by Professional Organizer Orange County
When you need/want to organize your closets, where should you start?
1. The first step in organizing is to assess what you have in your space. To do this you need to pull everything out of your closet and sort it into categories: clothes, shoes, hats, sports equipment, toys, sheets, towels, blankets, etc.
2. Once you have everything sorted into categories it is time to decide if you need to keep everything in that category. Start with one category at a time and decide:
a. What do I want the purpose of this closet to be: linens, clothing, storage, utilities? Does this item belong in this specific closet?
b. Do I have more than one of this item? Can I donate excess items that I no longer use?
c. Purge what you can in each category: Ask yourself if you use that item? If you love that item? Is it in good condition? Do you have a better item that you can replace an old item with?
d. Remove all items that do not belong in that space.
What are some effective tips for organizing your closets (consider bedroom, entry/hall, linen, etc.)? What are some space saving/effective space usage tips?
Once you have determined which items are staying in that closet it is time to create systems that will help you to maintain order and organization in your space.
It is very important that you measure your space before you start buying products. The proper sized organizing supplies will create the proper storage solutions for your needs.
Labeling bins, containers and shelves benefits everyone in the household by helping them to maintain the closet.
Bedroom
1. Purge clothing and shoes every six months. Purge anything you haven’t worn in 1 year, any clothing that is ripped or stained, anything that doesn’t fit.
2. Matching hangers make clothing stand out and look like a designer closet.
3. Store seasonal clothes in airtight bins: ski clothes, camping clothes, etc.
4. Get shoes off of the floor by putting them on shoe racks or in hanging shoe shelves
5. Hang clothes according to type and color: Tank tops
6. Hanging canvas shelves are great for folding sweaters and jeans
7. A valet hook on the back of the closet door is useful for hanging your outfit for tomorrow. It also can make packing for a vacation that much easier.
8. Utilize all unused space by adding a double hanging rod to increase hanging space.
9. Hang all short hang items together this allows for storage space under the clothing for drawers, a rolling cart, or a shoe rack.
10. Shelf dividers also act as bookends for purses, folded sweaters, and t-shirts
Entry/Hall
1. This type of closet should be used to store:
a. coats
b. umbrellas
c. luggage
d. any items that you use daily i.e. briefcase, backpack, etc.
2. Adding shelving in this area will aid in utilizing all unused space.
Pantry
1. The first step in organizing a pantry is to clean out all old and expired food.
2. Sort food into categories: baking, dinner foods, cereal, breakfast, canned vegetables, canned fruit.
3. Try to keep only food and paper good in your pantry.
4. Airtight containers are great for grains and pastas. They help keep bugs out. If a product has specific directions on the box, cut them out and tape them to the lid of the airtight container. Make sure they are labeled.
5. Save space by adding stackable shelves for short cans. In addition, stair steps help you to see spices and smaller condiments.
6. Baskets help contain spice and drink packets.
7. Lazy Susans make it easier to see condiments and canned goods.
Kids Closets
1. Kids closets should be handled similarly to adults’.
2. Add shelving and hanging systems that help your children to reach their clothing on their own.
3. If you need to store toys and clothes in the same space it is important to distinguish separate zones for each category.
4. Toys fit well on shelves. Avoid toy chests for they tend to have items dumped into them.
5. Label storage containers with pictures of items for children who are too young to read.
6. Store outgrown or too large of clothes on a top shelf in nice canvas bins. Make sure the sizes are labeled clearly on the outside of the bin.
7. Use children’s sized hangers.
8. Get your kids involved in the organizing process so they are excited to maintain their closet.
Linen Closets
1. Linen closets can be sorted and purge like any other closet.
2. Eliminate all old or torn sheets and towels.
3. Categorize sheets by room or size.
4. Categorize towels by: kids, guests, beach, master bath, etc.
5. Keep large blankets in blanket storage bags. These bags help blankets stay clean. It is easier to stack them on a shelf this way.
6. Put all tablecloths together. Napkin and placemat sets should be kept with the matching tablecloth.
7. Label each shelf so that laundry is an easy task.
8. Keep heavy winter blankets on the top shelf.
What are some new products on the market that make closet organization easier/better?
I have mentioned a few great organizing products above. The best places to look for products are:
1. The Container Store
2. Linens and Things
3. Bed Bath and Beyond
4. Target
5. www.Organize.com
A great system that I love to use in closets in the Elfa system from the Container Store and Organize.com. This is a versatile closet system that is easy to design and install. I have installed a dozen of them on my own.
The most important advice I can give about organizing products is to make sure you measure, measure, measure. Make sure the containers and systems you purchase are the right size for your needs. Always give yourself 10% room to grow in your containers and on your shelves. This allows for new items you bring into your home.
Once your new systems are in place it is important to update and modify your systems as your needs change. Every 6 months to a year is a good time frame for updating your systems. Make sure you are still using everything in your closet. If you have started to get a little disorganized again, you may need to make a small adjustment with your system.
Your system has to work for you. If you like colors, buy colorful creative looking storage solutions. If you need to see everything you own, then use clear see-through products. The bottom line is that if you do not love your space you are not going to maintain it. Have fun with the organizing process. It is fun to discover items you have forgotten about, or possessions that bring back memories.
OUR CONTACT INFO:
Professional Organizer Orange County – Custom Organizing
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
rm2breathe@hotmail.com
(949) 500-8234
Amanda Armstrong – Owner / Professional Organizer
Monday, August 18, 2008
HOW TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
By NAPO - The head of our organization says
Their Website link to this article, if it does not come up you can read it below:
http://www.napo.net/public/Org_tips/po_hire.asp
Also Visit: Professional Organizer Orange County
How to Hire a Professional Organizer
After many years of unrealized New Year's resolutions and failed attempts to get organized on your own, you have finally decided to take the plunge and hire a professional organizer. And why shouldn't you? People hire personal trainers, life coaches, and image consultants to help them achieve their goals, so is there something wrong with you if you need professional help to get organized? Absolutely not.
You know you will benefit greatly from getting the help you need, yet the process of finding the "right one" might seem confusing and overwhelming. Relax. Finding a professional organizer is no different than hiring any other service professional. You need to know what services you are looking for and hire the person you feel most comfortable working with. You need to ask the right questions to make sure that there is a good fit. The "right choice" for you will be a professional organizer who has the expertise, skill set, and personality that best suit you to help you achieve your goals.
What kind of professional organizing services are you looking for?
Some professional organizers offer a wide range of services, while others limit their practices to a specialized niche. Some organizers prefer to work with corporate rather than residential clients; some specialize in creating custom filing or closet systems; others may specialize in preparing for moves or organizing collections and memorabilia. There are even professional organizers who specialize in working with clients who are chronically disorganized or have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Once you determine the type of organizing services you are looking for, you are ready to begin your search.
Where do you begin your search to locate the best organizer to work with you?
By using the Find an Organizer referral system, you can designate your search criteria. You can search for a professional by organizing specialty, distance from your location, or both. The Web site's database will list the names and contact information for professional organizers who match your selected criteria.
Another great place to look for an organizer is the local Yellow Pages. The headings vary from city to city, but one of the more commonly used headings is "Organizing Products and Services." You can also utilize the Internet, where you will find hundreds of Web sites detailing the range of services each professional organizer provides.
How do you interview professional organizers and decide who is right?
You should speak to several professional organizers before choosing one to work with. This can easily be done by telephone or e-mail and will save both you and the organizer much time. If you prefer to meet the organizer in person before making a decision, some organizers offer free consultations, while others charge for them and credit that fee if they are hired. Others will charge one fee for a client assessment and another fee for service.
What questions should you be asking?
One of the first questions you should ask is whether the organizer is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Of course, NAPO membership does not guarantee the quality of the professional organizer's work, but it does demonstrate a commitment to continuing education and an industry code of ethics. Other professional associations directly related to the organizing industry include Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
Other questions to ask are as follows: What services do you provide? What are your areas of specialization? How long have you been a professional organizer? What can I expect from you? How long is a typical work session? Who will I be working with? How do you charge for your services? Do you have a contract? Do you have references? Is the work of your company guaranteed?
Your relationship with a professional organizer will be a very personal one. An experienced professional organizer will ask a lot of questions about you, your work style, what you are looking for, and the issues you believe have thwarted your best attempts to get organized in the past. They are not being nosy. They want to get to know you, understand your objectives, and determine whether there is a good fit between your personalities and philosophies. Don't be shy. It is in your best interest to be as open as you can and clear about the results you want to achieve.
What are the fees that you should expect to pay?
As with most professions, fees vary widely based on experience, geographic location, and competition. Many professional organizers charge by the hour, while others prefer value-based pricing and charge by the project. Some will give you options. You will need to establish a budget in your own mind and decide what feels most comfortable to you. The most important thing to note is to avoid choosing a professional organizer strictly by price. Finding an organizer with a skill set that matches your needs and a personality you "click" with is what will provide you with the best value and deliver the results you expect in the shortest amount of time.
Your decision is not irreversible. Professional organizers should be nonjudgmental, encouraging, and supportive. They should be good listeners and recommend a variety of suggestions, alternatives, and solutions to create the system that will work best for you. If you begin working with a professional organizer and decide that you are not comfortable with his or her particular methodology or style, you are rarely under obligation to continue the relationship after the initial visit. Be sure to let the organizer know how you feel, and more than likely, he or she will be happy to recommend a colleague who is better suited to work with you.
If you have been imagining a clutter-free home or office and a desk that you can actually see and use, don't put it off any longer! By following these simple steps, you can competently and confidently hire a professional organizer and get the help you need. You will be amazed how quickly your dreams of living and working in a functional and clutter-free environment will become your new reality.
Suggested Top 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Professional Organizer
- What kinds of organizing projects do you do?
- Who is your typical/usual client?
- What are your specialty areas?
- Do you have any training or hold any certifications in organizing or related areas?(chronic disorganization, coaching, feng shui, interior design, etc.)
- Can you describe your organizing process/approach? (consulting, coaching, hands-on, team organizing, seminars/workshops, training, etc.)
- How long have you been in the organizing business?
- What is your fee structure?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Can you provide references?
- I have tried to get organized before. How will this be different?
KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION
by Professional Organizer Orange County
What are the downsides of a disorganized home?
The downsides of a disorganized home can be like the layers of an onion. They can start with the basics, such as: you can not find anything, much time is wasted looking for things, items get lost for weeks or months on end. To the complex: appointments are forgotten, important documents are lost, money is wasted buying items that are already in your home. To the emotional: you do not have a peaceful living environment with nowhere to relax, kids can be affected at school by losing homework or schoolbooks. Having an organized home is one of the best things you can do for your family. It brings peace to the family unit, reduces fighting about cleaning room and doing chores. Time and money are not saved when your home runs efficiently and peacefully.
I understand that a key to successful organization is realizing that there is no such thing as an instant fix.
Explain this.
Cleaning up is one thing but getting to the root of why you are disorganized is another. Most people can clean up their houses so they look nice but a week later, it is back to the same disorganized state. Typically, disorganization comes from an underlying cause. For example, a recent move, a recent emotional devastation, one’s time is spread too thin, etc. Once you are honest with yourself and find the underlying cause of what is creating your disorganization you can start to make the right changes to get on the track to organization. Remember, it may have taken months or years for you to become disorganized therefore, it takes patience to get organized. Most people can get organized in a matter of weeks but it does take hard work, dedication and motivation to get the job done.
Do you have 10 to a dozen quick tips for general organizing?
1. Sort Items into categories to make it easier to purge.
2. Label bins, shelves, and drawers.
3. Go vertical with shelving. This uses wall space instead of floor space.
4. Put hanging file folder tabs on the font of the file. This allows for easy access to papers in the file.
5. Spend 15-30 min a day keeping your house in order. Put things back into their homes.
6. Give each space a specific purpose. Playroom, reading nook, kids electronic games at one TV only, always fold laundry in the same place, bill paying desk, etc.
7. Create zones in your garage so it is easy to find your gear: sports, camping, beach, gardening, holiday storage.
8. Measure the space you are buying containers for before you buy. Make sure your organizing tool fits the space and item that is being organized.
9. Finished incomplete project or decide to let them go, you will be surprised how much space and energy unfinished projects take up.
10. Do not bring junk mail into your house.
11. Start in the space you spend most of your time in.
12. Have a staging area where you set up bins or bags for trash and donate items.
What are your top 5 to 10 items every homeowner needs to achieve an organized home?
1. Mail Center - Put a small decorative file box where you typically pile your mail. Set up files to maintain your weekly mail: Bills To Pay, Upcoming Events, Coupons, Mail to Read, a file for each person in the household’s mail.
2. Drawer Dividers – Every drawer in your home should have a drawer divider. Make sure to measure your drawer and the items in it before you buy your dividers. There are many different types of divider so make sure they fit your needs.
3. Filing System – Each household needs to have a filing system set up to maintain all of your family’s documents. This is especially important if you run a business out of your home.
4. Cabinets or Shelving in the garage. An organized garage keeps your home organized. Cabinets or shelving gives you more storage space and helps you keep items off the floor.
5. Label Maker – Labeling shelves, bins, drawers, etc. Helps the whole family to keep items in their homes and makes finding things a snap.
6. Built-in Custom Closets – If your budget allows built-ins are a great solution because they can be customized to fit your specific organizational needs.
Any tips for getting motivated to get organized?
Start small. Pick one room to start in and one category in that room. For example, start with your master closet and start with shoes.
Give your self a time limit each time you organize. Work for one hour then stop and go on about your day. Come back to the same project the next day for another hour until the task is complete.
Music always helps to get you motivated and working fast.
Free yourself of all distractions.
Always remember your end goal of an organized and efficient space. The reward far outweighs the work.
What are some ways to get the kids involved
Make it fun by creating a game for them. Set up bins for each category of items in the room: games, electronics, books, art supplies, trash, donate.
Give them short time periods (30 seconds – 1 min) to sort the items in the bins to see how much they can fill up.
Let them make the decision on what to get rid of. First, explain to them the benefit of giving their old toys or clothes to less fortunate kids.
At the end, reward them with their favorite dinner or a trip to the movies.
Do you have suggestions for local places that people can send/recycle their stuff? (Names, location, phone, Web site) for clothes, electronics, household items, prom dresses, etc.
Goodwill Industries – Household Items
http://locator.goodwill.org/
Working Wardrobes – Men’s & Women’s Clothing, Prom Dresses
www.workingwardrobes.org
Electronic Recycling
www.eRecycle.org
Junk Removal Shred-It Paper Shredding
1-800-GOT-JUNK www.shredit.com
Professional Organizer Orange County – Custom Organizing
Owner – Amanda Armstrong
(949) 500-8234
462 Seaward Rd.
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
rm2breathe@hotmail.com
What are the downsides of a disorganized home?
The downsides of a disorganized home can be like the layers of an onion. They can start with the basics, such as: you can not find anything, much time is wasted looking for things, items get lost for weeks or months on end. To the complex: appointments are forgotten, important documents are lost, money is wasted buying items that are already in your home. To the emotional: you do not have a peaceful living environment with nowhere to relax, kids can be affected at school by losing homework or schoolbooks. Having an organized home is one of the best things you can do for your family. It brings peace to the family unit, reduces fighting about cleaning room and doing chores. Time and money are not saved when your home runs efficiently and peacefully.
I understand that a key to successful organization is realizing that there is no such thing as an instant fix.
Explain this.
Cleaning up is one thing but getting to the root of why you are disorganized is another. Most people can clean up their houses so they look nice but a week later, it is back to the same disorganized state. Typically, disorganization comes from an underlying cause. For example, a recent move, a recent emotional devastation, one’s time is spread too thin, etc. Once you are honest with yourself and find the underlying cause of what is creating your disorganization you can start to make the right changes to get on the track to organization. Remember, it may have taken months or years for you to become disorganized therefore, it takes patience to get organized. Most people can get organized in a matter of weeks but it does take hard work, dedication and motivation to get the job done.
Do you have 10 to a dozen quick tips for general organizing?
1. Sort Items into categories to make it easier to purge.
2. Label bins, shelves, and drawers.
3. Go vertical with shelving. This uses wall space instead of floor space.
4. Put hanging file folder tabs on the font of the file. This allows for easy access to papers in the file.
5. Spend 15-30 min a day keeping your house in order. Put things back into their homes.
6. Give each space a specific purpose. Playroom, reading nook, kids electronic games at one TV only, always fold laundry in the same place, bill paying desk, etc.
7. Create zones in your garage so it is easy to find your gear: sports, camping, beach, gardening, holiday storage.
8. Measure the space you are buying containers for before you buy. Make sure your organizing tool fits the space and item that is being organized.
9. Finished incomplete project or decide to let them go, you will be surprised how much space and energy unfinished projects take up.
10. Do not bring junk mail into your house.
11. Start in the space you spend most of your time in.
12. Have a staging area where you set up bins or bags for trash and donate items.
What are your top 5 to 10 items every homeowner needs to achieve an organized home?
1. Mail Center - Put a small decorative file box where you typically pile your mail. Set up files to maintain your weekly mail: Bills To Pay, Upcoming Events, Coupons, Mail to Read, a file for each person in the household’s mail.
2. Drawer Dividers – Every drawer in your home should have a drawer divider. Make sure to measure your drawer and the items in it before you buy your dividers. There are many different types of divider so make sure they fit your needs.
3. Filing System – Each household needs to have a filing system set up to maintain all of your family’s documents. This is especially important if you run a business out of your home.
4. Cabinets or Shelving in the garage. An organized garage keeps your home organized. Cabinets or shelving gives you more storage space and helps you keep items off the floor.
5. Label Maker – Labeling shelves, bins, drawers, etc. Helps the whole family to keep items in their homes and makes finding things a snap.
6. Built-in Custom Closets – If your budget allows built-ins are a great solution because they can be customized to fit your specific organizational needs.
Any tips for getting motivated to get organized?
Start small. Pick one room to start in and one category in that room. For example, start with your master closet and start with shoes.
Give your self a time limit each time you organize. Work for one hour then stop and go on about your day. Come back to the same project the next day for another hour until the task is complete.
Music always helps to get you motivated and working fast.
Free yourself of all distractions.
Always remember your end goal of an organized and efficient space. The reward far outweighs the work.
What are some ways to get the kids involved
Make it fun by creating a game for them. Set up bins for each category of items in the room: games, electronics, books, art supplies, trash, donate.
Give them short time periods (30 seconds – 1 min) to sort the items in the bins to see how much they can fill up.
Let them make the decision on what to get rid of. First, explain to them the benefit of giving their old toys or clothes to less fortunate kids.
At the end, reward them with their favorite dinner or a trip to the movies.
Do you have suggestions for local places that people can send/recycle their stuff? (Names, location, phone, Web site) for clothes, electronics, household items, prom dresses, etc.
Goodwill Industries – Household Items
http://locator.goodwill.org/
Working Wardrobes – Men’s & Women’s Clothing, Prom Dresses
www.workingwardrobes.org
Electronic Recycling
www.eRecycle.org
Junk Removal Shred-It Paper Shredding
1-800-GOT-JUNK www.shredit.com
Professional Organizer Orange County – Custom Organizing
Owner – Amanda Armstrong
(949) 500-8234
462 Seaward Rd.
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
rm2breathe@hotmail.com
How to Organize Your Kitchen and Bathroom
Professional Organizer Orange County
The best way to approach organizing the kitchen & any other space is to:
1. Pull everything out of the cabinets and sort the items into categories
2. Next, you want to purge any unwanted items, anything that has not been used in over a year, anything that is broken.
3. Now it is time to analyze your space to determine where the best home is for each item. For example, putting your dinner plates next to both your dishwasher and kitchen table is ideal.
4. Then you want to see if any organizing tools will make your space more user- friendly, such as putting pull-out drawers in cabinets that have deep shelves.
5. Finally, it is time to put everything away in its newly assigned home!
The main benefits of organizing your kitchen are:
1. You will save time preparing a meal and cleaning up after a meal
2. You will save time unloading your dishwasher
3. You will be able to fins what you are looking for even during the Holiday’s
4. You will save money by not buying food or supplies that you already have
The main benefits of organizing your bathroom are:
1. You will save time getting ready in the morning since you will not be wasting time looking for that mascara!
2. You will have a less stressful morning if you have a clutter-free space to get ready in.
3. You will save money by not buying products you already have.
PANTRY TIPS
Clean out all old and expired food!
Sort food into categories: Baking, Dinner Foods, Cereal, Breakfast, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit.
Try to keep only food and paper goods in your pantry.
Airtight containers are great for grains and pastas. They help keep bugs out. If a product has specific directions on the box, cut them out and tape them to the lid of the airtight container. Make sure they are labeled.
Save space by adding stackable shelves for short cans. In addition, stair steps help you to see spices and smaller condiments.
Baskets help contain spice and drink packets.
Lazy Susans make it easier to see condiments and canned goods.
AN ORGANIZED KITCHEN
Purge unused kitchen items such as that bread maker you got for Christmas 5 years ago!
Create zones in your kitchen: Baking Supplies, Morning Coffee, Pots and Pans, Entertaining Pieces, Everyday Dishes, Tupperware.
Put your Tupperware in a drawer to better control it. Match up each container with a lid. Clear containers are the most efficient because you can see what is inside. Eliminate non-see-through containers.
Keep everyday dishes near the dishwasher for easy unloading.
Keep cooking spices in a drawer or cupboard next to the stove.
Use pull-outs where ever possible, they make it much more accessible to get to all of your items.
BATHROOMS
Evaluate the products you use on a daily basis. Eliminate those you tried once and you know you will never use again.
Shower caddies come in various styles and functions. This will corral all of your shower necessities.
Sort your beauty products according to their function…Hair Products, Nail Care, Body Lotions, Face Products, and Makeup. Put them in baskets or bins (according to category) under your sink!
Hang a caddy on the inside of a cabinet door to contain all of your hair appliances.
Deep bathroom drawers work well for storing bottles upright, which frees up counter space.
Give yourself a clear space to do your makeup and other beauty routines.
Makeup, lotions, and beauty products all expire. Make sure to check the packaging for expiration dates.
–If you still have electric blue eye shadow in your drawer, it is finally time to say goodbye!
GOOD TIPS
The most important advice I can give about organizing products is to make sure you measure, measure, measure. Make sure the containers and systems you purchase are the right size for your needs. Always give yourself 10% room to grow in your containers and on your shelves. This allows space for new items you bring into your home.
Once your new systems are in place it is important to update and modify your systems as your needs change. Every six months to a year is a good time period for updating your systems. Make sure you are still using everything in your space. If you have started to get a little disorganized again, you may need to make a small adjustment with your system.
For more Organizing Tips or Help visit:
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
The best way to approach organizing the kitchen & any other space is to:
1. Pull everything out of the cabinets and sort the items into categories
2. Next, you want to purge any unwanted items, anything that has not been used in over a year, anything that is broken.
3. Now it is time to analyze your space to determine where the best home is for each item. For example, putting your dinner plates next to both your dishwasher and kitchen table is ideal.
4. Then you want to see if any organizing tools will make your space more user- friendly, such as putting pull-out drawers in cabinets that have deep shelves.
5. Finally, it is time to put everything away in its newly assigned home!
The main benefits of organizing your kitchen are:
1. You will save time preparing a meal and cleaning up after a meal
2. You will save time unloading your dishwasher
3. You will be able to fins what you are looking for even during the Holiday’s
4. You will save money by not buying food or supplies that you already have
The main benefits of organizing your bathroom are:
1. You will save time getting ready in the morning since you will not be wasting time looking for that mascara!
2. You will have a less stressful morning if you have a clutter-free space to get ready in.
3. You will save money by not buying products you already have.
PANTRY TIPS
Clean out all old and expired food!
Sort food into categories: Baking, Dinner Foods, Cereal, Breakfast, Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit.
Try to keep only food and paper goods in your pantry.
Airtight containers are great for grains and pastas. They help keep bugs out. If a product has specific directions on the box, cut them out and tape them to the lid of the airtight container. Make sure they are labeled.
Save space by adding stackable shelves for short cans. In addition, stair steps help you to see spices and smaller condiments.
Baskets help contain spice and drink packets.
Lazy Susans make it easier to see condiments and canned goods.
AN ORGANIZED KITCHEN
Purge unused kitchen items such as that bread maker you got for Christmas 5 years ago!
Create zones in your kitchen: Baking Supplies, Morning Coffee, Pots and Pans, Entertaining Pieces, Everyday Dishes, Tupperware.
Put your Tupperware in a drawer to better control it. Match up each container with a lid. Clear containers are the most efficient because you can see what is inside. Eliminate non-see-through containers.
Keep everyday dishes near the dishwasher for easy unloading.
Keep cooking spices in a drawer or cupboard next to the stove.
Use pull-outs where ever possible, they make it much more accessible to get to all of your items.
BATHROOMS
Evaluate the products you use on a daily basis. Eliminate those you tried once and you know you will never use again.
Shower caddies come in various styles and functions. This will corral all of your shower necessities.
Sort your beauty products according to their function…Hair Products, Nail Care, Body Lotions, Face Products, and Makeup. Put them in baskets or bins (according to category) under your sink!
Hang a caddy on the inside of a cabinet door to contain all of your hair appliances.
Deep bathroom drawers work well for storing bottles upright, which frees up counter space.
Give yourself a clear space to do your makeup and other beauty routines.
Makeup, lotions, and beauty products all expire. Make sure to check the packaging for expiration dates.
–If you still have electric blue eye shadow in your drawer, it is finally time to say goodbye!
GOOD TIPS
The most important advice I can give about organizing products is to make sure you measure, measure, measure. Make sure the containers and systems you purchase are the right size for your needs. Always give yourself 10% room to grow in your containers and on your shelves. This allows space for new items you bring into your home.
Once your new systems are in place it is important to update and modify your systems as your needs change. Every six months to a year is a good time period for updating your systems. Make sure you are still using everything in your space. If you have started to get a little disorganized again, you may need to make a small adjustment with your system.
For more Organizing Tips or Help visit:
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Conquer the "time bandit"
To conquer the "time bandit", learn ways to stop procrastinating and improve the quality of your life.
Here are some tips to help stay on that path.
Clutter Organizers Helpful Hint:
Tips for Stopping Procrastination
Write your main goal down where you can see it CLEARLY everyday (EXAMPLE: I choose to get my paperwork organized)
* Put this goal on the fridge, bathroom mirror, or computer screen *
Setting Goals: Set a small goal, write it down, and stick to it. Preface with "I choose to"...(see examples below)
- I choose to get my paperwork organized by learning more about paper organization
- I choose to read one book a week on getting paperwork organized
- I choose to call a professional organizer for help (we hope Clutter Organizers) :-)
Prioritize: Determine if what you are doing is important to you
- I choose to make a daily list
- I choose to put a priority code next to each item on list (A-B-C or 1-2-3 in relevant importance)
- I choose to do only A priority work for the day (B-C) only if there is enough time left over
- I choose to reevaluate my list if I am unable to finish what I have put down
Schedule: Put a time to the actions on your list
- I choose to keep track of my tasks by writing in a Daytimer, PDA, or some other type of scheduling notebook what I need to accomplish
- I choose to estimate how much time it would take me to do a task
- I choose to follow the goals I have chosen to accomplish for 30 days. This will create a new habit of tracking my actions and my time.
Please remember to apply the 80/20 rule. 20 percent of what you choose to work on IS IMPORTANT! 80 percent of what you choose to work on IS NOT IMPORTANT.
CHOOSE WISELY!
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
The Excuses of Clutter
What you hide behind closed doors are the piles of the unwanted, unused and the extra things that you may someday get around to using.
I am a practitioner of organizing all things clutter, lets start with some of the positive ways to eliminate the cluttered excuses.
The excuses just make things worst. By changing the ways you phrase the outcome can change the way you rid yourself of clutter. Start today by using statements that address the solution and do away with the excuses.
Here are a excuses I hear:
I know how to do this because I used to be organized.
The skill I have from being organized before is what I will use to conquer this area.My spouse does not pick up anything so I feel like it is not my job to pickup after them.
I can teach my family by doing what is best in being organized by doing.I keep this stuff because I paid good money for it and it may be worth something.
The money I spend on something does not create its value. I can let it go.I are going to sell all the things in this pile when we have a garage sale.
I will donate my useful items to charity because I don't have time to give a garage sale.My mom gave me this and I hate it but she will know if I give it away and will be mad.
I will tell mom I will be offering this to another family member or to charity.I grew up poor and I did not have a lot of things so I keep everything.
By growing up poor I have learned ways to appreciate the things I use and give away the things I don't to charity.Unless we get new furniture it is not worth keeping the clutter out.
I will take care of the items I currently own and replace the things I don't responsibly with items I love.This is not my fault, I was raised like this.
I have learned bad habits and choose to replace them with new habits that support my life.
Every time I start this pile of papers I don't know what to do with the papers I want to keep.
With each pile I choose to organize I will find a suitable place to file or store.I keep moving the piles from one room to the next.
I know where this belongs and I will take the time to put it there.I keep that spare room cluttered because when company comes over I throw things in there.
The spare room I will keep organized and not use it for items that do not have a home.I don't like this house and until we get a new one I am not interested in keeping it clutter-free.
The goals I have are to be clutter-free before I move to my new home.My job is taking all of my spare time so I do not have time to get organized.
My schedule allows me to have time to organize my life.I love to shop online and have all of the new things arrive at my door.
I will stop shopping for ninety days to get my current possessions under control.
I'm going to loss some weight and fit into the clothes in that closet again.
When I do lose weight I will get clothing that will fit me then.I know my cousin can use that so I am saving it for her.
I know that it can easily become “relative clutter” for her so I will donate this item.I've bought different kinds of storage boxes so it will make organizing easier and they are ready to be filled when I get around to it.
The storage choices I make will come the time I have to put the things in their proper places.I want this space to be organized I don't want to start because I can't make it that way.
fill in the blank with a positive statement that reinforces becoming better organized
Less is More
Clutter Organizers, equals clear space
We started this business as general contractors with an emphasis on construction management and interior design. On most of our jobs, we had to be organizers first before the job could be started. Clearing out the enormous amounts of clutter seem to be the beginning of most jobs. How could you build that nice new kitchen for your client knowing that you had to deal with the 90 cans of soup, outdated stuff shoved in the drawers and the 150 or so boxes that they had crammed into the cabinets? So the process would begin, empty all of the cabinets and now what? Where do all of these boxes and cans go? How about the tricycle in the pantry, or the leftover TV Guide from 1978 that featured the Saturday Night Live cast on the cover. These are just a few things we have had to deal with in the many years of doing business.
LESS IS REALLY MORE.
With so much being marketed and targeted at us it is no wonder our homes and businesses are filled to the brim. Funny how there is so much information out there on the weight epidemic, and about putting your body on a diet, but not your house The same premise works for your home. It cannot consume all of the stuff you put into it. Just as you would measure the portions of food, so would you to measure the intake of Stuff that makes your house FAT.
Visit:ProfessionalOrganizerOrangeCounty.com
We started this business as general contractors with an emphasis on construction management and interior design. On most of our jobs, we had to be organizers first before the job could be started. Clearing out the enormous amounts of clutter seem to be the beginning of most jobs. How could you build that nice new kitchen for your client knowing that you had to deal with the 90 cans of soup, outdated stuff shoved in the drawers and the 150 or so boxes that they had crammed into the cabinets? So the process would begin, empty all of the cabinets and now what? Where do all of these boxes and cans go? How about the tricycle in the pantry, or the leftover TV Guide from 1978 that featured the Saturday Night Live cast on the cover. These are just a few things we have had to deal with in the many years of doing business.LESS IS REALLY MORE.
When we came back a year later we found in this new kitchen, had been stuffed again with another 150 cans and 300 boxes...plus remember that tricycle that was in the pantry? Well, it ended up in the 3 car garage, where the car has not fit in at least 2 years. The funny thing is the child that the tricycle was purchased for went off to college this last May. With the way gas prices are maybe he could commute back and forth to Community College on it?
I think you get the idea.The problems we encountered were that most of our American clients did not have the time to enjoy the possessions they owned because often they were inundated with stuff which turns into CLUTTER. That remodeled kitchen we did, that cost the client quite a bit, could be barely recognized after a year. Was it that the client wanted to throw away good money or was it the fact that they just did not have a system in place to keep that nicely renovated room CLUTTER FREE.
- everything must have a place and there is only so much space
- clutter can not be sanitized, disinfected, purified or sterilized...only reduced.
- possessions are never as important as people
With so much being marketed and targeted at us it is no wonder our homes and businesses are filled to the brim. Funny how there is so much information out there on the weight epidemic, and about putting your body on a diet, but not your house The same premise works for your home. It cannot consume all of the stuff you put into it. Just as you would measure the portions of food, so would you to measure the intake of Stuff that makes your house FAT.
Visit:ProfessionalOrganizerOrangeCounty.com
Clean and Clutter Free Romantic Bedroom
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