Start Small to get Organized using these simple and easy tips and ideas.
This is the third post in the Jump Start Organizing Series. Check out the 1st and 2nd posts here if you missed them: Decluttering 101 and Tidy Home in 30 Minutes. Starting the organizing process is always the hardest step but before you know it you’ll be on a roll and want to finish the whole house. Often times we tend to over complicate organizing our homes but we don’t need too. These easy organizing ideas often get overlooked but can make a huge difference.
Start Small to Get Organized
Return Borrowed Items – If you borrow something, use it and return it as soon as possible. Don’t store things for someone else, just give it back so they can store it themselves. You will then have extra space for your own things.
Put Everything in Need of Repair in one Place – Gather everything that needs repaired and place it in a box. Label it with the date and set a goal to fix everything inside by a specific date. If you haven’t fixed the items within that time, toss the box. If you haven’t made time to fix the items within your time frame, then they must not be very important to you.
Everything has a Specific Home – Make sure everything you own has a specific “home”. Keep like things together and keep them in the room or space where they are being used. Sometimes it makes sense to have the same item stored in different places in your home, like scissors, paper, writing utensils, etc.
Pick Things up off the Floor – Stacking or storing things on the floor can make a space look cluttered and messy. Place things on shelves, in baskets, or in the closet. Even in the closet try to keep things off the floor so you can easily clean and vacuum.
Clear the Top of a Flat Surface – Horizontal surfaces in your home are a magnet for clutter. Clear the counters, tops of dressers, and other flat surfaces then be aware of what you are placing there. You can easily create a drop zone for things that need to be in certain areas by using a basket, file box, or tray to hold those items.
Toss out Paper – Toss out, shred, or recycle expired coupons, junk mail, newspapers, school papers, magazines, or any old papers you no longer need. Make files for papers you need to keep. I recommend going through your files at least twice a year.
Donate 12 Things – Search for 12 things in your home that are still in good condition but you no longer want or use. Donate the items to a friend or neighbor who you know could use them or to a local charity.
Remove 10 Items from your Closet – Take 10 things from your closet that no longer fit or are worn out. Donate the items that no longer fit. Toss the items that are worn out or turn them into usable rags.
Toss Broken Items – Let me make this easy, if something’s broken toss it out or place it in the repair box. If you don’t repair an item in 3 months then you’re probably never going to, so just toss it. There’s really no need to hold onto broken items. They are just taking up valuable space.
Remove Purchases from Bags – This might seem like an obvious task but you don’t know how many homes I’ve gone into where they still have purchases in bags months later. Take the items out and place them where they belong so you know what you have. This will also prevent you from making duplicate purchases.
It’s amazing what an improvement taking these few steps will have in the look of your house. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how your home looks and feels to yourself and others.
Watch for the next post in the Jump Start Organizing Series:
Daily Organizing Habits
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