Today’s guest post is by Sabrina.
Looking to finally get organized this year? Well, I am here to help inspire you!
Every year, you hear of many people trying to de-clutter and reorganize their homes and lives.
It all starts out on a positive path, and then after a few days or weeks, you are back to your old ways of living. It is just how I feel if I try a new workout routine or healthier eating habits. I buy new workout gear and sneakers, shop for the right foods and download healthy recipes. Then, after a couple of weeks, I am tired of it.
So, since I am not a fitness and health “expert”, I thought I would stick to what I know; organization! I want to share some simple organization tips this month to help you get started.
If you take on too much to organize, you will quit before you tackle the next project.
There are three categories that I think cause most of the clutter in the home…clothes, paperwork and toys.
My organization philosophy is “everything needs to have its own place, or its own container. If it has somewhere to be stored, chances are it may eventually get back there.”
CLOTHES
1. Tackle one closet or set of drawers at a time.
2. Collect three containers (plastic bins, trash bags, or boxes.)
3. Sort through the clothing and create three piles: KEEP, DISCARD, DONATE/ SELL (Hand down to a friend or family member, yard sale, consignment shop, eBay- if you are feeling motivated!) and add them to your selected containers.
Remove any items that are torn, stained, too small or big. If you haven’t worn it yet this season, remove it. If it still has tags on it, consider consigning it (or return it!). There is a reason why the item is still in the back of the closet –“someday I will wear it”, “maybe it will come back in style”, “maybe I will lose a few more pounds”, “I used to wear professional wear and now my company went business casual”, “it was a gift and I never liked how it looked on me”– Do not dwell on it, choose a pile!
Give yourself a time limit (30 minutes for a closet, 15 minutes for a bureau, etc.).
When shopping, picture your current closet and think if you or your kids REALLY need it. If you or they purchase or receive a gift, remove an older, similar item (for example, you just received new PJ’s, consider taking your old pilled pair out of rotation!)
ORGANIZATION TIPS:
1. Sort clothes by category, so when y selecting a pair of pants to wear, for example, you can see all of your options. Hang similar items together (pants, tops, cardigans, etc.). This is very helpful for your kids once they start picking out their own outfits. Consider switching your hangers to one solid color (white plastic hangers are cheapest and look bright and clean).
2. Don’t forget to sort through these items as well: shoes, bags, hats, belts, purses, swimsuits, PJs, jackets, outerwear accessories, sports uniforms, and undergarments. Consider creating a storage space for similar items: basket/bin for purses, a tie, scarf hanger, belt rack, over the door or hanging organizer for outerwear accessories.
3. For children: Create extra storage bins for clothes they have outgrown, but you have younger siblings who will wear them one day. Label each new bin with the size (ex. 2T-3T Girl) so you access them easily.
4. All year long -as laundry is folded, create piles that are stained, torn, too small and continue the sell, donate, discard process – do not return them to your closet!
5. As the season changes or it is “back to school” time, set aside time to go through this organization process again…once you get into a groove, it will only need to be done three to four times per year.
Try these organization steps and see how far you can get.
There are many organizational products out there, but start small and eventually, you can take on bigger, more costly projects (adding closet organizers, shelving, decorative coordinating bins and baskets, etc.).
Many of my organizational pieces, I re-purposed from somewhere else in my home, or found at a local store for a low cost.
Feel free to add comments below or send me an email with any questions you may have! My email is [email protected].
Happy Organizing!
Stay tuned to part two of this series where Sabrina tackles paperwork organization.
good job Sabrina,,,,I CAN USE HELP