Opposites Attract . . . Just Not Organizationally

The phrase "opposites attract" may be true for some romantic relationships, but once that honeymoon period is over, being opposites in organizational styles can be an everyday challenge.  One person may feel frustrated at the piles that accumulate on counters and tables while the other becomes frustrated that the piles keep getting cleaned up.  So, how do individuals that share a space, but not the same organizational styles, live together peacefully?

Just as in any relationship--communicating expectations, recognizing each other's preferences / priorities and learning to compromise can go a long way to promoting organizational harmony at home.  Taking the time to have a frank discussion can help eliminate future disagreements.

Beginning with communicating expectations, having each person describe what they hope for in home organization and maintaining that order is key to understanding organizational differences.  As Russian novelist, Fyodor Dostoyevsky once said, “Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”  A significant other may have no idea that the person they are living with does not care whether the mail is sorted every day or that the house is picked up each evening.  He or she will be silently sulking if they fail to communicate this expectation to their less organized significant other.

  

Recognizing each individual’s preferences for cleanliness and order can also help define where each person devotes their time and energy in the home.  One individual may find it easy to keep the counters clutter free.  At the same time, the person who stacks piles upon the counters may be very dedicated to keeping an orderly lawn and a well-organized garden.  Most couples can identify what is important to them and then take on that responsibility.

When it becomes difficult to agree on the level of organization in common spaces, compromise can be a powerful tool.  Going back to the example where one person prefers sorting the mail daily and the other person can care less if the mail accumulates on the counter for two weeks, proposing a workable compromise can help meet both individual’s preferences.  The person who prefers sorting the mail daily could propose to sort his or her mail only.  That person could then offer to set up an inbox that is not located on the counter for the other person, who can then sort their mail at their leisure.  This type of compromise can work for larger spaces too.  The person who is not as tidy and organized may propose having a room that is “theirs” only.  This room does not have to meet the organizational expectations of the other.  However, in exchange for this space, the less organized individual may agree to help keep the remainder of the home up to the organizational standards of their partner. 

Whether your relationship is new—or you and your partner have been battling this issue for years, taking the time to talk about something as simple as how each of you prefer to organized your spaces is a fantastic way to avoid unnecessary arguments.

Organizing in Small Spaces

Organizing itself can be a challenge, but organizing a small space can be even more difficult.  It is the equivalent of taking a three week family vacation in the wood-paneled station wagon packed with everyone's bags versus taking that same vacation in a deluxe RV.  It is difficult to live in a space when your necessary items take over your living space!  

Let's start with the idea of "necessary" items in a home.  Most people could easily live without many of the items they "need" in their home.  

Yes, the first step to organizing a small space is to evaluate what is stored in that space.  If evaluating items seems like a unnecessary step, consider that clutter is expensive.  It costs an average of $10 per square foot to store items in your house.  Put in monetary terms, a person can really calculate the cost of hanging onto that fondue pot they might use someday.

Evaluating items begins with sorting items into the following piles - keep, donate, sell, toss, relocate.  If it is difficult to evaluate whether an item should stay in your space, using the following questions can help:

• When was the last time I used this?  (if it’s been more than a year, let it go)
• How often do I use it? 
• Could I borrow, rent, or improvise with something the few times I might need it? 
• Is it a duplicate?
• Is it out of date?
•  If I didn’t have this anymore, what impact would it have on my life? 
• Do I value this item? 
• Is this item in need of repair or damaged? 
• Am I keeping it because I feel guilty if I tossed it or gave it away?
• How easily could I get another one if I needed it?

Storage for pantry items that do not fit in the pantry
(photo credit:  marthastewart,com)

After surveying the "keep" pile and the space available for the items, an individual can decide if the items will fit or not.  If items do not fit, consider a "second sort" or come up with some creative storage ideas.  Use the guideline of "Frequency of Use," to determine where items will be stored.  Items used daily are placed within close reach.  Items used less frequently can be stored in a more distant, but still accessible location.

For example, if the keep pile for the pantry is larger than the pantry space itself, a person can install shelving along a basement stairwell for items used less frequently.

If the space is still storage challenged (i.e. little or no closets, cabinets, floor space for an armoire, shelving), then it is time to think outside the box . . . or rather, along the walls of the "box."  

Using vertical space from the floor to the ceiling is one way to solve storage problems.  Some of the more clever ideas include:  


    (photo credits:  marthastewart.com)

• Installing a peg board on the closet wall
• Use magnetic paint or galvanized panels to magnetically hang items (this is especially handy with small bath or kitchen items).
• Stack two or three towel bars behind a closed bathroom door
• Install a toiletry shelf in bathroom above the door

And one the better ideas to conquer the little to no closet dilemma--the "Walk-By Closet."  This solution is both smart and beautiful.  Use an older ladder to bridge between two basic shelving units, and a person has designed a unique and practical clothing storage solution.  Place a bench underneath and you create a place to put on shoes as well as store them underneath.

(photo credit:  marthastewart.com)

And speaking of underneath, don't forget that little used space underneath beds .  Evict the dust bunnies and replace them with underneath storage such as a couple of old dresser drawers placed on casters.  

(photo credit:  bhg.com)

With these and other “outside the box” ideas, a small space (that wood paneled station wagon) can start to feel a lot roomier.  With a little effort and imagination, who wouldn’t want to create a more enjoyable space for everyone?

Kids and Organization--Do These Words Even Belong in the Same Sentence?

Teaching kids to be organized is a recipe that includes consistently setting a good example,  good planning and a little psychology.  Sound like a lot of work?  Maybe--but just as with any new habit, after sticking with it for a time period, a new behavior takes root.  And, according to University College London's Health Behavior Research Centre,  that new behavior becomes automatic and "does not rely on conscious thought, memory or willpower."  It is worth a little effort early on, knowing that the payoff will be worth it (kids will pick up themselves without help and they will be able to miraculously be able to find things they are looking for).

Are you setting the example?
(photo credit:  ahomemakerintraining@blogspot.com)

Back to the recipe--consistently setting a good example means that if a parent would like their children to make their beds everyday and clean up their toys at the end of the day, the parent should try to model that behavior.  This certainly is not a genius or original idea.  But the parent honestly evaluating if they are setting a good example might be new for some people.  Parents can ask themselves, "Did I pick up my clothes off the floor?  Did I put my dishes in the dishwasher?  Is my room a disaster?"  And if the parent really wants an honest answer, ask the kids!

Once kids understand that they will be held to the same standards as the "grown-ups," the next step to getting kids organized is good planning.  Like most people, kids like boundaries--knowing where things are and what to expect throughout the day.  The old saying, "A place for everything and everything in its place" perfectly describes how a person can help children get and stay organized.  The parent can take some time to designate a specific place for things in the child's room or toy area.  For example, it's much easier to follow specific instructions such as, "Put all the cars into the bin labeled 'Cars,'" than it is to follow the order, "Clean up your room."   In other words, the parent can help children be successful in staying organized if they can provide the basic framework for the organization.

Additionally, planning time into everyday to clean up helps everyone to keep on top of the chaos that comes with kids.  Tackling small messes daily is so much easier and less overwhelming than dealing with a mountain of things at the end of the week. 

Turn Chores Into a Fun Game!
(Photo credit:  buzzfeed.com)

Finally, the last principle for getting kids organized requires the parent to understand a little psychology.  If the parent knows:

1.  Kids love attention and being involved

2.  Kids can be motivated with certain incentives

3.  Kids like fun and games

If a parent takes the time to include their kids in the clean-up routine, develop some sort of meaningful reward for when the children do a good job staying organized and make it part of a fun game—they are successfully employing persuasive techniques to instill good organizational habits.  For example, a parent could challenge their child to an Organizational Olympics where they both strive to put the most toys away in a three minute time period.  The winner of the Organizational Olympics gets to choose a special reward such as deciding the dinner menu, picking out a movie to watch or getting some extra book time at night.  In this example, the parent took what could be a dreaded chore and turned it into a fun game where the child walks away feeling loved and included.  The rewards and games motivate the child to want to repeat the behavior again. 

And there is nothing like a child feeling the personal satisfaction of a job well done.  As one seven and a half year old recently said after cleaning up her room, “It feels so much better, it feels like I can breathe!”

Transitioning Homes . . . More Than Just Packing and Unpacking Boxes

Moving often conjures images of endless boxes, moving trucks and hours of packing and unpacking.  Most people only think of the physical work involved in a move--but there is quite a bit of mental and emotional work that comes with transitioning to a new home.  Regardless of whether the move is across town or across the country--or whether the move is to a larger or smaller space--people can make the entire process go more smoothly if they acknowledge and address the mental and emotional work that comes with transition.

What is the mental or emotional work of moving?  It is more than using a moving checklist or saying goodbye to friends and neighbors.  It is process of disassembling a person's "safe and familiar" place and reassembling it in a completely new space.  It can mean facing the fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of something new.  And it can involve countless decisions about what items get moved, passed on, donated, fixed, or thrown out.  For example, a individual may wonder, "Will the new house be as comfortable as my last house?  Will I love how everything looks once the boxes are unpacked?  Will everything fit? What do I do with the things that don't fit?  What do I do with the empty spaces once everything I own is moved in?"

Whether the transition is an upgrade to a larger home or downsizing to a smaller space--there are some simple organizational steps to help with the mental and emotional work of the move.  As with any big change in life, it helps to have support, find out answers to the "unknowns," and think in terms of opportunities versus difficulties.  

Starting with "thinking in terms of opportunities," moving provides a person with one of the best chances to evaluate all of their belongings and make the conscious decision to declutter and simplify.  Moving forces a person to ask themselves, "Why have I been saving Uncle Fred's collection of velvet Elvis paintings?"  There are five simple questions to help with these sorts of difficult decisions:

1. Have I or anyone else in the house used this item within the past year?
2. Do I see a use for this item in the near future?  (i.e. Would it be difficult or expensive to replace the item?)
3. Is it more important to keep the item than to have the space it occupies? (i.e. Is it a family treasure?)
4. Does the item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?
5. Do I love it?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions.  A “yes” to any of them provides a good reason to keep the item.  A “no” indicates the item also has a new home in its future.

Once a person sees moving as an opportunity, it becomes exciting to plan their new "safe and familiar" place.  One way to replace the fear of the unknown with the excitement of something new is to get a copy of the floorplan and brainstorm!  Cutting out furniture icons or drawing them onto the floorplan with a template and pencil is a great way to bridge the transition from the old to the new home.  It also is a tremendous help in the decluttering and simplifying process just described.  A person can then "see" how the new home will look.  An added bonus?  Saving time and money on not moving items that do not fit into a person's life or space.

Velvet Elvii
Photo Credit:  blogs.smithsonianmag.com

Finally, it always helps to have support.  If that basement gallery of velvet Elvis paintings gives a person hives, he or she can always call in a friend or family member to assist with the sorting process.  That friend or family member can help design the new and improved velvet Elvis gallery or he or she can gently break the news that “Elvis needs to leave the building.”

    

Action Central - Implementing a System That Works

I came to the realization the other day that the “hub” of our home—the place where most of our family’s organizational information and schedules (including my office)—is located in an unusual place, our pantry.  Yes, there is food in there too, along with the crock pot, lobster pot and various other kitchen items—but I would venture to guess that one third of the space is dedicated to our organization system.

Action Central

Included in this system are school calendars, lunch menus, work schedules, appointment notices, important business cards, the recycling guidelines, babysitter’s phone numbers, gift certificates, emergency contacts and and a few other worthy pieces of information (the rules of tennis and a quote by Mother Theresa labeled “Anyway”).  And the food--don’t forget the original purpose of a pantry, food storage.

Why does this system work?  And what makes any organizational system work?  Here are a few guidelines to follow when establishing a home organizational system:

1.  Consolidation -- All important information is consolidated in one location.

When running a household, being efficient saves time, money and frustration.  A person should consider their hub their home’s “Inbox.”  This Inbox should collect all the “stuff” that comes into a person’s daily life.  Items to go into the Inbox include "To Do" lists, calendars, schedules, phone messages, business cards, mail to sort, and items to read and review.  It is then up to the individual how they plan to sort, categorize and act on the information in their Inbox.

2.  Relevant Items -- All related materials, supplies and equipment are positioned in the same location.

These are the items that make a person’s system flow:  pens, paper, telephone, cell chargers, trash can, file folders, filing container, bulletin boards, magnetic boards, etc.

3.  Accessibility -- The location is one that is accessible to all using the system. 

If this is a whole family system, all members must be able to use it.  A person could include a step ladder for children.  Or a magnetic dry erase board might be easier for all versus using a traditional cork board with push pins.

4.  Location, location, location -- The system is situated in a high traffic zone.

If a person can walk by and see their system several times a day, he or she can stay on top of the appointments, To Do lists and other various things that come through the Inbox.  This is key to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  One of the biggest obstacles to getting organized is when a person feels that he or she has to dedicate large amounts of time to an enormous project.  Staying on top of the Inbox eliminates this stress.

No Need to Close This Behind a Door
photo credit:  apartmenttherapy.com

Some Day
photo credit:  365ishpins.blogspot.com

 Back to the “hub” in my pantry . . . it works because I know that the room that holds the food is the most popular place in our house (accessible to all and in a high traffic zone).  It also contains almost all of the “Inbox” items (calendars, schedules, lunch menu and appointment cards) and the necessary related items—pens, trash can, lunch boxes, and FOOD.  And, as I look at the picture, I realize our organization system may not look as pretty as the pictures in a home design magazine—but it’s extremely functional, and more importantly, I can always close the door.

The Emotional Connection to Disorganization and Letting Clutter Go

Imagine walking into your bedroom at the end of the day, exhausted and ready for sleep, only to discover the bed unmade and five loads of laundry on top of that.  Take a second to think about how you feel when you survey the mountain of clothing and sheets that are keeping you from a peaceful and much needed rest? 

photo credit:  www.kayladanelle.com

Now imagine how you would feel walking into your bedroom and seeing the bed nicely made, maybe even the sheets turned down (chocolate on the pillow?), ready for you to climb into and get a good night’s sleep. 

Expanding on this example, the clutter that people collect in their surroundings is equivalent to that mountain of clothing and sheets.  That mountain is the “stuff” in a person’s space—and until it is removed, a person is kept from a peaceful and restful existence. 

Having “stuff” everywhere is over stimulating for the human brain.  People have a stress reaction to clutter, just as you might have when you imagined the “mountain” on the bed.  Clearing out the “stuff” allows a person to be able to handle more. 

Decluttering is more than removing unnecessary items from your space—it encompasses psychological and emotional components that people often overlook, downplay or don’t even acknowledge exist.  Clutter takes up both physical and mental space.  It gets in the way of individuals moving forward--being free to explore the opportunities that open up when they allow the space for them.  Being open to that opportunity and uncertainty can be scary, yet it can also be exciting, thrilling and life changing.

There are lists of reasons why people accumulate stuff—they inherit it and can’t bear to let it go, they keep things “just in case” they need it one day, they buy to impress others or buy as a form of “retail therapy”—the list goes on.  And just as there is an emotional component to why people accumulate, there are emotional reasons to why people can’t unclutter. 

Photo credit:  www.sunshinehospitality.blogspot.com

The things people have in their lives remind them of loved ones who have passed away, of happier times, of children when they were young.  Yet, saying goodbye to those items does not mean a person is saying goodbye to those loved ones or happier days.  It is not permanently closing a door—the memories will remain with a person, even if the stuff does not.  

Stuff is also part of a person’s identity—the clothes they wear, the car they drive, the way their home is furnished.  As people’s lives change, so do their identities.  It may be difficult coming to terms with these changes and accept who they are today.  Letting go of old stuff may be equivalent to letting go of who they used to be.   

By exploring these emotional barriers, individuals may find it easier to simplify and let go of the things that encumber their surroundings.  And when a person lets go of something they don’t need or have space for anymore, they make room for something new and wonderful in their life (like a chocolate on their pillow at night).

Starting Small - The Junk Drawer in the Kitchen

We all have them--the kitchen junk drawer.  And as much as we despise storing all those odds and ends, they serve a necessary function.  Where else can you find twist ties, batteries, chapstick, grocery coupons, rubber bands, calculators, pens, tools, and notepads all in the same place?  But if all those functional items are all jumbled together, the drawer and its contents lose its usefulness.  

Using a simple example like the kitchen junk drawer, I thought I would outline the organization process so others can apply it to projects both big and small.  And, to be fair, the first thing I did is walk over to my junk drawer.

My first thought was that it wasn't bad at all.  I had items grouped together in tidy Bamboo Drawer Organizer Boxes--and my grocery list was right there so I could add things easily.  Yes, that crazy spreadsheet is actually a grocery list--and I plan to explain it in another post very soon.

Opening up another junk drawer in my kitchen, I found something I could work with.  This is the drawer that holds all those essential kitchen items, most of which are awkward and odd shaped.  As you can see from the picture, finding a wine bottle opener wasn't a problem.  The problem was that I had 4 and each were in a different location in the drawer.  

Before

Let’s walk through the organization process:

1.  Set a Goal - An organized kitchen “junk” drawer

2.    Prioritize and Pick – Looking at two different drawers, it was obvious one needed more attention than the other.

3.    Set Up – Locate a small trash bag and a sponge for wiping the drawer organizer clean

4.    Start with a Clean Slate – Empty out the entire drawer and clean it

5.    Sort – Everything goes into one of the following piles:

• Relocate – move items that do not belong in the drawer (that meant those orange pumpkin carving knives needed a new home)
• Keep – items to be placed back in the drawer (things used most like the pizza cutter, can opener, kitchen shears)
• Fix – any broken items
• Toss – throw away anything that is unsalvageable (an old knife sharpener that no longer sharpened)
• Donate – give away items that someone else can use (I had 5 bottle openers and 3 wine openers that I could pass on to a needy bar and grill)
• Sell – items in order to recoup some of the original cost

After

6.    Group Like Items – From the keep pile, I grouped together the ice cream scoops, the scissors with the scissors, etc. until all items were placed with similar items.

7.    Organize – This is the step where you place your "keep" items back into the space.  What is important here is that everything you keep is something you like and use on a regular basis; and it has a “home.”  In this example, the “home” is a Bamboo Expandable Utility Drawer Organizer with separate compartments.  Without this insert, this drawer would quickly become a mess again.

This is where your project can get creative.  Sure, you can go out and get a fancy organizer, but you can also use whatever you have around the house or items you find at local thrift or consignment shops.  Consider using one of the following:

• Tupperware containers
• Glass or plastic baby food jars]
• Check boxes or cereal boxes covered in heavy paper or cloth
• Thrift or consignment store finds (mixed patterns of china or glass bowls or mismatched containers)

8.  Evaluate – Step back and look at your finished project—did you meet your goal?  In this example, yes, my kitchen utensil junk drawer is much less crowded and only contains the items I really use regularly (no I don’t carve pumpkins every week).

You can use these steps whether your project is one kitchen drawer or the whole kitchen.  Best of luck with your projects, whether big or small and may all your junk drawers be organized!

The Costs of Disorganization (or the Benefits of Organization)

How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say, “I don’t have time to get organized, I can’t even find my calendar—let alone find the time to schedule that!”  Do you see the circular reasoning in this statement?

The problem of being “disorganized” is also the barrier to better organization.  In other words, if you take the time to get organized, you’ll have more time to be organized.  Confused yet?  Well, I hope I can clear up any confusion with some startling facts about the costs of disorganization (the bad news) and the benefits of organization (the good news).

First, the bad news . . . disorganization is not something to take lightly.  It is way of living that can have huge financial, emotional, mental and physical costs.

Just how much can disorganization influence your life?  Starting with the financial impact, considerable amounts of money can almost seem to disappear when you:

-Pay bills late and incur fees (23% of adults do this). Survey results from Ikea and the National Association of Professional Organizers.

-Rebuy “lost” items (you just know you have a cordless drill, but where is it?)

-Buy “emergency” items (like a pack of diapers from the corner store at 10pm)

-Don’t track spending (It’s the end of the month and you have no idea where your grocery cash has gone)

-Overbuy because you don’t know what you have (You may have 4 extra large containers of mayonnaise in your pantry, but you purchase another one because you’re just not sure.  On a positive note . . . lots of mayo!)

-Can never find the coupon or gift card that you intended to use on your shopping trip

-Miss large tax deductions because your paperwork is scattered

-Miss errors on bank or credit card statements (potentially missing identity theft)

Unfortunately, there is more bad news.  Besides the financial impact, the stress of disorganization can adversely affect your mental, emotional and physical health.   Consider this statistic from WebMD:  “Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.”  Add in the missed opportunities for personal or professional growth and the strain that stress can have on your relationships and it becomes clear that dealing with your disorganization is more than something that you “should get to someday.”

Before

After

Ready for the good news?  If having a less stressful, more relaxing life with considerably less health issues sounds appealing, the answer may be as simple as getting organized--it's not as overwhelming or difficult as you may think.  And not many people would complain about being more productive, having more time and money, and living a more simplified, streamlined life.

If you’re not convinced yet, check out these survey results from Ikea and the National Association of Professional Organizers:

-Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in an average home

-Since we wear 20% of the clothes we own about 80% of the time, you can open up a large amount of space in your crowded closet by removing those unworn items

-Considering that 80% of what we keep, we never use--you can gain space in your home, if you eliminate that 80%.  You can also earn money if you decide to sell those items or take a tax deduction for donating them.

-With 80% of the clutter in homes being a result of disorganization, you may find more room in your home by simply organizing what you already have.

As with learning any new skill, start small and tackle one area at a time.  If the thought of getting organized is still paralyzing, there are numerous books and websites with helpful tips.  And if you still can’t get started, contact a professional organizer who can help you develop a plan (like pare down the mayo) and stick with it!  

Re-purposing (the Beauty of Slipcovers and Covering Worn Out Pillows and Furniture)

A friend of mine had a wonderful idea for some old chairs she replaced in her dining room.  The chairs were covered in a beautiful brocade fabric--but they had seen better days.  Her two lovely cats thoroughly enjoyed hiding underneath the skirt of the chairs; and the top was perfect for a scratching post.

The chairs seemed too nice to throw out--so after a quick brainstorming session--the decision was made to purchase slipcovers and distribute the chairs among her girlfriends, keeping one for herself.  Each of us would choose the color slipcover to match the decor of our own homes.  Then, we would all get together to personalize the slipcovers with sewing, embroidery or painting.  In my case, my chair personalization involved none of these creative techniques--instead I used a fantastic product called Badge Magic.  It's basically double-sided tape for fabric.  

The transformation was amazing!

The slipcover matched the decor in the room where I placed the chair--and the "art" (if you can call double-sided tape "art") made it a one-of-a-kind piece.  The whole project involved no sewing on my part and possibly 45 minutes of finding and cutting scrap pieces of fabric.  

The success of this project made me think about other furniture transformations that  I've made over the years.  As I walked around our home, I found three other re-purposed items that could have been thrown out based on their looks alone.  

I transformed a donated striped green and white couch to a fantastic red piece that we've used for hundreds of booking readings before bedtime.  All it took was some skillful internet shopping, a gift card to Macy's, and recovering some old pillows with new fabric and the project was complete.  And for those wondering, I did sew the pillows (it was the only thing I could sew at the time!).

Then there's the matching ottoman, also green and white striped that became a stylish window seat with the help of some beautiful fabric and the phenomenal sewing skills of a dear friend.  This is one of my favorite places to sit in the morning--and to think--the entire thing could have taken a fateful trip to the town transfer station.

Finally, one of the biggest conversation pieces in our home is a 12 foot church pew.  In our old house, it served as the entry way bench, school backpack holder, shoe cubby, coat rack and time-out chair.  In our new home, I thought it deserved a little more respect.  It was placed in a sunny spot that someone could curl up with a good book or have a nice conversation.  Once again, I pulled out my trusty striped fabric and enlisted the skills of my sewing guru friend.

This was the most sewing intensive project in that it involved fitting the fabric around two foam seating cushions--I was now entering into 3 dimensional sewing!  And, although it took me several months of starting and stopping, I was thrilled with the end result.

What once was an old church pew is now a lovely space to enjoy the sunshine coming through the windows.

I'm hoping you have a clearer picture of re-purposing and what it means.  It's definitely part of the green focus of recycling and reusing what you already have.  How does it relate to organization, design or style?  

We all have things around our home that either don't serve a purpose or we no longer love.  We hang onto those items thinking, "I may need this one day" or "I can't throw away a perfectly good painted neon green coffee table."  After a while, your house may be home to many of these items--and now you are living in a space that's either cluttered, not well-designed, or completely does not match your style.  

With a little creativity (and sometimes the help of a friend or two), the thing that was once an eyesore in your home can become one of your favorite items.  Re-purposing can be as simple as taking a cardboard shoe box and turning it into a charging station for your cell phone, tablet and ipod--or it can be as daunting as my church pew cushion sewing.  Regardless of the project, I'm certain you'll feel a certain sense of pride and satisfaction knowing you have given new life to something you already own.

An Organization System or "Take Your Stuff To Your Room!"

"Organized" might not be the first thought that comes to mind when you see these market basketssitting at the bottom of a stairwell.  Yes, they are overflowing with toys, clothes, books, papers, and I think some leftover fruit snacks(?).  But to the untrained eye, this is a highly sophisticated "Organization System."  Well, maybe it isn't highly sophisticated--but it is a system.  

A couple questions may come to mind; 1) What is an organization system?  2) And why should I care?  Fortunately, I have the answers to both.

I would guess that most people understand what an organized room or home looks like.  And most people also understand that someone had to do all that organizing.  I would venture to guess, however, that not everyone is familiar with how to continually keeping a room or home looking organized without a lot of extra effort.  

How do people keep their home looking like a magazine picture from Home and Garden Television?  And how do they find the time?

The answer is to develop a way to keep a space tidy once you've initially put everything in it's place.  Everyday, you take a few minutes to "process" whatever items are constantly coming into your organized spaces.  Whether it be incoming mail, boots and coats, or toys--a few minutes a day is all you need to maintain those magazine good looks.

Using the "highly sophisticated" market baskets as an example will help further explain what an organizational system is.

Step 1:  Identify the Problem Area
For us--there were toys, clothes, books, papers, (and fruit snacks) everywhere!  Miscellaneous piles of items could be found on the furniture or floor making it difficult to sit down, walk around or vacuum.  

Step 2:  Define the Goal
We wanted to sit, walk and vacuum without having to constantly be cleaning up after our kids!  

Step 3:  Put a System in Place
I decided to get each child a  . And if I happen to pick up a random toy or sock, I have a place to put it without spending all day cleaning up.

Now, on to the next question--"Why should I care?" . . . 

Having a system in place is a time saver, a stress reliever and can give you incredible peace of mind knowing that you are in control of your space--your space doesn't control you.  But maybe the most important reason why you should care . . . no more fruit snacks in the vacuum!

How's That New Year's "Get Organized" Resolution Going?

New Years Day has come and gone and Spring is on the way according to Punxsutawney Phil. So how is that New Year's resolution to "Get Organized" going?  If you have found yourself struggling to meet some of your goals, then February is the perfect time to re-evaluate and get ready for a spring clean-up.  

(Photo credit:  CNN)

Often times, a well-intentioned resolution becomes too big and overwhelming--which is why "only 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals" (University of Scranton research as reported by forbes.com).  

This may sound familiar to anyone who has learned about goal setting -- Here it is from an organizational slant.  

1.  Set a Small Attainable Goal

Instead of, "I'm going to clean and organize my whole house!"  You might choose, "I'm going to clean and organize the pantry."  

It's difficult not to get overwhelmed by large projects.  If you are able to break a large job down into smaller, more manageable parts, you will be able to tackle those small projects more easily.  

For example, try setting aside a half hour to take on just one pantry shelf.  Take everything off that shelf, throw out expired items, donate items that you won't use, group like times together, then place them back on the shelf and call it done.  Mark another half hour block on your calendar and repeat!


2.  Make Your Goal Specific

If you've promised yourself, "I'm going to stay on top of all the incoming paperwork in the house," -- what does that actually look like?  To some, it may mean stacking the paperwork all in one spot (like the recycle bin).  And to others, it may mean putting the paperwork away in a desk drawer to deal with later.  Either way, important correspondence like bills and notices are not dealt with in a timely manner.  

A more specific and measurable goal would be, "I will sort the mail everyday, recycle unwanted papers and file the rest immediately.  With this goal, paperwork is dealt with in less than 5 minutes, bills are paid on time, and your counter stays clean!


3.  Hold Yourself Accountable

This is my personal favorite because it is where you can take a somewhat tedious organizational task and turn it into a fun social event.  It is the equivalent of taking a run with a friend.  Getting up and out the door is easier when you know you are meeting someone--and often the run goes by more quickly with the company.

So, find yourself an "Organizational Buddy."  Ideally, this person is non-judgmental (we all have our messes, even the professional organizers).  You and your buddy can either check in on each other's individual projects or help each other to work and complete both projects.  

Having the moral support of an "Organizational Buddy" may be just enough to get the ball rolling on those tasks you keep putting off.   Partnering up can also be very energizing, inspiring both of you to tackle more projects in the future.  But, most importantly, you can keep each other honest and accountable.  And there are no rules against celebrating together too!

Happy New Year, Happy Groundhog Day, and (to keep you accountable) I hope you look forward to a happy and organized Spring!

The Hidden Secret To Staging a Home

To some homeowners, staging a home sounds like a service that is "nice if you can afford it."  But what many potential sellers don't realize is that often, a buyer's opinion of the home for sale is formed within the few minutes of walking in the door.  Everything the potential buyer sees after that confirms their first opinion (i.e. "Wow, the entry is comfortable, clean and full of light . . ., the rest of the house must be this beautiful."  OR "This entry is dark, small and crammed full of coats and shoes.")

Another way to look at home staging is to think of it as "curb appeal" for the inside of your home.  You want potential buyers to imagine themselves in your space--to want the home that you have created.  And once a buyer has imagined him or herself in your space, your home becomes that much more valuable.  How valuable?   According to some experts, staging your home can result in a 6-20% increase in the sale of the home compared to an unstaged home.  

And staging doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.  Depending on the condition of your home, it could cost you very little (just some cleaning, organizing and rearranging)--or it can involve more of an investment (painting walls, adding some plants, updated paintings or furniture).

So what exactly does "Home Staging" mean?  It's not redecorating, it's depersonalizing.  It can be difficult for a buyer to imagine themselves in your living room when they see all of your family pictures sitting on the mantel.  Depersonalizing can involve not only removing those family photos, but also, removing items that overcrowd the home.  Sellers should remember that they are selling the space, not the things in the home.  Making the spaces look appealing, clean and neutral is all part of staging.

The challenging part of staging is that many homeowners are too personally connected to items in order to be objective about their home's contents.  That's where a professional organizer can help.  We can look at the space and make impartial suggestions and help you stay focused and on task (sometimes it's hard not to get distracted during a project!).  

Consider home staging in order to keep you focused on the final goal . . . getting offers close to your asking price and selling the home quickly.  And once you are in your new home, feel free to  proudly display those family photos on the mantel again.