Clutter – that’s what I have more of as the year draws to a
close. I realize I have collected more stuff this year, and it looks like our
house is busting at the seams with it. With a few days off during the holidays
it’s time to once again organize. In case any of you out there are in the same
boat I am going to share some of my tips, and organizational tools.
The best, and often the hardest tip in getting organized is
that a purge is required. No matter how many shelves, boxes and clever little
nooks I create, the best technique is to simply get rid of some things! If I have received some great new sweaters for
Christmas then I take out the ones at the bottom of the shelf that I haven’t worn in
a long while, and donate tehm to my favorite charity. Some people have hard and fast rules for this – not worn in a
year? Out it goes. For me, I know what I am really not going to wear again and
what I probably will, even if I didn’t this past year.
Ok so once I have purged I organize. I think about what organizational
techniques I incorporated last year that worked, and what hasn’t. Some people
like to put their belts on a hanger, I prefer a few hooks inside the closet
wall. Different things work for different people, incorporate what is easiest
for you. Here are a few ideas:
- Use shelf dividers to maximize the space and
keep sweaters neat.
- Shoes belong on a shoe rack.
- Hang belts, umbrellas and purses on attractive
belt racks and stagger them on the wall.
- Move off season items to under-the-bed storage
boxes or the highest closet shelves.
- Keep infrequently worn items towards the back of
your closet, with frequently worn items near the front.
- Place smaller items that float around on your
dresser in a decorative box.
- Create storage space under the bed.
- An ottoman with storage is a great place for
seasonal blankets.
- Use boxes with labels or baskets to store similar
items.
Best tip of all: tackle only one closet at a time!
