How to Organize Your Winter Gear
November 9, 2012
As the temperatures continue to drop, it is a great time to organize your cold weather gear. Whether you enjoy winter or merely endure it, you will find it easier if you are organized. Set aside a couple of hours, follow these tips, and you will be ready for Old Man Winter to arrive.
- Out with the Warm – It is time to move the warm weather gear out and make room for your winter gear. If you can dedicate some space in a basement or spare bedroom closet, this is a great way to store off season clothing. No extra closet? Invest in some large labeled storage containers which can be kept in the basement.
- Keep? Before storing fall and winter garments, gloves, boots, etc., sort through them. Ask yourself the following: “Does this fit? Is this outdated? Do I have duplicates? Is this too worn to keep? Did I wear this last year?” Many charities are looking for cold weather clothes, so if you decide to discard something from your closet, consider donating it.
- Wash/Dry Clean– Be sure that everything you want to keep is ready to be worn. Before hanging it up, get them in tip top shape. In this climate, you never know when you may need them!
- Hangers – Invest in durable hangers for all the bulky items (jackets, snow pants, etc.). Hangers are available that can accommodate both the jacket and snow pants together on the same hanger, saving space.
- Hats, Gloves, Mittens and Scarves, Oh My! – A bin for each family memberis a great way to keep all of these pieces organized and easy to find.
- Boots – These are typically the messiest of all cold weather attire. I recommend investing in a boot tray to contain the mess.
Follow these tips and enjoy the rest of your fall knowing that you are ready for Old Man Winter!
Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
Tool Storage for the Cold Season
November 2, 2012
Finding a place to store your garden and outdoor equipment during the fall and winter months can be quite a hassle, especially for those that are not blessed with a large shed or garage. I personally am lucky (or cursed, I guess it depends on your outlook) enough to live in a one-bedroom apartment with absolutely no outdoor space, so this is not an issue I have to worry about.
However, I do know of quite a few people that do run into this dilemma including my brother-in-law who owns a small house with a decent amount of yard space. His front and back yard require quite a bit of maintenance during the summer, spring and early autumn seasons, so he has a bunch tools like a weed-whacker, shovels and hoes, wheel-barrow and so much more. The problem is during the winter months, he has to find a place to store them while his yard is buried under half a foot of snow.
The problem with storing all of these tools is that the yard is too small to accommodate a full-size shed with shelves. What I recommended to my brother-in-law was to try and install small yard-tool rack to some solid wood surface of his home. Luckily, the side of his house is made from weather resistant solid wood, perfect for installing the rack. He also built a small awning above the rack for weather protection, keeping his tools dry.
What is great about the yard tool rack is that it is able to store just about any type of garden tool, whether it is a shovel, rake or a weed-whacker. Even without the luxury of additional yard storage space, my brother-in-law found a way to keep his tools in great shape throughout the off-season.
For those that are lucky enough to have a small shed or a garage that is large enough to accommodate tools, I would recommend using durable Heavy-Duty Garage Grid Organizer to store your tools.
Home Office for Working Remotely
November 1, 2012
More and more, Americans are finding ways to make working from home a feasible solution. There are various reasons why working remotely can be beneficial to both the employee as well as the employer, including a need for less office space, less time wasted during the day with a commute, money saved on gas because there is no commute, and much more.
One big obstacle in getting your home ready to be worked from is setting it up to mimic your in-office conditions. Working at a desk that is separated from the everyday distractions of the home is very important and increases productivity as it feels similar to being in the office. Some are lucky enough to have a separate room that can double as an office, while others will just have to find a secluded corner of the living room.
If your job includes a lot of paperwork, then it is vital to have the right shelves and files to keep your desk area organized. These office organization furniture pieces are taken for granted by those that work in the office – those that are setting up an at-home office will quickly realize just how much furniture is provided on-site.
One must-have item for the home office is a filing cabinet. Personally I prefer filing cabinets that are set on wheels or casters because they make it easy to move them around the room. Without a proper filing cart, you may find your desk begin to pile up with paperwork. This gives the office a cluttered appearance, which is only compounded by the fact that it is in your home – making your own living room look cluttered.
A range of bookcases in any shape and size!
Another helpful item for the home office is a sturdy and spacious book case. This is more important for those that require reference books and other larger items for their job. A bookcase can be a great way to add a touch of décor to the room while providing convenient storage.
As working from home becomes more and more common-place, many people who never dreamed their field offered that opportunity are discovering otherwise. By using quality office furniture in the home you can create an organized and functional home office.