Here's a quick tip for:
The Living Room
Organizing expert Donna Smallin has a tip when using bookshelves: Keep small items (like keys and glasses) handy, but out of sight by using a decorative box with a lid.
The Family Room
Try using a few lightweight toy bins that your kids can easily carry when playing and cleaning up.
The Home Office
Create a practical work zone with decorative impact using a row of bulletin boards and colorful wall files.
The Kitchen
Cabinet space can be divvied up with an expandable shelf on legs.
The Mudroom (Simply a large entry,doorway or closet where you can hang wet coats, take off wet or muddy boots and put up or put down umbrellas, bags, backpacks or toys before entering the rest of the house)
Securely mount a pair of large hooks for each family member to ensure space for a coat and bag or backpack.
Links to Get Organized by (and reduce clutter):
www.Crateandbarrel.com offers an expandable bamboo gadget tray (retail price, $30).
www.containerstore.com is another excellent source for bins, storage boxes, files and practically anything in the world of organizers.
Source: “Tucked Away” by Kit Selzer-Better Homes and Gardens, Jan.2012
Additional Info
Every three months or so, reserve one Saturday morning for a family clean-up; set a time for 30 minutes and have each person find things in his or her own space to donate or throw away. Box up the donations and drop them off right away, then reward everyone (including you) with lunch out.
A tighter focus for your to-do list will clear mental clutter. Include only your three most important tasks, and don't let less important busywork distract you. If you complete everything on your list, great. If not, at least you'll know you spent time on the highest priority tasks-Meredith Schwartz, www.penelopeloveslists.com.
When you're trying to decide whether to keep something, ask these three questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Could someone else use it?-Claire Kurtz, www.thewellorganizedwoman.com
Create a repair center for clothes that need mending, toys that need batteries and things that need gluing. That way, unusable items are not in general circulation, and you'll know where to look when you have time to tackle a project.-Julie Morgenstern, author of “Organizing From the Inside Out”.
Storage containers can be made from everyday items; try a ceramic egg tray for paper clips and rubber bands; a tackle box for craft supplies; a napkin holder for incoming mail; and a garden tote for kids' art supplies.
Perform daily triage on incoming papers and mail. Set up a desktop file box or wall-mounted file holder with three folders: To Read, To Do and To File. Sort the keepers into one of the categories, then recycle the rest. Schedule a weekly time to deal with the contents of each folder.
Source:”25 ways to declutter for the new year” by Berit Thorkelson-Better Homes and Gardens, Jan. 2011
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