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Taxes?  Didn’t we just finish those?

I am frequently asked for better ways to set up a storage closet, and if it is worth it to purchase bins (instead of using old cartons).  Thrifty as I am, there are occasions where a little money spent will go a long way to save your sanity and make organizing much more efficient.  Here’s a real life, case study below.

This hallway catch-all closet started with piles of boxes, open items, and no shelves (no photo…sorry).  After a good sort and purge session, it was clear what needed to be stored.  The client’s husband generously installed two (that’s right, just two) shelves.  This allows access to bins at the bottom of the pile as well as the middle and top.  If your spouse or partner is not so talented, a handyman can do the job for a small fee.

Bins the client already owned were placed on the shelves.  The bins were filled with “like” items.  Those shelves and bins helped allot, but there was still room for improvement.

Contact paper was laid, and a few more matching bins and pull outs were purchased to complete the space.  (The floor and bottom shelves bins are actually pull out drawers).  Using the same containers throughout the space created consistency which is easier on the eye and allows for more efficient use of space.  A little open space was left open intentionally for some large blankets and comforters.

Each bin was clearly labeled so you can easily see the contents

Overall the cost was not very high and this space is super efficient.  The clients can get to their picnic-wares, guest towels, hostess gifts and more very easily.  This set up will save time, aggravation, money (they won’t re-purchase things they already have), and more.

BONUS, there are three drawers not used yet, so the client gained extra space for more storage!

I am a big proponent that you don’t have to run to the store and spend lots of money on organizing items and containers.  Look at what you have first, but occasionally a new item will make all the difference between chaos and calm.

We will only discuss household items today and leave paper for another time…..

Once again lets start the discussion making the assumption that you have spent quality time de-cluttering the disorganized area.  You have chosen a place to put certain things away and you are committed to putting things away.  Here are a few organizing tools I think make a big difference.

drawer dividers:  any drawer that contains small items should have the size appropriate drawer dividers or trays.  A  list of drawers that should have dividers include:

• office top drawer
• kitchen junk drawer (come on, we all have one of these, but it still can be organized!)
• utensil drawer
• sock, underwear or accessory drawers

Clear plastic bins with labels for longer term storage: Anything that is going in the basement, attic or garage for long term storage is best stored in a clear bin (because you see into it) with a tight lid and a big label on the outside.

• Holiday decorations
• Kids clothing (for younger kids to grow into)

Heavy plastic utility bins with bold labels:  These are best for bulkier and heavier items.

• off season sports equipment
• camping gear

Shoe boxes:  Re-used or new clear ones depends on your budget.  Both can work great.  These are perfect for lots of small things including

• craft supplies
• kids toys
• received cards and letters
• small household items like batteries, furniture felt protectors, etc.

With these few items (many of which you may already own) and great labels, you are set to conquer the chaos.

“Why put it down when you can put it away”
I read this line somewhere recently and well, it was love at first sight.  If you spend any time with me I guarantee I will say this at some point (hello to my family!)

Once you have that “place for everything” follow it up with this practice.

Bare in mind that It takes twice the energy to put something down and later have to pick up it again to put it away.  And you will find the things you need, like use and love easily

Enough said!

I know, I know…you’ve heard this one before.  But seriously this should be your mantra.

How can you or anyone else in your household (or office) be held to the task of putting things away if you haven’t defined where that is AND that there is room for those things?

Let’s show an example using an item that is found in every household.
Batteries:

1. You have already sorted like with like and brought all the batteries that are scattered throughout the house together.
2. You recycled the dead ones and now you have a bunch that are usable.
3. Choose the “place” you will store them…all of them.

• • A drawer
  • A box that will live on a certain shelf in a specific closet.
  • A wall mounted battery holder….

(I found this at Ritz Camera)

Now when anyone in your house needs a battery they can go to that one place.  AND when you purchase new batteries and ask your son, spouse, roommate or other to put them away for you, they know exactly where they go.

(Of course the next step is to be sure you have the most frequently used sizes on hand at all times, but that’s another story…at least for now you have the batteries all together).

Memories that are attached to things
Are you holding onto items because you believe that they hold some memories?

• Grandma’s chaffing dish.
• Your Dad’s pipe.
• Boxes of photos and albums from a deceased relative.

Here’s the truth.  If the item is taking valuable space in your home, and it is not something you use or even look at, then it is clutter.  The item isn’t the memory itself, BUT letting go of this thing can be incredibly difficult.  You are afraid you will lose the memory.  Here are a few ideas to deal with these  items.

• Recognize that items which are attached to memories are holding you in your past.  It is preventing you from living today.
• Realize that you will not be using the chaffing dish because it is not pertinent to your entertaining style.
• Acknowledge that the chaffing dish is not the only memory your have of your Grandmother.  You may have photos or letters that are meaningful and provoke those wonderful memories that you want to keep.
• Be aware that you had forgotten about your Dad’s pipe that is in your basement for many years, in a box, in the bottom of a pile, that has some mold on it.
• If the item is bulky and is using up valuable space, it is clutter.  But you want to remember it.  Take a photo and you will have it forever, without the bulk.
• Photo albums from other relatives are full of photos of people and places you don’t know.  Let them go.  Pull out the few photos that are meaningful and you will preserve the memories without the bulk.

The point is that letting go of an item doesn’t mean you lose the memory that is attached to it.  You will feel free-er with more space in your life.  The memorabilia is holding you back.

Does this sound familiar?

• Clothes hanging in the closet for months and months with tags still on it.
• A new backpack is purchased only to find the one you thought you lost a few weeks later.
• The shoes that cause blisters within a few feet of walking.

We have all done it.  Made a purchasing mistake.  It is just part of life.  If you no longer have the receipt, or it has been too long, or it was final sale….BUT you truly don’t need, want, like or fit into the item…it is clutter.  Let it go and chalk it up to a mistake.  No one likes to throw away money, but these things happen.  Donate the item and take peace in the fact that someone else who couldn’t afford to purchase the item new now has it to enhance their life.

Last week we talked about sorting, or putting like with like, so that you can truly see what you have in a category.  You can start to see when too much of something is really too much and now you call it clutter.  Here are some examples:

• Stationary and notepaper
• office supplies including file folders, paper clips and pens.
• Craft papers, beads, yarn, etc.
• kitchen gadgets.
• Bath supplies like shampoos
• Shoes
• Books and/or magazines
• Recipes

Let’s use stationary as an example.  Say you have a box or drawer designated for your stationary, but now it has overflowed out of that container and is spilling everywhere.  There are some in the office, bedroom, kitchen drawer, your tote bag….

1. Ask yourself how many cards and letters you will likely send in the course of a year.  Then estimate the number of cards and note papers you own.  If there is a very large gap between those two numbers, your ownership is excessive and you have clutter.
2. Pull them all together and start by choosing your favorites.  That is so much easier than the opposite, because in some way you like each of them…after all you did choose to buy them in the first place.
3. Once you have your absolute favorite chosen, and you are closer to the number of notes you will likely send in a year, put the rest in a bag to give a way.

Use this same procedure and logic to any collection of things were it appears to have too much.

Are you still having trouble letting go?  Enlist the help of a friend or Organizer to help you make those decisions.