If you feel that organizing a room is too big of a project, you should start with a drawer in a room! Start small and go big. Start within and work out. But first you need to determine what this drawer would be best used for.
It could depend on its location - examples include the side table next to the sofa in front of the TV (ideal for remote controls and TV guide), the night stand drawer next to your bed (ideal for your journal, books you are currently reading and anything else you may need in the middle of the night), kitchen drawer next to the stove (ideal for cooking utensils or spices).
Take the drawer, put it on the bed, sofa, counter or floor. Take everything out of it. Hold each item in your hand and think, keep it or throw out? If you want to keep it, should it stay in this drawer or go somewhere else more logical? Try to keep similar things together - everything should have its place - so you always know where to find it!
After you have decided what you want to keep in this drawer, get drawer organizers. Whether you use dividers, boxes or trays, it will keep the things in this drawer in its place. Also when you use drawer organizers, you will find you create even more space. Randomly throwing things in your drawer will create clutter and make the drawer hard to open!
Now that your drawers are starting to get organized, let's start moving outward. Look at the tops of your tables, dressers and cabinets as well as any open shelves. Let's start to reduce the clutter that we see everyday!
Take one surface at a time - start with the kitchen and/or dining table, are there are random items sitting on it ? Clear everything off. Having an open table gives the automatic impression that your house is clean regardless of any untidiness around it.
If you need a tray of condiments or cutlery box whenever you sit down for a meal, keep it on the kitchen counter or in a cabinet and take it out only for mealtimes. If you use your kitchen or dining table as a workspace, again, keep whatever you need, pens, papers, laptop, books, etc. in a cabinet until you are ready to get to work.
Taking the action associated with the task at hand also signals to your brain that you are ready to eat or ready to work. Not only do we want our home organized, we want our brains to get organized too!
Make it a habit to keep your tabletops clear at all times. Forget home decor magazines that show tables beautifully decorated with tablecloths, centerpieces, vases, glasses, tableware and cutlery. Save that for special occasions and invited guests. A clear tabletop also minimizes fuss and dust.
Next, let's look at the coffee table and side tables. If you like coffee table books or have monthly magazine subscriptions, keep them there for your convenience and enjoyment. However try to keep the surface as clear and organized as possible. It is good if your coffee table has a lower shelf, you can keep all reading material underneath and keep the surface clear for casual entertaining.
You can also keep the coffee table books on the side tables next to the sofa and your monthly magazines underneath in baskets or magazine holders, if there is room. Again keep the area clear and organized.
Another important tip is that as you read your monthly magazines, mark any pages that you want to refer to again. When you finish the magazine, look at the marked pages and if you still want to keep it, rip out the page. Throw out, recycle (meaning get it out of your home) or donate the rest of the magazine.
Make sure to file the magazine clippings according to what category it falls into - if it is a financial tip or health article, put it in your financial or health folder. Maybe it's a cosmetic or beauty product you want to research or try, keep it in a temporary folder so you can decide whether you want to buy it next time you are online or going to the mall.
Ok, now let's talk about dressers and cabinet tops. If the dresser is in your bedroom, you may want to keep a jewellery box or accessories box on the top to keep everyday jewellery, cufflinks, watches, etc. You may also want to have a small lamp and picture frame next to the box.
The height of the cabinet tops will determine what should be kept there. High cabinets can hold attractive baskets with lightweight things inside (you don't want to hurt your back when you reach for those items) or plants (real ones only please, fake ones only collect dust and don't benefit your health).
Lower cabinets can also have some plants, several picture frames, a lamp or two and perhaps a striking decorative item. You determine what you like to keep as features on your cabinets. As always, remember to keep it as clear and organized as possible to reduce fuss and excess dust.
For open shelves, organization is key! Place your books in an attractive way with some decorative features or plants in between the rows of books to give a casual and homey feel. If you keep a collection of items, whether it is model cars or Swarovski crystal art objects, give each item breathing room and make sure to dust your treasures once a week!
If your open shelves are in your home office, you may have stationery items you need to keep handy. Get a desk organizer, aka desktop organizers, with many drawers to put your post-it notes, pens, highlighters, scotch tape, stapler, etc. insider - keep the desk organizer up on the shelf and off your desk.
Make the effort to keep your desk as clear as possible - the less things you keep on top of your desk, the better. Having a clear desk before you start to work and as you work will keep your mind and your work organized!
If you are just getting started on organizing your home, take it one step at a time! Tonight, while you are watching TV, clear your coffee table or organize the side table drawer. When you do, make the decision of what the purpose of the coffee table or drawer will be and stick with it!! Even if it takes you an hour to decide on the purpose, make it count so you don't have to second guess yourself tomorrow!
