We’ve all heard it, “I really want to do this with _______ space.” “Someday this _________ space is going to be _________.” “If I only had time I would redecorate this _________ space.” Fill in the blanks, either you or someone you know labels this _______ space this way. The real problem is commitment, or a lack thereof. Areas get out of control when we don’t designate a specific use and follow through with it. If the space should be an office, get a desk in there. Then make the space inviting to encourage use and, no more excuses, you’ve done it!
Weekly Tip
Dresser drawers are hard to keep neat if you stuff the garments and hope the drawer closes.
Roll garments like t-shirts, pajamas, activewear. Move off-season clothes out and into bins on top shelves. This also allows you a day to purge the unwanted. Jeans work well folded on shelves (think “like in a store”) and drawer dividers can segment socks, underwear, bras and cami’s. Bins don’t have to be clear plastic, check out decorative fun bins and baskets at The Container Store. Your closet can have a new look without spending much money and happiness will replace the “drawer depression”.
The kitchen is a room where one must function efficiently. Arranged into work zones, this will be the case. Store items where you use them, (bakeware near the oven, glasses near the refrigerator, flatware in a drawer near the dishwasher)… extra steps are great for exercise, not kitchen functionality. Big kitchen? Set up designated areas for frequent activities, (coffee prep entertaining prep, baking area). Not such a big kitchen? Try a mobile island for extra counter work space.
Is there a remodel in your future? Why not take the time to really plan how you want to function in that new space. Glass front cabinetry is beautiful, but not if you are trying to hide a mess. Those corner cupboards can be a waste of real estate with a lazy susan… or not… try “v” shaped drawers in those corners… no more digging in the back dark corners of the cupboard. Consider pull-outs for all lower cupboards for easy go-to and storage.
Bedroom storage a problem? Purchase a decorative basket and fill with your colorful blankets, neatly folded, or purchase a bench with built in storage for the foot of your bed. Newer nightstands have built in charging stations which eliminate cords and cables around the head of your bed. Built-in units, more expensive, but O! so efficient! Open shelving surrounds you with the things you love to see and closed cabinetry and drawers below allow for exceptional storage. Plan it, do it, love it!
Where were you when you made your big life plans? Perhaps in college surrounded by friends discussing hopes and dreams… the possibilities were endless and exciting! Where might we live? Would we get married? O! the career plans, families and adventures that awaited!
I think it’s safe to assume none of us ever said “I hope I have a big house full of things that I bought just because they were on sale.” We never talked about our intentions to own so much stuff that we would spend our free time trying to organize it all. No one said, “I hope my future kids have so many toys that they can’t pick them up because there is nowhere to put them!”
Why do we trade in our hopes, dreams, goals and plans for things that will eventually end up in a garage sale, consignment store or landfill? We pull this baggage behind us as we go through life thinking about the next thing we can add to it! Stop doing that!
I still love shoes and handbags, kitchen gadgets that slice and dice… but I don’t like the idea that someone would trade in special hopes and dreams for something that can be bought. I like my stuff but I am SO OVER IT!
Give me passion, pursuits, wholeness, healing, compassion, audacious goals, love, grace, kindness… give me those instead, and let me not be distracted by anything less.
Simple fix… purchase a 3-ring binder and some sheet protectors. Each manual gets a sleeve then organize the binder by large appliances, small electronics, garage/utility items, toys and sports equipment. Store the binder on a shelf in the garage or your utility room. Each year when cleaning out your files, go through the binder and toss the manuals for which you no longer have the appliance. Now you have an extra drawer for something much more useful!
I’ve seen it all… the workout clothes are hard to fold, slippery, odd sizes, so the natural thing to do is stash the clean laundry in a drawer, why bother to spend time folding? But then those early morning workouts arrive and your grab and go outfits are mismatched, inside out, wrinkled, you wear the same ones over and over because they are on top, uggh! Designate a dresser drawer for the bottoms, and one for the tops. Or purchase drawer dividers to separate them. Roll the items and line them up. Put clean ones at the back and you will rotate through a fresh new look every time you go to the gym.
Ladies, scarves are lovely and fun to wear. We can loop them, tie them, knot them and drape them…. but where and how do we store them? How about a decorative bin lined with muslin for your closet shelf? Try folding the scarf in half lengthwise and rolling it from top to bottom. The scarves can be stacked in the bin, color coded or seasonally coded. Scarves will stay wrinkle free, you have more space in your drawers/closets and now you can find the doorknob! Hang your pashminas, as they are too big to roll and place those alongside your short hang clothes. That’s a wrap!
Ever wonder why your pantry or refrigerator space isn’t efficient? Cupboard shelves and refrigerators are not round, but many containers are. Why?
Purchase square or rectangular containers… they are pantry space savers. Organize your fridge with odd-sized items on top shelf, eye level shelf for healthy snacks. Since the door is the warmest, a great place for condiments. Meats belong in their own special spot to avoid cross-contamination.
Another tip for freshness? High producing ethylene gas products (apples, avocados, cantaloupes) should ripen outside the fridge before mixing with other greens. Once ripe they can join their fresh friends in those crisper drawers.
That one earring… those paper clips… the rubber band… on which garment does this button belong? This screw fell off of what? The tiny tube of super glue… All things to keep but where?
How about a command center in a kitchen or laundry room drawer? There are many drawer organizers that would love to house all these little gems… they expand to fit most drawers and all these gems can be housed handy… but sew on the button when you find the garment to which it belongs!