Organizing your home
Being organized means
different things to different people. To most it means having a
place (home) for everything. That way you always know where to find
what you need in a hurry. Being organized
really reduces stress and creates a healthy happy living space.
The ancient Chinese
philosophy, feng shui , states that if your home is comfortable
and you can find things easily, you'll have more time and energy.
It makes perfect sense to me. So where do you start?
First you start by
decluttering, that is getting rid of the things you don't
use, duplicates, old newspapers, magazines and junk mail.
Next you find places
to store the things that you do use in the area of the house
that you use them. Such as videos and dvds near the TV,
not in another room.
More organizing solutions
10 Ideas For Using Your Space
Effectively
by Maria Gracia
Feel like you're running out of space for all your stuff? Here
are 10 simple ideas for using your space more effectively.
INSUFFICIENT OR INEFFECTIVE. Do you have insufficient
storage space or ineffective storage space? There's a big different.
Insufficient storage space means you don't have enough space for
your things. Ineffective space means you have enough space for your
things, but you're not making the best use of that space. Most closets
and cabinets have the volume to hold twice as much as they are usually
constructed for. And you probably have quite a few nooks and crannies
for storage that you haven't even thought of. Of course, it's important
to make sure you don't have things you don't like, are outdated,
etc., but it is also important to have effective storage space for
the things you do like and enjoy.
ADD-A-ROD. Looking for extra storage space in your
closet. If you have the type of closet with two+ walls for hanging
clothes, on one wall hang a rod at head height for long clothing
(dresses, pants, etc.). On the other wall, hang two rods--one above
the other--for shorter clothing (shirts, skirts, blazers, etc.)
In other words, you're not restricted to only one clothing rod.
INSTALL SHELVES. Most shelves can be moved up-a-notch
or down-a-notch. If you have three inches of space above your linens,
you may consider adjusting the shelf so the shelf below it has more
space. Or, perhaps you can add another shelf in between. Plastic,
multiple level shelves are wonderful for kitchen cabinets. And corner
shelves are great for picture frames, knick knacks and other small
treasures.
USE STORAGE UNITS. Storage units, which can be
picked up from housewares or hardware stores, are great space savers.
Your spices can be removed from drawers and placed on a spice rack.
There are racks for canned goods that, when a can is taken from
it, the next can in line rolls forward. Some of these hold over
40 cans! Ice cube trays are inexpensive storage containers for smaller
items such as earrings. There are coffee tables on the market with
storage space hidden inside. Under bed containers are perfect for
storing quilts and linens. Be creative and make use of these great
tools!
DON'T FORGET ABOUT WALL SPACE. Look around and you're sure
to find quite a bit of empty wall space. There are many uses for
this new-found space. Pots and pans can be taken out of cabinets
and hung on walls. Tools can be placed on pegboards. Shelves can
be installed for picture frames and knick knacks. Many stores now
carry corner shelves that can be installed in a snap.
PUT FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS WITHIN ARMS REACH. Whenever possible,
store regularly used items where you use them most. Recently, my
husband created a toilet paper holder on the back of our bathroom
cabinet door, with a small dowel, 2 nails and 2 loops of rope. It
holds three rolls of toilet paper, and it's right near the area
it's needed most. You shouldn't have to walk from one room to another
to retrieve items you use every day. Store linens in the bedroom.
Store videos near the television. If you use the scissors in the
office area and in the sewing room, have two pairs of scissors,
one in each room.
ADD-A-DRAWER OR SLIDING SHELF. Many hardware and housewares
stores carry drawers that can be installed underneath a cabinet.
These are great if you have a home with limited drawer space. In
addition, you can also install shelves under cabinets that slide
out when you need them, and slide back in when you're finished with
them.
KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR. A clear desk is directly
related to your productivity. You will get more done, if you're
not constantly under a pile of papers and files. A sturdy, full-suspension
filing cabinet is a must for any home or office. Portable file boxes
that hold hanging file folders also come in handy. There are plenty
of storage choices for CD-roms and diskettes. Desk supplies belong
in an on-the-desk caddy or in trays inside your desk.
REARRANGE. Everyone is different, and has different needs.
Make your home or office work for you. One woman I know told me
she never uses her dining room, not even when she has company over.
And she had no intention of ever using it since her kitchen was
big and elegant enough. She also said she hated her dark basement
office. So, I suggested she rearrange a bit, and turn her dining
room into her office. And that is exactly what she did. So think
about your surroundings and make them work for you, even if they
seem a little out of the ordinary.
ROTATE. You may have many items you love in your
home or office, but not enough space. Rotate them. In other words,
keep some things in storage for a month or two and display some
of your things. Then, once that time is up, make the switch. The
items on display go into storage; the items in storage go on display.
What a neat idea!
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak,
filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your
office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
For even more help learning
to organize check out Maria Garcia's organizing ebooks
With over 1300 organizing
tips and ideas!
Click Here!
To receive
my free article titled "10 Simple Steps to a more organized
household"
email me at freearticle@learnsomethingtoday.com
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