  I looked around and here are some of my favorite products!  Remember, be careful when you are buying new product, make sure you have sorted through all of your belongings and know exactly what you need and don’t forget to measure your space!  This will save you time and money!

 

Storage Ottoman

This is a great product for a living room, it doubles as an ottoman, however you can place blankets, board games, video game equipment and other items for extra storage. I have also seen these kinds of ottomans in the hallways at front entrances to use as shoe bins. You could have your coat rack hung up above. It’s an attractive way of keeping your shoes hidden, yet you can use the ottoman to put your shoes on! This product is available at Organize.com.

 

Leaning Bookcase and Desk

What I love about this kind of product is it at so many uses. You can use it as a bookshelf, a place to put your mementos and it as a small desk area with a smaller size storage ottoman.

When you are working with small spaces, it is important to look up, floor to ceiling and look for the potential! This product is available at the Container Store. The elfa system at the Container Store gives you fabulous options on shelving that is freestanding like this one or custom built onto your wall.

When working in small spaces, you do not have any room to spare. So before buying any kind of new system, make sure you have really thought about your needs and what you really want in your home!  With any Organizing Product, make sure you measure your space first!

Under the Bed Storage!

These are Bed Risers!  You can find them at Organize.com. Basically they do exactly what they say, they lift up your bed just enough for extra storage.  The storage bin to the right is the perfect size for underneath your bed.  You want something flat but big enough to hold out of season clothes and other items you do not need on a daily basis but need to keep in your home. Make sure just like any space in your home, this storage area actually has a purpose, avoid shoving items under the bed and think “out of sight, out of mind”. You have to be very mindful when working in small spaces.

 

Stacking Shelves!

Again, when working in small spaces, you have to utilize your vertical space. By using stackable shelves, you are creating space in your kitchen cupboards and pantry.  Both of these shelves are available at Organize.com.

If you have any other items to suggest, please let us know!

Happy Organizing!