|
Have you ever noticed how many things come in two's? I am making a quilt called "Mile A minute". I start out with one piece and add it to another piece so I go from a onesies to a twosies and on and on. I know people who give measurements in recipes by saying "you take a pinch of this and a pinch of that". We love playing the card game Pit and we start out trading with "two for two". There is a television station that has a program called "Take 2". I have doubled two and am giving two organizing tips for four rooms in your home when you are organizing clutter.
1. The Kitchen:
·Is your kitchen so small it is a two person room? As you are organizing clutter clear off the counter tops. Take off the large appliances taking up space that you don't use very often such as a bread machine, large mixer or coffee grinder just to name a few. Find another place for these appliances. That may be in an armoire that is close to the kitchen and can be used as over flow or a shelf in a closet or even in the garage if it is convenient to the kitchen.
Organizing clutter in drawers is done quickly by taking out everything and deciding if you have used each item in the last 12 months. If not, donate them rather than just cluttering up the drawer.
·Divide your kitchen into zones. Keep like things together such as baking supplies, utensils, cooking gadgets, teas and other drinks.
2. Dining Room:
·Is your dining table always a clutter magnet because it is a flat surface? Take a look at what the stuff is and brainstorm solutions for what you find there. If this space is used for hobbies then have places for the supplies to live when they aren't being used. Supplies could be kept in a plastic drawer system on wheels. If the mail is tossed on the table create a landing place for the mail such as a basket so it doesn't clutter the table. Are magazines and newspapers the problem? Corral them in a designated basket.
·Keep a table topper or attractive table cloth with a center piece on the table to encourage and remind family members that this is not a place to just dump papers and stuff.
3. Great Room/Family Room:
· For organizing clutter in this frequently used room keep children's toys, throws or quilts, games, newspapers, books and magazines organized by using multi-purpose furniture. I saw a really nice ottoman the other day that had a lot of storage space inside. Use baskets for magazines and be sure to recycle them at least every three months to keep your basket from over flowing.
·Keep DVDs or CDs in a cabinet or shelving system contained in containers to reduce clutter. Keep all remotes in a basket and place it in a central location. This saves a lot of time and headaches as you won't have to hunt for the remote!
4. Master Bedroom:
·To start organizing clutter in the bedroom begin from the inside out. Take everything out of your closet and only put back the clothes that you wear. Check for stains or missing buttons. Don't put these back, put these in a basket to be washed or dry-cleaned. Another container can be used for the mending. If this is a twosies closet only do one side at a time.
·After the closet move on to the dresser and organize the clutter one drawer at a time. Use containers in the drawers to keep socks and underwear, scarves and other items neat and tidy.
Organizing clutter becomes simple when it is done in twos instead of trying to do everything all at once. After doing "twosies" then move on to "threesies" to "foursies" and then to "moriesies".
Marilyn is a professional organizer and invites you to visit her website www.marilynbohn.com, She is a sought after public speaker and author who is passionate about teaching ways to organize your life and how to reduce clutter. She works with women in their homes and offices. On her web site she teaches you to get rid of clutter by using her Lights On Organizing System. She provides practical information on how to declutter your home, office and life. In her blogs, articles, and videos she gives timely tips on how to clear clutter and how to declutter everything in your home and office. She is the author of a book called Go Organize! Conquer clutter in three simple steps which will be in major bookstores in December 2009.
|
