How to declutter and stay decluttered in 3 steps; plan, prioritize, and practice.

Decluttering Step 1 – Plan Your Space

photo Plan Graphic

The first step in how to declutter and stay decluttered in 3 steps is planning.  Capture your thoughts, ideas, and solutions for each room in your home. Assess the causes of the disorder so you can achieve lasting change.

Some questions to ask:

  • What do you call this space?
  • What activities do you do in this space?
  • Do you have all the items you need to support those activities?
  •  What does the finished space look like to you?
  •  What is your vision of “organized?”

Decluttering Step 2 – Prioritize Your Belongings

photo Priorities Graphic

The second step in how to declutter and stay decluttered in 3 steps is to prioritize your belongings.  Start by emptying the room you are decluttering and group like items together in bins or boxes.

  • Relocate or let go of anything that doesn’t pertain to the room’s activities, function, and purpose.
  • Reduce and let go of what doesn’t serve a purpose in your life anymore.
    • Tip – if an item makes you feel mad, bad, or sad, you don’t need it in your life.
  • Return the things you are keeping to the space and place the frequently used items for easy access.

Decluttering Step 3 – Practice Living Clutter-free

photo Practice Graphic

The third step in how to declutter and stay decluttered in 3 steps is to practice ongoing decluttering.  To keep your home decluttered, practice these easy habits:

  1. Don’t wait to decide where something belongs; choose immediately and put it there.
  2. If you take it out, put it back.
  3. Don’t put it down; put it away.
  4. Open and sort your mail daily.
  5. One-in-one-out.
  6. Buy containers only when you know what will go in them.
  7. Set a limit on how many of something you will keep
  8. Set a limit on the amount of space you allocate to a collection.
  9. Organizing is not a one-time “clean sweep” event. Create and follow a maintenance plan for all the areas of your home. You can do all the grouping, reducing, and organizing you want, but you can easily backslide if you don’t learn the skills and build new habits.
  10. 10 practices to keep you organized

For more tips on Starting 2022 clutter-free read https://porch.com/advice/starting-2022-clutter-free.

On average, Americans move about 11.7 times in their lifetime. Moving to a new house can be a very stressful activity, and since you might have to move several times, you need to make the process more manageable. You can achieve this by getting a little bit organized. If you have disorganized items while moving, you risk losing, breaking some, and leaving others in your older house. Here are some organizational tips that will help make your move a total breeze.

Plan Ahead

The best way to stay organized as you move is by preparing early enough to avoid the last-minute rush. Call the movers early and set a date. If you need help from your family and friends, notify them of the moving date in advance. Next, figure out the supplies you will need while moving. Get enough boxes, garbage bags, label markers, and other moving supplies.

If you have toddlers, you need to plan for childcare on the moving date. For school-going kids, tell them about moving earlier to prepare them emotionally and let them know how they can help. On a moving day, catering to your children’s needs will make the process a bit easier. So, plan for breaks and meals to avoid chaos and distractions.

Create a To-Do List

The moving process involves lots of activities. You, therefore, need to create a to-do list to keep you on track. Once you have your moving date set, the first thing you do is create a moving timeline and a calendar of events. Outline what you should do in the months before the moving day. Break large tasks into smaller ones, so you don’t get overwhelmed by the relocation process. Prioritize tasks in terms of their importance and set a time frame for each activity.

Remember to note down critical information of all the people involved, from the realtor, packers, movers, and inspectors. Write down realtor meeting dates, when you need to make donations, and include packing deadlines on your plan. A well-defined schedule will prevent you from overlooking any details. It will give you an idea of what you need to do at a specific time. A good plan also makes it easier to delegate tasks and supervise different crews.

Declutter

You probably have too many items in your current house that you don’t need or use anymore, and you wouldn’t want to move them to your new home. This is the best time to declutter. Move from room to room, sort out which things you will carry along and those you should let go of. Set up some items for donations. You can sell others, give out broken appliances for recycling and return items that belong to others. Decluttering will make your unpacking process less chaotic.

Label Your Items

The best way to keep your items organized while moving is by labeling them. Label the contents in each box, give your packages a number and prepare a list of what each box contains. This way, you won’t have to open all the boxes if you need something after getting to your new house. Put like items in one package to make the unpacking process more manageable. Also, pack room by room and indicate the boxes that contain a specific room’s items. Once you get to your new house, move the boxes to the appropriate rooms for easy unpacking.

Create an Unpacking Plan

Even before you move, have a well-organized plan on how you will unpack and stick to it. Create a time frame and realistic goals, and hold yourself accountable. As you move, you need to ensure that your family has access to the essential items, so you should pack them last and unpack them first. They include food, toiletries, medication, keys, electronic devices, and chargers. After unpacking the necessities, move to the kitchen, line the cupboards, cabinets, unpack what you need, and have major appliances hooked up. After the kitchen, put the bedroom together, move to the bathrooms, then to the living room and arrange furniture. You can finish up with organizing the garage, basement, and other utility rooms.

The Bottom Line

Moving and reorganizing your new home can be overwhelming, but you can make it easier by staying organized. The above tips will help keep everything in control on your next move.


Author Bio: Colin Crown is a contributing writer and media specialist for North American Van Lines. He is an avid foodie, marketing enthusiast and loves the city of Memphis.

The kitchen is the family hub spot, and if you have multiple people getting things out and putting things back, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Can you find what you are looking for in your kitchen? Is meal preparation a breeze?  If not, it might be time to create efficiency in your kitchen with our 10 tips to declutter and organize your kitchen and 10 product solutions to help you contain and organize everything in your kitchen.

3 Common Kitchen Organization Problems

  1. Mail and other incoming paper lands on the kitchen counter or table.
  2. Cabinets and pantry are stuffed; new items land on the kitchen counter.
  3. Items are placed where there is an open spot in cabinets and drawers without thought to the activity it pertains to.

10 Tips to Declutter and Organize Your Kitchen

  1. Follow my 5 Steps to Organizing® to organize your kitchen and pantry
  2. To help sort your pantry, look at expiration dates and purge all expired food, including spices. Toss anything that hasn’t been used in a very long time.
  3. As pantry items are used, get in the habit of checking expiration dates. If something is getting close to expiring, add it to a grocery list.
  4. Group all baking supplies and materials together and create a baking zone in the kitchen.
  5. Be realistic about how many coffee mugs, travel cups/mugs, plastic drinking bottles, and plastic containers are needed.
    • Rule of thumb – 2 mugs, drinking bottles per person; only enough plastic containers for one week of leftovers
    • Ditch any containers that don’t have a corresponding lid or bottom
  6. Relocate infrequently used small appliances, kitchen equipment, and entertaining items to a storage room, pantry, closet, or garage to free up prime real estate in the kitchen for what is used regularly.
  7. Let go of any cookbook, gadget, small appliance, or dishware, that has not been used in the past year.
  8. Toss the recipes that haven’t been used in a year and put favorites in sheet protectors in a binder.
  9. Use apps and websites for accessing recipes digitally.
  10. Create zones in your based on the activities you do in your kitchen.

4 Primary Kitchen Zones Based On Kitchen Activities

  1. Food storage – perishable (refrigerator/freezer) and nonperishable (pantry/cabinet)
  2. Food preparation – usually near the sink or stovetop
  3. Consuming food – kitchen table or island
  4. Cleaning up – sink/dishwasher

10 Product Solutions to Help Contain and Organize Your Kitchen Items

  1. Install pull-out drawers in bottom cabinets (Rev a Shelf) – Making it easier to reach items in a deep pantry or in the back of a lower cabinet (small appliances; pots/pans; cleaning supplies under the sink).
  2. Install drawer dividers (The Container Store) – Compartmentalizes small kitchen tools and utensils.
  3. Spice Drawer Insert (The Container Store) – When cabinet space is not available for spices, consider a drawer and place a spice drawer insert for containing spices.
  4. Garbage/Recycle Bin Pull-out Shelf (Rev a Shelf) – Maximizes the space under a sink and provides easy access for two bins instead of one.
  5. Turntable (Target) – Makes it easier to reach items on high shelves and in the refrigerator.
  6. Stair-step Shelves (The Container Store) – Maximizes the cabinet space and easier to view and access items.
  7. Baskets of Various Sizes (Multi-Purpose Bins from The Container Store)- Instead of removing the food product from its original packaging and placing it in containers, just simply store it in a basket.  Designate one for pasta, one for grains, one for snacks, etc.
  8. Clear Uniform Bins (The Container Store) – Contain and separate pantry items, clear to easily find what you are looking for
  9. Wire Sorters (The Container Store- to store your bakeware and casserole dishes vertically
  10. Over the Door Rack (The Container Store) – Maximize your pantry space! A utility door & wall rack system makes the most of the often wasted vertical space on a door or wall and is totally customizable!

Example of a zoned pantry with suggested products

  • Bottles/Condiments – contained on turntables making it easier to access the items at the back of a high shelf.
  • Beverages (left) Spreads (right)
  • Canned foods – contained on stair-step shelves to maximize the space and easier access.
  • Seasoning Packets (left) Snacks/Juices for kids (right) – contained in size appropriate  baskets/bins
  • Root vegetables – contained in natural fiber baskets
Photo Organized Pantry
photo by Anne Blumer

Keep Your Kitchen and Pantry Organized

  • Daily – keep the zones intact
  • Daily – clear countertops of items that don’t belong in the kitchen
  • Daily – clean and put away dishes, etc.
  • Weekly – clean out refrigerator and pantry of expired foods
  • Semi-annually – re-evaluate the zones and adjust accordingly

Photo by www.beazy.co from Unsplash

In our daily life, we all might experience stress from our jobs, finances, parenting, and other areas of our lives. Our home should be our refuge, a place where we feel safe and relaxed. Living in a messy, chaotic, and cluttered home can be stressful. When your home is cluttered, your mind can become cluttered too. A cluttered space might cause stress, impact productivity, and generally make household tasks more complicated. It can even affect your sleep.

For most of us, especially for young children’s parents, it can seem unrealistic to maintain a perfectly tidy home. To make your ride as smooth as possible, we asked top professional organizers to share their best organizing tips and ideas.

 

What is virtual organizing and how does it work?

  • Virtual organizing is a process for getting organized through telephone, email, photographs, Zoom Video Conference, FaceTime, or other technology.
  • The primary difference between on-site organizing and virtual organizing is clients don’t have our hands to help you move and sort your items.
  • It is collaborative—both the client and professional organizer develop a plan to achieve the desired outcome based on the initial assessment.

 

How does it work?

  • The client walks the professional organizer through their space virtually and discusses their goals, strengths, and challenges.
  • The professional organizer prepares a plan tailored to make a difference in your space and with your systems.
  • To ensure a successful outcome, in-between sessions, the client completes organizing tasks that the professional organizer assigns.
  • The professional organizer instructs organizing sessions while the client supplies the physical work. The client will be learning and applying organizing skills during each session.
  • At each session, we review your progress and achievements and, if necessary, troubleshoot any roadblocks you experienced.

-Anne Blumer at SolutionsForYou

 

How to de-clutter and organize old baby stuff?

Old baby toys and clothes can add up quickly, and before you know it, they are taking over much of your house! Get ahead of de-cluttering because as your child gets bigger, so does their stuff (and the amount of storage space it takes up around your home!) Here are a few ways to de-clutter old baby things:

  • As your baby outgrows clothes and toys, sort them based on what you want to keep (either for sentimental value or if you’re considering having another baby one day) and what has run its course and can either be donated or thrown away. If clothing is stained badly or a toy is broken or has missing pieces, put them in a pile to throw away. For clothes and toys that are worn but still in good condition, put them in a pile to donate locally.
  • If your “keep pile” is still large, go through it again and try to whittle it down some more, asking yourself if these are really items that you would re-use or if they would be better off with another family that could use them.
  • Store the items you are keeping in clear bins to see exactly what is in them, and you don’t forget what you have. On the outside of the containers, mark what size clothing is inside of them. But, keep those old toys out of sight from your child, so they aren’t suddenly asking to play with them again!

Remember, you don’t need to keep everything! While it may make sense to keep some things, you certainly don’t need to keep everything, especially if you don’t have the storage space. Plus, there are plenty of other families that could benefit from your gently used items. Letting go of old baby items doesn’t mean letting go of the memories!

-Jody Vitali at Charleston Moms

 

How to avoid chaos in your nursery room?

  • For the area you are nursing, place the chair next to a small nightstand to use the drawers to store nursing supplies and a place for your drink while nursing.
  • Keep your crib area clear of obstructions, so you can walk in and out of the room with your baby easily.
  • Add storage on the back of the closet door with an over the door shoe organizer. Keep easy to access items like lotion, wipes, pajamas, socks, and blankets.
  • On the changing table, keep out only what you need to use to change your baby. Have baskets or drawers for frequently used items like diapers, diaper cream, wipes, and onesies.
  • Add a night light to see when you enter the room as it is likely dark.
  • Add a fan to camouflage noise and help promote sleep.

-Ellen R. Delap at Professional Organizer

 

What are your top 3 tips to get your paper organized?

  • When you’re organizing papers, don’t get bogged down reading them! This can slow you down a lot. Create a “To Read” folder for the important info you come across while sorting and purging.
  • Keep your active papers separate from your archive/reference papers. If you put documents that you need to do something within a file, you probably won’t do it. Out of sight IS often out of mind.
  • If your file drawers are stuffed, take a quick look to see if empty folders are lurking in the drawers – this frees up space quickly. If a file only has a few papers in it, see if you can logically combine it with another file.

-Lisa Zaslow at Gotham Organizers

 

What to do with all the stuff after a divorce?

Nothing makes you question the value of your stuff, like a divorce! Some people want to take it all. Some people never want to see any of it again. After going through a divorce, you will need time to grieve. If you have space, hold on to your sentimental items for 3-12 months before you try to purge them. Those things are irreplaceable, and you don’t want to upset your kids or other family members by throwing them away right now. Store them in boxes, so you don’t have to look at the photos and memories everyday. Then wait until you are thinking more clearly (with perspective) before you throw them out. When will that be? Ask someone you trust if you are thinking clearly yet.

It’s healthy to want to start over, and it’s also healthy to want to keep things stable for your children. So how do you walk that line concerning your furniture and other everyday items? If you are staying in the same home, you can let go of a lot and start over. If you are moving out, bring some items from common areas that make you or your kids happy—games, vacation memories, fluffy and cozy things, etc. Keeping things because they were expensive or because someone gave them to you is never a good idea. Let that stuff go. Now you have a perfect excuse for donating anything you never liked. “I lost it in the divorce!”

These are really personal decisions, and what you keep will depend on how you feel about the breakup and about moving on. As an organizer, I can promise you that material possessions are not worth jeopardizing your sanity or relationships (even if there isn’t much relationship left). Time will negate the value of almost everything in all our homes. Be nice to yourself, and be friendly to your ex. In the long run, you’ll be better off having been civil than having won the battle for the dining room set.

-Nonnahs at Get Organized Already

 

Home organization: How to get your kids involved?

The best way to get kids involved in the organizing process is to make it worth their while. That doesn’t mean to bribe them with rewards, necessarily, either! Depending on age, creating a game out of organizing can be exciting and interesting. Time the kids to see who can organize their closet the quickest. Or who can clear their desk the fastest. Make sure to keep an eye on them, so they’re not just tossing everything in a drawer or hamper!

Organizing can also be an opportunity to learn. Explain that some kids don’t have any toys, and wouldn’t it be nice if they could have some of the old toys that aren’t played with anymore? Some kids will feel the charitable spirit and gladly share their toys. This may also help kids and parents learn which toys and games are their favorites (parents might be surprised!). Have the kids pick out their favorite ten stuffed animals, for example. The rest go in the donation bag. Or allow them to fill a particular basket or bin with any toy they want. And, if nothing else, organizing a space together can be quality time spent one-on-one. Even if it’s only 15 minutes, it can really make the difference for both child and parent to spend some time working together with no distractions.

-Amy Trager at Amy Trager Professional Organizer

 

What are your top 3 tips for digital de-clutter?

Location: Save all your documents in one location. Consider a cloud-based system that you can access from any device.

Folders! Folders! Folders!: It is so important to save documents in folders under different categories. Create folders by category and subfolders within each category for related files. For example, a bills category can have subfolders of electricity, water, gas, phone, broadband, etc. Always try to file them correctly to find what you are looking for. Remember to not overdo the subfolders, for example, under bills; there is no need to create more than one subfolder for phone bills if you have more than one phone. You can simply name the actual file with the telephone network’s name and date.

De-clutter: De-clutter your computer, emails, and social media regularly. This includes any cookies from your browser, emptying your cache, clearing your desktop, clearing out your recycle folder. Also, unsubscribe from unwanted marketing emails as they come in, unfollow social media accounts that don’t add value. Finally, set limits on your screen time, which you can do by using an app if necessary.

-Kate Ibbotson at A Tidy Mind

 

Where should you start de-cluttering?

Most people I know think of de-cluttering as a full-blown session where they need to set aside a big block of their time to tackle a giant monster hiding in their closet. When faced with this thought, people get paralyzed, not to mention, finding ‘the perfect time’ to do it makes them procrastinate, and ultimately, they don’t take any action. This is why the most common complaint I hear is, ‘I don’t know where to start.’

So, my approach is a little different. I always tell my customers, ‘it doesn’t matter where or when you start. Start anywhere, any time.’ And even though it may sound counterintuitive, this is the best way to gain momentum and start what I call the ‘de-cluttering domino effect.’

For instance, I do a quick scan of my closet rod now and then while putting clean clothes away. If I see something I don’t like or haven’t worn in a while, I pull it off the hanger and set it aside. And usually, I don’t stop there. I keep searching, and in a matter of 5 minutes, I have de-cluttered 5-10 pieces of my wardrobe without giving it a second thought.

The beauty of this system is that it doesn’t give you much time to think. Sometimes impulsive, quick decisions are best. When you allow too much time to de-clutter, you have too much time to think.

Along the same lines, people should adopt the habit of de-cluttering as they go. I am continually riding our home of things that have seen better days wherever and whenever I walk past them. This method does not mean that I do not enjoy a full day of de-cluttering and organizing a closet or a kitchen cupboard. But those days are few and far between, so I use my time pockets to keep up and get rid of clutter.

-Flavia Andrews at Neat House, Sweet Home

 

How to keep kitchen pantries clean and organized?

The kitchen is the heart of the home, designed to offer nourishment and comfort. The key to an efficient kitchen is a clean, organized pantry that allows you to find whatever you’re seeking quickly and easily.

Divide and Conquer – Designate separate categorized zones in your pantry to prevent crowding so that you can see when you are running low on supplies.

Group similar items together, like breakfast foods, pasta/rice/beans, baking supplies, snacks, paper goods, etc. Next, subdivide your major categories, like canned goods, into specific types: canned fruit, vegetables, fish, soups, etc., and line up duplicates, front-to-back, just like in the grocery store.

Contain Your Categories – Canned items and large boxes (cake mixes, cereal, etc.) can go directly on shelves, but it’s better to organize the rest of the pantry with containers.

Small plastic bins, tubs, and flat-bottomed baskets help you gather similar foods or ingredients together; as a container empties, it’ll be obvious when it’s time to restock. These containers corral leaks from drippy bottles of condiments and sauces and halt spills from bags with tiny rips, keeping your pantry clean. Pull bins, tubs, or baskets toward you, like drawers, so you don’t lose anything to the depth of your pantry.

Use small food storage containers that have lost their lids to store salad dressing and taco “fixings” packets. Stack them upright to keep everything visible; the containers prevent packets from falling through gaps in wire shelving. (Consider stiff shelf liner to cover gaps and make a wire shelving surface more even.)

To maximize space, stock smaller items like spices or miniature bottles on a divided Lazy Susan or turntable.

Keep the Vertical Hold – Use the walls and door of your pantry to add vertical storage space. Multi-pocket, over-the-door shoe organizers create space for rarely used items, like small gadgets or cookie cutters, and can hold standard supplies like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and plastic bags.

Look High and Low – Prioritize ingredients and food-prep tools, but if you need to use the pantry to store other things, bear in mind weight and size. Store heavy items, like crock-pots, bread makers, and extra plates or dishes on lower shelves. Save the top shelf for lightweight items, like paper products, seasonal decorations, or linens, things that won’t break if they are jostled off the shelf.

Label, Label, Label! – Label the edges of shelves with a label maker or use a Sharpie on washi tape. It’s easier to get your family to put things back if it’s obvious where everything goes.

-Julie Bestry at Best Results Organizing

 

Tips for organizing your pets supplies

Toy Storage: Most pups enjoy dragging their toys in every room of the house. So, to make clean up easy, I keep a basket in each room to throw toys. This strategy works well if you do a quick clean up at the end of the night. All you have to do is toss the toys in the basket in that room, and all the dog toys are back where your pooch can find them!

Grooming Storage: I always suggest keeping the grooming supplies in the bathroom that the pup gets bathed in. It makes things so much easier if they roll in something or get sprayed by a skunk. What? That’s never happened to your dog?

I store shampoo and skunk remover in a clear bin under the sink and lock the cabinet to prevent the kiddos from grabbing them. I have recommended that most of my clients keep the brushes near the shampoo because that is when they typically brush the dogs. I keep it in the kitchen, near the back door. I do this because I have to brush my dog frequently as he gets into all sorts of burrs in our backyard. I keep the brushes in a turntable with other puppy essentials. Find a spot for the brushes that makes sense for when you brush your dog.

Food Storage: I always suggest dumping the pet food into a large, air-tight bin. Not only does the bin keep the food fresher, but it also takes up less space than the giant bag. We have ours on a pull-out shelf. If you don’t have that option, get a large bin with wheels to make it easy to feed your pup.

-Jessica Litman at The Organized Mama

 

What are the best apps to help you get organized?

 My favorite apps to get organized are:

Trello: In Trello, you create boards that have lists. Within each list are cards. You can have multiple boards and multiple lists and cards on every board. I use Trello every day. I love my Daily Task Management Board (it employs automation, and it’s fantastic). I also use it to track anything with a visual or process component, for tracking books and movies I want to watch, my Kindle library, my client sessions, and lots of big projects. It’s extremely flexible, syncs between computer and phone, and is visually appealing. I especially love the many free images that are available as background for my boards!

Evernote: Evernote is another favorite app that I use every day. It is comprised of notes organized into notebooks. (You can think of Trello as a bulletin board with cards on it in columns and Evernote as a shelf of well-organized notebooks.) I use Evernote to track contractor invoices, my genealogy research log, and capture notes when I’m on a phone call. I also use it to remind me of bills coming due or things that need to be canceled (I usually forward an email, then sent a reminder.) Like Trello, it syncs between phone and computer. And at the premium level, you can access your notes even when you’re offline.

Genius Scan: We’re all carrying scanners in our pockets, and Genius Scan makes it easy to take a picture of a document, which is then turned into a pdf, and email or text it to yourself or someone else.

Calendar (the native iPhone app): I stopped using a paper calendar more than a dozen years ago and never looked back. Having a digital calendar (whether it’s a calendar or something else) helps stop things from falling through the cracks. The calendar app syncs with iCal on my Mac. Calendar mishaps are a thing of the past.

Paper Karma: This app allows you to remove yourself from catalog or junk-mail lists just by taking a picture of the address label after you’ve signed up for a fee and entered your information. It’s really helpful in keeping you from getting overwhelmed by mail you don’t want.

-Janine Adams at Peace of Mind Organizing

 

What is eco-green organizing, and how can it improve your life?

Eco-Organizing is finding ways to be green in your life when de-cluttering and getting organized. For example, it’s knowing your recycling laws so you can make sure that when you’re de-cluttering, you don’t throw out something in the trash that could be recycled. Or when organizing, looking around your house to see what you can repurpose/upcycle to organize instead of buying another plastic container. For example, using an ice tray to organize your earrings or using a bulletin board to hang your necklaces.

Eco-Organizing improves your life in many ways. First, it saves you money because you do not have to buy anything new, and you’ll be saving time because you’re not driving around to different stores or surfing the internet to find what you need. Doing something positive for the environment makes you feel good, and knowing you’re making a difference can give you peace of mind. And you can really give your creativity muscle a good workout!

-Julie Coraccio at Reawaken Your Brilliance

 

Garage organizing: where to start?

The first easy thing to do when organizing your garage is what we call the drift and dispose! Grab a bag and walk around for 10 minutes picking up trashable items such as empty boxes, worn out or broken items, and simple trash. Then, grab another bag and walk around throwing in the bag items that you no longer use, you don’t want, or kids have outgrown. These items can be donated. Making the first pass and removing ‘extra’ items makes it easier to start the actual organizing process.

-Susan Wade at Sunflower Strategies

 

De-clutter: DIY or hire a pro?

DIY can be fun, but I think hiring someone to help has many benefits. Many start the de-cluttering process by themselves and then lose interest quickly. Hiring a professional organizer can help you stay on track, offer fresh eyes, help to let you see the big picture, and many times they offer the hands-on approach, so you only need to be there to make decisions. Professional organizers are experts in their field and will save you a lot of time.

-Betsy Fein at Clutterbusters

 

Top 3 tips for organizing your photos

Photos are memories that don’t expire, and your collection is always growing. This makes organizing pictures a seemingly daunting task, but it is very doable with the following tips. Here are some tips that can help you out in the process.

Pace yourself: Most people have tons of photographs and can’t organize all of them in a day. The best thing you can do to ensure success is to stop procrastination and burn out from taking over and keeping you from reaching the finish line. You can do this by breaking the organizing goal into bite-size chunks and do a little bit at a time consistently (e.g., go through photos 30 minutes a day, three days a week).

Follow a process: For photos, I suggest purging and sorting at the same time. In other words, as you are going through and weeding out the photos you don’t want, separate the ones you are keeping into categories (e.g., by year, by person, by event). To purge, go through your photos and get rid of any that are blurry, ripped, stained, faded, etc. You can also discard ones with people that you don’t recognize, unflattering photos, scenery you don’t remember, and so on.

Use storage solutions: Once you’ve gone through your photos, discarded the ones you don’t want, and sorted them into categories, the last step is to use an archival-quality storage solution. One of my favorites is the Iris Photo Keeper from Amazon, but you can find photo boxes at tons of stores. Be sure to label them with your category names and store them in a climate-controlled room in your house.

For more details, check this article on how to organize your photos. You got this!

-Nealey Stapleton at The Organizing Boutique

 

Tips for moms to stay organized and manage remote working and homeschooling

With schools constantly transitioning from in-person to hybrid, to remote, the current situation has placed a heavy burden on families. Particularly hard hit are families where both parents are working. For most, the only option is for at least one parent (most frequently, Mom) to work from home while supervising their children’s’ remote learning. This isn’t easy, but a few tips can help:

  • Establish a “work station” for each family member. Each station will need:
    • Access to an outlet or extension cord for charging close enough to plug in the computer.
    • A comfortable chair that positions the individual at a proper height to see the screen.
    • Proper lighting, including a task light for “paper” work and no back-lighting, which makes it hard to see (and be seen on) a screen.
    • Basic desk supplies typically include a pen, a pencil, an eraser, scissors, tape, and a stapler.
    • A storage bin, basket, or drawer for keeping supplies when they are not in use. The most productive tool you can have is a clear work surface, so it is important to have a place to put books, files, papers, and extra work tools when not in use. Remember always to scale the size of a storage container to what you are storing inside. For instance, flashcards need a small pouch or box, not tossed loose into a large basket.
    • A display board, where workers can hang schedules, photos, inspirational messages, passwords, or reminders.
  • If multiple workers share a room, consider setting up a screen or other visual divider to help each person focus. Picture the “cubbies” in an open floor plan office. A screen can be free-standing, and a shower curtain strung on a wire that can be drawn open and closed.
  • Remove telephones (which might ring and disturb focus) from work stations. If you have a landline, you can either unplug the phone or move it to a more public location. If cell phones are needed for work, keep those at the desk, and put them into “do not disturb” mode. If cell phones are not required – which is typical for most students – keep those out of the work zone. For example, set up a charging station in the kitchen or family room. This way, phones can be checked during a break but won’t disrupt focus during class.
  • Set up a visual signal so family members know when a family can and cannot be interrupted. Picture a retail store’s “open” and “closed” signs. You can print out a piece of paper with “do not disturb,” put it in a plastic sleeve and hang it from the door or wall where others can easily see. Alternatively, for those working in a room with a door, simply close the door when class is in session or when you are on a call, and open it when you are free. Admittedly, this is difficult if you have little ones around. Small children will inevitably interrupt you, so the best approach is to do your best to schedule “important” calls when children are napping or during their TV time.

Balancing working from home and being a full-time parent is a challenge. I hope these few tips make life a bit easier!

-Seana Turner at The Seana Method

 

What is a color-coded organization system?

A color-coded organization system is a method that helps the user separate, categorize, and organize information or objects using color. The instant visual recognition of a color-coded item enables us to use less brainpower and reduces the time it takes to search for what we need. Color coding is a fun and effective way to organize.

Benefits of color-coding

  • Enables us to become aware of differences in items quickly.
  • Speeds up search time for an object or information
  • Captures your attention—especially for those who are ‘visual’ people.

It’s easy to create a color-coding system, just follow these steps:

  1. Determine what objects or information you want to organize.
  2. Break down the objects or information into categories
  3. Select colors for each type that are visually appealing and make sense to you (ex. green file folders for bills, different colored towels for each child, an orange bin for Halloween decorations, etc.)
  4. Organize your objects or information by color
  5. Write down your color-coding system, so you don’t forget it!

Color coding is used to simplify our lives, so keep it simple, using only a few colors. Too many colors can distract and complicate the system that’s supposed to be made easy by using color!

– Stacey Agin Murray at Organized Artistry

 

Top 3 tips for storing books

The key to the mystery of storing books is to de-clutter your collection.  You should be able to display your books and take pride in them. Look at the space you have and the number of books you own and reduce your collection to fit your space.  It will be easy for some people and difficult for others.  Decide if you need to reduce your collection by 10%, 25%, or even more.

Storing books by genre: I like storing books by genre because it makes it quicker to find the book you’re looking for. You don’t need to have as many categories as a library; you can use important categories to you. Some examples are fiction, nonfiction, travel, cooking, etc. This is a great system if you have a large space for books and you like having them all in one area.

Storing books by purpose: A lot of people collect books for a specific purpose. You might have books related to your job, the skills you want to develop, or hobbies/interests. When you store your books by purpose, you can hold a group of books in a space close to where you would use them. Some may be in an office, others in the family room or kitchen. This is a good system if you have smaller spaces throughout your home for books.

Storing books by color: If you want to use your books to have a visually appealing wall, interesting and fun, build a pattern based on the color of the book’s spine. When using this system, it is hard to find a specific book, and if you remove too many books, the pattern will not continue to look great.

Store the books you love, read, and enjoy to suit your personality and lifestyle. Donate books that no longer serve a purpose in your life so other people can enjoy them. Don’t let them get outdated, moldy, and damaged so that they end up in the recycling bin.

-Julie Stobbe at Mind Over Clutter

 

Top 3 organizing habits you should practice.

De-cluttering regularly: One super important thing is to periodically de-clutter and not just seasonally. Make a dedicated donation station or zone in your home that you can go to any time. For example, you can have a decorative bag in your bedroom dedicated to donating. This habit is perfect for when you try on clothing and realize that it doesn’t fit you anymore, or you no longer want it. You can quickly place it into the bag instead of back into your closet.

Categorize your items into zones: The goal is to keep everything that is the same together and create a central home for it. For example, if you are working on your kitchen, create a zone for all your baking items, one for your cooking prep utensils, one for your daily coffee needs, and keep the process going. When you set up your home this way, you will find and put away your things with ease.

Put your items back and relocate items that don’t belong every day: Make a conscious effort to find time each day to put things back in their proper places instead of throwing items in junk drawers, shelves, or cabinets. One easy tip is to go around your space and remove items that don’t belong in that space. As well as toss items that are trash/garbage or recycling. By making this a habit, you will have your space instantly neater and know that your items will always be in the same spot every time.

-Shanice Bannis at City of Creative Dreams

 

Do you think you are a compulsive hoarder?

  • Do you have an excessive amount of clutter that limits living space?
  • Do you have difficulty categorizing and organizing items?
  • Are you holding onto possessions that seem of little or no value?
  • Have severe anxiety when trying to throw out an object?
  • Have trouble making decisions about possessions?
  • Feeling anxious, embarrassed, or depressed because of clutter.
  • Fears about needing items that could be thrown away.

If you answered yes to more than one of the questions, you are a compulsive hoarder and need help from a professional organizer and a therapist to work on the emotional issues. Compulsive hoarding is different than chronic disorganization. Yes, aspects of chronic disorganization also apply to hoarders, but there are also vital distinguishing features. A hoarder’s home totally loses its functionality. A kitchen is no longer a kitchen. A bedroom is no longer a bedroom. The house becomes a jangled mess of storage for an indistinguishable mass of useless and useful stuff. And the disorganization affects the safety and health of the hoarder and their loved ones. Though it can be therapeutic, organizing by itself does not always get to the bottom of things, so to speak, because the issue is not just “the stuff” but the person and their way of thinking.

-Cynthia Braun at Organize Your Life

 

How to enjoy a clutter-free holiday season?

When trying to enjoy a clutter-free holiday, consider doing some of these things.

Plan ahead. As much as possible, try to plan, calendar, and make a list of things you know you need to get done during the holiday season. Then, write those plans on your calendar. That way, you are not tackling a whole bunch of big tasks all at one time. Planning is essential during the holiday season as it really helps reduce stress and brings you more time to enjoy the holiday season with family, friends, and the ones you love.

Donate, recycle, and trash unwanted items. As you were getting decorations out for the season, consider editing and donating them. There are many people out there that could benefit from your discarded items, so consider donating them. Many organizations are also looking for specific things like coats, winter gear, various decorations, etc.

Give experiences rather than stuff. When you were doing your gift-giving, consider giving people experiences that are clutter-free rather than a whole bunch of things they may or may not want. Also, consider asking for experience gifts. They could be anything, from professional organizing services, massages, a meal service, and the list goes on and on.

De-clutter your calendar. Many times everyone has a ton of obligations they have to do during the holiday season, whether there is a pandemic or not. Put on your calendar things that will make you happy and that you will enjoy this holiday season. Thankfully, this holiday season, for many people, their list of to-do’s and calendar events has kind of decluttered itself. If yours has not, consider picking and choosing select things to do.

Say no. If you find that you’re feeling stressed out and don’t want to do something during the holiday season, but feel obligated, have the will power to say no. It’s ok. More times than not, people would prefer if you’re truthful instead of coming up with a random excuse.

Do one small task at a time. If there are very overwhelming things for you like a cluttered pantry, closet, kids’ toys, etc., consider tackling a little task at a time. It could be one cabinet, one drawer, or one shelf at a time; this will make room for any new items you may get, and help you feel less stressed with all the incoming things that may come into your home during the holiday season.

-Amy Vance at Eco modern Concierge

 

How can you best organize your toiletries?

  • We recommend sorting toiletries by use type. So, we have our showering toiletries in a specific part of our bathroom cabinet, or we advise our clients to purchase a stick-on toiletry holder to keep in their shower or bathtub. Toothpaste, mouthwash, and toothbrushes are all stored in a sanitized toiletry bag closest to the bathroom basin.
  • When organizing toiletries, it’s best to do a massive throw out before the organization begins. We recommend our clients to check the expiry date of various toiletries and throw those close to expiration or have already expired.
  • We also recommend placing toiletries in labeled plastic containers. They are easier to find because of the labels, but they save space because of the boxes’ shape.

–Delah Gomasi at Maid for You

 

What’s the best way to organize art and craft supplies?

The best way to organize art and crafts supplies is to group all of the items by kind. Then, de-clutter anything that is no longer usable. Check your pens, markers, glue, and paint—these dry out over time. Throw anything away that is no longer in good condition. Next, set aside any items that you won’t use. It could be something you have too much of or that you’re no longer interested in using. Various organizations, including schools, are typically happy to receive craft supply donations. Be ruthless in de-cluttering the excess as it will be much easier to organize fewer things. Use smaller storage containers to keep like items contained together. A rolling cart is a great way to have supplies easily accessible, making them more likely to be used.

-Julianna Poplin at The Simplicity Habit

 

3 tips to avoid homeschooling cluttering

Homeschooling your children can be such a fun and rewarding experience. But with homeschooling comes a lot of extra supplies that you wouldn’t usually have in your home. So how do you keep your supplies organized and avoid clutter? These are our three best tips to avoid homeschool clutter.

Have A Place For Everything: It goes without saying, being organized is really hard when you don’t have a specific place for all your things. That is especially true when it comes to homeschooling! When teaching your kids at home, you’re going to have a lot of supplies. To avoid clutter and a messy homeschooling area, make sure you have a designated place to store your supplies. Cube organizers, acrylic bins, turntables, and rolling carts are fantastic organizers to use in a homeschool setting!

Use Your Supplies as Decorations: When setting up your homeschool, you may want to decorate your classroom. But a great way to decorate and keep clutter to a minimum is to use your supplies as decorations!

Using clear acrylic containers, you can easily color-code your supplies and make bright rainbows in your classroom. Organize your crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, books, games, etc., by color to make your homeschool area bright and fun!

Don’t Be Afraid To Throw Things Away: As parents, we want to cherish everything our children do. But with homeschooling, this can sometimes lead to a lot of paper clutter! Once your children finish their work, don’t be afraid to throw things away. Pick one or two pages that your child did great on every week or two and put them in a school memories box. But don’t hold on to every piece of paper your child works on.

Don’t be afraid to throw away school supplies as well. If your children never color with the broken crayons or use the old gluesticks, toss them and replace them with new supplies.

These 3 simple ways to avoid homeschool clutter will help you keep your homeschool area clean, organized, and clutter-free!

-Lindsay Lawless at Organization Obsessed

 

How to de-clutter and keep your fridge clean?

Before you start de-cluttering and cleaning your fridge, make sure you have a cool bag packed with cool bag blocks ready to temporarily store the items in your fridge you want to keep. Ideally, do the cleaning before you shop your weekly groceries.

Take everything out of your fridge. Include the removable shelves and drawers, containers, and items like egg holders. Throw away expired foods and condiments. Store the items you want to keep in the cool bag.

Give everything a good cleaning with soapy, lukewarm water and a microfiber cloth. Don’t use hot water since the shelves will be cold and may burst due to the temperature difference. Dry with a clean tea towel or paper towels. Don’t forget to clean the door handles and door surround of your fridge. And take a good look at the folds of the freezer door seal, wipe it down with the corner of a tea towel dipped in disinfectant water do remove crumbs and other dirt. Wipe down the interior with a mix of cold soapy water and a disinfectant solution. Don’t forget the grooves on the fridge’s sides where the shelves rest because these are usually bacteria hotspots. Dry the inside with paper towels.

Line your shelves, and especially your vegetable and fruit drawers, with paper towels. This is a simple hack to prevent a regular and time consuming deep clean. You will only have to replace the paper and wipe down the shelves once in a while. Store the remaining foods and condiments in your fridge and follow these tips:

  • Many people use the door for storage milk and eggs, but the door is the warmest place in your fridge. Since milk or eggs will expire more quickly, it is better to store them in the coldest place in your fridge: aka the middle shelf. Use the doors to store condiments or snacks as they contain higher amounts of vinegar or sugar.
  • Meat and fish need higher temperatures, so you should store them at the bottom shelf, one of the coldest places in your fridge. Another tip for raw meat is to use a plate if you store it on the lower shelf. It will be easier to take out and clean the plate than to clean the shelf itself. And more important, it will prevent leaks into the lower vegetable or fruit drawer. Throw away fish after 1-2 days, meat after 2-3 days.
  • Use the top shelf for food that will expire soon, such as leftovers.
  • Use see-through, clear stackable containers to help you know what’s in your fridge and when to go shopping again.
  • Use erasable markers to write down expiration dates for fresh meat and fish or store dates of leftovers. No need for labels!

-Esther Konz at Uncluttered Simplicity

 

What are the best de-cluttering strategies for moving?

  • First, concentrate on areas where you have the least resistance to letting go of stuff. If you start sorting in a place where it’s easy to choose discards or giveaways, then you can make significant progress in a hurry and get a good reduction in the volume you have to move.
  • Early on, check those storage spaces in the house that don’t get used or accessed very often. Open the closets, drawers, and rooms no one goes into much. You’ll find many things hiding there that no one is using and that you won’t want to move – AGAIN. (You may even find unopened boxes from the last move!)
  • For all the large items in your house – furniture, exercise equipment, large artwork, or rugs – work on getting rid of what you don’t want right away! Start making those calls to friends, family, donation centers, and posting on social media or Nextdoor.com. Those items take arrangements involving movers and trucks to get them out of the house, and you don’t want to try and make that happen during the last week before the move.

-Gayle Goddard at The Clutter Fairy

 

How to unclutter sentimental items?

It can be challenging to let go of things we have sentimental or emotional attachments to. You might feel a sense of loss, pain, or awareness that things have changed. This makes us pine for the past, and in some cases, hold onto those physical reminders. However, when you feel ready to let go, there are ways to do this with gentleness and compassion. Remember that letting go doesn’t mean we have to forget. It just means that we release ourselves from holding on.

Here are a few strategies that can help:

Take Photos: Before you say “goodbye,” take photos of your belongings. Share them with your friends or family while enjoying stories together. After you photograph and share your memories, it will be easier to let go of the physical items.

Record Story: Make it personal. Write in a journal, type on a computer, or video yourself talking about your sentimental objects. It will help you honor the items, access your memories, and process your feelings. Once you’ve had time to spend time in this intimate way, it will help you let go.

Create “Most Loved” Display: There is no reason to let go of everything. Select a few of your most treasured sentimental pieces and display them on a shelf, ledge, picture frame box, or dresser top. Let them be visible so you can enjoy the memories they invoke. Let go of the rest.

Practice Mindfulness: Be mindful and in the present moment. We have now, not then. We have now, not the future. We can hold our memories close, but if we focus too much on the past, we’ll miss what’s right in front of us – the present. Letting go is a path to being present. If your emotional attachments are holding you back, maybe it is time to focus on being here now and unburdening yourself from the stuff.

Provide Safe Passage: In the organizing industry, we use the term “safe passage,” which is connected to letting go. If you’re able to find the right home for the things you’re releasing, you’ll feel better and more at peace with saying goodbye to them. Give or donate the objects to someone that will appreciate them. This will give you closure and also joy in knowing that the item will be cared for.

-Linda Samuels at Oh, So Organized

 

What is the most important thing to take into account when organizing your bedroom?

Your bedroom is your place of respite. When the rest of the world feels chaotic, as it does now, your bedroom is the place, ideally, you can retreat to for solace, comfort, sleep, and peace. If your bedroom is cluttered, all of these things will be impacted. This is especially true if you use your bedroom as a workspace, which I never recommend unless you absolutely have to. If that’s the case, be sure you turn off all your electronics at night, so there are no buzzes, pings, or blinking lights to disturb you. If possible, set up a barrier such as a folding screen or curtain between you and your workspace to create a distinct boundary. Lastly, surround yourself with things that bring you joy (a favorite piece of art, a cherished photo, a few favorite books, maybe even a wind chime outside your window), but not too much. Keep it uncluttered, and you’ll feel refreshed and ready for each new day.

-Lis McKinley at Let’s Make Room

 

What’s the best way to organize cleaning supplies? 

First of all, if you store your cleaning products under the sink, it is crucial to cover the cabinet floor in case of a drain leak.

  • Cover the floor with a white vinyl drawer liner. I recommend using white vinyl; it would help you find things faster.
  • Second, buy a rubber boot tray that has edges. It can be beneficial in case of a leak.
  • Third, get a water alarm. It’s battery-powered and alerts you to water. Our pipes have leaked several times, and it really worked.

As for supplies:

  • Some racks go around pipes and give you some storage on different levels.
  • Pull out drawers that slide out are great. They even have double-deckers.
  • Suppose you have a large tank for a reverse osmosis system as well as the 4 or 5 tube system. In that case, chances are you can’t fit an organizer under the cabinet and have to use the floor space.

In all events, I suggest keeping dishwasher items to the side closest to the dishwasher and other cleaning supplies on the other side, including sponges, dish soap, SOS-type pads, and kitchen garbage bags.  Put the items you use the most, closest to the front, and the ones you use the least toward the back. If you also keep empty glass jars for grease and oil waste, keep those near the back.

You can also use the door space for racks with arms that can hold 1-2 dishtowels or use the door to install a bag holder.

– Eileen Roth at Everything In Its Place

 

What is Chronic Disorganization, and how can we handle it?

A person living with Chronic Disorganization (CD) has been disorganized most of his/her life. Disorganization negatively impacts the person’s life on a daily basis, she/he has a history of failed self-help attempts and she/he anticipates continuing to be disorganized without outside help.

Many different factors can cause Chronic Disorganization:

  • Physical challenges: such as impaired mobility, chronic fatigue syndrome, or a sleep disorder. Living with challenges such as these can make creating and maintaining effective organizing systems very difficult, as mobility, energy, and speed may be limited.
  • Brain-based challenges: such as ADHD, fibromyalgia, or a traumatic brain injury
  • Mental health issues: such as depression, general anxiety disorder, or OCD
  • Limited education about or exposure to effective organizing skills
  • Loss, trauma, or life transitions
  • Substance abuse

Help is available for people living with CD, both from the inside and the outside. My first recommendation to all of my clients is to create the right mindset and be kind to themselves. They may not have asked for their circumstances, and beating themselves up over not being able to get organized can make them feel even worse about themselves.

I suggest starting with practicing positive self-talk and accentuating what they like about themselves. I recommend that clients practice good self-care, including eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting fresh air and exercise, surrounding themselves with people they like, listening to good music, and interacting with animals. Paying attention to our basic needs gives us a strong foundation for higher-level thinking, like making decisions, a critical organizing component.

Outside help can come from properly trained and experienced professional organizers and mental health practitioners who understand the disconnect between conventional organizing systems and the CD brain. A professional organizer who specializes in Chronic Disorganization has studied and become credentialed in addressing the challenges that CD presents. We know there is no one-size-fits-all organizing answer, and we are trained in techniques and perspectives to help create the unique solutions that people living with CD require.

-Gayle M. Gruenberg at Let’s Get Organized

 

Best practices to keep your digital photos organized

Have a DPH (Digital Photo Hub): The number one problem we see is the lack of a DPH (Digital Photo Hub). Digital photos, just like printed photos, need quality storage. Your digital photo hub is the one place where all your photos can live safely together, i.e., it’s the home for your photos. So often, we see that people have photos scattered around on different devices. Still, before you can organize, you need to consolidate. I teach this step in my photo organizing Masterclass ​ DPO PRO​ because it’s where most people get stuck. Your photos need to be collected in one central (and safe) location so that you know where to look for them and so that you can keep them organized and backed up.

Have a clear backup strategy: Second only to the DPH problem is the lack of a coherent backup plan to keep photos safe in case of syncing issues, accidental deletion, or tech crashes. A good photo backup strategy should adhere to the 3-2-1 rule of having copies of the collection on two different media, and 1 of them being offsite. Merely having your photos in iCloud is just not good enough, no matter how convenient it is. We can always organize your collection better, but we can’t do anything with them if they’re lost. This should be a priority!

Deleting duds and dealing with duplicates: Photo hoarding is a genuine problem. The fact that cloud storage is so cheap makes it easy to hit the upgrade button rather than deal with the mess, but the longer you wait, the more it snowballs. A best practice is to take a few minutes every month to delete the duds you don’t need, like the bad angles and the blurry selfies. Not only does it keep your collection under control, but it keeps your renewal fees to a minimum.

Use a program that handles metadata correctly: Some photo organizing programs aren’t as useful to your photos as they should be. Sometimes they let you enter a bunch of information, like locations and keywords. Still, then they don’t keep that information together with the photos. This becomes a problem if you decide to change computers, move your photos, or if the version of the program you’re using becomes obsolete. A best practice is to use a photo organizing program that actually saves the information to the photos themselves so that you don’t spend hours and hours inputting information only to see it vanish later on.

Pay attention to your digital rights: When caring for your photos, a best practice is to make sure that you understand the terms and conditions of the place you are storing them. If you have them locally, offline, this won’t be an issue for you, but storing them online with one of the for-profit corporations that so often offer free unlimited file storage, pay attention to the fine print. Understand what they can and can’t do with your photos. We often see them change their terms on short notices, and if you don’t keep up, you will be at risk of losing your photos.

-Caroline Guntur at Organizing Photos

 

What are your top 3 tips to keep your shoes organized?

  • Keep your boots upright by inserting boot shapers into them. If you have the extra hanging space, you can use boot hangers to hang them in your closet. Ensuring they stay upright means maintaining their shape and quality longer, and you have more room for other shoes.
  • If you have shoes you wear only during certain seasons or occasions; I suggest using clear shoe bins to store them; it allows you to be aware of what you have and keep them in good, dust-free condition.
  • Save space and money by placing your shoes in opposite directions. By doing this, you’ll be able to see one shoe from the front and one shoe from the back. Placing shoes this way ends up saving you a few inches of space, which often lets you fit another pair of shoes depending on your closet’s size.

– Anna Bauer at Sorted by Anna

 

How can you recognize you’re cluttered?

Great question! According to Wikipedia, the definition of clutter is: “Excessive physical disorder.”

This could definitely vary from one person to another, as we are each individuals, and all have different thresholds for what “being cluttered” means.

Here’s my barometer for my clients: when the level of excessive physical disorder is causing you to feel uncomfortable or stressed in your environment, and it’s making life difficult to get things done in your day-to-day activities, then you are cluttered.

-Amy Bloomer at Let Your Space Bloom

 

How can we avoid clutter now that we are working from home?

Now that we’re spending more time at home, you may be gaining more awareness of all the clutter taking up space.

  • Investing time to de-clutter and create a renewed sense of order is a great way to reacquaint yourself with your belongings and avoid bringing more new stuff into your home. Sort your things into categories (like clothes, books, papers, electronics, hobby items, and sentimental) before making decisions about what to keep and what to pass on. This allows you to get the full picture of what you own, and you’ll be less likely to hold onto more “just in case.”
  • If online shopping is your Achilles heel, leave the items in your cart for a week before committing to purchase, so you’ll be less likely to buy impulsively because of a “good deal.”
  • If your household struggles to put things away after they are used, it’s time to put some good habits into place. These three habits will help you keep your space tidy:
  1. The 2-minute rule: Anything you can do under two minutes must be done immediately.
  2. The “no empty hands” rule: If you’re leaving the room, scan your surroundings, and take something with you that needs to be put away.
  3. The bedtime sweep routine: Take 15 minutes to “reset” space by putting items away before bed.

-Erin Mursch at Organized for Good

 

What’s the easiest way to keep your kitchen drawers organized?

The easiest way to keep your kitchen drawers organized is by creating zones and maintaining like items together, and having a separate drawer for cooking utensils, spices, silverware. Then adding drawer separators will keep your drawers neat and tidy. To take your drawers to the next level, add labels to the drawer organizer so you and your family will not have any trouble keeping your drawers organized.

-Jenn Slavich at Home by Jenn

 

How to keep your kid’s playroom organized?

Create a system following these tips

  • Group similar and like items. Group items based on how they’re used versus what they are because this typically helps simplify things, making the organizing habit successful, thereby keeping you organized.
  • Containers- having items categorized during the sorting process placed into containers ensure that your hard work on sorting through everything doesn’t go to waste.
  • When selecting containers, purchase storage bins based on storing the items you currently have in your possession to contain. This ensures you get containers that fit your actual needs versus just picking up general organizing inventory, which can lead to overspending.
  • Always shop your home first, think out of the box, and get creative. Like can you use a bathroom drawer organizer to keep all your jewelry together? Re-purpose Apple product boxes and gorgeous shoeboxes to create clean-looking and chic organizing supplies.
  • Use Labels- we naturally thrive in structure. Create labels that make sense to your child. Add illustrations for kids who can’t read yet. Labels create homes.
  • Make sure things are accessible for your child. If their toys are out of reach, that means the child can’t play without your assistance, which means they can’t maintain (put away) their toys either.

-Taya Wright at Just Organized

 

Tidying up your home can be a life-changing experience. Organizing every room in your home can feel like a lofty goal, but with the right strategy, your entire home can be neat and tidy.

 

First posted in Porch, November 16, 2020.

There are all kinds of benefits to downsizing in your golden years — lower energy bills, a smaller space to clean and maintain, and the potential of moving closer to loved ones. It’s a wonderful way to open the door to the next stage of your life. Even so, decluttering and downsizing can be a difficult and sometimes painful experience for older adults. Saying goodbye to the home they’ve raised a family in doesn’t come easily.

This guide is designed to make the downsizing process as simple as possible for aging adults and their loved ones. It will help you prepare for the transition, as well as offer advice to loved ones on what they can do to help. Keep the lines of communication open, take it one step at a time, and don’t rush into anything before you’re ready.

Step One: Determine the area and size of the new home

It’s important to establish exactly where your loved one is headed. Not only will it affect just how much they should (or must) declutter and downsize, it adds an exciting element to the process. So whether they want to move to Dallas, TX to live with loved ones, or downsize to a condo in Miami, instead of focusing on leaving their old home behind, your downsizing parent can look forward to the new one.

Of course, where the older adult moves to will depend on any number of factors. Mobility and ability restrictions, caregiving needs, location of loved ones, and budget will all play a role. Your loved one’s preferences are also crucial to the equation and should be taken into consideration at each step. There will likely need to be compromises, especially if budget concerns are an issue, so be prepared to have multiple conversations to work out all the details. Keep in mind that the arrangements can look just about any way you want them to — many retirement communities and assisted living facilities offer personalized options to meet any need or comfort — so it’s important to make sure everyone feels comfortable with them.

There are five main options for seniors looking to downsize:

  • Buying a smaller house or condo
  • Renting a smaller home
  • Moving in with a loved one (adult child, sibling, etc.)
  • Moving into a retirement community
  • Entering assisted living

The sooner you discuss what decluttering, and downsizing will actually look like, the more time everyone will have to evaluate all of the options. Don’t force the conversation if your loved one seems resistant to the idea; unless your aging parent or a family member has had a recent medical or caregiving issue that could hinder their quality of life, there’s no need to rush into talking about it. Bring the topic up again at a later date, potentially with additional support from family or friends. It shouldn’t feel like an intervention or anyone trying to make decisions for your loved one, but a group of people who genuinely want to help figure out a positive solution to their living situation.

Step Two: Declutter and organize

It’s amazing the number of things you can acquire over the course of a lifetime. From an endless array of dishes to closets full of linens to the many mementos and knickknacks of a life well-lived, addressing where all these items will go can be overwhelming. It’s also an incredibly emotional process for everyone involved. These aren’t just objects; they’re memories; they’re what’s made the house a home for all these years. It’s important to acknowledge and respect this loss. Go into the process prepared to part with plenty, but giving yourself room to keep the items that mean most.

The most straightforward way to sort through items is to ask yourself four questions about the item:

  • Do I need it or want it?
  • Does it have sentimental value?
  • Do I use it often?
  • Do I have another item that performs the same function?

Do I need it or want it?

You don’t have to throw away everything you could live without, but you should be pretty strict about your definition of need. If you have a bread maker that’s been sitting in the cabinet untouched for years, don’t feel like you “should” keep it just because it was a Hanukkah gift. Think realistically about the years ahead: will you use it more than a few times? Are you genuinely excited for the few times you’ll use it? Will it make an important difference in your life to hold onto the item? It’s okay to say yes, but it is also okay to decide you don’t need it. Decluttering and downsizing are about simplifying, so make a decision and feel confident in sticking to it.

Does it have sentimental value?

The hardest items to part with will be the ones directly tied to beloved memories with your family and friends. Still, if you kept absolutely everything of sentimental value, decluttering and downsizing would be impossible. Use the packing and sorting process as a way to reflect and let go. As you and a loved one go through your things, talk about them and the memories they conjure up.

Do I use this item often?

There are going to be some items you’re simply used to having around, but ultimately don’t use very much. Think about your day-to-day routine: which items do you use the most? When looking around your house, which objects have been merely functional décor? Additionally, consider whether where you’re going will have a valuable replacement — just because you’ve always used a traditional toaster doesn’t mean you can’t adapt to your daughter’s toaster oven, for instance. Continue to be realistic about the future, keeping in mind that there might be someone else who would get much more use out of the item than you might.

Do I have another item that performs the same function?

Whether it’s two blenders or a dozen winter coats, duplicate items are the easiest way to declutter and downsize. Choose the newest or best-functioning electronics, and a reasonable amount of more practical items like towels, blankets, outerwear, and other clothing. Use the opportunity to clean out your closet and embrace the opportunity to minimize. Hiring a senior move manager, professional organizer, or declutterer can make a world of difference during this process and make the transition much more simple.

Step 3: Find new homes for the items you aren’t keeping

Moving expenses can become pricey. Yard sales are a great way to make some extra money to help fund the move and a great way to find new homes for your things quickly. Choose a day that’s likely to be nice, even if it’s somewhat far in the future. Having your yard sale on a nice day is likely to draw in more customers who are looking for bargains.

Donate any remaining items that did not sell during your yard sale. Many charities and organizations can even pick up boxes directly from your home. It can feel impersonal and somewhat distressing sometimes — even with a yard sale, your items tend to go to neighbors you’re familiar with — but it’s important to focus on the end result. Someone in need will truly benefit from your donation and appreciate it each and every day.

Step 4: Prepare for the move

After you have taken the time to declutter and get rid of unwanted items, you can start to think about packing and making the move to your new home. Moving can be stressful and difficult. Hiring a senior move manager to assist you with this transition can be very beneficial. They can help make your move as stress-free as possible and will be there by your side throughout the entire process.

Step 5: Say goodbye to the house

Just as aging adults have to say goodbye to their possessions, the time will come to say goodbye to the house, as well. It will be a difficult process, but one with plenty of love and support from family and friends.

The truth is, there’s not necessarily a right or wrong way to say goodbye to the family home. Discuss what will work best for your family in an open and honest setting; don’t feel ashamed if you’re having trouble. It’s vital that the entire family supports one another throughout the decluttering and downsizing process, so don’t be afraid to ask for or offer help.

However, the goodbyes are said, make it a point to bid farewell. You’re closing a major, important chapter of your life. It’s okay to feel sad, even as if you’ve suffered a loss, but don’t lose sight of the exciting next step that lies ahead.

Step 6: Make the transition

No matter where you are headed, your new home won’t feel like home right away. Do what you can to bring in the most important items first, those that will make you feel especially comforted. Move-in day should be a family affair, even if you already have help from a senior move manager or movers. Any family member who is able to should stop by to help out, bring food and refreshments, troubleshoot issues, and simply make the occasion a happy one. Keep the mood as light and exciting as possible: focus on the fact that it’s a new beginning rather than an end.

You should check in on your loved ones regularly to discuss how things are going. You don’t have to stop by every day, but a nightly call for the first week or two can certainly make aging adults feel less lonely. It’s especially important if they’ve just moved to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Find the balance between hovering and checking-in, even rotating responsibility among family members.

Decluttering and downsizing are often one of the best choices an aging parent can make, but it’s their decision when and if they want to. Ease into the idea and keep the conversation ongoing. It will be painful, but the inevitable sting of leaving the family home should never stop anyone from simplified and happier living.

Originally Published on Redfin

by Lexi Klinkenberg

What is virtual organizing?

  • Virtual organizing is a process for getting organized through the use of telephone, email, photographs, Zoom Video Conference, FaceTime, or other technology.
  • The primary difference between on-site organizing and virtual organizing is clients don’t have our hands to help you move and sort your items.

“Our expertise, your hands.”

  • It can be an accompaniment to the traditional organizing format or an alternative to on-site organizing assistance.
  • It is collaborative—both the client and professional organizer develop a plan to achieve the desired outcome based on the initial assessment.

Why virtual organizing instead of hands-on organizing?

For some people, access to an on-site professional is either limited or not possible due to a variety of factors, regardless of need.  There is also a large population that is better able to succeed through organizing virtually over the physical presence of another person.  Due to our current economic and pandemic times, we realize that the “gap” is widening, making access to professional help more challenging for both the client and professional organizer.  What I have discovered is that for many people, virtual organizing can have the same beneficial outcomes as on-site sessions in terms of skill transfer and long-term organizing success.

What are the benefits of Virtual Organizing versus hands-on organizing?

  • Virtual organizing is sometimes more comfortable for the client rather than having the professional organizer present in their environment.
  • Virtual organizing fees are often lower than hands-on organizing fees.
  • Sessions are shorter in duration, so they are more manageable to fit them into your schedule.
  • By doing the work with your own hands and more on your own, rather than the professional organizer doing the work for you, you will be learning and applying organizing skills.
  • There are no geographical boundaries.

How does it work?

  • The client walks the professional organizer through their space virtually and discusses their goals, strengths, and challenges.
  • The professional organizer prepares a plan tailored for you to make a difference in your space and with your systems.
  • To ensure a successful outcome, in-between sessions, the client completes organizing tasks that the professional organizer assigns.
  • The professional organizer instructs organizing sessions while the client supplies the physical work. The client will be learning and applying organizing skills during each session.
  • At each session, we review your progress and achievements, and, if necessary, troubleshoot any roadblocks you experienced.

Access Our Virtual Organizing Services

Congratulations, you have made the tough decision it is time to downsize your home. Whether that choice was made to reduce your carbon footprint on our fragile planet or to make life easier with less to manage or born of the desire to age in place, thousands of little decisions await you. The challenge of what to take to your new home and what to leave behind can feel a bit overwhelming, but it is important to keep the end goal in mind and envision how terrific it will feel to lighten your load of possessions. Think about how much better life will become with far less stuff. The process often takes longer than we anticipate, so starting early will relieve some of the stress. A variety of strategies can be utilized to tackle the project.

“No use in a year” approach

Yep, if you have not used the item in an entire year, it has to go. For the fashionistas out there, that means if a garment is not worn at least once in the appropriate season, say adios. If only half of your holiday decorations are used each year, get rid of the unused ones. If your shelves are laden with books you vowed to read but have not given a passing glance to in 360 days, gift them, sell them, donate them.

“Does the furniture fit?” approach

Measure your current furniture, especially the larger pieces to see what items will work in your new home. Those that do not, try consigning them or selling them on Craigslist. Are the appliances included in your new abode? If not, make certain yours will fit in the appropriate spaces. If you are moving from a three- or four-bedroom home down to a two or even a one-bedroom, you can bet there is no space for the furniture from those extra rooms. Perhaps the new owner of your current home would appreciate having some of the furniture left in the house. It couldn’t hurt to ask. They may even pay you something for it.

“Do you really need the stuff in storage?” approach

While the storage areas (attic, basement, garage) can be home to an abundance of belongings and some of the most challenging areas to sort, they can also be the places to unburden yourself from a ton of stuff. Will your new home require that you maintain a yard? If not, you can easily dispose of lawnmowers, garden tools, blowers, and an array of other bulky items. If you don’t even remember what all you have in those vast storage vaults, you may find a lot to readily get rid of. If there is quite a lot, consider a yard sale, where lawn and outdoor items typically sell well.

“What about antiques and family heirlooms?”  approach

Check with family members to learn what items they would like to inherit and give it to them early. You will really make points with your loved ones. Your local antique consignment store may wish to take some of the things, too. Again, advertising the pieces online with good quality photos could be a great way to go.

These are just a few workable strategies that you can mix and match or dream up your own. And remember, a valuable resource to support your downsizing project is SolutionsForYou, including an experienced Certified Professional Organizer and Senior Move Manager.

Team”  approach

Do you know that when you hire us as a team, our hourly rate is $50/hour per team member? Compare that in the marketplace, and you will not find another Professional Organizer in our area for that rate with the level of experience (35 years collectively), industry memberships, and certifications we hold.

We have seen the power of numbers and the results it brings to many, many clients over the years. We know it is the most effective way to give you the results you want to achieve in the shortest time.

Choose from two team packages; the Ultimate Team Package or the Transformational Team Package. We are also available to work with you one-on-one with our Get Started Package and our Basic Package. Learn more about our packages and find relief from being overwhelmed.

Anne, Katie, and Melissa are looking forward to working with you to achieve your organizing and productivity goals.

503-706-3502

Anne [at] SolutionsForYou [dot] com

Taking a minimalist approach both at home and at work helps eliminates the clutter and chaos that exists in our daily lives. Much like Marie Kondo has been promoting the Japanese art of decluttering and urging everyone to release what doesn’t “spark joy”, minimalism is a tool that can help you rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important. It will ultimately help you find fulfillment, happiness, and freedom. Now let’s look at how we can apply this concept to organizing certain aspects of your life like your home, finances and even your health.

Organize Your Finances

When it comes to your finances minimalism allows you to prioritize the most important things. The Balance explains that by spending less on buying items you don’t really need it can help you cut back on spending and in-turn help increase your savings. If you’re in debt it can help you get out of debt by teaching you to budget. As you discover what’s most important and valuable to you, it becomes easier to decide when and on what you spend your money on.

In article by Marcus they detail the value of minimalism in establishing a healthier relationship with money, particularly when it comes to values-based spending. This approach to spending helps you get rid of excess and hold on to what’s essential in your life. It will help keep your expenses to a minimum, reduce your financial stress and keep your finances organized by helping you save for your future.

Living healthy

Since minimalism is about getting rid of the things that make us unhappy, if your diet or exercise pan is making you miserable, try looking at it differently. For instance, rather than forcing yourself to go to the gym and focusing on your appearance, instead try focusing on your health.

A post on ‘A Minimalist Approach to Fitness’ recommends that you find a type of exercise that you truly enjoy, eat healthy food that you love and focus on improving your overall well-being. Don’t run for the sake of running if you hate it. A walk at a brisk pace in your neighborhood or the park will help lower your risk of diabetes, and high blood pressure in the same way that running does. Simplifying your diet means eating a little less yet healthier. Eat more fruit, vegetables and reduce processed food. Once your body feels better so will your mind, which will help you stay focused and organized.

Declutter Your Space

Once your mind is decluttered and organized, you’ll be able to think more clearly about what’s important for you to keep and what you can live without. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that organizing without decluttering is a waste of time and energy. First, declutter then organize. For instance, clothes and other stuff you haven’t worn or touched in six months to a year, donate. We all tend to have an attachment to our things and decluttering can really put that attachment into perspective vis-à-vis our lives.

Musician and minimalist Jon Schneck admits that letting go of stuff is an emotional and spiritual process. But once you come to terms with that you realize they’re just things. So, take it slow. It’s a process. You need time to realize what you need and what you can let go of. Declutter and get rid of a few things, wait a few days and see how it makes you feel. With less stuff to worry about and keep track of you’ll be better organized and much happier for it.

Ultimately, the point of minimalism is that we don’t need stuff to make us happy, rather we need to concentrate on the aspects in our lives that bring us joy such as family, relationships and our passions. Minimalism is not necessarily about owning the least stuff possible or not spending any money. It’s about aligning our time and possessions with our values to be able to live a happier, more fulfilled and organized life.

Exclusively submitted to solutionsforyou.com

Submitted by: JBeam

When I started working as a Professional Organizer, I didn’t have a step-by-step process for working with my clients.  I quickly learned that it is as important to teach my clients organizing skills as it is to organize with them.  It is similar to the adage

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. 
Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

If I don’t teach my clients how to organize, they will stay organized for a day. Or, at the most a very brief period, before they backslide to their all to familiar disorganized state.

Listen to my podcast with Ingrid Jansen, Declutter Hub, and learn my trademarked 5 Steps to Organizing® process and how my team and I work with our clients.

If you are like me and learn by having someone show you how to do something, we are happy to demonstrate my 5 Steps to Organizing® process in your home or business.

Get started here.

 

What You Can Discard

How to Dispose of

1.    Appliance manuals Recycle

Access at www.manualsonline.com

2.    Art/wall décor that you are storing, because (fill in the blank) Sell or donate
3.    Books that are falling apart Will you read it again? Recycle
4.    Broken (anything) Will you fix it? Donate or toss
5.    Business cards Scan or enter into your digital database
6.    Clothes that need mending Will you mend it? Donate
7.    Clothes with stains Will you wear it? Toss
8.    Clothes you have never worn Will you ever wear it?

Sell, consign, donate

9.    Cookbooks you never use Donate to the library for a book sale
10. Disposable cameras Donate to a school
11. Duplicates of anything you only need one of Sell or donate
12. DVD Movies you don’t watch Sell or donate
13. Expired food Ask a food bank if they need it or toss
14. Expired makeup Don’t risk infection, toss
15. Expired Medication Metro
16. Filled coloring books Recycle or toss
17. Furniture you are storing, because (fill in the blank) Sell, consign, or donate
18. Games, puzzles, or anything with missing pieces Donate or toss
19. Instruments nobody is playing Donate to a school
20. Last year’s calendar Recycle or toss
21. Last year’s holiday cards Recycle or toss
22. Lightbulbs that don’t go to any lamp you own Donate
23. Makeup samples Donate to a women’s shelter
24. Magazines over a year old Recycle
25. Maps Recycle or toss
26. Old chargers and cables Donate or Best Buy will recycle
27. Old formal wear Sell or donate
28. Old eyeglasses Ask your eye doctor if they can donate
29. Old Halloween costumes Sell or donate
30. Old vehicle license plate Cut and metal recycle or

return to a DMV

31. Old paint Take to Metro for recycling
32. Old remote controls Best Buy to recycle
33. Old shoes Donate or
34. Old spices Toss
35. Old toys Sell or donate
36. Plastic storage bins with a lid or lid without a bin Recycle or toss
37. Receipts Shred or recycle
38. Rocks Return to the Earth
39. Rubber bands that have lost their elasticity Toss
40. Socks without a mate Toss
41. Specialized appliances you use once a year Sell or donate
42. Stale potpourri Toss
43. Take out menus Recycle
44. Take-out condiments Toss
45. Too-small kids’ clothing Sell, consign, or donate
46. Travel mugs without lids or lids without mugs Donate
47. Unidentifiable frozen object in your freezer Toss
48. Unidentifiable keys Toss
49. Wire hangers Recycle at your dry cleaner
50. Writing instruments that are dried up

Toss

What else can you think of that you can let go of right now?  Post below.