To begin
Create a checklist separating requirements into specific areas and/or goals, i.e. if clothing is your Achilles heel and you have more clothing than a movie set. Your closet must be a well-organized tool, enabling you to choose, dress and split — all without thinking and/or riffling for items.
Keep like-with-like
The laundry room would typically house anything wash/dry/iron related. Organize sections to separate light from dark, to be ironed, hand-washed or dry cleaned, so at a glance it is clear what is what.
In the garage
Separate tools and organize in clear, separate containers, hang adjustable shelving, add hanging racks for larger and/or seasonal items.
Children’s rooms
Organize by toy selections: Barbie together with Ken and other like items. Build puzzle and game shelves or sort in bins. CD/DVD collections in one binder. Eliminate individual cases. Keep an activity kit in one storage container. I find it extremely handy to keep a mid-size bin in the entry closet filled with crayons, colouring books, puzzles, reading and activity books – change of clothes. Granola bars, so when in a hurry! Everyday, working with three children I can just grab it on my way out the door to keep the kids entertained. This way “packing” up is not as all-consuming
Hopefully a few of the above tips and tricks will help you simplify your life. Remember; tackle one area at a time. Start with a closet. You will feel 10 lbs lighter. Then move inward from there.
Happy reorganizing and good luck. You will be glad you did.
Jennifer Brouwer is the Jennifer behind Décor by Jennifer.com
