Organizing Basics

Organizing guru, Julie Morenstern, describes steps to get organized, using the acronym, SPACE.

1. Sort – Set up labeled containers (or designated floor space for large projects):

• Toss – anything broken, outdated, unusable
• Donate – any item that is not used
• To Do – projects that haven't been completed. Be honest with yourself. If you don't have the time or knowledge, hire someone to complete the project or abandon the project and donate the supplies.
• Keep in this area
• Belongs elsewhere

Sort items from "keep" into specific categories to meet your needs: "winter decorations, spring decorations, _Name's_ _ off season clothing, pool supplies, outside toys."

2. Purge – This is getting rid of duplicates, items missing parts, and items you don't have a need for. Now that you've sorted you see you have more beach toys than your children ever play with. Now is the time to get rid of what is not used.

3. Assign a home – Determine where each item will go in the space. Put it as close to where it will be used as possible.

4. Containerize & Label – Use containers to hold small items. You've sorted & assigned a home. Now chose containers that are the appropriate size for the category as well as fit in the area selected as "home". Label the containers and shelves, so everyone will know where items belong.

5. Equalize – Make maintaining the order a part of your routine. Put things back when done to keep the space organized.

Adapted from "Organizing from the Inside Out," by Julie Morgenstern

January is “GO” Month (Get Organized)

Becoming more organized is a top New Year's resolution. Just like dieting, results are less painful and more lasting if done in small increments. Don't put yourself through the torture of spending an entire weekend in the basement organizing your storage area. (To me this sounds like fun, but I'm a bit unusual in that way.)

Follow these steps for lasting change:

1. Set a goal. "I'd like my storage area organized by this summer, so I can locate and retrieve any belonging from the area."
2. Break the goal into small pieces. Assign yourself one manageable goal each week. "This weekend, I'll sort belongings to categories for 30 minutes." (see Organizing Basics) Or "On Monday, I will drop any donations at the collection center."
   
3. Have an accountability partner. Check in with your partner. Let him/her know your goal for the week, the progress you've made, and the challenges you've encountered.
   
4. Stay motivated. Focus on your big goal, picture your finished project, imagine your satisfaction, reward yourself, and continue on.
   

Quick & Simple Projects

Becoming more organized is one of the top three New Year's resolutions. Here are some small project ideas. These can be completed in a relatively short time. They will increase the organization and efficiency of your home, leaving you more time for life, which of course, is the primary goal of getting organized.

Kitchen - Keep a grocery list on the refrigerator or inside a cabinet door and add items as you notice the supply is low.

Pantry – Have a tray stocked with items routinely used at meals: salt & pepper, napkins, butter knives. At meal time, simply transfer the tray to the table.

Corner Cabinets – Add a lazy susan so items in the back can be turned to the front for easy access.

Bathroom - Toss all the lotions, perfumes, makeup and samples that you haven't used in 6 months.

Linen Closet – Move sheets to the bedroom where they are used. Two sets of sheets per bed per season are plenty – donate extras. Determine how many towels you really need and donate the rest.

Laundry Room – Add a container for socks that are missing their mates and a container for items that have been left in pockets.

Clothing Closets – Donate any clothing/shoes that haven't been worn in the past year.

Living Room – Add a footstool with storage or a storage basket for newspapers & magazines. Routinely recycle publications. Cancel subscriptions that you don't consistently read.

Home Office – Sign up to receive paperless bills. Pay bills online or arrange automatic payments.

Tell me about the small organizing projects that have made a big difference in your home.