Child’s Bedroom Transformed

We were so excited to get started on this bedroom that I forgot to take before pictures. Let me describe the before: the bed and floor were full of stuffed animals and other toys, moving around the room was difficult and trying to find a specific toy was overwhelming. Getting to items in the closet was tricky.

This young man made a list of his favorite toys, which were kept in the room. The rest of the toys were removed. His special toys were containerized by category and labeled. He loves having the floor space for playing. He can put his toys away, now that he has defined homes for them. And I witnessed his enthusiasm as he hung up his shirts and put them in his closet.

This is what I love about my work. The effect of our work in the room is much greater than the actual organizing. Imagine, now this child can put away his toys and find the clothes he wants. I believe every parent will agree with me – this is priceless!

Overflowing Kitchen Drawers?

Kitchen drawers tend to collect clutter. Why? They are convenient. Items we don't know where to put are tossed in kitchen drawers. Small objects not wanted on countertops are slid into drawers. Small items that we are afraid to throw away, even though we don't know what the items are for, get tossed in kitchen drawers. Here are some ways to prevent kitchen drawers from becoming stuffed:

• Use dividers to separate items. In a drawer with all utensils, sort by type: spatulas, knives, measuring cups, slotted spoons. You will be amazed how much this helps in finding the utensil needed.
  
• Assign a specific spot for each item.
  
• Hot pads & utensils for cooking near stove
• Knives by the food prep area
• Flatware & serving utensils near eating space
• Dish clothes & towels by the sink
  
• Store items used only during the holidays. Storing those extra serving spoons and holiday towels used only a few times a year will free up space for those often used items.
  
• Keep a minimum of tools and hardware in the kitchen.
  
• Those little things that may be important, but you are not sure what for, are taking up your prime storage space. If you aren't ready to toss them, store those little pieces and parts in a small container in the garage or basement. If you haven't figured out what they are for in a year, it's time to get rid of them.

Organizing a kitchen drawer takes a short amount of time and will make using your kitchen so much more enjoyable! Which drawer in your kitchen bothers you the most? Take 30 minutes and transform that drawer into a functional space. You'll love it!

Kitchen/Dining Room Tables

Tables do tend to catch clutter. Here are a few ideas to help you resist the urge to drop and forget:

• Use an attactive table runner, placemats, and/or centerpiece to decorate the table.


• Have a designated mail/bill paying station. If the table is used for these functions, store the supplies close by.


• Create a "launching/landing pad" near the back door for items that will be leaving the home.


• When shopping, allow time for putting away the purchases as soon as arriving home.


• Plan to use the table for eating. Break out the candles and the good dishes often and enjoy the space!

Goal: Space to Play

This bedroom had accumulated boxes of "stuff" for 5 years. This young lady now has space for her treasures and toys, space to play, and room to hang her original artwork on the walls.

From Chaotic Storage to Peaceful Retreat

I've seen many homes where the extra bedroom becomes the "catch-all" room. At first, belongings are neatly stacked along the walls; slowly the piles take over until no one knows what goes where or even what they have stored in the room. Finding an item stored in the room becomes an adventure, usually not an enjoyable one!

This owner had goals. She wanted this room to become a peaceful getaway where she could write and meditate. She was motivated. She was willing to donate many items and make room in the attic and storage shed for other items in order to get the space she dreamed of.

She has a writing space with convenient storage for her writing materials. The closet is neatly organized, so she has access to items in storage. Containers are labeled. Shelves are labeled, so she knows exactly where items belong. She has her sanctuary!

I Love My Walk In Closet!

This closet already had some organization to it, prior to my visit. Out-of-season bedding was bagged and stored on the top shelf. Some clothing to give away had been sorted, bagged, and was ready to go.

Still, reaching the back rod was difficult due to the items on the floor. Laundry baskets kept in the bedroom were also storing clothing, because their was no room in the closet.

After six hours of sorting and organizing, a van full of items were donated, and the closet, dressers & bedroom were functioning as the client wanted. She was exhausted and thrilled!

Hall Bookcase

Before & after pictures sometimes don’t tell the whole story. This beautiful built in bookshelf in the hallway had become a “catch-all”. The client loves books and had two large bags of books that she hadn’t been able to enjoy. The books had been sitting in bags in the corner of the kitchen. She couldn’t see what books she had so was looking forward to finding a “home” for them, where they would be easily accessible.

All the items that belong elsewhere were removed. Also, a box was filled with books to be given away. This left so much room for books; a dream come true for the client! All the books fit, with room to spare. There are actually more books on this shelf than when we started the project. There was even room for a book with beautiful pictures to be displayed opened. Each time the homeowners walk down the hall, they can enjoy the pictures, turning pages occasionally to enjoy the whole book.

That peaceful feeling the client was enjoying as I left that day is the story. That’s what made this organizing project a great success!

Craft Storage Room

I’m always excited to see the progress in a room. This storage area had become a collect all. The owner wanted it to be a storage area for craft supplies as well as a temporary storage for work supplies. We started by sorting, getting rid of items that were not of use and moving some items to long-term storage in the attic. Craft items were stored on shelves that were easiest to access. Work supplies were put on the far left shelf for longer-term storage. Everything was containerized and labeled, not only were the containers labeled, but the shelves were labeled as well. Now when a container is removed, it’s “home” is clearly marked so it can be returned to the same spot.

The week after this project was completed, her children completed a couple of craft projects. Because they could easily access the craft items they wanted, they were motivated to create! To me this is the best compliment. The family is now using this area as they had hoped to!

Sorting, Purging & Painting

In April I posted pictures of a project, a bedroom being used for storage that needed to look like a bedroom again. (Under “Articles” in the gray box on the right side of the screen, click on “project” to see more photos.)

It took Marybeth and me seven hours to sort everything in this room into categories, and box and label everything for the move. (Marybeth was able to quickly make decisions about what to get rid of, which made the process go much faster.) The label on each box included the room the box will go to in the new home as well as the items in the box. We stored some of the items in the closet and the rest in the garage.

Finally, after removing photos taped on the wall and a few coats of paint, this room appears much larger! A few finishing touches and we'll have a bedroom!

After 3 Hours

Marybeth was overwhelmed at the thought of starting this room. She must have thought I was nuts when I said I'd been dreaming about organizing this room. I was excited. She was reluctant. After setting up categories and sorting and purging for three hours, it was time for me to leave. Marybeth was ready to keep going. Once she had a direction, she was off and running!

We now have American Girl dolls and toys in boxes on the left, dance costumes in boxes on the right, and boxes of photos and memorabilia in the closet (all labeled, of course). Look at the progress we've made!

Getting a house ready to put on the market (especially after living in it for fifteen years) can be overwhelming! I have learned a great deal from Pam, and am proud to say I have put her methods into practice. Sorting and being ruthless about what one really needs is the key. I get great satisfaction from hauling junk out to the garbage, and filling my van with "stuff" for Love Inc. (my favorite giveaway place). Soon Pam will be able to put up some "after" photos.

Treasure or Trash?

Marybeth is getting her home ready to sell. She has been storing belongings for her parents and her adult children. We are starting in this room. What could show as a big, beautiful bedroom is being used as a storage room. Her challenge is to sort through everything, purge what is no longer needed, and pack up.