Organization 101: a place for everything

We're wrapping up the organization 101 series today.

  Last week we got out our three boxes labeled: trash, donate and keep. Now that we've tossed stuff in the trash and taken trips to the donation center, it's time to deal with the keep pile. Where do we keep it? How do we store it? Well, to determine that, you need to consider a few things:

 1. Who uses the item? 

 2. What function does it serve? 

 3. In which space of the house does it belong? 

 4. How often do we use/need this item?

   

 The answers to number 1 and 2 will determine the answer to number 3. And the answer to number 4 will help you decide whether to store you things in a closet, on a shelf, or in a drawer and if it should be stored out of the way or within easy reach.

   

 When we put everything back in place, we want it to be in order. You can use baskets, bins, boxes, or whatever you have on hand to corral your belongings. After living with your new organizational system for a while, you will learn what works and what doesn't. With any organization system, maintenance is required.

   

 I end up tweaking and reorganizing every year, but it's less of an overhaul each time. I stick with what works and change what doesn't. There's no need to keep the shoe rack on the floor if no one is going to put their shoes away.

 

Also, you're not limited to builder designated uses for your spaces. For example, the linen closet may better serve to hold games, photo albums and books. Make your home work for you. The more you organize your house to suit the needs of your family, the more that house feels like a home.

   

 It has been a pleasure spending time with all of you. I really enjoyed my time at the Inspiration Cafe! Thanks so much for having me. Y'all come visit me anytime at www.mrshinesclass.com 

 See you in class, Mrs. Hines   

Organization 101: Clearing the Clutter

I'm having so much fun hanging out at the Inspiration Cafe and am thrilled to be sharing this organizing series with you.


  So how are you doing on your New Year's Resolution to get organized? Are you like me, feeling like the clock is ticking away and you've barely scratched the surface of your organizational goals?

 

 Well, there' still hope. Today I want to share with you a strategy for bringing your vision to reality. We are going to break our project down into manageable tasks. If you put "organize the garage" on your to-do list, you're going to find that "to-do" being bumped to the next week, then the next week, to the week after that. So, instead, let's approach the project one step at a time. For example:

 

Day 1: Get three boxes, labeled trash, donate and keep. Start going through everything in the garage and designating them to one of the boxes. Day 2: Throw away the trash and deliver your donation box to donation center Day 3: Determine how you use the garage. Look at what you're keeping and decide on the most practical place to store it. It may be helpful to draw out a sketch or use an online tool to create a plan. Day 4: Start organizing. Put everything in its place. Include a labeling system so that everyone knows where everything goes. If your kids are small, use pictures or symbols so that they can take ownership in cleaning too.

My big task this week is to finish organizing the command center in my home. So far, I've cleared everything off of the desk. And I have rearranged where the calendar and message board hangs. Now, I have to work on putting the desk back together. The biggest problem being paper clutter.

 

 I think my next step is to make a list: "recycle, shred, bills, respond, file" Then, determine what kind of receptacles would serve us best. What works for you? Next week, I hope to show you a picture of the finished space. Now that I've said that "out loud", I will feel some accountability and am more likely to get it done. Thank you so much for having me back! I'll see y'all next Tuesday to finish out the series. Feel free to come visit me at www.mrshinesclass.com between now and then. See you in class, Mrs. Hines

Organizing the Linen Closet

I opened a huge can of worms when I took down my Christmas decorations. Oh, who am I foolin', I haven't finished taking them down. The delay is due to deciding that this is the year that I would not shove everything back in the closets as they were, but instead tackle the clutter and reorganize EV.ER.Y thing. The coat closet, the bedroom closets, and the linen closet. The latter is going to be the easiest to tackle as I keep in mind a couple of 'rules of thumb' for linens. And as usual, there's a story behind it... 



 It was 5:30 in the morning, and I had just laid back down after a restroom break, trying to fall back to sleep. But I was distracted by an onion-y smell. Then I realized, "that's my sheets!" :( I started trying to think back and remember the last time I washed our sheets. I didn't think it had been all that long ago, but I guess considering the fits of night sweats I'd had that week, it should have come as no surprise that my sheets smelled like onion.

Am I grossin' y'all out? Sorry, I don't mean to. So, then I started to wonder if you all know how many sheet sets the infamous "they" recommend you have on hand. I'll give you a hint: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop? oooonnne, twooooo, threeeee licks. :)

That's one for the bed, another for the linen closet, and one more in the laundry.

One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready. now, go, go, go! :) Back to business...this rule of thumb also applies to towels. Each person in your household should have three towel sets. That's a lot of towels, but they are the easiest to fold and put away, at least in my house.

I actually have 'not enough sheet sets' and 'too many towels.' How many sheet sets and towels do you have? Had you heard that rule of thumb before? I'm off to wash my sheets. See you in class, Mrs. Hines

Thanks for the great tips Sharon!

And if you missed her last tip you can find it by clicking the image below:

Visit Sharon at Mrs. Hines Class anytime for more home tips, cleaning tips, great recipes, decor and DIY projects.

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