Organizing Tips
Bring lots of hangers, you can never have enough. It is a great way to make new friends by sharing the extra hangers.
Buy thin hangers because the closet space is limited
Use a second hanging bar to make more room in the closet
1. Store your clothes in the closet. Double your hanging space by purchasing a lower hanging bar. Add an extra shelf up high in the closet to store off-season items mitts, hats.
2. Under-bed storage containers are very helpful for sports equipment, food, laundry detergent, musical instruments, etc
3. Use vertical space to add more storage. There are many types of carts with drawers which can be used to store school supplies, cosmetics, food etc.
4. Use the inside of the bedroom and closet doors to hang items. Over-the-door rack and hook products accommodate coats, clothes, etc
Lots of hooks can be very useful
Use the space on the front and inside of the doors
5. There are many pocket style items that hang from the closet bar. Buy one or a shelf for shoes to use to double the shoe space storage.
6. Make sure anything you buy is returnable because you won’t exactly what you need until you get there.
Need some help planning your move book a 30 minute complimentary appointment to get help planning the space in your new room.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?
Now that some of the restrictions on your life are eased and stores are opening do you want to shop? With fewer activities available to participate in, do you find that shopping is away to pass your time? Especially during these difficult times, it is easy to use retail therapy as a way to temporarily feel better. Shop with a purpose and a list. This will help you to only buy what you need, stay within your budget and keep the clutter under control.
If you find that you spend too much time or money shopping, here are some ideas from “Don’t Agonize Organize your Office” by Diane A Hatcher.
Buying for the Wrong Reasons
- It was on sale
- Too good a bargain to pass up
- I may find a use for it someday
- Someone else I know may need it one day
- It feels good to shop
How to Buy
- Shop for things you need not want
- Shop for things that fit into the space you have
- What am I going to use it for?
- Where am I going to put it?
- When you buy something new, give 2 things away.
Whenever you buy, make a plan first.
Signs can encourage to purchase items, so follow your plan not their plan
What habits have you set for yourself so you don’t buy unnecessary items?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?
My guest blogger this month is Laura McHolm, an organizational, moving and storage expert, and co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company. NorthStar Moving Company is an award-winning, “A+” rated company, which specializes in providing eco-luxury moving and storage services.
Many believe that to lead a more organized and inspired life, the clutter around you must be cleared. It’s simple: if your home is organized, your mindset will be too.
A clean and balanced home is actually a launching pad for many other goals and resolutions. So if you’re already starting to fail at some of your other 2021 resolutions, try this home resolution instead: find more space in your home by clearing out the clutter! Follow these ten tips and I promise you it will inspire you to complete your other resolutions and lead you to a more organized and happier year!
Pantries
Create room by removing the large and awkward food packaging. Purchase clear, air-tight containers, take the box of your food item and cut out the product name, nutritional facts and expiration date. Tape them to the inside of your clear container and then seal the food.
Pantry Shelves
Arrange the food on your shelves to help keep your resolutions. Make “first choice” shelves for the food that you want to stay on that diet. Make shelves that are for the kids’ snacks or foods that you’re just not going to have on a regular basis anymore… You get the idea –some shelves are just for the once a week treat. Some are for every day.
Pantry Storage
If you like to buy in bulk, put the bulk of your paper goods in another location, perhaps a closet or the garage, and place only what you need in your pantry— restock as needed. Tape a note to the shelf stating the location of the extra supplies. When you use the last item it will remind you of the location where more are stored.
In the Kitchen
When storing pots, pans and other durable items, stack them on their sides like files. This simple step not only creates more room, it also allows you to see exactly what you need. Caddies or sorters from a shelf or container store have great tools for vertical organizing. Have all this in mind when planning your next kitchen remodelling.
It’s simple: if your home is organized, your mindset will be too. Click To TweetDressers
Place clothing in drawers vertically (not the traditional horizontal piles) because it not only maximizes space, it allows you to find items more quickly. You can purchase wooden planks or plastic planks to use as dividers. This way you can see all of your clothes at once when you open the drawer.
Closets
If your shoes don’t have a place they end up in a pile taking up valuable space. Place shoes and accessories in clear plastic containers so you can see everything and tape their photo to the inside of their container with the photo facing out. This little step gives you triple duty: more space, you can find it easier and better still you can put it away in the exact same spot for the next time that hot date rolls around…
Our Shoe Box, Container Store
Organize by Color
Organize your closet and drawers from dark to light. It can be a great way to find out that you really have way too many black blouses… and you can keep your resolution of being kinder and gentler by donating the extras!
Kids’ Rooms
Purchase bed raisers for under-the-bed storage. Make sure they are sturdy and the bed can’t be knocked off the raisers during a game of hide and seek. You can also purchase under the bed drawers. You can store everything from shoes, laundry basket, books and any bulky items that might otherwise clutter their room.
A Baby’s Closet
Is there room to add another bar? Take advantage of the fact that baby clothing is smaller and if you can, add an additional bar to hang the clothing to maximize space. You can purchase pre-made closet organizers that you can customize to make the most out of your baby’s closet.
Neatfreak Hanging Expandable Bar
The best trick to more space in your home is less is more! So if you find you have extra things laying around, throw a reverse housewarming party! You’ll be starting a new party trend. Set aside your unwanted items and instead of having your friends bring a housewarming gift, they are to pick one of your items and take it home with them. This is a great way to reunite with friends, find your unwanted things a good home, and de-clutter all at the same time!
Originally posted on porch.com
If you need help implementing these suggestions book a complimentary 30-minute virtual appointment.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 2 minutes
Controlling the clutter at the entrance to your home can be a nightmare. With many people using the same area and all having different organizing styles clutter can develop. Together decide on what will be stored near the doorway and how it will be stored. When everyone knows the plan, everyone can participate in keeping the entranceway clutter-free.
1. A place for coats
Place hooks low enough that everyone can hang up his or her own coats, sweaters, and jackets.
2. A spot for bags and backpacks
Establish a space that can be reached without help for each person’s backpack or gym bag. This could be a shelf, cupboard or hook.
Organizing Backpacks
3. Use vertical space
Have enough space near the entrance for shoes that are used regularly. Buy stackable shoe racks and use vertical space efficiently. Footwear worn occasionally should be stored elsewhere and brought out as needed.
4. Use the inside of doors
Have a place for seasonal hats, gloves and scarves. A hanging shoe organizer is ideal for this purpose. Put regularly-worn hats, scarves and pairs of gloves into the pockets, where you can easily see each item and quickly select what you need. Storing hats, mitts and scarves directly with a jacket also helps to keep everything together. During the warmer months put sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses and hats in the pockets
Use a shoe organizer for hats baseball caps gloves sunglasses
5. Have a collection basket
Have a basket to collect mail, newspapers, schoolwork as you come in the door. It will keep all the paperwork in one place and you can easily take the basket to your work area to sort it and deal with items quickly.
Samsill Pop,n Store Container
6. Collect garbage and recycling
Do you need a garbage can and recycling bin near the entranceway? Some people do and some people don’t. It helps to keep the area clean. Garbage from the car, a backpack, gym bag or snack can be easily tidied up and not left lying around. I saw this wastebasket with 4 compartments on one of my trips. 
7. Protect your personal property
It is tempting to store keys, phones and purses near the door. Don’t do it. Find a more secure location for those items so no one picks them up and walks away with them when you’re distracted.
8. Have multi-use furniture
It is nice to have a place a person can sit to put on their shoes or boots. Have a stool that also has storage space. It can be a good place to put a blanket for sitting outside when it gets cool, cushions for chairs, small toys for children or pet supplies.
Nebel Foldable 15″ Tufted Square Storage Ottoman
9. Re-purpose furniture
Add a deacon’s bench, buffet, or dresser that is sitting around your home. Place it by your entranceway to provide additional storage with no additional cost.
Mickelsen Entryway Hall Tree with Bench
Use verticle spaces in your entranceway to get more storage space. Click To Tweet
10. Declutter often
Declutter your entranceway often. Place items back in their correct storage place, let go of items you no longer need, store off season items way from the entrance and remove garbage and recycling.
Book a virtual organizing appointment and work with Julie to get your entranceway working well for you. Click here for more information about Virtual organizing services
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
No matter how beautiful and organized your laundry area looks, if you don’t have a routine for getting laundry to the washer, into the dry and back to bedrooms you will still have a problem. These tips will help you establish a routine that will work in your household.
Collect the laundry
1. Keep a central collection area for your laundry close to where people change. The main bathroom, near the bedrooms, is often a good choice. Keep three hampers – one each for light, medium and dark-coloured clothing. Make sure everyone knows to empty pockets, because no one else is going to check. You may prefer to have each person have their own bin in their room.
Have everyone in the family sort their laundry and put it in the hamper.
2. Keep a stain remover nearby so that everyone can treat the stains on their own clothing. Children may need help with the most difficult, like blood. Use shampoo without conditioner on grease stains. Once stains are treated, fold the clothing to prevent stain remover from touching the hamper. Remember to place clothing in the correct laundry hamper.
Schedule time
3. Establish a day when the laundry will be washed. Clothing will need to be in the hamper and someone will bring it to the laundry room. You may need to establish a day or time for each member to do their own laundry.
Set timers
4. As you’re placing clothing into the washer or dryer set a time on your phone, stove, clock so you remember to switch the clothing to the dryer or take it out of the dryer. It is easy to forget that the washer or dryer has completed the cycle if it isn’t near where you are working. Then time passes and you didn’t get much laundry done that day, the clothing in the dryer is very wrinkled or the damp clothing has an unpleasant oder.Setting up routines makes it easier to accomplish tasks taking less energy and time to complete them Click To Tweet
Organize an area
5. Have a table or space available so you can fold and pile items as they are removed from the dryer. Making piles of clothing allows people to come and pick up their clothes and put them away. If you have small children in the home place their piles of clothing on their bed, pants, tops, underware, socks etc and help them to learn to put it away in the correct spot. It is a skill that will last them a life time.
6. Have a place to hang up clothes – a line, door hooks or a free-standing wire rack. Don’t spend your time folding clothes that get unfolded once they reach the bedroom. Hang them up straight out of the dryer.
7. Establish a laundry supply shelf or cupboard. Be sure to have a variety of supplies available so you can easily handle any stain – detergent, bleach, shampoo, stain remover, a bar of laundry soap – and quick hand-washing items. Include a basin so you can conveniently soak or hand wash items.
For tips and articles to help you organize your mind and space join Julie’s Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?
Quick Tip: Estimating Photos from APPO
Association of Personal Photo Organizers
The association has changed its name to The Photo Managers
No need to count every photo in the box, especially if you are working with hundreds of printed photos for a job. Instead, use a ruler or a scale. Did you know 1 inch of printed photos stacked is about 100 photos? If you are estimating a shoebox packed full of printed photos, get your ruler out and measure the length of the box for a reasonable estimate of quantity. And 1000 photos weigh between 6 and 7 lbs, so set the tub of photos on a scale instead! APPO are the experts in photo organizing.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Quick Tip: Sorting Photos
Instead of trying to sort photos chronologically sort them by topics. Photos tell stories. By sorting using topics you will get stories on vacations, cars you’ve owned, children’s lives, pets, flowers, scenery etc. Pick any topics that suits your life and start making piles. As you’re sorting, get rid of ones that are out of focus, duplicates, one you don’t recognize the people or setting.
Scrapbooking, photo albums or photo boxes
Once your photos are sorted, label each pile by theme or date and store them. You may want to do a scrapbooking project with them, organize them in photo albums or keep them in photo boxes. I choose photo boxes for my pictures. It was quick and easy to put each category in an envelope, label it and place them in a photo box. I used the envelopes that the photos came in from the store and cut off the flap. You can use more attractive envelopes and use colouring coding too. You might just want to use dividers cut from cardboard or bought at a stationary store.
The boxes can be archive quality or from the dollar store. I found they took up less space than photo albums and took less time to get the photos put away neatly.
This box holds 4 x 6 photos, and panoramic photos and has an envelope for large (8 x10) photos.
To digitize or not to digitize?
Digitizing all your pictures may not get you the results you want. They will take up less physical space but they will still be unorganized in the cloud or on your computer. Digitizing your entire photo collection can be expensive. Use a reputable company so your photos don’t get lost or damaged. I always suggest to my clients that they only digitize a small portion of their photos. Selected the best of the best photos and put them in a folder with a title. When you send them off to be digitized tell them to put it in a folder with the same name. When you have them back in the cloud or on your computer you will be able to easily find them and enjoy them. You may want to have them on a digital photo frame. If you want to share a photo or 2 or 3 with someone quickly, you can take a picture of the photo with your phone or tablet and send it to them.
Share how you store your photos.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer.
Harry Potter Film Studio, England 2017
We use 20% of the stuff we own. Keep the 20% of paper that is important and discard the other 80% . Click To Tweet
1. Don’t allow paper to build up
- Handle paper daily, don`t let it grow into a pile
- Place all paper in one location, don’t let it travel all over the home
- Open mail and discard the envelop and advertising
- Schedule a time to file, make calls, pay bills etc
2. Make a decision on each paper the first time you touch it
- If it can be done in 60 seconds or less to it now, otherwise R.A.F.T it
- Set up 3 files, bins or trays and sort your paper into:
- R – read later
- A – action required
- F – file
- T – toss it / shred it now
3. Follow through on work
- Each time you pick a sheet of paper put a small dot on the top corner.
- Three dots or more means it is time to take action on that piece of paper.
- If you are procrastinating about what to do, it probably means you are not sure how to solve the problem in the paperwork. Ask for advise, designate it to someone else, research the issue or break it into smaller parts you can complete.
4. Be ruthless
- 80% of what is filed is never accessed again, so 80% or more of the paper you receive on a daily basis can be discarded
- Clear out your files once or twice a year
- Remove yourself from subscription lists
5. Think before you print
- File e-mails in a folder on the computer
- Print only the selection of the e-mail or webpage you need
6. Store inactive files in boxes indicating a destroy date
7. Follow retention guidelines
- Retain files as specified by your company or accountant
- Put inactive files in boxes and place them in storage indicating a destroy date on the box
- Clear out outdated files
For more great office organizing ideas read “Don’t Agonize Organize Your Office” by Diane A Hatcher
If you need help with your paper organizing book a complimentary discovery organizing session with me. Organizing Session
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Click here to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?
My guest blogger is Wendy Dessler of EverPresent
Photos capture moments that celebrate joy. Sometimes, they’re a snapshot of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Other times, they’re an heirloom to look back on that captures a candid moment with a loved one. In most cases, they’re irreplaceable.
Storing and preserving your old images ensures that your memories persevere. Here are some tips for protecting your precious memories so that they stand the test of time.
Digitize Your Images
The best way to maintain and preserve old photos is to ensure that there is a digital copy. Not only does this keep your memories safe in the event of a disaster, but it also makes it easier to share those memories with other members of your family. For example, using a slide scanning service offer to transfer your old vacation slides to a disc will allow you and your siblings to share the memories without worrying about hard copies.
With the prevalence of cloud and remote technology, it’s easier than ever to digitize your images. Use a cloud sharing service to store copies of your photos to use for future projects and future generations.
Keep Old Photos Out of Light
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
The sun and exposure to light over time can have a detrimental impact on your original photos. When storing images, be sure to keep them out of the light. Rather than framing and displaying that original sepia photo of your great grandfather on his farm, make a copy and display that instead. Keep the original stored in a dark area to help maintain it.
It’s not only old polaroids that you have to worry about. Even printed photos from as late as the 1990s and early 2000s are susceptible to light damage. Never display a photo without ensuring you have the original tucked away for safekeeping.
Avoid Pens, Clips, and Rubber Bands
Keeping similar photos together with clips and rubber bands can be tempting, but they can also damage your photos over time. Instead, use dividers to separate your images by date, place or event. When looking for paper dividers, be sure to use archival quality paper that won’t discolor your image over the years.
Noting where the image was taken and who is in it can be beneficial when looking back. It’s a great way to pass along some interesting family history to younger generations. However, writing on the back of the image in pen can indent the front of the image, causing breakage. Furthermore, the ink can seep over time, impacting the image touching the ink from behind.
Get some high-quality sticky notes to adhere to the back of your image and write in pencil when possible. There are also archival-grade pens for this purpose. When using these pens, be sure to allow the ink to dry completely before storing your photos.
Taking measures to protect your photos will keep your memories safe for years to come. Click To TweetMake it Air and Water Tight
The more secure your images, the better they will last. Forgo the decorative cardboard and wooden boxes and store your images in airtight totes. Not only will this help protect your images from the elements, but it will make them much easier to transport.
Have Smart Handling Protocols
When taking your photos out, set some ground rules. First and foremost, ensure no one has food or beverages near the photo. One small accident can result in the loss of your precious memories. Be sure that handlers wash their hands first and try to hold the photos by the edges to avoid smudges and fingerprints.
If you plan on handling a lot of images at once or are working on a photo project, it’s worth wearing pure cotton gloves to create a barrier between the images and the natural oils your body produces.
Looking for a Personal Photo Organizer to help you with your photos? Go to APPO and find a directory of photo organizers in your area.
Taking measures to protect your photos will keep your memories safe for years to come.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Julieorganizer Facebook – http://facebook.com/mindoverclutter/
Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space https://www.facebook.com/groups/1881280812154271/
What to learn more about working with a Professional Organizer?
https://mindoverclutter.ca/what-does-a-professional-organizer-do/
Photo by BBH Singapore on Unsplash
Today I have a guest blogger, Haley Kieser of Zog Digital. She always shares an inspiring fresh approach to freshening up your home.
Organizing a master closet is one of those tasks that usually comes last on the list. Master closets are often where extra things get stored to be dealt with later. Instead of putting off this chore, make your closet functional right now by planning out what you’re going to do and then tackling the make-over.
Clean-Up
Take everything out of the closet. You won’t be doing yourself any favours if you tackle this project with all the things still in it, or by doing part of it at a time. You need to get a fresh start.
While everything’s out, do some paring down. You can use the Marie Kondo method, ask yourself these questions, or simply choose to get rid of items that you haven’t worn in a year or more. If none of these get you to the point of decluttering, consult with a professional organizer.
Lighting
Next, make sure there’s a bright light near or inside your closet so you can easily see your clothing. This may mean simply placing a lamp close by, or if you have the room, installing a light inside. If there’s no existing fixture, you can either hire an electrician to run the wiring inside or choose a wireless lighting option. There are many strong, high-quality LED lights that you can add. Choose the center of the closet as placement for a larger light or pick two or three smaller ones to provide plenty of light across the board.
If there’s already a light inside the closet, consider whether it’s bright enough and whether you like the fixture aesthetically. This is the time to choose something decorative that goes with your personal style, like a fun crystal piece.
Paint
A new coat of paint makes a huge difference inside a closet. Not only will it rid the walls of the wear and tear closets always get, it will also make them seem bigger and brighter. First, pick a shade and finish. WOW 1 Day Painting suggests using semi-gloss paint. This is a shiny finish that reflects light better than satin or eggshell, so you can better see your clothes. Choose a light-toned colour. It doesn’t have to be white but go for the lightest colour in your chosen colour family.
Organizational System
Decide whether your current shelving and clothing rod system is meeting your needs. Perhaps you want more shoe storage or don’t have enough space to hang your clothes.
Measure your closet both horizontally and vertically and sketch out a plan. You can do this on paper (graph paper works best) or use a software tool. When planning, keep in mind that generally, you want to have the things you use every day at your eye level. Little-used clothing, like formal dresses or overcoats, can go in a less-reachable space.
Consider whether or not you like to hang up or fold most of your clothes. If you like to fold them, then you’ll want shelves or drawers more than you want closet rods. Allow 40-42 inches of vertical space for hanging clothes.
There are lots of mostly pre-made closet systems available at home improvement stores these days. These come in single or multiple components, so you can mix and match them for your needs. For instance, if you have a lot of purses, you may want to install cubbies. The good thing about these systems is that they’re easy to install with some basic tools and are already painted.
You can also make your own shelving or hire a professional to do it. If you’re making your own shelving, then you’ll want to do this step before the paint, so you can paint everything at once. You’ll also need some higher-level handyman skills and tools like a table saw to do the job well.
Accessorize
Even if you don’t have much room, you can choose some things like fancy closet hooks to give your space some personal flair when you hang up necklaces and robes. A small chair or pouf to sit on is both practical and can reflect what you like.
Now that your closet system is in place, you can put all your clothing and accessories back. A functional closet is a lot more fun to use, and the organization system will make it easy to keep neat.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Click here to learn more about her online course Create an Organized Home.
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Most of us keep more than we will ever need. This costs valuable storage space, makes retrieval of the items we actually need more difficult and adds to the stress of daily living. The famous Japanese organizer Marie Kondo tells you to ask if the object sparks joy for you. If it does keep it, if not donate it. Sometimes that question doesn’t solve the dilemma if you should keep something or donate it. The following questions might be more helpful when you ‘re making those decisions.
For Paper:
- Are there any tax or legal reasons for keeping this?
- Can I easily get a copy elsewhere?
- Does someone else have this information?
. - Can I identify a situation in which I would ever refer to this information?
- Is it still relevant to my life?
- What are the implications if I didn’t have this?
-
Shred papers that contain personal information.
For belongings:
- Is it out of style, the wrong size or colour or mismatched?
- Does it still work? Do I have all the parts?
- When was the last time I used this item and when would I need to use it in the foreseeable future?
- If it is something I use rarely, could I borrow one from someone else?
- Do I use it often enough to make it worth the cost to store it?
- Do I have more than one? Do I need more than one?
- Has the collection outgrown the space or the container originally allocated to storing it? Has the collector outgrown the collection?
- Is it the best of the best?
Swedish Death Cleaning
A third way to decide what to keep and what to donate is conveyed in the Swedish Death Cleaning method. Ask yourself:
- If you died tomorrow, your loved ones would have to deal with everything you left behind. What would they really want to see left?
- Start thinking about the cost of holding onto things, instead of thinking about the cost of needing it one day and not having it. Click To Tweet
Give yourself permission to let go of things. Don’t let the fear of making a mistake cause you to keep things you don’t need, love or use.
Tell us how you decide what to keep and what to let go
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, in person and virtually. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
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