Get-Started Tips frolm the Organization Experts
Finding the time is the biggest challenge inin organizing your space according to Marissa Hagmeyer, director of marketing and public relations for NEAT Method, an in-home organization company that started in San Francisco in 2011 and now has operations in sixteen regions across the US.
Because time seems to be the biggest deterrent to organization, Hagmeyer offers two suggestions: start small and do start. "People often want to put their entire house in order immediately, but that can be completely overwhelming," she says. "It would be much better if they attack one room, or even part of a room, to begin." There's always one area in your home that's particularly frustrating and out of control she says. "I advise my to begin with that. Perhaps a guest bedroom closet or kitchen pantry. Completing one small area provides the motivation to continue to the next project," says Hagmeyer. "And before you know it, you have accomplished organizing two spaces, then three, and so on."
But how do you start? Hagmeyer advises taking everything out of the space you're working on. in the case of a closet, remove all the clothing and accessories. This will allow you to see things that you don't see on a regular basis. Then keep only what you love. Consider functionality, age of the garment, and frequency of use. Hagmeyer also suggests keeping your clothing choices simple. Have fewer nicer things rather than tons of things that aren't quite right.
Once you've purged everything you don't want, color code the remaining clothes. Use slim felted hangers so they take up less room and clothing won't slide off. Make use of bins or baskets for accessories or clear-plastic boxes for shoes. Check out the height of the closet. Are you using every bit of wall space? Could you add shelves above the hanging area where you can store out-of-season items? Categorize your pieces and keep things in a logical plpace so it's easy for you to dress in the morning. If an item is something you reach for every day, locate it so it's easily accessible.
Organizing a child's closet provides additional challenges. You may have several sizes - some for current wear and others for the child to grow into. Clothing that the child is wearing now should be out front. Larger sizes can be tucked in the back or in a container on a shelf and brought forward to replace things that hte child has outgrown. Accessories can be stored in cheerful color-coordinated bins or clear-plastic containers that are labeled for easy access. Hagmeyer advises not putting toys in a child's bedroom. "A bedroom should be a sleeping and relaxation room, not a playroom," she says. In a playroom, she suggests using broad categories to organize toys, as that makes it easier for a child to help put things away properly.
Similar steps can be applied to the kitchen. pulling everything out of the cabinets and pantry. Hagmeyer recommends purging all expired spices, oils, and canned goods. When reorganizing, make your dishwasher your central point. Store your dishware, pots and pans, glassware - all your most-used cooking and serving peices - closest to the dishwasher so it's convenient to put things away once they've been cleaned.
In the living room, where most of the entertaining takes place, use coordinated baskets to store items. "You don't have to buy expesive storage containers to have something that's aesthetically pleasing," says Hagmeyer. "HomeGoods, Target, and Ikea offer interesting containers at reasonable prices." Then, categorize items. For example, put all the throws in one basket.
Hagmeyer advises always having a plan and a system for organizing your space. Use comntainers like baskets, bins, glass or plastic jars, or boxes. Labeling helps you know immediately what's in eachone. Categorize items an relocate them in an order that's logical for you and their uses. And purge, purge, purge. But above all, the most important advice she offers is to just get started to succeed! Written by Carolyn M. Runyon YHL