I work from home and I didn't have the previous day scheduled to work so me being my Martha Stewart self (I like to think so) kept myself busy. I told her how I organized Ayanna's entire closet before she came home from school. My neighbor asked me how in the world do I #1 organize and how do I do it before her return from school. It lit up my good idea light bulb above my head to share how easy it can be to organize any room in your home well and rediscover the real definition of time management.
My step by step tips on organizing any space in your home.
1. Go in with a plan. Study the area. Before you begin be certain what your goal is going to be.
2. Things you may need: sticky notes, box(es), pen or pencil and a garbage bag(s). I'll tell you why later.
3. Now that you're prepared. Remember stay focused. I do not turn on distractions like TV's but I do perform better with my tunes so music is never far away.
4. This is the fun part. Completely and I mean completely empty your space and leave nothing. During this step you may as well clean your space so when you return items they're stored in a clean and beautiful space.
5. Now everything that you've taken out needs to be sorted by the following catagories. This may or may not apply to your space so make your own judgement. "Keep" "*Store" "Donate" "Trash" This is where the sticky notes and other items come in. I used to stick my notes on the wall in the hallway or where ever I have space. I'd prefer to keep the notes and the trash bag as close as possible so that I can stay in my work space until I'm done. The trash label may not be of good use to you, technically what I do is use my trash bag for this step and throw the trash away as soon as I see it. I don't hesitate.
6. Once you really get good at this organizing thing you won't really need to label things for sorting unless you wish to but if you have a partner helping you with the job then its a good idea to keep this step to avoid confusion later.
7. Fill your box(es) with the items that you can donate to your local donation drop off center and donate that day or as soon as possible to prevent sentimental set backs.
8. Now the items you're keeping can go back into the space only if you're not choosing to purchase *bins or *containers. Now you can neatly fill your containers and label them so that the person or people using them knows where to find things and return them when not in use. At this point everything you're keeping should be returned to your clean and organized space.
You'll be proud of yourself that you've gone from something like this.
To something like this. I know what you're thinking. These are not the same closets but you are certainly catching my drift right?
Tip: Dollar stores have varieties of containers for a fraction of the cost if your budget cannot stretch enough to purchase some from top organizing retailers. Either way you can still make your space organized and beautiful.
*If you chose to use the "store" catagory. You can use a box or bin to store things away that you plan to keep but just maybe out of season for example. My fave for this step are bins, they especially keep clothes dry and smelling fresh also they keep them free from critters that are known to be attracted to cardboard boxes.
Now that you've learned how I can organize any room in my home. I hope that this has been helpful to some of you. Please share with me what you think? Do you already have a organizing regimen? Please share your tips.
Always remember.
Great tips! I'm an organizing junkie. I loved redesigning and purging my closets. (I need to it again...already!)
ReplyDeleteNew follower from MBC
Jessica
www.anewadventureblog.com
Hi Jessica! So nice to meet you. Its amazing how fast our newly organized spaces are due for an update. Thanks for following. I've returned the favor. I'm loving your Etsy Shop.
DeleteGreat tips. Stopping by to say hi.
ReplyDeleteSonja
www.shybabies.blogspot.com
I'm so glad you stopped by to say hello Sonja. So very nice to meet you and thanks for your comments.
DeleteHope this will get me motivated to do some organizational work I need to do around my house this morning!
ReplyDelete-pamela, new follower from MBC
www.InspiredByFelicity.blogspot.com
Hi Pamela! I hope it works out for you as well. Please let me know :-) Thanks for the nice comment and follow. I have done the same. Love your ideas.
DeleteI agree!! stoping the junk from getting there helps too!! My kids want to save everything!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow bck if you can.
You are so correct on this one. My girls used to be the same way. They're not so bad anymore since I've adopted the rule to replace the old with the new now they pick what they don't use often during organization time with no fuss. Thanks for the follow. I will definitely visit you as soon as I can.
Deletelove the closet, would love to have one.
ReplyDeletenew follower- please come to my site as well :)
http://www.havesippywilltravel.com/
Thanks for your kind comments and follow Samantha. Took a visit to your site. Great info.
DeleteNew follower from MBC. Hope you'll follow back...
ReplyDeleteAshley
www.modernmommymagic.blogspot.com
Hi Ashley! So nice to meet you. I visited you over at your blog today picked up some good tips. Glad to connect.
DeleteHi lovely lady.I see you have a new Blog you will have so much fun. I love reading about getting Organizational!! I need this is my home badly. I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescapes. I do one ever week on Sunday's hope you come back tomorrow for my new 2012 Valentine's day Tablescape. Im your newest follower on your blog now. I hope you come back and follow me also. Have a wonderful weekend also.
ReplyDeleteXXOO Diane
Hi Diane! I absolutely love your blog and your tablescapes are so beautiful. Thanks for following. I have returned the favor. Love your Valentine's Day tablescape.
DeleteHi, I love organizing but sometimes it takes me a while to get to it, and... I absolutely love how it looks when I'm done. I like your site. I am following you via MBC. You can visit and follow me back, if you like, at brainlessmomof7.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletetwitter @brainlessmomof7
facebook brainlessmomof7
Thank you for your sweet comments. Its so nice to connect with you. I will definitely visit you. Thanks for the follow.
DeleteAwesome tips! I love to organize and reorganize all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of your newest followers from MBC:)
Hope you get a chance to check out my blog.
Visit Me: Love. Bliss. Life.
Hi Alejandra! Thanks for stopping by and for becoming a new follower. After my busy day settles today I will give your blog a visit. Its so nice to connect with you.
DeleteHi Delicia!
ReplyDeleteYour post is quite informative. Although I don't usually empty my space first {though I probably should} upon organizing - I do utilize the keep, donate, trash or sell list for my own things...but I usually have issues with getting rid of things! lol Too much sentimental value, I suppose - I really need to stop with that! lol
Well thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and for leaving such a kind comment on my post - I truly appreciate it. Take care and have a wonderful Sunday!
Best,
Jessie
Hi Jessie! I agree your heart has a funny way of talking you into keeping things that you really know needs to go and its hard. That's great that you use some of the same techniques sounds like we have some things in common ;-)
DeleteI hate mess, just can't stand it, but if you don't have the right system or use the space you have at home in a smart way, things can get messy especially with kids. Thanks for the organizing ideas. I'm new follower from MBC. Hope you have the time to check my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://carolbalocka.blogspot.com/
Hi Carolina! I totally agree. You must have a system before you begin any project. Thanks for following. Love your blog. You have so many fashion tips there :-)
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