Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter & Organize in September
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert
Organize + Energize: 4 Spaces to Declutter & Organize in September
TV Console. When was the last time you actually checked in with this space? How many of you have VCR tapes stored here but got rid of the VCR years ago? It’s time to evaluate what’s going on in this space. Take everything out and give it a good dusting and think about what needs to go back into this space. Look at the empty space and think about how you want to function going forward.
Mail. So many people are overwhelmed by the mail that arrives every day. They’re overwhelmed because they don’t have a system to process it and it ends up getting thrown in a pile with the rest of the mail that hasn’t been looked through in months. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed in this area, join me for my Interactive Paper Management Workshop. I’m giving 3 in the state in October and registration ends soon. Click here for more info.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHall Closet. If the hall closet doesn’t have a purpose, it ends up becoming a drop spot. Empty the entire closet and take inventory. Create your vision for this closet. Give it a purpose. It could be used for coats, seasonal items, active gear, or supplies. It’s up to you! You know how you function and grab items. Just be sure to organize and designate spots for everything you’re keeping here.
Spare Bedroom Closet. What’s hiding in your spare bedroom closet? When was the last time you actually took everything out of this closet? You may find that there are things in here that you were searching for or things you forgot you had. Follow the same process as the hall closet.
Overwhelmed by everything you have to declutter and organize in your home? Take it one step at a time and one small area at a time. Every month I’m giving you 4 spaces so that you won’t be overwhelmed and you can wrap your head around this process, because it is a process. Think about the end result. The energy in your home will shift to a more positive flowing energy. You’ll be less stressed and you’ll become more efficient and productive.
Organizing Products For Your Closet
Flip flop organizer
How many flip flops do you own? Are they thrown all over the closet floor? How long does it take you to find a match to one of them? Bed Bath and Beyond has a $9.99 flip flop organizer that holds 6 pairs of flip flops and hangs nicely in your closet. This is a must-have if you have more than 5 pairs of flip flops. I’ve purchased these for my clients and they work great!
Scarf organizer
You love your scarves, but it takes you forever to locate one and you have to throw 5 around to find the one you are searching for. Use a scarf organizer and you will be able to see all your scarves and find them at a moment’s notice. Bed Bath and Beyond has a few different types of scarf organizers, including this one for $9.99.
Belt organizer
How are you storing your belts? Are they in a tangled mess? Purchase a belt organizer for a cheap solution—they can be as inexpensive as $6.99 from the Container Store.
Tie organizer
Keep your ties organized and hanging on a tie rack, or keep then rolled in a drawer organizer. Whichever way you choose to organize them, treat them with care. To take care of both your belts and your ties in one fell swoop, check out this organizer from the Container Store.
Drawer organizer
This is a must for your underwear, socks, bras, nylons, etc. Drawer organizers will help to maximize space in your closet. You won’t believe the amount of space you will have once you contain these items in drawer organizers!
Jewelry organizer
Are you always trying to detangle your necklaces? Think about how you grab your jewelry and then purchase an organizing system according to how you function. Before you purchase your container, take inventory of what you own and purchase accordingly.
Shoe rack
Did you know people who didn’t own shoe racks were 7 times more likely to show up late for an event? Are your shoes in piles on the floor? Get them off the floor and contain them in a shoe rack. There are many options out there, like this one from Bed Bath and Beyond. Choose the shoe rack that is going to fit what you need to hold and fit in the space you are working with.
Hangers
Are you hanging your clothes on the wire hangers from the dry cleaner? Those hangers will ruin your clothes. Get rid of them and store your clothes on the hanger of your choice, but be consistent and stick with one type of hanger.
Handbags
How are you storing your handbags? Are they stored all over your closet? Are they in bins or crumpled up on the floor? It’s time to organize your bags. There are many options depending on the space you are working with. You can stand them up on a shelf, you can hang them, or if they are small, you can store them in a canvas bin. The choice is yours. Think about how you function and develop a system from there.
Baseball cap organizer
How many baseball caps do you own? How are they organized in your closet now, and how long does it take you to find one? The Container Store (pictured here), Bed Bath and Beyond, and other stores sell this baseball cap organizer. I have a few clients that have purchased them and they love them!
Function over flash
There are many variations on these products. Choose the product that is right for you. There are some organizing products I would never use, but other people might choose to use them. Choose the one that is going to be the most efficient and productive product for you and your family. Don’t choose a product because it’s pretty, choose it based on functionality. Search online for different products before you rush out and purchase a product. You may find that one store is more expensive than another. Don’t forget if you are going to Bed Bath and Beyond to use their 20% off coupons. If you don’t want to purchase these items, get creative and re-purpose items around the home, or make your own!
Kristin MacRae
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on Mondays at 8:30am on www.talkstreamradio.com.
