Attack of the Closets

If one of your winter organizing projects is tackling your overflowing bedroom closet, here are a few ways to do it.

Yes, Maybe, No
The most aggressive process, this method is meant for people who have a pretty clear idea of what they want to purge. The “yes” pile is for items to keep, “no” is to give away, and “maybe” is to decide later. After the first round of sorting, take a break, then return to divide the “maybe” pile into “yes” and “no.”

Past, Present, Future
Your wardrobe may span several time periods: now, high school, when I lose twenty pounds, if I ever get invited to a gala, etc. These clothing items can be sorted into “past,” “present,” and “future” piles. To reclaim closet space, it may be a good idea to set limits on how many “past” and “future” items stay in your closet. Consider implementing rules such as not keeping anything more than two sizes too large or too small, or not keeping anything over five years old.

Always, Sometimes, Never
If you’re not sure how to start sorting, use this method to sort your clothing into piles for items you wear at least once a month, wear at least once a year, or haven’t worn in years. Look at your piles, and consider letting go of items you haven’t worn in years. For items worn once a year, consider how many of these items you really need to have on hand.

When putting items back into your closet, use a system that works for you. It doesn’t have to be color-coordinated or “like with like” if that’s not how you will look for items. Consider putting outfit separates together, sorting by frequency of use, or sorting by purpose if you wear a uniform or business attire to work. As with any organizing project, avoid buying boxes, shelves, and hangers before sorting and purging.

New Year, No Clutter!

If your new year’s resolution includes saying so long to clutter, here are some tips to stay organized in 2010.

The Fantasy. Every purchase involves a fantasy. Every new item of clothing, fitness equipment, book, pair of shoes, perfume, and on and on, has a dream attached. When you decide to spend your hard-earned money on something, you have a vision about how it will make your life better. This year, avoid clutter by taking a second look at what you buy and if it’s fulfilling its promises. More often than not, people’s "good intention" purchases turn into clutter in a corner, making their organization goals even more challenging. Establishing clear goals—"less clutter," "more time," "pay off debt," etc.—makes for easier decision-making.

The House Beautiful Effect. Professional Organizers encounter this dilemma a lot. We’ve seen perfect-looking houses that aren’t organized, or that have secret, clutter-filled closets and spare rooms. Just because your house doesn’t look like a photo out of a magazine doesn’t mean that it’s not organized. The point is: make organizing your top priority, and save the glamour of fine design for your second priority. This way, there’s less of a chance that disorganization will creep out into your beautiful decor.

Maintain, maintain, maintain. I haven’t found a system yet that doesn’t need maintenance. Sorry. If I could come up with one, I’d be rich! The key is to create systems of organization that work for you, so that you are motivated by the outcome to continue the maintenance.

First People, then Money, then Stuff. One of successful financial advisor Suze Orman’s mantras is “People first, then money, then things." She has helped thousands of people get themselves out of debt by realizing what is really important in life. As you make your clutter-free plan for 2010, remember that debt is clutter. You can enjoy things without owning them, and some of the best experiences are free. Find ways to enjoy the people around you and life’s simple pleasures without spending money or purchasing stuff. If you can do this in 2010, you’re giving yourself the best gift of all.

Odd-sized Kitchen Drawer? Organize Your Utensils

When I moved into my new home this spring, I had the usual batch of organizing questions. Where should everything go? As many people do, I began with the heart of the home: the kitchen.

I hit a snag right away, though. There were two options to house my day-to-day utensils. On one side of the kitchen, there was a drawer that was too small to hold an average-size utensil tray. On the other side, in a less convenient location, was a large drawer where the utensils would only fill half of the space and have to share with other items.

Luckily, I found a great product from The Container Store called "Custom Drawer Organizers." I was able to give away my old utensil tray, and custom-create three spaces just for forks, knives, and spoons. I also used it in the drawer below to separate whisks, spatulas, etc. It was a great solution.

If you plan to use this product to customize your kitchen drawers, here are some suggestions:

1. Measure twice, cut once.

2. Err on the side of "tightness," as the plastic connections give a little over time.

3. If you are uncomfortable scoring plastic (with an exacto knife) or breaking it apart by hand, ask a friend to help you. The process doesn't take a lot of strength, but it does take accuracy.

Overall, I'm happy with the versatility this product has given my kitchen drawers. While a little pricey, the solution was much cheaper than redesigning my kitchen drawers and much less irritating that having items in an inconvenient place.

Ideas to Tackle the Tupperware

Try these products to tackle your overflowing Tupperware cabinet:

Rubbermaid Easy-find Lids
http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091258&CatName=FoodStorage

GladWare
http://www.glad.com/containers/gladware_containers.php

Smart Spin Containers
https://www.smartspin.com/

Spruce Up Your Kitchen

The holiday season can be a great time to take a second look at your kitchen cabinets. Before you start your holiday cooking, follow these simple steps to streamline your kitchen.

Check your expiration dates. Throw out expired items. Determine why you didn’t use the items, and decide if they need replacing. If a food item doesn’t have an expiration date, use a sharpie to mark a date several months out, and get rid of it then. Don’t risk eating spoiled food to save three dollars.

Do you need all this stuff? Take an honest look at what you actually use. Do you bake four pies every holiday? If you don’t, you don’t need the four pie pans you bought a decade ago with the best of intentions. Avoid the “just-in-case” excuse. Most seldomly-used items can be bought or borrowed in a pinch.

Tackle that Tupperware! If your plastic storage containers are overflowing, consider an overhaul. Try to have only three or four sizes of containers, all from the same brand.

Put items in their proper places. I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people are reaching and bending for utensils they use every day. Start by sorting items in piles for daily use, weekly use, and less often. Items used more often should be able to be accessed without squatting or grabbing the footstool. Items used less than once a month may be able to be stored in other rooms or storage areas. Consider putting great-grandma’s antique platter on a shelf or the mantle instead of taking up prime kitchen space.

Remember, there are a lot of people in need, especially this year. Your kitchen items could be just what a family needs to make their holidays special. Consider donating to worthy causes.