Organizing for the Changing Seasons
September 7, 2011
The high temperature dropped thirty degrees in the last 3 days. Fall is definitely here! The changing weather signals that it is time for seasonal changeover. This changeover can look different for different people, but here are the most common areas to consider:
- Clothing – If your closet seems like it might burst at any minute, see if you can identify another closet in your home where you can store off-season clothing. This could be in a guest bedroom, office, or basement. If this closet doesn’t already have a closet system, consider investing in this great organization tool. It can more than double the usable space in your closet. Before moving your summer clothes to this new space, donate anything that doesn’t fit properly, is stained, or just isn’t a favorite anymore. It is much easier to do this now when it is fresh in your mind. Also, make sure all clothing items are clean before packing them away for the season. In the event that you do not have another closet, you can still get creative with under the bed solutions, space bags, or bins.
- Garage – Here in Michigan, many people park their cars in their garages in the winter. In the summer, that spot is often filled with bikes, lawn and garden essentials, lawn chairs, etc. The cold weather is a reminder of the necessary changeover that also needs to happen in the garage. Similar to your closet, you need to identify space for your off-season possessions in the garage. This can be a corner in the basement, a shed, or even overhead storage in the garage. Again, this changeover is a great time to donate unused items, fix broken things, and clean up the belongings you intend to keep. The key to being organized is to have a place for everything and everything in its place. A system in your garage and overhead storage will enable you to store a much larger volume in the same space. Click here to see a freedomRail garage system installed by Organize-It.
- Patio / Deck – You probably won’t be doing a changeover on your patio or deck, but you likely have items to cover your furniture or move to a protected spot. Items such as outdoor furniture, cushions, hoses, pots, and toys will last a lot longer if they are not left out over the winter. Do you have a spot in your basement for these? What about a shed? If not, try to make space in your garage. These types of outdoor items are perfect candidates for overhead storage in your garage. Just a reminder – don’t store it if you don’t want it and use it.
If you take the time to do a thorough seasonal changeover, you will thank yourself in the spring!
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.
What to do when it all gets too much…
September 7, 2011
I get so many emails from people telling me that it all just gets so overwhelming they don’t know where to start.One day everything is okay and the next it seems as if the paper is all over the place, they can’t find what they need on their computer, they have thousands of emails in their inbox and they’re paralyzed with overwhelm.
They can’t even get to urgent tasks, let alone the important ones that will help them reach their goals.
This is what I suggest: Continue Reading
Declutter for Back-to-School
August 12, 2011
As summer is winding down, this is a great time to declutter in preparation for the start of school. Here are the key areas to tackle:
- Clothing – Now is the time to try on the pants and long sleeves. Sort through all of the drawers and closets and get rid of what doesn’t fit. What you can’t use can be donated or passed along to a friend or family member. By going through this process, their closets and drawers get cleaned out and organized, you make room for new items, and you will likely save money by shopping during the back-to-school sales and only buying what your child needs.
- Cubby – Whether your child has a cubby, hooks, or a closet where they store their belongings, this is a great area to organize. The key here is to make sure there is a dedicated “home” for their backpack, shoes and coats. This is such an important spot for kids of all ages. Organizing this space will make the morning routine much smoother.
- School Supplies – Sort through your child’s school supplies from years past. If it is anything like our experience, you are sure to discover that you already have some of your required items for this school year.
- Work Area – Wherever your child prefers to do their homework, it pays to take a few minutes and organize this space. Ensure supplies are in good working order, clear the workspace of unnecessary clutter, and make a list of any supplies to purchase.
Help your child start the school year off right by getting organized now!
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.