By Marilyn Bohn
When did life get so hectic? Are you always rushing around hunting for things, are you accruing fines at the library, do you have clutter because there just aren’t places for what you own? If so, you are not alone!
I was talking to a friend and she shared with me that her life has been overrun by clutter because she just moves things from one place to another. She is frustrated and discouraged. If you feel like this there is hope, you can have an organized life which will make you happier and will actually give you more time in your day to do what you want to do.
Here are some organizing tips on how to have an organized home:
1. In your clothes closet only keep the clothes you like and wear. Organize them by type; blouses or shirts together, pants, skirts, casual clothes and dressy clothes. When you take your clothes off at the end of the day instead of throwing them on the floor hang them up so a large pile doesn’t accumulate which will take more time to put away. Keep a laundry basket handy to put dirty clothes in instead of using the floor.
2. Have a basket or designated place near the door to place items in that you have borrowed. Place them here when you are finished with them. As you leave your home grab them and put them in your car. This eliminates late fees and the embarrassment of friends having to ask for their things back. Sign up on the internet at your local library, they will send emails notifying you if items are late and you can renew them on line. This saves both time and money.
3. In your kitchen have a place for everything. Use containers to contain boxes of mixes and prepared foods. Label shelves so all family members will know where to put things after using them. Keep a container large enough to hold snacks. When it is almost empty you will know it is time to buy more.
4. You will save money because you will know what you have and you won’t have to go out and buy a new tool or craft item or something else because you can’t find the item even though you know you have it. This will be avoided because you will have a home for everything and everything will live in its home when not being used.
5. Keep all sports equipment together so it is easy to find and to return. It is harder to return things than it is to get them out so make the putting away of items easy and accessible.
6. Wouldn’t you love to be able to get up in the dark and find anything you need without stumbling over things left on the floor? Keep hallways free of clutter. Nightlights are helpful in case you do need to navigate throughout the house in the dark. Have designated places for medicines, first aid supplies and other items that are necessities but not used on a daily basis.
7. Create a filing system for all paper that comes into your home. Set it up to work for you. With a workable filing system you can find any paper you have in less than 15 seconds. This also helps keeping flat surfaces clear of paper clutter.
If the very thought of organizing overwhelms you and you think your entire house needs organizing right now, think again. At least think differently. It is like the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. A disorganized home doesn’t happen in a day. And organizing it will take time. Do one room at a time and not the entire room. Start with one small place, the dresser drawers, the closet, under the bed, a night stand and then the top of the dresser and so on until that room is finished. Start slow—think in terms of baby steps. By organizing a little at a time before you know it your entire home will be your organized home beautiful.
About the author:
Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Visit her website www.marilynbohn.com for free organizing tips on her blogs, articles and videos.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Baskets and bins make a wonderful way to organize and de-clutter. Fair trade baskets are most often created from natural materials and dyes–an added benefit for the eco-friendly shopper.
Great tips!
I am slowly getting our home more organized.