Helpful Storage Tips For Living In A Small House

Living in a small house can present challenges when it comes to storage, but with some creativity and organization, you can make the most of the space you have. Here are some helpful storage tips:

• Declutter Regularly: The first step to effective storage in a small house is to declutter regularly. Get rid of items you no longer need or use. This will free up space for the things that matter most.
• Maximize Vertical Space: Utilize wall space for storage by installing shelves, racks, or pegboards. This will help keep items off the floor and create more space for movement.
• Choose Multi-Functional Furniture: You could invest in furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as a storage ottoman or a bed with built-in drawers. This maximizes functionality while minimizing clutter.
• You May Decide To Utilize Under-Bed Storage: You could use the space under your bed to properly store items such as clothing, shoes, or seasonal items. You can use storage bins or drawers designed specifically for under-bed storage.
• You Could Use Door Organizers: You may decide to use over-the-door organizers on closet doors or bedroom doors to store shoes and accessories. This helps free up valuable floor and closet space.
• Optimize Closet Space: Maximize closet space by using organizers such as shelves and stackable bins. This will help you make the most of vertical space and keep your belongings organized.
• Utilize Wasted Space: Identify areas of your home that are not being used effectively, such as the space above cabinets or the area under stairs. You may consider adding shelves or cabinets to these areas for additional storage.
• Downsize when Possible: Choose smaller appliances, furniture, and kitchenware to minimize the amount of space they take up. Opt for compact or foldable items when possible to save space when not in use.
• Group Similar Items Together: Keep like items together to make it easier to find and access them. Use bins, baskets, or drawer dividers to keep smaller items organized within cabinets or drawers.
• Go Digital: Consider digitizing paperwork, photos, and other documents to reduce the need for physical storage space. This can help declutter your home while still keeping important information accessible.
• Rotate Seasonal Items: Store seasonal clothing, decorations, and gear in labeled bins or containers. Rotate these items in and out of storage as needed to free up space for items you use regularly.
• Keep it Organized: Regularly tidy up and reorganize your storage spaces to ensure everything has a designated place. This will help prevent clutter from building up and make it easier to find what you need.

By implementing these storage tips, you can make the most of your small house and create a clutter-free, organized living space.

Tiny House Organization And Storage Tips

Tiny houses can present a unique set of storage challenges, as every inch of space counts. Here are some tips for organizing and storing your items in a tiny house:

1. Utilize vertical space: Install shelves, hanging hooks, and other vertical storage solutions to make use of the space above your head.

2. Make use of under-bed storage: Make use of the space under your bed by storing items in clear plastic containers or vacuum-sealed bags.

3. Use multi-functional furniture: Consider purchasing furniture that has built-in storage options such as a bed with built-in drawers or a storage ottoman.

4. Use collapsible or nesting furniture: Opt for nesting tables, or storage ottomans which can double as seating or storage.

5. Make use of wall space: Install wall-mounted shelves or cabinets to create more storage space.

6. Utilize corners: Install corner shelves or use corner organizers to take advantage of often-overlooked space.

7. Invest in organizational items: Purchase items such as organizers, hooks, and hangers to help keep everything in its place.

8. Be mindful of what you bring: Be selective about what you bring into your tiny house and consider getting rid of items you no longer need or use.

9. Make use of exterior storage: If possible make use of any exterior storage options that your tiny house may have.

In addition to these tips, it can also be helpful to have a plan in place for storing your items, such as keeping seasonal items in storage and only bringing them out when needed, or creating a system for organizing and labeling items in your storage spaces. With a little creativity and effort, you can find ways to make the most of your tiny house's storage space.

Storing And Organizing Your Blankets For The Season

Here are some tips for storing excess large bed comforters, blankets, and pillows in your house:

1. Sort through your comforters, blankets, and pillows, and set aside any that are no longer in good condition or that you no longer need.

2. Clean all comforters, blankets, and pillows thoroughly before storing them, to remove any dirt or dust.

3. Fold and roll each comforter or blanket neatly and place it in a large, labeled storage bag or container.

4. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a storage function, you can use it to compress the bedding and take up less space.

5. Use pillowcases or special pillow storage bags to protect your pillows and keep them clean while in storage.

6. Store comforters, blankets, and pillows in a dry, cool, and dark place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. 

7. Consider using vacuum storage bags for comforters and other soft items, to reduce their size and protect them from moisture.

8. Make sure that the containers you use to store bedding are made of sturdy material and have tight-fitting lids to keep out dust and pests.

9. Keep an inventory of what you have stored, so you know what you have and where it is.

10. Remember that when storing items, try to keep similar items together, it will make it easier for you to find what you need.

It's a good idea to store the bedding in a moisture-proof, breathable containers. This will help you keep the bedding in good condition until you need to use it again.

Bedroom Storage Ideas

 Here are some storage ideas for the bedroom:

1. Use under-bed storage boxes or bins to store out-of-season clothes, linens, or other items.
2. Install shelves or storage cubes on the walls to create additional storage space.
3. Consider a storage bed with built-in drawers or a lift-up bed frame with space underneath for storage.
4. Use over-the-door organizers for shoes, bags, or other items.
5. Invest in a set of stackable bins or baskets that can be used to store smaller items.
6. Use drawer organizers or dividers to make the most of the space in your dresser drawers.
7. Install hooks or hanging bars on the back of the bedroom door to hang clothes or accessories.
8. Consider adding a small dresser or chest of drawers to your bedroom to provide additional storage space.
9. If you have a closet, make use of storage baskets, bins, or boxes to maximize the space.
10. If you have a lot of clothes, consider installing additional shelves or rods in your closet to increase storage capacity.

Creative Ideas For Shoe Storage In Your House

1. Use a shoe rack or organizer that can be mounted on the wall to keep shoes off the floor and out of the way.
2. Utilize a shoe bench or ottoman with built-in storage space for shoes.
3. Use over-the-door shoe organizers to maximize space and keep shoes easily accessible.
4. Utilize under-bed storage boxes or shoe bags to keep shoes out of sight but still easily accessible.
5. Use a ladder or repurposed ladder with rungs to hang shoes from, it can add a rustic touch to your room and save space.
6. Utilize a hanging shoe bag or mesh pockets that can be hung on a closet rod or door to keep shoes organized and accessible.
7. Use a vertical shoe tree to store shoes in a neat and upright position.
8. Utilize a rolling shoe rack to store shoes and easily move them from room to room.
9. Use a shoe cabinet or armoire to keep shoes organized and out of sight.
10. Utilize a shoe cubby or cubby-hole storage unit to keep shoes organized and easily accessible.

 

How To Store And Organize Your Spices In Your Kitchen

Here are some tips for storing and organizing your cooking spices:

1. Keep spices in a cool, dry place - Spices should be stored in a place that is away from direct sunlight and moisture, as these can cause spices to lose their flavor and potency over time. A pantry or cabinet away from the stove is a good choice.
2. Use airtight containers - To keep spices fresh, it's important to store them in airtight containers. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or resealable plastic bags are both good options.
3. Label your spices - It's a good idea to label your spices with their name and the date they were purchased or opened. This will help you keep track of which spices you have and how old they are, so you can use them before they expire.
4. Organize your spices by type - You can organize your spices by grouping them by type, such as all the herbs together, all the spices together, etc. This makes it easier to find what you're looking for and saves time when cooking.
5. Use a spice rack - A spice rack is a convenient way to store and organize your spices. There are many different styles of spice racks available, including ones that can be mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet.
6. Consider alphabetizing your spices - If you have a large collection of spices, it may be helpful to alphabetize them to make it easier to find what you're looking for.
7. Use small containers for frequently used spices - If you use certain spices more often than others, consider keeping them in smaller containers that are easy to grab and use. This will save you time and make cooking easier.

Ideas For Storage In Your Family Room

Here are some storage ideas for your family room:

1. Use built-in shelving: Install shelves along the walls to provide additional storage for books, media, and decorative items.
2. Utilize under-seat storage: Many sofas and chairs have storage space underneath the seats, which can be a great place to store blankets, pillows, and other items.
3. Use baskets and bins: Baskets and bins can be used to store and organize items such as toys, games, and media.
4. Invest in a media console: A media console with built-in storage can provide a place to store your TV and other media equipment, as well as DVDs, CDs, and other media.
5. Add a storage ottoman: An ottoman with a removable top can provide additional seating and storage space for items such as blankets, pillows, and toys.
6. Use wall-mounted storage: Wall-mounted shelves, cabinets, and racks can provide additional storage without taking up floor space.

By using these storage solutions, you can keep your family room organized and clutter-free while still having everything you need on hand. 

Ideas For Storing Your Books In The House

Here are a few ideas for storing books in your house:

1. Bookcases: This is a classic and popular option. You can use a single bookcase or group several together to create a library wall.
2. Shelves: You can install shelves on a wall to store books. This can be a simple and affordable option if you're handy with tools.
3. Built-ins: If you're renovating your home or building a new one, consider incorporating built-in bookcases into the design. This can be a great way to maximize storage space and add a custom touch to your home.
4. Boxes and Bins: You can store books in decorative boxes or bins. This can be a great option if you want to hide your books away when not in use, or if you need to store books in a small space.
5. Under the bed: If you have a large space underneath your bed, this is great spot to store books. You can use plastic or cloth under-bed storage boxes to keep your books dust-free.
6. Floating Shelves: Another simple and easy to install option, floating shelves can be a good place to store a small collection of books or create a small library nook
7. Baskets : woven or even wire baskets can be use as book storage, and can be added on top of any flat surface, like coffee table, and also can be hanged on a wall.
8. Ultimately, the best storage solution will depend on your personal style, the layout and size of your home, and the amount of books you need to store. 

Ideas for Using Built-In Furniture Throughout Your House

1. Built-in bookshelves: Use built-in bookshelves to add storage and display space throughout your home. They can be used in the living room, family room, bedroom, or home office to store books, decorative items, and other personal belongings.
2. Built-in cabinets: Add built-in cabinets to your living room, dining room, or bedrooms to provide additional storage space and a cohesive look. You can use them to store clothing, dishes, linens, and other household items.
3. Built-in desk: Use a built-in desk in a home office, bedroom, or family room to create a functional workspace. Built-in desks can be designed to fit any space and can include additional storage such as drawers and shelves.
4. Built-in entertainment center: Create a built-in entertainment center in the living room or family room to house your television, audio equipment, and other media. This will not only provide a cohesive look but also save space in the room.
5. Built-in seating: Add built-in seating to your living room, family room, or dining room to create a cozy and functional space. Built-in seating can be designed to fit any space and can include storage underneath.
6. Built-in bed: Create a built-in bed in a guest room or a kid's room. It can be designed to include storage space underneath or to be integrated with shelves and drawers.
7. Built-in window seat: Add a built-in window seat to a bedroom or living room to create a cozy reading nook and add extra storage space.
8. Built-in mudroom: Create a built-in mudroom in the entryway of your home, by adding a bench, hooks, and storage for shoes, bags, and other outdoor gear.

 

Storage Solutions For A Small House

If you live in a small house, it can be a challenge to find enough storage space for all of your belongings. Here are some storage solutions to consider:

1. Use under-bed storage: Under-bed storage containers are a great way to make use of the space under your bed. You can store seasonal clothing, linens, and other items that you don't use frequently.

2. Utilize wall space: Install shelving units or hanging storage baskets on walls to create more storage space.

3. Consider a storage ottoman: A storage ottoman can be a versatile piece of furniture that provides additional seating and storage at the same time.

4. Invest in stackable bins: Stackable bins are a great way to maximize space in your closet or other small areas.

5. Utilize the back of doors: Install organizers on the back of doors to store items such as shoes, hats, and scarves.

6. Use vertical storage: Make use of the space on the tops of bookshelves, cabinets, and other furniture by adding baskets or bins for extra storage.

7. Consider furniture with built-in storage: Tables, benches, and other furniture with built-in storage can be a great way to add extra storage without taking up additional floor space.  

How To Organize Your Family Room

 Here are some tips for organizing the family room:

1. Declutter: Go through the room and get rid of any items that are no longer needed or used. This will help to create more space and make the room feel less cluttered.

2. Sort and categorize: Sort the items that you are keeping into categories, such as books, toys, games, and movies. This will make it easier to find things and put them away.

3. Designate storage areas: Determine where you will store each category of items and assign a specific place for them. For example, you might have a bookshelf for books, a toy box for toys, and a cabinet for games and movies.

4. Use storage solutions: Invest in storage solutions that will help you to keep the room organized. This might include baskets, bins, or shelves.

5. Create a system for keeping things tidy: Develop a system for keeping things tidy, such as putting away toys after use or having a designated spot for items like blankets and pillows.

6. Involve the whole family: Involve the whole family in the organization process to ensure that everyone is on board with keeping the room organized.

7. Set aside time for maintenance: Set aside time each week to tidy up the room and put things back in their designated places. This will help to keep the room organized in the long term.

By following these tips, you can organize the family room and create a functional and welcoming space for the whole family.

What Does A Trained Professional Home Organizer Do?

A trained professional home organizer is responsible for helping clients organize their homes and create systems that work for their lifestyles. Some specific duties may include:

1. Assessing the client's needs and goals for home organization

2. Developing a plan to declutter and organize the client's space

3. Sorting and organizing items, including clothing, household items, and personal documents

4. Recommending and implementing storage solutions, such as shelves, baskets, and bins

5. Creating systems for maintaining organization, such as filing systems and labels

6. Providing guidance and support to clients as they work to implement the organizational plan

7. Working with clients to develop habits and routines that support ongoing organization

8. Providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that the organizational systems remain in place

To be a trained professional home organizer, one typically needs to have excellent organizational skills and be able to think creatively to find solutions to organization challenges. It is also important to have strong communication skills, as the job often involves working with clients and helping them to develop new habits. In addition, a professional home organizer should be able to work independently and be comfortable working in a variety of different environments.

Ideas To Keep Your House Organized

1. Designate a place for everything: Make sure that every item in your home has a designated place where it belongs. This will make it easier to put things away and keep your home clutter-free.

2. Use storage solutions: Invest in storage solutions like shelves, baskets, and bins to help keep your items organized and out of sight.

3. Create a filing system: Set up a filing system for your papers and documents.

4. Get rid of clutter: Regularly go through your belongings and get rid of anything that you no longer use or need. This will help to declutter your home and make it easier to keep organized.

5. Use labels: Use labels to help you remember where things belong and to make it easier to find things when you need them.

6. Make use of vertical space: Use vertical space, such as the walls or the back of doors, to store items and save space.

7. Set aside time for organization: Set aside time each week or month to organize your home and get rid of clutter. This can help to keep your home organized in the long term.

8. Involve the whole family: Involve the whole family in the organization process to make it easier to keep your home organized and tidy.

9. Consider hiring a professional organizer: If you are having trouble getting and staying organized, you may want to consider hiring a professional organizer to help you create a plan and get your home in order. 

Tip For Decluttering Your House

Buying all types of storage containers and moving items to different parts of the house for storage isn't as productive as decluttering a house.  

Working With A Professional Organizer

Not everyone has the time or the patience to keep their spaces as tidy as they would like. People are busy and do not always have the time to deal with clutter and over time it will begin to build up. If the task becomes overwhelming, there are people that one can turn to to help get the mess turned around. Professional organizers are out there and have the experience to get the clutter under control.

When an organizer arrives with you they will go over the area you want organized. Usually, together the two of you will devise a plan of how you want the space to be and what types of storage system will be needed. The organizer will make sure the storage system will do what you want to do and be functional in your life.

Once a plan has been established, all of the items in the space will be temporarily cleared out. With the room being cleared, it will be easier to start over and have a fresh start. Everything that was taken out of the room will be sorted through and will be divided into three different piles. Those piles will be keep, toss and donate. All of the toss and donate items will be done right away so there is no chance they will make it back into the room on second thoughts.

With the keep pile now created, the system that was earlier decided on for how to store all of the items is put into motion. This could be storing many of the items in bins, creating a shelving system or a combination of things. The items are then brought back into the room placing the most important and most used items in the front and the middle of the unit. The less used and less important items are placed in the lower and higher areas. 

After the room has been put back together, another assessment will be done. This is to be sure that the room has flow and is truly organized. The entire process from start to finish for your whole house can possibly take a few weeks or more depending on the depth of the unorganization.

A professional organizer needs to have great organizational skills. These people also need to have patience to deal with customers and to also make sure they are doing the best possible job they can. Most organizers begin by doing some work in the homes of family and friends and then branching out from there.

A trained professional organizer can be a great asset to someone who does not have the time to do it themselves and also to someone who just does not know where to start. With a little help, the house can be clutter free once again.

Garage Organization Made Simple

You may have conquered your house, your home office, and your car, and you’ve mastered the art of scheduling and cooking in bulk. But your garage may still be a cluttered and unorganized mess. As with everything else, a neat and organized garage is attainable with some planned effort and simple storage solutions. 

First, you can get a handle on the mess by temporarily moving everything out to sort through what goes and what stays. Large, clear plastic containers can help you do this. They're great for clearing away the clutter and then using for storage. Take your time during the sorting and purging process. 

Consider adding a cabinet to your garage, if needed for storage. You may want to look for units that offer the option of keyed locks. The garage is also where most of kid’s sporting goods land. To keep bats and balls organized, you could purchase a hamper-style organizer. You may decide to designate a section for each child. Add a bin or shelf to temporarily store messy, muddy shoes as well. 

Find a workable storage solution for all the little things in your garage. You can carefully organize bolts, screws, fasteners and other small parts into small clear containers so you can easily see what each contains. Then, you can label each container and find a safe, appropriate place to store them. For long-handled items, such as rakes and shovels, look for storage units to keep everything straight. 

Get Organized Tips

1. Tell yourself that no matter what, some level of clutter with a child is going to happen.

2. Begin with messes and clutter that you see every day. Organize your kitchen, garage, and family room before your hallway closet.

3. Use drawer dividers for socks, underwear, and tiny items, to keep them separated and organized.

4. Use this same principle to organize your silverware, with clearly defined places for every spoon and fork, or drawers for ties and socks or underwear. Think in this same way for every aspect of your home. This will save many hours of searching for things. It will dramatically cut down on the clutter of items left out "for now" or "until I find a place for it." Develop a new mantra: everything has its place and a place for everything!

5. Allocate everything in your house a place. This way your family will know exactly where to find it and where to put it away, when they searches for something they need. 

6. Keep items that are used frequently in places where you can reach them without stooping or bending, and store them close to the place they will be needed.

7. Establish one defined place in your house for storing library books, and end a house-wide hunt when it is time to read or return them.

8. Hang hooks for your keys and purse at the entry to your home, so each time you walk in, you can hang them up.

9. Get rid of all junk drawers, or allow yourself just one that you clear out once a week or more. When you establish certain items are being used repeatedly, designate a drawer for those.

10. Enlist a new rule: donate or throw out one old thing for every new purchase that enters your home.

11. Make a mental note to observe what things pile up in your house and where they cluster, and then come up with a place nearby that becomes the official home where those things will reside. For this purpose baskets, shelves, and folders will work well. Set aside one basket for you and your partner for incoming mail, bills, and receipts and letters.

12. Never go up or down empty-handed when using stairs. Always grab some items that belong to upstairs rooms and quickly put it away while you are there. 

13. Create a number of brightly marked folders for discount coupons, invitations and directions, and other time-sensitive papers that just clutter your counters.

14. Things you don’t need any longer:

· Clothes you no longer wear.

· Extra paper or plastic grocery bags.

· Makeup and samples you have never worn.

· Sunscreen that's expired or more than one year old.

· Organize your coupons and throw out all that have expired.

· Cookbooks you rarely use. Cut out your favorite recipes only.

· Magazines you meant to read but have never taken the time for.

You will free your mind to remember your daily chores by getting rid of your clutter and organizing your home top to bottom. 

LESSON THREE FREE MINI COURSE: TIPS AND TRICKS, TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES TO GETTING ORGANIZED

▪ Enable your Lifestyle and customize your living space

There are all kinds of small and clever ways to organize your existence. Do you sometimes feel that life is just plain crazy? Do you struggle to get things done, and do you feel what you do is never good enough? You need to be better organized and stop rushing about looking for stuff. We all rush too much and should be planning much more to balance work, play, family, and friends. This can be demanding. If you want to have more time to do the things you enjoy, organizing yourself is KEY!

Having good order is the first building block to becoming better organized. Stop thinking of de-cluttering as this terrific and insurmountable obstacle that constantly intimidates you to keep putting off the inevitable clean up. Start thinking of it as one of the most effective self-improvement exercises ever available to you. Every magazine and piece of paper you recycle and everything you take to the goodwill store will liberate you. Giving unneeded items to charity will set your spirit free and let you breathe again! Free yourself now of clutter and open the floodgates of joy and energy into your life.

Exhaustion and significant lack of motivation to restore order in your environment signal that the balance in your life may be out. Lack of adequate time to do routine chores in the evenings suggest that you need to take a hard look at your lifestyle and make some adjustments to balance your life better. 

Maybe you face health issues or life phase changes. Or perhaps you had to negotiate immense physical changes or experienced losses that influenced your emotional balance in a major way. That is no lasting excuse for procrastination or lazily avoiding facing your responsibility to restore order to your world.  

Self-discipline is needed at difficult times to do what is necessary at that moment, to avoid undesired results later. Putting things off because you don’t feel like it now will inevitably cause a snowball or domino effect and make things much worse later for everyone. It can mean the difference between a happy or horrible day, between peace of mind or anxiety and many more things going wrong, affecting everyone that you come in touch with, at home or in the work place.

Establishing a habit of thinking and planning ahead is crucial and the mature and responsible thing to do. You may not be making full use of your available hours during your day or evening. A good balance of your time is needed for work, goals, recreation, and relaxation. Maybe too much time is usually devoted to “time stealers” like TV or internet. 

Do you stay up way too late and get up in the morning tired and not in a good mood? Take a close look at your daily routine, examine your findings and come up with a plan. Resolve to follow your plan and become better organized. Don’t postpone things to tomorrow or put things off that you can finish now. You’ll thank yourself later for being accountable for your actions today.

Why be better organized? It will raise your self-esteem and cause you to feel in control of certain areas in your life that’s never been the case before. It is an empowering experience and a character building one for everyone in the household. Getting busy attacking the problem will keep your mind from worrying or negative self talk because you will be focused in a constructive way on conquering your challenge. 

Extra time freed up because of better organization can be used to learn new things or hobbies and then to relax and be more content when experiencing an increased sense of wellbeing. Perhaps you face additional challenges being a single parent with a demanding work situation and are time-challenged every day. 

Make a point to sit and relax a while each day and plan. Careful planning should afford you some time per day to work at becoming better organized. It will be an investment you will never regret. Exercising and improving your mind by more reading and learning exciting new things in the time you saved by freeing yourself from the chains of chaos will be a sweet reward for your efforts to straighten and control the clutter once and for all!

Most of us use only a small amount of our true capabilities and there is so much more to being alive! Learning new things will give you new incentives and purpose in life and a great feeling of achievement.

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor." - Henry Thoreau (1817-1862)

If you are under a lot of stress, a more passive and relaxing approach may be more advisable to start with. Set some time aside for your own unique enjoyment. When you do this, getting organized will not feel as much of a chore. You will naturally wish to work towards getting organized so that you will have more time for yourself.

Take a walk in the park, listen to lovely music, read an interesting book, work in the garden, or watch a bit of TV. Enjoy the time perks earned from living organized. How we spend our time shows much about who we are and how we think.  All of this can be influenced greatly by culture and ethnic heritage, which for each of us should be precious and respected.

"When I go into my garden with a spade, and dig a bed, I feel such an exhilaration and health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others do for me what I should have done with my own hands." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

▪ Creative Genius can change your life FOREVER

Simplify your space and life! Create a simple organizing system.  YOU have the ability….you CAN do it!  Zones are key. Organize any space in different zones of activity and group similar or related items or required tools together close to where the activity happens. Create places for things and assign designated places for grouping related items together close to the relevant activity zones. Then your space will speak to you and support and help you maintaining order in it in a natural way.

When designing your management system, work with your natural habits. Note where your piles tend to accumulate and create storage there, and then putting away these piles are close by and your system is a breeze to maintain. Invest a couple of hours to analyze and strategize before attacking the challenge and start to organize. 

You can work with your natural tendencies and habits to create a low maintenance system that works and will succeed and last. Analyze the trouble spot that needs cleaning up and study the outlay of the room and where piles or clutter collect. Ask yourself what is causing the clutter. Don’t just blame yourself for being lazy. Discover the real reasons.

There may be technical errors, like a mistaken way in which the space is set up that cause this congestion and make it very difficult to keep the space tidy. If things pile up it could be that they have no home or assigned space yet.  Maybe you’ve never figured out where your calculator should live, therefore you can never find it and it is always gone when you need it. 

The solution is simple – assign a home for it and make sure it is returned to its home every time.  Another technical error is inconvenient storage.  You have a place where to store something, but it is so hard to get to so you just leave it sitting on the counter top cluttering the place up. The solution is to make that storage more convenient.

Sometimes there are external factors out of your control that stand in the way of you getting organized, like an unrealistic workload. You have to get to the root of the problem and address that before you can tackle the clutter. You may have been in transition, and recently moved, or are going to move, or changed jobs or got married and blended two families, or retired, or moved into a new house where no shelves or storage spaces exist yet, etc. You cannot organize yet until you know more what you need.

There may be psychological obstacles. Sometimes that clutter is there because there is psychological resistance. No matter how much you crave order, there is some stake that you have in that chaos, and it is doing something for you. If you can identify what it is, it is the starting point to get beyond it and find another solution. 

Some people have a need for abundance, to be surrounded by stuff, because it makes them feel good. Maybe some of those people grew up feeling that they didn’t have enough food, money, attention or love. If you grew up feeling empty, you maybe grew up into an adult that compensates by craving enough …. abundance. 

If that is the case with you, you have to recognize that you’ll never be comfortable with clear countertops and a single vase. Rather recognize and celebrate who you are and adjust your organizing accordingly. Knowing yourself is key! Keep your stuff, don’t throw it out, but organize it neatly so you have access to it so you can celebrate that abundance and feel good!  

Some people have a sentimental attachment to their stuff. It is so hard to let go of items because we infuse them with so much meaning. They define us, someone we used to be, someone we want to be, someone we once knew, etc. Some of those are very important to hold onto, but if it is taking over your space so that you have no place for who you are right now or who you are going to be in future, then you need to just reduce the volume. 

Get a beautiful trunk or basket and create a treasure chest for yourself full of reminders of your past, so that you can from time to time open it and enjoy lovely trips down memory lane. Clear the rest of your life for who you are right now. Identifying what the actual cause of your cluttering problem is, will be the most liberating experience that you are going to have getting organized, as it takes all the self blame away, Stop beating yourself up – there is nothing wrong with you. 

Get to the actual cause. That will give you hope, since technical, external or psychological factors can be addressed and you realize you don’t need to use the clutter for this and you can move on. So now you have this whole new outlook on organizing, have started this analyze process, and you’re well on your way to learning this new wonderful skill…

Ask yourself: “What’s working for me about this space?” No matter how cluttered it may seem, something is always working about a certain space. If you learn “what”, it is going to provide you with clues to what you like. For example, if the belt rack is the only part of your closet that gets used properly, and where you love to put things away because it is visible and accessible, it tells you that it works. So adding light, beautiful hangers, gorgeous containers and a nice shoe rack to your closet might cause you to like and use the rest of it too.

Another question is: “What’s not working about this space?”

Make a thorough list that will become your measuring tool. If you don’t and just make spot attacks, then you end up doing patchwork organizing where you fix some but not all of the problems. The remaining disorganized areas may spill over into your nicely organized ones and spoil them so you are back to square one. 

Write down that you can never find this or that you have no place to put your  or “When I walk into that space it makes me feel ….”  As you progress, check down each remark on the list as you addressed it and when you come to the end of your list you should be thoroughly organized and you will not slip back because of some unfinished areas.  

Ask yourself: “What items are most essential to me?” Generally speaking, we tend to use only 20% of what we own. We wear only 20% of the clothes that we own and wear them over and over again. We listen to only one fifth of the CD’s we own, etc. Keep asking yourself if this garment belongs to that 20% that you love and that defines you. 

That’s who you are and that’s what’s essential in your life. If you write it down as you go it helps you to focus on what’s really important to you so you can have access to it. That is organizing; it is not about throwing things out, but about finding out what is important to you and getting easy access to it.

Why do you want to get organized? You need something to compel you to push through with this; you need something beyond the mess to motivate you. Write down your answer now, at the highest point of your motivation, so that 3 hours into the sorting process you can remind yourself why you wanted to do this in the first place. What do you gain? Why do you bother? 

You want to gain time by not getting hung up looking for stuff that disappeared into your nightmare of a closet. You do not fully realize how much time you are losing when you can least afford it. Research shows that the average North American loses one hour a day searching for stuff, or six weeks a year! Add another hour per day to that hour due to procrastination and putting things off. That makes for 12 weeks or 3 months of the year…Wasted and lost to your clutter! 

We all feel that we don’t have enough time in our lives for what is really important. So if you invest the time to reorganize, you will gain a quarter of the year back! How are you going to spend that time? More time with your family, more time for travel or hobbies, or learning a new language… More time… and feeling better about yourself, and not being ashamed of the mess you live in….that is your compelling reason. 

Saving money is another compelling reason. It is estimated that up to 20% of our budgets is lost due to crises purchases related to disorganization because you can’t find what you know you already have. Late charges, rush charges, buying stuff at expensive places because you need it at that moment but can’t lay your hands on yours and there is no time to buy at economy stores! So if you get organized and get that money back in your pocket, what are you going to spend it on? Invest it in your retirement fund or take a vacation trip with the extra time and money you will now have available!

You will be free of the stress involved! Clutter causes stress! You’re always behind, always late, always apologizing to people. It’s distracting, demoralizing, embarrassing! You are terrified of someone calling you up on very short notice to say they are dropping in unexpectedly. You feel that you can do so much more if only you were organized! It is now within your reach! Go for it! Wouldn’t it be nice to feel in control, feel ready for life, and enjoying life? That is what organizing can do for you!  

You now know exactly why you want to get organized, you know what is causing the clutter, you know what is essential to you, you know what is working and what not, and you have analyzed the situation. You know where you are. Now you are ready to strategize. Figure out where you are going. Plan your attack on the problem. Create yourself a roadmap of how to get to your goal. 

Don’t just take off without knowing where you’re going. If you omit this, you may get lost 3 hours into the process because you lose sight of where you are heading and don’t know how far along the process you are. Break it up in measurable, workable chunks and arrange them in a sequence that makes sense. Then only start to dig into the clutter and piles, sort and relocate some to more suitable assigned places that make sense.

Develop an efficient and very simple model to use in every space you have to organize. Divide the space in activity zones, where everything needed is stored at its point of use, in cute, functional and efficient containers. All you need is right there - you do not need to run around to gather stuff from many other places when you want to engage in a specific activity. 

It is therefore very easy and enjoyable to concentrate on this activity and make the most of the available time, since all your tools are right there handy and you don’t need to hunt for them all over the place wasting precious time and energy. Many people have given up doing hobbies they used to love because their time is being stolen by them being so disorganized!

Store things where they are used. We tend to store things where they fit, and that may be inconveniently far away from where they are used! It should be as much fun putting things away as it is using them. When you walk into a space it should provide a visual menu of everything that is important to the people that inhabit that space, with every activity or theme centered in its own spot. You should do this for yourself. 

Your very environment will reflect back to you who you are, what your interests are and what there is to do. For every space you have to organize, think first about what the activities are that will take place in that room. In your living room there could be a reading zone. You love to read in the chair by the window, so store the books nearby there. If you love to play board games with the family, create a little hobby corner where these games are stored handy.

If every drawer and cupboard is miscellaneous and full to capacity, it will be impossible to find anything. Designate clear zones for different things, and label the zones so you have only to think of this once.

Be creative and “think outside the box”. Look with new eyes at possible fresh solutions for your storage needs. Look in your spaces for those hidden pockets of storage, like under stairways, inside or behind doors, along walls, etc. Use vertical space by hanging things up.  

▪ Time, Priorities and lists

You too can live an ordered life! Life really does not have to be a mess. Take a few steps to ensure that it is not and you will have time for the things that really matter to you most. You will have all the time you want for family, friends, work and more, and best of all, you will be sane. The number one benefit to being better organized is being sane!

The more organized you are the more time you will have available. As you become better organized, start a new hobby or preferably something that the whole family can share in. Getting everybody on board about living organized is key to make it work and promote harmony in the home. Make it fun for the kids to help, and compliment and reward them for positive attitudes and trying to help as a team. 

Be sure to make it a positive and encouraging experience for everybody or you may end up being the lone embittered struggler in the scene, feeling very sorry for yourself and playing the “poor me” game. Once you complete some projects successfully, you will start feeling better about yourself, your nice tidy organized environment and how you are managing your organized and planned time. 

With a place for everything and everything in its place, you are freed up in body and mind to take on new endeavors. You will have more time to focus on improving relationships with your loved ones and spend more quality time together, working on creating a pleasant and comfortable living environment that you can be proud of, for all of you.

Why try to remember everything? Help your memory by writing things down immediately when you think of what needs to be done, or put it into your cell phone’s reminder function or on your electronic diary or device. It is the first step to restore order. Keep it all in one place to avoid wasting valuable time searching for different lists. A small hand held digital recorder may be a wonderful tool to carry around to record your thoughts while driving, or data you’ll need later. What you dictate to the recorder may be downloaded straight into your word processor using voice recognition software.

Prioritize your lists. Plan ahead for the next day and assign priorities to the tasks you need to do according to their importance. It is said that if you use 80% of the available time to plan very well, you’ll only need 20% of the usual time to complete the task efficiently and successfully. Estimate the time required and try to be realistic in your goals and expectations. Categorize your goals according to short and long term, easy and more complex projects. Try to break down complex projects in smaller workable chunks that can be tackled one at a time. Organize a bit at a time. Remember that time is money too.

During the day, mark down the tasks that you have completed and the goals that you achieved. Enjoy experiencing the sweet sense of accomplishment that is generated by reaching your targets. Use a diary to plan ahead for days or even weeks. Write in all appointments and commitments. Use a big erasable planner for the whole family on the fridge or somewhere central, so everybody’s movements can be coordinated ahead of time and last minute conflicts can be avoided.

Use available (and often free) email reminder services to help you remember things. There are many good and free e-mail reminder services available. Type in the data beforehand and you will receive an e-mail reminder when the date is approaching. Call ahead to your answering machine and leave yourself or relevant persons a message as a reminder.  Sticky “Post-It” notes are amazing as additional reminders as the bright, neon colors will catch your eye. Alarm clocks and timers are useful throughout your day as reminders of tasks. Set your timer to beep a few minutes early to remind you to get ready.

Visual reminders will help you stay focused and to remind you of your longer-term goals every day. A picture on your desk that you can associate with your higher goals will help you to stay motivated and on track to achieve the longer term objective, e.g. to lose 30 pounds in six months.

Be confident in yourself. Brainwashing yourself by keeping on saying you have a bad memory will probably continue to cause you to have difficulty remembering and undermine your self-esteem. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is important to have a motivated and positive “I CAN remember” attitude. A keen memory needs a well-nourished mind to be able to stay focused and alert. 

Eat and live healthily, get enough sleep and adequate regular exercise. Exercise and develop your mind and memory by reading stimulating books, playing challenging memory games and computer games for good, quick coordination and responses. Keep on top of world news and current issues and trends. Challenge your mind and memory and make them work for you every day. Schedule times to have a family talk-together-time during which you can start sharing your vision of organized living in a friendly way with them. Never nag, but try to convey the need for everybody to embrace a new positive attitude of empowerment and the practical possibility of taking back control of order in the family life as a team. 

Emphasize working together to enhance your living space to become a pleasant and comfortable place you can all be proud of. Don’t become discouraged if they are not exactly enthusiastic at first. Just keep seeding your insights, and eventually they will grow when good results begin emerging. Don’t try to do everything on your own. 

Enlist help by asking nicely and reward them with lavish but honest praise and thanks. Compliment them on jobs well done and never be critical or impatient. Resign yourself to the fact that kids inevitably come with some degree of clutter, but try and help them to develop habits of tidying up and organizing skills.   Assign a place for everything from clothes to underwear and toys, and define it clearly, even mark it with name and place tags. That will make it easy for everybody to find things and find the places where things are supposed to go. “Make sure everything has its place and a place for everything!”

▪ Time is precious and unrecoverable … do not waste it!

Planning can save you enormous amounts of time. Planning means to allocate time. To plan is to design a roadmap of time to get you from here to your goals. Time can be your biggest friend, or your worst nightmare. Put time on your side, think and plan ahead, reduce your stress levels, accomplish your goals and feel in control so you can achieve your peak potential. Eliminate time wasters, distractions and frustrations.  

P_L_A_N!

Prepare yourself through analyzing situations and challenges ahead of time, strategizing, organizing, formulating goals and working towards achieving them, keeping track of progress. Asking “Who, What, When Where, Why and How” can help you to plan ahead. Before you can organize, you have to plan. Think ahead. Visualize solutions and then plan how to achieve them. Plan for the long term and short term, and formulate your goals for each.

Lists are indispensable to live by. To reach your goals you have to do things within a time frame. Organizing your time helps you to track your progress so you get more done with less stress in a calm and efficient way. Use both a master and a “to do” list along with your daily organizer. Plan today for tomorrow. Plan now for later. The rewards are huge!

Act with routines and schedules. Learn to save time in clever ways. Get stuff done much faster by developing smart routines that will get even quicker as you get better at them. Routines bring sanity in a crazy world. Use your planner all day and also schedule time for yourself. Throw in the occasional "no" for less important things. Stick to your new routines. You will stress less and be happier. Be responsible and accountable to keep to your organized schedules and routines, so you can feel in control, be organized, achieve your goals and have more free time on top of it all.

Notice your progress and reward yourself, so you create a stronger incentive to accomplish even more. The positive reinforcement of your success will motivate you even more and you will feel so much better about yourself. Time management is a vital part of getting organized so you can enjoy life more.

More timesaving tips to help you towards getting organized:

Choose and use your day planner carefully. Make sure it suits your every need and is small enough to carry around, but big enough to accommodate your lists. It will help you to effectively lay out your day on paper, so you know where you are going.

Use a big visual dry-erase family planner. This way, everyone in the family knows what everyone else is up to and when. You can plan much better this way to accommodate everyone’s activities, appointments and commitments. Place it up in a convenient location, which might be the refrigerator or in a high-traffic area.

Learn to sometimes say "no." You are only one person can’t do it all! Exercise your stress management techniques by saying "no" occasionally when you are asked to do things that are of little priority to you and may reduce family time.

Take time to enjoy life and have some fun. Spend time with your children. Go out to the movies. Indulge at the spa. Attend sports or shows. Do some gardening. You may even find some chores relaxing. 

Think of what you love to do most and reward yourself at times for your progress in getting organized. Schedule some "me time” and treat it like an appointment with yourself. Everything has a time of its own. Make some time for yourself as well.

Schedule time for installing time-saving devices around the house and for regular clean-up times for drawers, fridges, closets and more, e.g. more hooks for the keys so you don’t waste time looking for them frustrated over missing items. Make sure everything is located easily.