Organizing Items I'm Thankful For

1. Interlocking drawer organizers – Use these in the kitchen, bathroom, and office to keep supplies sorted. They come in a variety of sizes & shapes; so can be customized for your needs.
2. Lazy susans – These provide easy access to items in narrow cabinets and corner shelves.
3. Decorative baskets – Great for hiding newspapers, magazines, toilet supplies, toys, etc.
4. Shoe box size containers – As well as storing shoes, these are the perfect size for storing snacks, bags of muffin mix, crackers, and toys.
5. Sweater size containers – Put one on the coat closet floor to hold shoes and another on a shelf for hats, mittens & scarves. They are also great for toys.
6. Big totes - For storage of holiday décor, camping supplies, childhood memorabilia, out-of-season clothing.
7. Label maker – Label everything, then everyone knows what belongs where!
8. Colored hanging files – Color code by category, makes filing easier.
9. Dry erase magnetic calendar – Keeps the family informed of everyone’s schedule.
10. Appointment calendar – Keep appointments, to do list, and my schedule in one handy spot.

National Declutter Day

This Saturday, November 22, has been declared National Declutter Day. Statistics show we typically use only 20% of what we own. Take some time, even just ten minutes, on Saturday to get rid of a small portion of that 80% that is taking up space and collecting dust.

Grab a garbage bag; scan your shelves, closets, and cabinets. Toss anything in that you haven’t used in the past year. Donate or resell items that are in good condition. Toss items if they would not be of use to others. Get the family involved. See who can fill his/her bag with the most clutter.

Or

Focus on one small area of your home that you’ve been meaning to organize. Keep the project small – one shelf of a closet or one drawer in the kitchen. Sort what you have in the area. Get rid what you never use. Arrange what is left. Return items that belong elsewhere to their “homes”. If you are still in the organizing mood after the first small project, continue.

Keeping a home clutter-free does take time. Remember to routinely take that time to prevent overwhelming clutter from taking over. When done, congratulate yourself and celebrate by doing something you enjoy. Read a book, play video games, have dessert…

Dealing with Winter Wear

The weather is turning cooler. Now is the time to prepare for the onslaught of winter gear that comes with living in the North.

First, put away all the summer gear, since you won’t have a need for it for several months. While you are at it, evaluate what you have. Have you used the item over the past summer? Is it still in good shape? Will it still be of use to your family next summer? If the answers to any of these questions are no, get rid of the item. Store the remaining items. Mark the container “Off Season Outdoor Gear”. Then in the summer, winter gear can be stored in the same container; although you may need more containers for all the winter wear.

Now, pull out all the winter outerwear. Get rid of anything that family members have outgrown or are no longer using. Make a list of replacements that need to be purchased. The next step is to find a “home” for everything. Use hooks or hangers for coats and snow pants. Containers or over-the-door purse organizers keep hats and mittens accessible. Boot trays are a wonderful way to protect floors from wet, dirty boots.

Also plan a routine for dealing with the wet outerwear after a romp in the snow. Here are a few options:

1. All wet items are put in a laundry basket, and then thrown in the dryer.
2. Wet coats & snow pants are hung over the bathtub to dry.
3. Mittens, hats, and boots are placed near a heating register until dry.
   

Winter is almost here. How do you get ready?

Labeling is Key

A few weeks ago, I talked about the importance of labeling when organizing electronics. I want to stress the importance of labeling throughout your home. Label shelves and containers, even when the items inside the containers or on the shelves are clearly visible.

Advantages of labeling:
* Everyone in the home can see where items belong.
* When an item is not in it’s space, the label indicates what belongs there, and so other items do not take over the “reserved” space.
* Identifying what is in containers is fast & easy.
* When consumable goods are depleted, shopping needs are clearly visible.

So, grab a marker and stickers or a label maker and start labeling!