Wall Shelves Set the Stage for Spring Cleaning
March 23, 2013
As the weather warms up, it is time to start thinking about wall shelves again, and their incredible ability to increase organization without decreasing floor space.
Perhaps it is not my favorite springtime activity, but spring cleaning is a necessary task around my home come March and April. The clean up job is not nearly as much work now that I live in sunny Southern California, but just a few years ago I was living in the frigid Northeast.
For those that do not know, it gets cold up there. I mean really, really cold. And it is cold for a long time – like four or five months straight of sub 40 degree temperatures with a few snowstorms and wintery mix thrown in for good measure.
Some people are natural-born Eskimos, but unfortunately this California boy was not. So I would pretty much hibernate in my apartment and let it turn into a scene from hoarders by the time the ground started thawing out.
Anyways, this year I was in the middle of my big clean up job when I realized that my dining room walls were completely devoid of decoration, and that my cabinets had started to become overfilled with various dining room items.
The best way to add some décor to the dining room (or any room of the home, really) is to add a decorative wall shelf to the area. There are a variety of attractive wall shelves, from scrolling metal wall shelves to more simple wood shelves.
What is great about these wall shelves is that they are incredibly easy to install and once they are up on the wall, they stay there! For the most part I just moved some of my trinkets around, such as my decorative sugar bowl and my cute porcelain salt and pepper shakers.
These wall shelves float, but they are not a witch!
This was a great move because it cleared up the counter space in my kitchen and dining room, leaving me with much more area to concoct my delicious spring and summer delicacies
Wine Storage Rack Options for the Spring
March 15, 2013
This week we are diving into the storage options of one of my favorite things in the world – wine. While some of us out there are lucky enough to have a full wet or dry bar in their homes which provide excellent storage for bottles and other bar equipment, the vast majority of us have to make do with what space we currently have. The wide world of wine racks is vast and varied, there are so many different styles of wine storage racks out there that it can be overwhelming for the casual storage shopper.
Luckily I have a couple of great products that are the ideal choice for storing your entire wine collection. Whether that is a giant collection of aged spirits and vintage wines, or just a couple of bottles (it seems like those bottles never last more than a week anyways!). Check out all four of my favorite wine racks after the jump:
How to Organize Your Home Office – Calendars
March 8, 2013
My last entry showed you how to use paper trays to help improve the flow of paper in your office. Continuing with your home office, I would like to show you how to better organize your appointments. The saying, “a place for everything, and everything in its place” applies to appointments as well. Too often, people try to maintain too many calendars. Other mistakes include using no calendar at all (nobody’s memory is that good) and using the wrong calendar for them. Here are some tips to help keep you on schedule:
How many calendars? – One of the most common mistakes I encounter with my clients is that they have too many calendars. I’m not sure which is worse, too many calendars or none at all. The key is simplicity. The more calendars you have, the more places you have to check, update, and maintain. It is very easy for them to get out of sync, causing you to miss important appointments. I recommend using the fewest number of calendars possible, optimally one. Organize-It.com has a variety of calendars and planners to choose from that will surely suit your personal needs.
Paper vs. Electronic? – With all of the electronic gadgets out there, many people feel the pressure to go electronic. While these tools provide many wonderful, time-saving features, they may not be right for you. A paper-based calendar can be just as effective. Analyze your needs to determine which type of calendar is best for you. If you are on the go a lot, an electronic solution is a great choice. It allows you to carry your contacts, tasks, and appointments all in the palm of your hand. If you are a stay at home mom, a large wall calendar might be the answer. It gives you a lot of space for each day and allows everyone easy access to the family schedule. A daily planner that you can keep with you is a great choice if you don’t like looking at the small screen.
Appointments vs. To-Dos – Your time management requirements fall into two categories: appointments and to-dos. An appointment is tied to a particular time and place, such as meetings, doctor appointments, car-pools, etc. The best way to organize your appointments is to record them in your calendar. To-Dos are items that need to get done, but when you do them is at your discretion. To-dos are best organized on a to-do list which is reviewed daily. Do not use your calendar to track your to-do items.
Write It down – How many times have you laid awake at night worrying about forgetting something important? Many people attempt to keep track of these things in their heads. Although it works for some, most of the time it fails, resulting in missed appointments. Write it down!
Check Often – No matter how diligent you are about writing things down in your calendar, if you don’t refer back to it on a regular basis, it will not be an effective time management tool. Get into the habit of checking your calendar regularly.
Follow these tips to stay on schedule!
Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.