Organizing Your Home

February 03, 2023Stephanie Coley

ORGANIZATION - This resolution remains on the Top 10 list year after year!  It would seem to be a simple task with all the gadgets, storage containers, books, specialty spaces and the like.  Even the bible suggests things be done “decently and orderly”.  But this work is best resolved by good planning and purposeful attention to details.

This is such a specialty area that seasoned design professionals can find themselves looking for HELP!  Proper organization cannot be outsmarted or overlooked by building bigger or creating more storage, it demands direct attention.  If we skip focused efforts in our home or workplace, we find ourselves spending upwards of 20% of our day searching for this or that.  When you consider the average productivity percentages of 80/20, then disorganization could take you downward to 60%+- of fully realized accomplishments per day.  Let’s skip the calculation over a weeks’ time and beyond because it will only serve to cause depressed thoughts.

Another key bit of information is that organization is not always portable or transferable.  Great tools for function in one home or office, may or may not translate to another one.  Moving from a smaller home or apartment to a larger one is not the time to discover that your organization methods and containers do not work as well in the new space.  Larger does not equal better storage or proper fit.  As with other moves associated with moving, you need a plan.

Compare the new space and methods to the old for a good fit or modifications before you move in.  A true plan is necessary for sanity, orderly transition, and respecting your TIME.  There are articles, books, and professional organization companies to help you with everything from small drawer storage, closet systems, garage storage, and even how to properly contain and display your collectibles.  Yet, none of these tools and professional assistance will work without a concerted effort to delve into the practice of order and learn your maintenance patterns.  Once you find a solid rhythm you will not remember that you lived without it before now, and practical application should serve you from location to location.

If you create benchmarks for order in your home, you can manage it while being an example for others in your life, including your children.  Let’s look at home techniques for establishing and maintaining an organized home:

·       Remove everything from the space or map it out before moving in

·       Really delve into the decluttering process (Be honest & brutal about throwing out the unnecessary!)

·       Corral and put all like things together and bring other like or similar items from different locations (re-homing items might work out well)

·       Label EVERYTHING possible; bins, boxes, organization containers (bind papers and files as needed)

·       Thoughtfully bring your items back into the space

·       Remind yourself to always put things back after use

·       If something doesn’t work for “you” or a family member – rethink that portion of the organization process or storage location

Whether you work at home or in an office setting, a well-organized workspace has tremendous benefits.   It could make you feel more in control and focused and help identify areas that may need detailed attention.  An organized space can help eliminate distractions, create an atmosphere of success, save you time, and help you stay productive.  A short list that is similar to managing home is as follows:

·       Purge everything that is not necessary.

·       LABEL, Label, label (color coded is best), shelves, bins, drawers, folders, etc.

·       Use sturdy Boxes & Containers to store like items to reduce the number of exposed parts that clutter your sight line and distract you from the tasks at hand!

·       Segment Work Zones and keep them well defined with proper tools for activities within hands reach.

·       Organize and categorize your office supplies while keeping a count to avoid overstock

·       Declutter and organize your laptop/desktop to remove junk/redundant or old files, create folders for like files (subcategorize as needed)

·       Add a “few” Inspirational Reminder – Quotes, Photos (a FEW favorites), Vision Board, and other thought provoking items

Keep in mind that organization is not just for “things”, it is necessary for many areas of our lifestyle.  Here is a quick list of what needs to be organized and maintained:

·       Process lists – Work & Household Management

·       Cleaning lists – Order of Work/Seasons

·       Weekly/Monthly Reviews lists – What’s done or left undone

·       Routines lists – Where & What do you do on a weekly basis

·       Schedule/Time Block lists – WHEN will regular and planned activities take place

·       Packing lists – Handbag/Backpacks/Briefcase/Diaper Bag/Drop-offs/Suitcases…

·       List of To Do/Journaling Prompts – NEVER ending!

·       Distraction list -Triggers that stop the flow or add to your day/week

·       Implementation/Intentions Plan list = Whoa!

·       Meal Plans/Go-to Meals – This is a REAL thing, even if you are a SAHM

·       Shopping list – BIG time and money saver!

·       Goals list – Best and necessary practice

These lists are quick memory joggers and hopefully a bit of encouragement to tackle what crowds your space and your MIND.  It could be a good reference point throughout the month.  But if you need further help, be on the look out for an upcoming special “Lunch N Learn” on how to organize and maintain your spaces with professional organizers in March or early April -just in time for Spring Cleaning!  Send me a note at the email address below if you are interested.