As the holidays approach, many people will be spending more time entertaining and using the kitchen. Now is the time to organize or simplify your kitchen so that you can properly entertain.
I have a tiny kitchen and it is a challenge to cook while having guests over. I am hosting a small family holiday gathering in a few weeks and one of my goals is to organize some of the everyday kitchen items to make them more attractive. If they have to be left out, which they do because of limited closet space, I am going to do my best to have them look neat and pretty.
The kitchen is used everyday, so I find it to be one of the hardest rooms to keep clean and neat. It is often the place that we drop our keys, jackets, loose mail, etc. The kitchen table specifically is just a magnet for clutter and papers.
Some things to consider about the kitchen:
1. Do the items in here really belong here?
2. Do I have a place for keys and mail? Can I create one?
3. Do I have too many dishes? Can I downsize? Coffee mugs are one thing that seem to collect and multiply. It may be time to clean them out.
Good luck as you all work on your kitchens this week.
Remember, nothing has to be perfect, even for the holiday guests! My goal is always to make it look just a little bit better!
Have a happy holidays!
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
Garage Organization
Garages are meant for cars...however, most of us have many things besides cars in our garages. Some even have so much stuff that there is no room for a car!
As the weather is starting to get colder, it is a great time to do a little cleaning in the garage - before it gets too cold and it is put off until spring. This week, take some time to prep for a couple hours of garage cleaning this weekend.
Consider the following:
(1) Are there specific areas of my garage that I can clean up or clean out in minimal time?
(2) Do I need a waste removal service to get rid of old construction materials or can I just put them out on the curb?
(3) How can I use vertical space? Do I have a few minutes one night this week to hang up those wall mounted bike racks for the kids' bikes?
(4) Would bins help me to store some items that I don't use regularly?
(5) Could pegboard be used to get some of the tools off the floor or cabinets?
Even if you don't have time to do a full garage cleaning, consider doing a bit before the winter chill sets in. I know that once its cold out, I hate spending any additional time in the garage than I have to. If you can make it easier to pull your car in and out, or to locate some of the things you use more regularly, go for it!
I just added a new board to my pinterest with garage organization tips! Check it out!
Happy Organizing!
As the weather is starting to get colder, it is a great time to do a little cleaning in the garage - before it gets too cold and it is put off until spring. This week, take some time to prep for a couple hours of garage cleaning this weekend.
Consider the following:
(1) Are there specific areas of my garage that I can clean up or clean out in minimal time?
(2) Do I need a waste removal service to get rid of old construction materials or can I just put them out on the curb?
(3) How can I use vertical space? Do I have a few minutes one night this week to hang up those wall mounted bike racks for the kids' bikes?
(4) Would bins help me to store some items that I don't use regularly?
(5) Could pegboard be used to get some of the tools off the floor or cabinets?
Even if you don't have time to do a full garage cleaning, consider doing a bit before the winter chill sets in. I know that once its cold out, I hate spending any additional time in the garage than I have to. If you can make it easier to pull your car in and out, or to locate some of the things you use more regularly, go for it!
I just added a new board to my pinterest with garage organization tips! Check it out!
Happy Organizing!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Holiday Decor
Greetings All!
As the holidays approach, you will likely see more and more things in the stores to help decorate your home. However, it is important to remember that the more things you buy, the more things that you are going to have to store until next year.
I run into the problem where I buy lots of decorations (usually on clearance after the holiday) and then cant find them the following year! The reason: no good method of organization.
So this year, I am going to do two things:
First, I am going to decorate as much as possible with disposable (recyclable) things. For example, a bowl of colorful, seasonal fruit on the table makes a lovely fall centerpiece that can be eaten! Pine cones are another fall decoration. Similarly, I will look to use mistletoe at Christmastime. Poinsettas are another good seasonal plant (though we usually avoid them because of children/pets - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/poinsettia-plants/faq-20058304 and http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/poinsettia/) - while not terrible, still not good).
Second, I am going to use the big storage bins for organization after the holidays and clearly label the contents - not only the holiday but what specifically is inside.
I am also going to remember that a lot of times at this time of year, less is more!
Good luck with your organization as we approach the holidays!
As the holidays approach, you will likely see more and more things in the stores to help decorate your home. However, it is important to remember that the more things you buy, the more things that you are going to have to store until next year.
I run into the problem where I buy lots of decorations (usually on clearance after the holiday) and then cant find them the following year! The reason: no good method of organization.
So this year, I am going to do two things:
First, I am going to decorate as much as possible with disposable (recyclable) things. For example, a bowl of colorful, seasonal fruit on the table makes a lovely fall centerpiece that can be eaten! Pine cones are another fall decoration. Similarly, I will look to use mistletoe at Christmastime. Poinsettas are another good seasonal plant (though we usually avoid them because of children/pets - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/poinsettia-plants/faq-20058304 and http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/poinsettia/) - while not terrible, still not good).
Second, I am going to use the big storage bins for organization after the holidays and clearly label the contents - not only the holiday but what specifically is inside.
I am also going to remember that a lot of times at this time of year, less is more!
Good luck with your organization as we approach the holidays!
Friday, October 30, 2015
The need to get rid of stuff...
One of the biggest challenges that I face when trying to organize and clean my home is the battle of clutter. Clutter is often the result of too much stuff. I look around and I easily acknowledge that I have too much stuff. Our family has many things that we just simply do not use. Yet we store and organize and clean and dust these things. Why is it often hard to get rid of these type of things? I think that I often rationalize that they may one day become useful or that I may need them one day. Realistically, when and if that day comes, more likely than not I will not be able to find the particular item in question.
I have read in various places that all your possessions should fall into three categories:
(1) Be useful - as in you use it regularly.
(2) Be truly necessary - as in passports and tax returns.
(3) Be treasured - as in something sentimental. This is not something you are simply keeping because someone gave it to you. This is something that brings a fond memory or makes you smile when you look at it or pick it up.
A lot of items in my home are kept for sentimental reasons as well. However, when I really sit down and think about it, these objects often do not bring me fond memories nor do I treasure them. I am keeping them simply because someone I care for gave them to me. Ultimately, this is purpose defeating because when you have too many of these items, it is too difficult to appreciate the truly sentimental things - like my daughter's handprint and footprint.
My goal this week is to try to get rid of things that are (a) not used regularly and (b) that do not make me smile when I look at them or hold them.
Hopefully this will help me continue on my path to home organization...one step at a time.
Good luck in your journey!
I have read in various places that all your possessions should fall into three categories:
(1) Be useful - as in you use it regularly.
(2) Be truly necessary - as in passports and tax returns.
(3) Be treasured - as in something sentimental. This is not something you are simply keeping because someone gave it to you. This is something that brings a fond memory or makes you smile when you look at it or pick it up.
A lot of items in my home are kept for sentimental reasons as well. However, when I really sit down and think about it, these objects often do not bring me fond memories nor do I treasure them. I am keeping them simply because someone I care for gave them to me. Ultimately, this is purpose defeating because when you have too many of these items, it is too difficult to appreciate the truly sentimental things - like my daughter's handprint and footprint.
My goal this week is to try to get rid of things that are (a) not used regularly and (b) that do not make me smile when I look at them or hold them.
Hopefully this will help me continue on my path to home organization...one step at a time.
Good luck in your journey!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Organizing on a budget
Hello all!
Attached is a very interesting video that I stumbled across when searching for ideas on how to effectively organize things on a budget. So many of the organization systems available at specialty stores such as the Container Store are very pricey. I want my home to look nice, but I do not want to spend a fortune on the baskets and bins necessary to organize different types of things. This video addresses this issue and provides some good examples of the use of dollar store bins and baskets purchased at Goodwill.
I firmly believe that organizing your home should not cost a fortune. There are many types of organization systems, and one that you put together yourself from different bargain finds can be more customized and more tailored to your individual taste.
I know I will be heading to the local dollar store soon to see what baskets/bins I can pick up for the house. I also plan on repurposing some containers that I already own.
One last thing that I like about this video is the idea to label everything. I think people are more likely to make the effort to put something away when they know exactly where it goes. A simple label will make that happen and give everything in your home a place!
Happy organizing!
Attached is a very interesting video that I stumbled across when searching for ideas on how to effectively organize things on a budget. So many of the organization systems available at specialty stores such as the Container Store are very pricey. I want my home to look nice, but I do not want to spend a fortune on the baskets and bins necessary to organize different types of things. This video addresses this issue and provides some good examples of the use of dollar store bins and baskets purchased at Goodwill.
I firmly believe that organizing your home should not cost a fortune. There are many types of organization systems, and one that you put together yourself from different bargain finds can be more customized and more tailored to your individual taste.
I know I will be heading to the local dollar store soon to see what baskets/bins I can pick up for the house. I also plan on repurposing some containers that I already own.
One last thing that I like about this video is the idea to label everything. I think people are more likely to make the effort to put something away when they know exactly where it goes. A simple label will make that happen and give everything in your home a place!
Friday, October 9, 2015
Check out my new FaceBook Page!
Greetings everyone!
I am still working diligently to get my home organized. While it is not easy, I am finding that every little bit helps and that making even one thing better and easier to navigate is something! In other words, my current trick is to stay positive.
In the meantime, I have also created a new FaceBook page. Please take a look at the following if you have a moment:
https://www.facebook.com/messtosuccesshomeorganization
I hope to link different articles to the FaceBook page to make it a collection of home organization tips and tricks.
Thanks for reading!
I am still working diligently to get my home organized. While it is not easy, I am finding that every little bit helps and that making even one thing better and easier to navigate is something! In other words, my current trick is to stay positive.
In the meantime, I have also created a new FaceBook page. Please take a look at the following if you have a moment:
https://www.facebook.com/messtosuccesshomeorganization
I hope to link different articles to the FaceBook page to make it a collection of home organization tips and tricks.
Thanks for reading!
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